Big Ten Power Rankings: Ohio State, USC, Penn State remain 1-2-3 after getting week off

The top teams are back in action after bye weeks, which is bad news for lower-level teams such as Marshall, Kent State and … Michigan.

I jest.

The Wolverines would probably win the Mid-American Conference (although Toledo would disagree) but hosting USC this week means another rough week in Ann Arbor. Elsewhere, Washington lost to Washington State in a Pac-12 payback game and UCLA proved itself worthy of last place after losing to Indiana at home.

Ohio State defensive tackle Hero Kanu gives his gloves to a fan following a win over Western Michigan on Sept. 7.

1. Ohio State (2-0)

Last week: 1

This week: Marshall

What to know: Ohio State is the student raising a hand in class – “Me, me, me” – only to have the teacher/voter call on favorite Texas.

2. USC (2-0)

Last week: 2.

This week: at Michigan

What to know: Remember all those years when USC had to listen to how it benefited from home field advantage playing Big Ten teams in the Rose Bowl? This beatdown is for that.

3. Penn State (2-0)

Last week: 3

This week: vs. Kent State

What to know: Another MAC school? Uh-oh. Have the Nittany Lions learned anything after their close call against Bowling Green?

4. Oregon (3-0)

Last week: 4.

This week: idle

What to know: What do Ducks fans do during the off week after beating rival Oregon State? Laugh at Washington fans after the Huskies lost to rival Washington State.

5. Nebraska (3-0)

Last week: 5

This week: vs. Illinois (Friday)

What to know: Buffalo still roamed the Great Plains the last time Nebraska looked this good.

6. Illinois (3-0)

Last week: 7

This week: at Nebraska (Friday)

What to know: The last time the Illini began 4-0 was 2011, when they finished 7-6. Moral of the story? Enjoy it while you can.

7. Rutgers (2-0)

Last week: 6

This week: at Virginia Tech

What to know: The Scarlet Knights hit the road for the first time this season. How do…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/big-ten-power-rankings-ohio-100830249.html

Author : The Columbus Dispatch

Publish date : 2024-09-16 10:08:30

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