Sep. 19—In the Big Ten, that’s Michigan (and its often-played fight song) right now. With the college football season one-quarter complete, Illini beat writer Scott Richey provides his first in-season Big Ten power rankings:
1. Michigan (3-0)
The Wolverines’ unbeaten start would seem more impressive if they had, you know, played anyone capable of competing. Not sure they’ll be challenged the next two months either. At least until playing at Penn State on Nov. 11.
2. Ohio State (3-0)
Last week was the first glimpse of the dominance Buckeyes’ fans were probably hoping to see. Western Kentucky had the misfortune of being on the field when Ohio State put up 63 points and 562 yards of total offense.
3. Penn State (3-0)
Either the Illinois defense has returned to its 2022 self or the Nittany Lions’ offense just feasted on West Virginia and Delaware in its first two games, prompting more question marks than anyone originally thought.
4. Rutgers (3-0)
Now seems like a good idea to remind everyone that Greg Schiano won 56 games and coached in six bowl games in the final seven seasons of his first 11-year stint at Rutgers. Is history about to repeat itself this decade?
5. Maryland (3-0)
Turns out the Terrapins are who we thought they were as a quite capable passing team with Taulia Tagovailoa running the show. Can’t crown them — not in the East — but Mike Locksley has at least a nine-win team.
6. Iowa (3-0)
It was probably a good idea for the Hawkeyes to hang 41 points on Western Michigan last week. Playing at Penn State on Saturday — in the “White Out” no less — will probably put Brian Ferentz further behind his scoring goal.
7. Minnesota (2-1)
The Gophers are still the West leaders after their Week 1 win against Nebraska (that the Cornhuskers choked away late, per usual). They’ll stay that way this week with what’s basically a…
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