Blog Ten Power Rankings – Week 3

OMG did you hear? We aren't the worst! LOL :)

Power Rankings may be completely pointless in most sports, but this is college football where they determine champions.  So every week on Blog Ten we’ll rank the teams in the Big Ten from best to worst.  Winner at the end of the season gets a high five.

While the top teams in the Big Ten stay put this week, there is quite a bit of movement among the rest of the conference in the Blog Ten Power Rankings.  That includes Indiana no longer being the worst team in the conference, so celebrate while you can Hoosier fans because I have a feeling that may change once conference play starts this Saturday.

Who took their place?  Find out after the jump.

1. Penn State 3-0 (1) - The Nittany Lions feasted on cupcakes in their first three games, and though we’re all still waiting to see them destroy people, they get to keep the top spot after their victory over Temple.  Their run game finally emerged as Evan Royster had a big day, and their defense continues to be pretty stout.  Of course, and injury to Sean Lee could hurt them as they prepare for Iowa in what will be the biggest game in the Big Ten this weekend.  NEXT GAME: vs. Iowa
2. Michigan 3-0 (2) - I thought about knocking Michigan down to the third spot for a minute or two, but even though the Wolverine defense struggled against Eastern Michigan in the first half, they held them in check in the second.  Plus, with Tate Forcier having the type of game normally reserved for us mortals, Carlos Brown stepped up and took the reins of the Michigan offense.  Still, they need to get better on defense now that conference play is starting if they plan on staying in this spot a bit longer. NEXT GAME: vs. Indiana
3. Ohio State 2-1 (3) - The Buckeyes bounced back from their loss against USC rather nicely, dominating the Toledo Rockets in all phases of the game in their 38-0 win.  It was exactly the kind of performance I wanted to see from the Buckeyes, and the kind they needed for their psyches.  Now they can focus solely on getting revenge against Illinois for coming into the Horseshoe and ruining their undefeated season in 2007.  NEXT GAME: vs. Illinois
4. Iowa 3-0 (4) - I know I only have them ranked fourth here, but in reality there hasn’t been a team that has looked better as a whole in the conference the last few weeks than the Hawkeyes.  Had they not struggled against Northern Iowa in the opener, they’d easily be ranked in the top 20 right now.  That being said, Ricky Stanzi still terrifies me.  If he continues to be careless with the ball this week against Penn State, there’s no way the Hawkeyes take down the Nittany Lions for the second year in a row.  NEXT GAME: @ Penn State
5. Wisconsin 3-0 (5) - Wisconsin abused Wofford this week, so because of that they get to keep the #5 spot for going out and doing what they’re supposed to do, but they’re going to have to take better care of the ball from here on out.  You can have turnovers when you completely outclass your opponent, but that will no longer be the case.   Especially when you’re playing a team this week that has it’s back against the wall.  NEXT GAME: vs. Michigan State
6. Minnesota 2-1 (6) - I didn’t drop the Gophers this week despite their loss at home against Cal on Saturday.  Cal is a top ten team for a reason, and the Gophers were in the game until about halfway through the fourth quarter, and this in spite of the fact they only have one playmaker on offense in Eric Decker.  NEXT GAME: @ Northwestern
7. Indiana 3-0 (11) - Here you go, Indiana.  Here’s your respect.  You went out and beat an Akron team that may have been without their starting quarterback, but to be honest, I’m not sure it would have mattered much.  Four interceptions on defense helped out quite a bit and you’re probably going to need a similar performance this week if you’re going to pull off the upset in Ann Arbor. NEXT GAME: @ Michigan
8. Northwestern 2-1 (7) - Here’s a little lesson for the Wildcats.  When you go on the road, you cannot fall behind 17-0 in the first quarter.  It’s hard enough to win on the road and spotting the other team, even if it’s Syracuse, 17 points makes it damn near impossible.  Mike Kafka nearly pulled off the comeback, but so far this season the Wildcats defense doesn’t look nearly as strong as last season.  NEXT GAME: vs. Minnesota
9. Illinois 1-1 (10) - The Illini didn’t play this week, and because of that they get to climb a spot in the power rankings.  Of course that has a lot more to do with Michigan State’s loss than anything the Illini did in practice this week.  I have a feeling they’ll be dropping back down after they play Ohio State on Saturday though. NEXT GAME @ Ohio State
10. Michigan State 1-2 (8) - I know that Michigan State only lost by three against Notre Dame this weekend, but this ranking is more a cumulative of their performance the last two weeks.  The defense is supposed to be the strength of this squad, but for the second straight week they sure didn’t play the part.  The Spartans secondary could kill them this season if they don’t improve quickly.  NEXT GAME: @ Wisconsin
11. Purdue 1-2 (9) - I was feeling good about the Boilermakers after their win in Week 1 and the way they nearly pulled out an upset in Oregon in Week 2, but all that goodwill went out the window on Saturday.  Purdue became the second team in the conference to fall at home to a MAC opponent this season as the Northern Illinois Huskies ran all over them.  Now they get to face a Notre Dame offense that, though they’re going to be without Michael Floyd, is still very explosive. NEXT GAME: vs. Notre Dame