Big Ten power rankings: Indiana makes statement, Michigan tops Nebraska in thriller

1. Ohio State (3-0): After a bye week, the Buckeyes prep for their Big Ten opener at Washington, where they haven’t played since 2007.

2. Penn State (3-0): It’s show-me time for the Nittany Lions, who had a bye after a soft nonconference schedule and now are host to Oregon in the “White Out” game. The Ducks beat Penn State 45-37 in the Big Ten title game last year, and this game could have a big say in who advances to Indy.

3. Oregon (3-0, 1-0 Big Ten): With a 41-7 rout of rival Oregon State, the Ducks have outscored opponents by an average of 51-9. The schedule stiffens with a trip to Penn State, where Oregon hasn’t played since 1964.

4. Indiana (4-0, 1-0): “We broke their will,” Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti said after Saturday’s 63-10 beatdown of Illinois. Few will argue after Indiana outgained the Fighting Illini 579-161. This week’s trip to Iowa figures to pose a more difficult test for the Hoosiers.

5. USC (4-0, 2-0): The Trojans turned back a game effort by Michigan State in a 45-31 victory as Jayden Maiava passed for three touchdowns and rushed for two. A visit to Illinois this week will help determine whether USC really is back.

6. Michigan (3-1, 1-0): The Wolverines escaped Nebraska with a 30-27 win, thanks in large part to TD runs of 75, 54 and 37 yards and a defense that held the Cornhuskers to 2-for-13 on third-down conversions.

7. Illinois (3-1, 0-1): Coach Bret Bielema described the 63-10 loss at Indiana as “embarrassing and at a loss for words.” The Illini must regroup quickly with USC arriving this week.

9. Maryland (4-0, 1-0): The Terrapins were the aggressors from the get-go in a 27-10 win at Wisconsin. Maryland has outscored its opponents by a combined 130-43.

10. Washington (3-0): The second-leading scoring team in major college football? That’s the Huskies, who are averaging 55.7 points after their 59-24 win at Washington State. That status will be tested against Ohio State’s stout defense.

11. Nebraska (3-1, 0-1): Dylan Raiola passed for 308 yards and three TDs vs. Michigan, yet the Huskers still lost their 29th consecutive game to an opponent ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.

12. Rutgers (3-1, 0-1): The Scarlet Knights had Iowa on the ropes for most of the night as Athan Kaliakmanis passed for 330 yards, but his fourth-quarter interception was a killer.

13. Gophers (2-1): Of note: Cal, which beat Minnesota 27-14 on Sept. 13, suffered a 34-0 loss at San Diego State on Saturday. … The Gophers really need to beat Rutgers in their Big Ten opener.

15. Wisconsin (2-2, 0-1): Down 20-0 to Maryland at halftime of a 27-10 loss at Camp Randall Stadium, the Badgers heard the loud chants of “Fire Fickell.” If anger gives way to indifference, athletic director Chris McIntosh will have no choice but to fire Luke Fickell.

16. Purdue (2-2, 0-1): Down 35-23 at halftime at Notre Dame, the Boilermakers gave up 21 third-quarter points in a 56-30 loss. Purdue’s defense has allowed 995 yards combined in losses to Notre Dame and USC.

17. Northwestern (1-2, 0-1): Wildcats were idle this past weekend in preparation for a visit from UCLA.