Big Ten Football Power Rankings: Week 3
Sep 12, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Derrick Green (27) rushes in the fourth quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Michigan Stadium. Michigan won 35-7. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
No. 8 Michigan – No. 6 Nebraska
Many people believed Michigan was on the same old path to a poor season after a loss to Utah in week one, but the Wolverines rebounded nicely to take down Oregon State in week two. Jake Rudock still looks only like a fill-in quarterback until Harbaugh can get through his first season, but he protected the ball well.
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Michigan’s defense looked extra stingy as well in the home opener, holding the Beavers to under 150 yards of total offense and making sure star newcomer quarterback Seth Collins was held in check. The Wolverines will need to do more than beat a mediocre Pac-12 team at home in order to move up in the power rankings, however.
Nothing like an early-season in-state rivalry to get your Big Ten football juices flowing, but this is one that has been dominated by the Iowa Hawkeyes for as long as I can remember. The Hawkeyes, to no one’s surprise, took care of business in this one, 31-17, over Iowa State.
C.J. Beathard had his second straight solid game at quarterback for the Hawkeyes, completing 15-of-25 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns. Junior receiver Matt VandeBerg broke out, catching nine passes for 114 yards and a score while Jordan Canzeri rushed for 124 yards and a touchdowns. All-around good game for Iowa.
Everyone was trying to figure out which Nebraska squad would show up after a heartbreaking opening loss to BYU, and it was obvious early on that the good Cornhuskers had made an appearance.
After losing on a Hail Mary, Tommy Armstrong Jr. and company rebounded to take a 48-9 victory over South Alabama. Armstrong Jr. passed for 270 yards and two touchdowns while Terrell Newby did his best Ameer Abdullah impression, rushing for 198 yards and two scores.
Next: No. 5 Minnesota - No. 3 Northwestern