Massive Ten Energy Rankings: Ohio State, Oregon Reign; Minnesota, Wisconsin Slide

Despite the fact that Oregon and Northwestern kicked off convention play with their nationally televised matchup, the league’s Week 3 slate was largely about Massive Ten groups making an attempt to keep away from catastrophe in what amounted to a collective tune-up at the beginning ramps up in Week 4. 

Indiana pummeled Indiana State by 73 to get issues occurring Friday night time, assuring the Hoosiers of one other undefeated non-conference slate underneath head coach Curt Cignetti, after which there have been a sequence of blowouts on Saturday: Michigan thumped Central Michigan by 60; Penn State whacked Villanova by 46; Illinois smashed Western Michigan by 38; Nebraska shellacked Houston Christian by 52; Rutgers toppled Norfolk State by 50; Iowa blitzed UMass by 40 and Ohio State pulled away from Ohio for a 32-point win. 

However the story of the weekend was UCLA, which suffered a second consecutive defeat to a non-conference opponent from outdoors the Energy 4 leagues. And ultimately, that was sufficient for the Bruins to fireside head coach DeShaun Foster on Sunday afternoon. 

For a team-by-team take a look at the league, right here’s our latest version of Massive Ten Energy Rankings:

The High 10

Consequence: 37-9 dwelling win over Ohio

The ultimate rating mirrored a reasonably complete victory for Ohio State, which wrapped up the non-conference portion of its schedule on Saturday night, however the efficiency itself was a combined bag. On one hand, the Buckeyes held their third consecutive opponent to 9 factors or fewer underneath new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, and now they’ll enter a bye week with the No. 2 scoring protection within the nation at simply 5.3 factors per sport. Then again, a 67-yard landing go from Ohio quarterback Parker Navarro to vast receiver Chase Hendricks trimmed Ohio State’s result in 13-9 with 14:07 remaining within the third quarter.

An uneven displaying for the Buckeyes’ offense included a second consecutive 300-yard sport for quarterback Julian Sayin, who accomplished 25 of 32 passes with three touchdowns, and the primary 100-yard speeding sport for freshman tailback Bo Jackson, the No. 161 total prospect within the 2025 recruiting cycle. All-American vast receiver Jeremiah Smith even set a profession excessive with 9 receptions for 153 yards and a landing. However Sayin additionally tossed two interceptions — his second and third INTs within the final two video games — and the Buckeyes didn’t rating a landing till the two:26 mark of the second quarter after turning the ball over on downs to start the sport after which settling for 2 area targets. There may be a lot for head coach Ryan Day and his workers to handle earlier than convention play begins at Washington on Sept. 27. 

Consequence: 34-14 highway win over Northwestern

Scoring-wise, Oregon’s victory at Northwestern wasn’t practically as eye-popping as its 46-point drubbing of Montana State within the season opener or its 66-point whipping of Oklahoma State final week, however that doesn’t imply it was any much less controlling. After punting on its opening possession, Oregon produced factors on 5 consecutive drives — 4 touchdowns, one area purpose — to construct a 31-0 lead by the tip of the third quarter in a sport that was by no means doubtful. 

Tailbacks Dierre Hill Jr., Jayden Limar and Jordon Davison all discovered the tip zone on a day when Oregon rushed 30 occasions for 181 yards total (5.9 yards per try) and rested beginning quarterback Dante Moore for the whole fourth quarter. The Geese’ protection, which now ranks twenty fourth total (256 yards per sport) and tied for 14th in scoring (10 factors per sport), navigated its third consecutive outing with out permitting a passing landing — certainly one of solely 5 groups within the nation that may make that declare. They restricted Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone to 11-of-21 passing for 135 yards and two interceptions, each of which led to touchdowns. Oregon will face in-state rival Oregon State subsequent week earlier than an attractive matchup with No. 2 Penn State on Sept. 27. 

