Week 3 in the Big 10!
Let’s take a look at everything that happened on the field in the Big Ten in Week 3 and look ahead to Week 4!
Week 3 Results
Virginia 14 @ Maryland 42
Bowling Green 6 @ Michigan 31
Western Kentucky 10 @ Ohio State 63
Penn State 30 @ Illinois 13
Washington 41 @ Michigan State 7
Minnesota 13 @ North Carolina 31
Northwestern 14 @ Duke 38
W. Michigan 10 @ Iowa 41
Louisville 21 @ Indiana 14
Georgia Southern 14 @ Wisconsin 35
Virginia Tech 16 @ Rutgers 35
N. Illinois 11 @ Nebraska 35
Syracuse 35 @ Purdue 20
Top 3 Notable Games of Week 3
3) W. Michigan 10 @ Iowa 41
Head coach Kirk Ferentz’s son, Brian, has had a mediocre tenure to put it nicely, and new contract stipulations for him include a performance requirement of 25 points per game for the Hawkeyes. This 41-point outburst (Iowa’s 1st 40-point performance since the 2021 season) puts him ahead of that pace after a lackluster start to the season.
2) Virginia Tech 16 @ Rutgers 35
The bad news: Rutgers has real issues in their passing game as QB Gavin Wimsatt threw for just 46 yards. The worse news: they head into the Big House this weekend to take on Michigan. The good news: they are 3-0 right now. Wimsatt’s struggles throwing the ball are offset a bit by his running ability and lack of turnovers. And how much do you really need to throw the ball when RB Kyle Monangai is running for 143 yards and 3 TDs?
1) Penn State 30 @ Illinois 13
A classic Penn State performance on the road against a Big Ten opponent. The offense struggled for the first time this season but did just enough to score 30 points again, while the defense absolutely suffocated the Fighting Illini and forced 5 turnovers.
Week 3 Summary
The top of the conference fared well in some tune-up games while other programs got a much-needed confidence boost heading into an incredible slate of games that will certainly tell us who is for real and who isn’t.
Top Individual Performances of Week 3
Passing:
Kyle McCord, Ohio State - 19/23 318 yards 3 TDs vs. W. Kentucky
Rushing:
Kyle Monangai, Rutgers - 16 carries/143 yards/3 rushing TDs vs. VT
Receiving:
Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio St. - 5 rec/126 yards/1 TD vs. W. Kentucky
Defense:
Tarheeb Still, Maryland - 5 tackles/2 INTs vs. Virginia
Power Rankings After Week 3
Ohio State
Penn St.
Michigan
Maryland
Iowa
Rutgers
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Michigan State
Purdue
Indiana
Illinois
Nebraska
Northwestern
Ohio State has quickly gotten things figured out on offense and they jump to the top of the power rankings after another lackluster performance by Michigan. Penn State remains in the 2 spot thanks to a dominant effort by their defense. Maryland hasn’t had a true test yet but has looked better than Iowa despite what the AP rankings will have you believe.
Week 4 Games To Watch
3) Maryland @ Michigan State: We’re starting to get into the conference schedule! Maryland has looked smooth against some easier opponents. Michigan State is coming off a tough week where they had to face a Top 10 team after a week of off-the-field distractions that saw them lose their coach due to sexual harassment allegations. Can the Spartans regroup and get their season back on track?
2) #24 Iowa @ #7 Penn State: Huge conference match-up between two of the best defensive teams in the Big Ten. Whose defense can come up with the most big plays and which offense will do just enough to pull this one out? This is a big-time test for the Nittany Lions and their national championship aspirations.
1) #6 Ohio State @ #9 Notre Dame: The kind of game where you cancel all your plans. 2 potential national title contenders. Heisman Trophy candidates in Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman and Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Each team's first real test of the season. This is the most hyped match-up involving a Big Ten team so far.