Big Ten Football Power Rankings: Week 3

Sep 12, 2015; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins running back Wes Brown (5) gains yards against the Bowling Green Falcons at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

No. 14 Purdue – No. 12 Rutgers

After a tough week one loss to Marshall, the Purdue Boilermakers responded with a solid week two victory against Indiana State although it wasn’t as fierce of competition. Austin Appleby looks like the quarterback who Darrell Hazell has been waiting for, passing for 289 yards and four touchdowns.

Must Read: MSU Football Recruiting Roundup: Week 2

This team definitely has the potential to be a top-10 team in the conference, but for now, our writers aren’t impressed. It will take a few more wins to move out of the basement of the power rankings.

If it weren’t for a blowout by a MAC opponent, 48-27, after having a seven-point lead heading into halftime, the Maryland Terrapins would likely be back at No. 8 like they were a week ago.

There weren’t many positives on either side of the ball for the Terrapins against Bowling Green as they allowed nearly 700 yards of total offense while recording just 341 of their own.

Rutgers, just like Maryland, suffered a tough loss against an otherwise inferior opponent in week two and that has caused it to drop considerably in the power rankings this week.

The Scarlet Knights lost to Washington State by three points and that wasn’t even the worst news of the week. Star receiver Leonte Carroo was suspended indefinitely following the loss as head coach Kyle Flood alleged an incident outside of the stadium after the game as reason for the suspension.

Next: No. 11 Indiana - No. 9 Illinois