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Big Ten Football Power Rankings: Week 4 edition

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Donnie Corley (9) celebrates after MSU defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 36-28 at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Donnie Corley (9) celebrates after MSU defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 36-28 at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) reacts after a play during the second half against the North Dakota State Bison at Kinnick Stadium. North Dakota State won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) reacts after a play during the second half against the North Dakota State Bison at Kinnick Stadium. North Dakota State won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

What a forgettable week it was for the Iowa Hawkeyes. I was ready to move Iowa up in the power rankings if it kept winning, but hosting FCS national champion North Dakota State spelled trouble for the Hawkeyes. That’s just a major scheduling mishap seeing as it’s a lose-lose season for the Hawkeyes playing against a team that had won five straight FCS titles. C.J. Beathard had a tough game, completing just 11-of-22 passes for 152 yards and the run game had only 34 yards on 25 carries. Woof.

This week: at Rutgers

Indiana is another Big Ten team coming off a bye week and looking to get on track with a third win to start the 2016 season. Last year, Indiana started off this hot as well and nearly defeated Ohio State to move to 5-0 on the campaign, but a tough loss sent the Hoosiers spiraling out of control. They would lose six games in a row before winning the last two to become bowl eligible. The Hoosiers have a tough game against Michigan State to start conference play next weekend, but will need to get past Wake Forest this week first.

This week: vs. Wake Forest

Temple presented a tough test to the Nittany Lions the week following a defeat at the hands of in-state foe Pittsburgh, the Penn State rose to the occasion and took a 34-27 victory. The Nittany Lions are a program trending in the wrong direction under James Franklin, but this win means they’re moving up in our power rankings a couple of spots. Trace McSorley is becoming a solid quarterback for the Nittany Lions while the duo of Saquon Barkley and Miles Sanders might just strike fear into opponents’ eyes.

This week: at Michigan

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