Consequence: 52-6 dwelling win over Villanova

There are two sides to the Penn State coin after three complete victories with a mixed scoring margin of 132-17. The excellent news for head coach James Franklin is that his expensive addition of former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles appears to be an extremely shrewd transfer, even with a price of $3.1 million per yr. After forcing two extra turnovers in opposition to Villanova on Saturday and limiting the Wildcats to simply 180 yards of complete offense, the Nittany Lions enter a bye week tied for eleventh in complete protection (224 yards per sport), third in scoring (5.7 factors per sport), tied for sixth in turnovers gained (seven) and tied for fifth in opponent purple zone scoring proportion (50% on 4 journeys). 

That’s all nice to see. However what’s occurring with quarterback Drew Allar and Penn State’s offense? Allar accomplished 22 of 26 passes (84.6%) for 217 yards and one landing within the opener in opposition to Nevada however has seen his effectivity plummet ever since. He solely related on 57.6% of his passes in Week 2 in opposition to FIU, and that quantity dropped to 55.2% in opposition to Villanova, when Allar’s solely landing was offset by his first interception of the season. He ranks 66th nationally in passing yards with 626 — one spot beneath Michigan freshman Bryce Underwood — for an offense that’s 83rd in each third-down conversion fee (38.9%) and purple zone landing fee (58.8%). 

Consequence: 38-0 dwelling win over Western Michigan

There’s a brand new title on the Illinois harm report following Saturday’s sport: Bret Bielema. The Illinois head coach was so pissed off about his crew’s first-half efficiency in opposition to Western Michigan that he slapped a board and confirmed up along with his hand nonetheless swollen for a postgame information convention a number of hours later. 

On the floor, it’s straightforward to know why Bielema was angered by the way in which Illinois confirmed up by the opening two quarters. The Illini went three-and-out on three of their first 5 possessions in opposition to an overmatched opponent and solely entered the locker room with a 10-point lead. And whereas it was unlikely that Bielema’s squad would truly lose to the Broncos, he nonetheless needed to ship a message loudly and clearly: If Illinois needs to perform its purpose of competing for a Massive Ten Championship and reaching the Faculty Soccer Playoff for the primary time in class historical past — this system’s present rating of No. 9 within the AP Ballot is already its highest mark since 2001 — then it could possibly’t afford to begin slowly, particularly with Massive Ten opponents looming. The Illini responded with three consecutive landing drives to start the second half and cruised to a different lopsided victory. They’ll go to No. 19 Indiana on Saturday for what needs to be an enchanting early-season barometer.

Consequence: 73-0 dwelling win over Indiana State

As anticipated, Indiana accomplished its non-conference schedule with one other lopsided blowout of an opponent that by no means had an opportunity. Head coach Curt Cignetti, who has publicly backed the Hoosiers’ scheduling coverage at each flip, most notably at Massive Ten Media Days earlier this summer time, watched on Friday night time as his crew scored on its first 10 possessions outdoors a short kneeldown on the finish of the second quarter. 9 of these drives resulted in touchdowns. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a darkish horse Heisman Trophy candidate, performed his greatest sport since becoming a member of this system from California by finishing 19 of 20 passes for 270 yards and 5 touchdowns. He additionally added his second speeding rating of the season earlier than giving approach to his brother, backup quarterback Alberto Mendoza, within the second half.

Indiana’s relentless, smothering protection solely allowed 77 yards of complete offense whereas racking up 5 sacks and a staggering 16 tackles for loss, by no means permitting the Sycamores to cross midfield till the fourth quarter. Cignetti’s crew gained its three non-conference video games in opposition to Outdated Dominion, Kennesaw State and Indiana State by a mixed rating of 156-23. Two of the Hoosiers’ subsequent three video games, nevertheless, are in opposition to ranked opponents in No. 9 Illinois (dwelling) and No. 6 Oregon (highway). 

Consequence: 63-3 dwelling win over Central Michigan

This was the sort of efficiency Michigan followers have all the time needed to see from true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. Positive, Underwood had moments of brilliance along with his arm within the season-opening win over New Mexico wherein he threw for 251 yards and a landing. However followers and analysts alike had been puzzled by his — or the teaching workers’s — obvious aversion to incorporating quarterback runs by the primary two weeks, the sort of dual-threat performs that Oklahoma signal-caller John Mateer used to topple the Wolverines final Saturday on an evening when Underwood solely accomplished 37.5% of his passes.

