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Big Ten Football Power Rankings, Week 3: Has Iowa claimed the top spot?

By Dante Pryor

Sep 11, 2021; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Jack Plumb (79) and punter Tory Taylor (9) celebrate with the Cy-Hawk trophy after defeating the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium. The Hawkeyes won 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2021; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Jack Plumb (79) and punter Tory Taylor (9) celebrate with the Cy-Hawk trophy after defeating the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium. The Hawkeyes won 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2021; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Indiana State Sycamores wide receiver Harry Van Dyne (6) tries to make a catch a Northwestern Wildcats defensive back A.J. Hampton Jr. (11) defends his during the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2021; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Indiana State Sycamores wide receiver Harry Van Dyne (6) tries to make a catch a Northwestern Wildcats defensive back A.J. Hampton Jr. (11) defends his during the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

14. Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-1)

It is a toss-up between the Cornhuskers and the Fighting Illini for the worst team in the conference. Illinois has the tiebreaker since it beat Nebraska to open the season. In actuality, it is a tie between the two teams.

To their credit, the ‘Huskers played better against a Buffalo team who lost their best player to the NFL and their head coach to Kansas. However, it does not get any easier for Nebraska. Its game next week against Oklahoma could be the start of a very long losing streak.

13. Illinois Fighting Illini (1-2)

Speaking of long losing streaks, the Illini were blown out by the Virginia Cavaliers last week. In a battle of who wears blue and orange better, the V-men blew out their opponents from Champaign. It is hard to believe the game was 21-14 in the third quarter.

This is, for all intents and purposes, a zero year for first-year head coach Bret Bielema. There are going to be a lot of blowouts on the horizon for Bielema and his squad.

12. Northwestern Wildcats (1-1)

After a loss to Michigan State, the Northwestern Wildcats scored just 24 points against the Indiana State Sycamores. In defense of Northwestern, they are learning how to reload and rebuild after losing eight NFL-level prospects.

Though Peyton Ramsey was not drafted, the Indiana transfer was the right quarterback for Northwestern’s system. Also, he was a proven winner from his time at Indiana. Neither Hunter Johnson nor Ryan Hilinski can say that, and it is showing with the anemic state of the offense.

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