ESPN ranks
by: Nick Schultz
1. Oregon
Entering this year, Oregon faced some questions because of the amount of new faces on the roster. But Dan Lanning’s group looks like it hasn’t missed a beat, entering Week 4 with a perfect 3-0 record and a huge 69-3 victory over Oklahoma State in Week 2.
Dante Moore has had a strong start to the year at quarterback, as well, completing 78.1% of his passes for 657 yards and a touchdown to one interception. The Civil War rivalry matchup awaits against Oregon State in Week 4 before Big Ten play heats up, and the Ducks now find themselves atop ESPN’s Big Ten football rankings.
2. Ohio State
Ryan Day-Ohio State-Ohio State football-Buckeyes
Ohio State coach Ryan Day has the attention of his team. (© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
As it looks to defend its national title, Ohio State has a marquee win over Texas on its early resume. The Buckeyes have since cruised through the non-conference schedule with back-to-back blowout wins over Grambling and Ohio with Washington looming this week.
Quarterback Julian Sayin turned in his best performance of the year against Ohio, completing 25 of 32 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns, to two interceptions. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has also topped 100 yards in back-to-back games, totaling 153 yards against the Bobcats, as Ohio State takes momentum into Big Ten play.
3. USC
After an up-and-down first year in the Big Ten, USC hoped to turn things around quickly. The Trojans now find themselves as the third-ranked team in the conference, according to ESPN, after a victory at Purdue last time out.
USC’s offense is the best in the country after wins against Missouri State, Georgia Southern and Purdue. The Trojans are averaging 604 yards, and quarterback Jayden Maiava’s 329.7 passing yards on average ranks fifth in the nation entering Week 4.
4. Penn State
The preseason favorite in the Big Ten media poll, Penn State returned plenty of firepower from last year’s national semifinal appearance. But despite a 3-0 record, the Nittany Lions come in at No. 4 in ESPN’s Big Ten rankings.
Penn State has won its first three games by an average margin of 38.3 points, but got off to somewhat slow starts against FIU and Villanova. The Nittany Lions get conference play started next week out of the bye as Oregon makes the trip to Happy Valley in primetime.
5. Michigan
Through the first two games of the year, Bryce Underwood showed flashes of his potential as a true freshman. But he shined in a Week 3 win against Central Michigan – leading acting Michigan head coach Biff Poggi to wonder if he “might actually be Batman.”
Underwood went 16 of 25 for 235 yards and a touchdown, to an interception, while leading the Wolverines with 114 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. As a result, Michigan is up to No. 5 in ESPN’s Big Ten football rankings.
6. Indiana
With three blowout non-conference wins under its belt, Indiana will now get Big Ten play underway in Week 4 against Illinois on the primetime stage. The Hoosiers are looking to recapture last year’s magic and make a return to the College Football Playoff in the process.
Through the non-conference schedule, Fernando Mendoza has gotten off to a strong start as IU’s quarterback. He has completed 72.4% of his passes for 708 yards and nine touchdowns as he gets ready for his first Big Ten schedule.
7. Nebraska
Following a huge season-opening win over Cincinnati, Nebraska took care of business to close out the non-conference slate. The Cornhuskers cruised past Akron and Houston Christian in final tuneups before this week’s matchup against Michigan.
Dylan Raiola still has not thrown an interception to star the year as he totaled 829 passing yards and eight touchdowns to start the year. Nebraska is in the Top 10 of ESPN’s Big Ten football rankings, and the sophomore quarterback has an opportunity to make a statement this week against Michigan.
8. Illinois
One of the Big Ten’s more intriguing teams entering the year, Illinois has looked the part so far. The Fighting Illini capitalized on multiple Duke miscues to get a blowout win in Week 2 while also cruising through its other two non-conference games against Western Michigan and Western Illinois.
Now, a Top-25 showdown awaits in Week 4 as Illinois heads to Bloomington to take on Indiana. It’s an opportunity for the Fighting Illini to get a marquee conference win with USC looming and Ohio State farther down the schedule.
9. Washington
Jedd Fisch started off Year 2 at Washington with a win against Colorado State before cruising past UC Davis in Week 2. The Huskies will now get ready for their Apple Cup rivalry game against Washington State in Week 4, closing out the non-conference portion of the schedule.
Washington comes in at No. 9 in ESPN’s Big Ten football rankings as it prepares for its first road game. The Huskies have gotten a huge start from running back Jonah Coleman, who leads the nation with seven touchdowns while averaging 144 yards across two games.
10. Iowa
The Iowa offense drew plenty of attention this offseason following the addition of former FCS standout Mark Gronowski. The Hawkeyes now take a 2-1 record into Big Ten play, with the lone blemish coming in a low-scoring Cy-Hawk game in Week 2.
Iowa got a blowout win against UMass last week to close out the non-conference slate as Gronowski completed 16 of 24 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Now, Rutgers awaits as the Hawkeyes will head to Piscataway for a special Friday night matchup.
Rest of ESPN’s Big Ten rankings
11. Rutgers
12. Wisconsin
13. Minnesota
14. Maryland
15. Michigan State
16. Northwestern
17. Purdue
18. UCLA
