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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; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers Nate Gerry (25) celebrates during the final moments of the game against the Oregon Ducks in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers Nate Gerry (25) celebrates during the final moments of the game against the Oregon Ducks in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota got a bye on Saturday after beating Oregon State and Indiana State to start the season. The Golden Gophers could be a dark-horse candidate that could contend for a Big Ten West crown, but they will need to take care of business against lesser opponents. Nearly losing to the hapless Beavers at home to start the season was somewhat of a disappointment. Mitch Leidner is one of the conference’s top quarterbacks, which is a scary thought, while Kobe Mccrory is a name to watch in the run game.

This week: vs. Colorado State

Losing six games by one score or less last season was devastating for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and head coach Mike Riley. However, his team seems to be turning a corner this year. The Cornhuskers hosted No. 22 Oregon on Saturday and scored a game-winning touchdown in the final minutes to win, 35-32. The Cornhuskers have jumped to No. 20 in the AP Poll after a 3-0 start and Tommy Armstrong Jr. is looking like a true leader. As long as he can improve his completion percentage and decision-making, the Huskers will be near the top of the power rankings in no time.

This week: at Northwestern

Wisconsin opened the season with a victory over No. 5 LSU at Lambeau Field and the Badgers have a chance to win another game against a top-10 opponent away from Camp Randall this week. Georgia State gave the then-No. 9 Wisconsin Badgers a heck of a fight in Week 3, taking them down to the wire. The Badgers were forced to make a fourth-quarter come-from-behind run and win 23-17. Bart Houston was benched and Alex Hornibrook took over and engineered the comeback win. Could there be a quarterback controversy this week?

This week: at No. 8 Michigan State

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