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Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 4

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The non-conference season is done and the Big Ten boasts five undefeated teams, and five teams in the AP Top 25, including the top two teams. Michigan and Wisconsin have both come back strong after season-opening defeats to top-flight teams in Utah and Alabama, respectively. Plus, Northwestern's wins over Stanford and Duke have looked even better as those teams have beaten USC and Georgia Tech, respectively. The Big Ten seems to be a pretty decent conference these days.

Here are our power rankings after four weeks of college football:

1

Ohio State Buckeyes

RECORD: 4-0  ||  LAST WEEK: 1
Man, it would have been great to get College Gameday to Bloomington to watch a matchup of two unbeaten powers: Ohio State and Indiana.
Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Ian McCafferty Michael Odom Zach Wingrove AVERAGE
1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1.13

2

Michigan State Spartans

RECORD: 4-0 ||  LAST WEEK: 2
Sparty finally makes a move in dislodging Ohio State from the top of our rankings, earning one first-place vote.
Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Ian McCafferty Michael Odom Zach Wingrove AVERAGE
2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1.88

3

Michigan Wolverines

RECORD: 3-1 ||  LAST WEEK: 5
A 31-0 win over BYU has vaulted Michigan back into the national spotlight.
Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Ian McCafferty Michael Odom Zach Wingrove AVERAGE
3 4 3 4 5 4 3 5 3.88

4

Northwestern Wildcats

RECORD: 4-0 ||  LAST WEEK: 4
A 24-19 win over Ball State isn't pretty, but a huge third quarter from Clayton Thorson could be a sign of things to come.
Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Ian McCafferty Michael Odom Zach Wingrove AVERAGE
5 3 5 5 3 3 4 4 4

5

Wisconsin Badgers

RECORD: 3-1  ||  LAST WEEK: 3
Since falling to Alabama, Wisconsin has beaten its last three opponents by a combined score of 114-3.
Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Ian McCafferty Michael Odom Zach Wingrove AVERAGE
4 5 4 3 4 5 5 3 4.13

6

Iowa Hawkeyes

RECORD: 4-0  ||  LAST WEEK: 6
A huge test looms for the Hawkeyes, as Iowa travels to Wisconsin to open Big Ten play.
Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Ian McCafferty Michael Odom Zach Wingrove AVERAGE
7 6 6 7 6 6 6 6 6.25

7

Nebraska Cornhuskers

RECORD: 2-2  ||  LAST WEEK: 7
Nebraska has to rely on QB Tommy Armstrong Jr., but his five interceptions in four games have been costly.
Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Ian McCafferty Michael Odom Zach Wingrove AVERAGE
6 8 7 6 8 8 8 7 7.25

8

Minnesota Golden Gophers

RECORD: 3-1  ||  LAST WEEK: 8
Three straight wins for Minnesota...each by three points over Colorado State, Kent State and Ohio.
Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Ian McCafferty Michael Odom Zach Wingrove AVERAGE
8 7 8 9 7 7 7 8 7.63

9

Penn State Nittany Lions

RECORD: 3-1(1-0) ||  LAST WEEK: 9
Christian Hackenberg finally seemed to be getting more comfortable in Penn State's unimpressive 37-21 win over San Diego State.

Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Ian McCafferty Michael Odom Zach Wingrove AVERAGE
9 9 9 8 9 9 9 10 9

10

Indiana Hoosiers

RECORD: 4-0  ||  LAST WEEK: 13
#iufb4gameday :(
Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Ian McCafferty Michael Odom Zach Wingrove AVERAGE
10 11 11 10 10 10 10 9 10.13

11

Illinois Fighting Illini

RECORD: 3-1  ||  LAST WEEK: T-10
Illinois surrendered 13 fourth-quarter points, needing a late field goal to hold off Middle Tennessee State
Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Ian McCafferty Michael Odom Zach Wingrove AVERAGE
11 10 12 13 11 12 11 12 11.5

12

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

RECORD: 2-2(0-1)  ||  LAST WEEK: 12
Rutgers 27, Kansas 14. Two of the best big-time college football has to offer.
Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Ian McCafferty Michael Odom Zach Wingrove AVERAGE
12 12 10 11 12 13 12 11 11.63

13

Maryland Terrapins

RECORD: 2-2  ||  LAST WEEK: T-10
Whatever happened to Randy Edsall being a good coach?
Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Ian McCafferty Michael Odom Zach Wingrove AVERAGE
13 13 13 12 13 14 13 14 13.13

14

Purdue Boilermakers 

RECORD: 1-3  ||  LAST WEEK: 14
Purdue travels to Michigan State this weekend... Good luck!
Henry Bushnell Josh Rosenblat Zach Pereles Josh Burton Lyndsey Armacost Ian McCafferty Michael Odom Zach Wingrove AVERAGE
14 14 14 14 14 11 14 13 13.5