Around the Big Ten and Power Rankings: Week 3

1. Michigan State (1-1)

The Spartans had off last weekend, holding them at 1-1 on the season. Despite the bye, they moved up two spots in both polls and stand at No. 11. They'll host Eastern Michigan on Saturday.

2. Wisconsin (1-1)

The No. 18/17 Badges also had off, which was likely beneficial for quarterback Joel Stave, who coach Gary Andersen said is still the same but "moving in the right direction."  For now, Tanner McEvoy is still running the show. The Badgers will host a Bowling Green team that just beat Indiana on Saturday.

3. Ohio State (2-1)

The Buckeyes got back on track with a 66-0 trouncing of Kent State. J.T. Barrett tied an Ohio State record with six(!) touchdown passes (including five in the first half) to go along with 312 yards and one interception. For his efforts, Barrett was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week. Here's a pretty detailed breakdown of his day. The Buckeyes are 22nd in the nation for points allowed (17.3) 31st in points for (40.3).

Despite the win, Ohio State dropped a spot in the AP poll (now at No. 23) and hold steady at No. 18 in the Coaches.

The Buckeyes have off this weekend.

4. Nebraska (3-0)

The Cornhuskers shook off the near-meltdown to McNeese State by routing Fresno State, 55-19. Ameer Abdullah ran for another 110 yards and a score, while Tommy Armstrong Jr. threw for three TDs. Punt returner De'Mornay Pierson-El was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after he racked up 150 yards on five returns, including one for a touchdown.

The Huskers climbed back into the AP poll at No. 24, but fell a spot in the Coaches poll and sit at No. 22.

Nebraska will host Miami in primetime Saturday night to wrap up its non-conference schedule.

5. Penn State (3-0)

The Nittany Lions grabbed the Big Ten's first conference win with a 13-10 victory over Rutgers. It wasn't pretty though, with Penn State managing just three points through the first three quarters, including being shut out in the first half. Christian Hackenberg threw for 309 yards, but had no touchdowns and an interception. Bill Belton had the game-winning TD in the final quarter. Corerback Trevor Williams was named the B1G Defensive Player of the Week after he grabbed two interceptions.

Behind Hackenberg, Penn State is No. 10 in the FBS for passing yards, while the defense is holding teams to an 11th-best 12.3 points per game.

The Nittany Lions will host Massachusetts on Saturday.

6. Rutgers (2-1)

The Scarlet Knights nearly pulled off the win in their Big Ten debut before falling to aforementioned Penn State. In what was billed as a battle of the quarterbacks, both wound up struggling, especially Rutgers' Gary Nova. Nova threw five interceptions and no touchdowns while completing half of his passes for 192 yards. But the Scarlet Knights defense stepped up, holding Hackenberg to no touchdowns for the first time this season and stopping the Nittany Lions on 11 of 20 third down attempts.

Rutgers will travel to take on Navy this weekend.

7. Maryland (2-1)

8. Michigan (2-1)

The Wolverines bounced back from being shut out by Notre Dame with a 34-10 win over Miami of Ohio. Senior QB Devin Gardner threw two touchdowns across 184 yards, but has now had five turnovers through two games. In what might sound a little familiar to some Terps fans, many Michigan fans are looking for a change under center, but OC Doug Nussmeier is sticking with the senior for now. Four starters missed the game, but Brady Hoke is remaining mum because he "doesn't feel like talking" about it.

Michigan takes on Utah on Saturday.

9. Minnesota (2-1)

The Golden Gophers took their first loss of the season with a 30-7 defeat to TCU in Texas. Quarterback Mitch Leidner had a rough day, throwing three interceptions before being replaced by Chris Streveler.  In all, Minnesota had five turnovers in the loss. To top it off, there was this moment later in the week when TCU's coach maybe sort-of compared the Gophers to an FCS team.

Minnesota will host San Jose State this weekend.

10. Iowa (2-1)

The Hawkeyes' bubble finally burst after two close wins to open the season. Iowa lost 20-17 to Iowa State in the anuual Cy-Hawk game, which was the Cyclones' first win of the season. Quarterback Jake Rudock threw for just 146 yards with no touchdowns and an interception, though he did rush for a score. The Hawkeyes didn't have a receiver or a rusher reach 50 yards, though RB Mark Weisman came close with 49.

Iowa travels to Pittsburgh to take on an "old" ACC foe on Saturday.

11. Illinois (2-1)

The Fighting Illini fell 44-19 to Pac-12 team Washington in Week 3. Quarterback Wes Lunt threw two touchdowns to tie J.T. Barrett for the Big Ten lead (nine), but threw an interception for one of Illinois' three turnovers. Receiver Geronimo Allison had six catches for 160 yards and two scores. Behind Lunt, the Illini sit at 14th in the nation in average passing yards (340).

Illinois will host Texas State this weekend in its final non-conference game.

12. Indiana (1-1)

Coming off a bye week, the Hoosiers dropped a shoot out to Bowling Green, 45-42. After Indiana held a 14-11 halftime lead, the game took off in the second half before the Hoosiers were stunned on a game-winning Falcons touchdown pass with nine seconds remaining. QB Nate Sudfeld threw for 347 yards and one touchdown, but running back Tevin Coleman was the star for Indiana with three rushing TDs across 190 yards. WR Shane Wynn added 10 catches for 139 yards.

Indiana faces a bigger test on Saturday when the Hoosiers travel to face No. 18 Missouri.

13. Northwestern (0-2)

The Wildcats had a bye week after opening 0-2 for the first time since 2004. They'll look to join the rest of the Big Ten in the win column when they host Western Illinois this weekend.

14. Purdue (1-2)

The Boilermakers showed fight against Notre Dame, but it wasn't enough as they fell 30-14. QB Danny Etling threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions, but had a much more effective first half than second. As a team, Purdue only picked up 56 yards on the ground on 26 attempts.

The Boilermakers will face Southern Illinois on Saturday, one of the top FCS schools.