Big Ten Football Power Rankings: Week 2

Sep 3, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver KJ Maye (1) celebrates with Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner (7) after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the TCU Horned Frogs at TCF Bank Stadium. The TCU Horned Frogs won 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5 Nebraska – No. 3 Minnesota

Before you read on to the rest of the No. 5 through No. 3 teams, just know that this will likely be the only time that we will ever have three teams in these position, even a couple moving up, after all of them lost their weekly contests.

Must Read: MSU Football: Game by game predictions for 2015

Two lost to a much higher ranked opponent while the other lost on a Hail Mary.

Watching this game kept everyone on the edge of their seats. The Nebraska Cornhuskers were playing their first game in the post-Bo Pelini era and the first half was very difficult to watch. Mike Riley’s squad was down 24-14 to BYU when the Cornhuskers were supposed to take care of business with ease.

A third-quarter comeback was what the doctor ordered and the Cornhuskers went into the final ticks of the contest with a 28-27 lead. A Hail Mary from backup quarterback Tanner Magnum won the game, however, and Tommy Armstrong Jr.’s solid opener was spoiled.

Faced with the tough task of opening the season against a top SEC foe for the second consecutive season, Wisconsin found itself on the wrong end of a 35-17 stomping. The Badgers were in the game at halftime, down 14-7, but the second half was all Alabama.

Joel Stave didn’t play nearly as poorly as he did throughout the 2014 season, though, as he completed 26-of-39 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Corey Clement was held in check as Melvin Gordon’s replacement ran the ball eight times for only 16 yards.

What’s just as difficult as facing No. 3 Alabama on a neutral field? Facing No. 2 TCU at home with Heisman frontrunner Trevone Boykin leading the Horned Frogs’ charge.

Minnesota lost a close one, surprising some folks, as the Golden Gophers scored to make it a six-point game with just under two minutes remaining, but the comeback was all for naught as the Horned Frogs recovered the onside kick to win. Minnesota showed that it will be a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten West, however.

Next: No. 2 & No. 1