Big Ten Football Power Rankings: Week 2

Sep 5, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) walks off the field following the competition of the game against the Temple Owl at Lincoln Financial Field. Temple defeated Penn State 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

No. 11 Penn State – No. 9 Rutgers

Talk about a fall from grace. Penn State‘s performance in week one was nothing short of embarrassing as the Nittany Lions were blown out by Temple, 27-10, on a neutral field.

Must Read: College Football Rankings: Spartan Avenue’s Week 2 edition

If that loss wasn’t bad enough, Christian Hackenberg looked like a mediocre quarterback and didn’t seem much improved from last season. He was just 11-for-25 with 103 yards and an interception. DaeSean Hamilton was held in check as well, catching just one pass for five yards. Hackenberg was sacked 10 times and the offensive line is, once again, letting him down.

Well, the Michigan Wolverines got the Jim Harbaugh era off to a slow start. Although many thought the Wolverines would end up losing to Utah, it was the quarterback play that left people with a bad taste in their mouths.

Jake Rudock’s first start wasn’t terrible, but his three interceptions were nothing close to ideal. Harbaugh defended his quarterback as he did some things well, passing for 279 yards and two scores. Receiver Amara Darboh and tight end Jake Butt both kept the Wolverines in the game, combining for 16 catches for 194 yards and two receiving TDs.

Chris Laviano stole the show for Rutgers in his first start in the post-Gary Nova era. The Scarlet Knights’ sophomore quarterback looked great even though he threw only four passes after coming in for Hayden Rettig.

Although Rettig was 9-for-11 with 110 yards and a touchdown in the big win over Norfolk State, Laviano was 4-for-4 with 138 yards and three touchdowns — a video game-like stat line. Leonte Carroo had a huge game as well as all three of his catches were for touchdowns and he added 129 yards to his line.

Next: No. 8 Maryland-No. 6 Iowa