That definitely wasn’t the case in opposition to Central Michigan, nevertheless, with Underwood carrying the ball 9 occasions for a team-high 114 yards and two scores. A few of these rushes had been designed runs dialed up by offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey; others had been moments of improvisation wherein the 6-foot-4, 228-pound Underwood determined to unleash his athletic presents. Total, Underwood spearheaded a Michigan speeding assault that churned out 390 yards and eight touchdowns on 52 relentless carries — the sort of punishing sport plan that certainly happy head coach Sherrone Moore, who was serving the primary of a two-game, self-imposed suspension. Up subsequent, the Wolverines will face a troublesome highway sport at Nebraska in what figures to be a wonderful quarterback matchup between Underwood and the Cornhuskers’ Dylan Raiola, one other former five-star recruit. 

Consequence: 59-7 dwelling win over Houston Christian

This sport was by no means shut as Nebraska, which improved to 3-0 for simply the second time since 2016, strung collectively a run of seven consecutive touchdowns from the early phases of the primary quarter by the halfway level of the fourth, bifurcated solely by a kneel down to finish the opening half. Quarterback Dylan Raiola didn’t have to play within the remaining two quarters after finishing 15 of 21 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns for his third straight spectacular efficiency to start his sophomore yr. He’s certainly one of solely six FBS quarterbacks to throw not less than eight touchdowns with out an interception this season, inserting him alongside Alabama’s Ty Simpson, North Texas’ Drew Mestemaker, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Temple’s Evan Simon and Illinois’ Luke Altmyer in that class.

The Cornhuskers’ résumé now features a Energy 4 win over Cincinnati at a impartial web site and blowouts of Akron and Houston Christian wherein they topped 50 factors in back-to-back video games for the primary time since 2007. Nebraska’s protection has been equally spectacular underneath new defensive coordinator John Butler and ranks sixth nationally total (202 yards per sport) and seventh in scoring (eight factors per sport). Head coach Matt Rhule and his crew will host No. 21 Michigan this weekend.  

Consequence: 33-17 highway win over Purdue

It was unclear precisely how good USC could be this season after placing up unimaginable offensive numbers in blowout victories over lesser opponents Missouri State (73-13) and Georgia Southern (59-20) to start the season. And whereas the Trojans traveled to Purdue for Saturday’s convention opener with the No. 1 scoring offense and No. 1 complete offense within the nation, it’s truthful to say the jury remains to be out relating to their ceiling underneath fourth-year coach Lincoln Riley. 

Every part about this sport was thrown out of whack by a climate delay of greater than three hours as thunder, lightning and torrential rains whipped by West Lafayette. When the sport lastly kicked off round 6:45 p.m. ET — which Riley joked was far more amenable to their West Coast physique clocks — the Trojans largely managed it whereas constructing a 14-point lead at halftime and a 20-point lead on the finish of the third quarter, thanks partly to a 70-yard interception return landing by defensive lineman Jamaal Jarrett. Tailbacks Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders mixed to hurry for 152 yards and a landing on a night when quarterback Jayden Maiava, who’d tossed six scores in USC’s first two video games, failed to search out the tip zone by the air. This marked the Trojans’ first win within the Japanese Time Zone since beating Syracuse in 2012. They’ll host fellow unbeaten Michigan State on Saturday night time.

Consequence: Idle 

Head coach Jedd Fisch and his crew had an early bye week that gave them further time to arrange for this yr’s rendition of the Apple Cup in opposition to in-state rival Washington State. If Washington can get by that sport unscathed, it is going to return dwelling for a matchup of undefeated groups when No. 1 Ohio State visits Husky Stadium on Sept. 27. The Buckeyes’ have a bye this week. 

Consequence: 41-24 dwelling win over Youngstown State

For Michigan State, there was a lot to quibble with from a sport the Spartans solely led 14-10 on the 5:59 mark of the second quarter and 31-17 on the 1:17 mark of the third quarter in opposition to an FCS opponent. However the main concern popping out of Spartan Stadium on Saturday night is an harm report that features 4 main contributors. Sophomore vast receiver Nick Marsh, who set college data for a real freshman with 41 receptions and 649 yards final season, left the sport with an obvious knee difficulty and was reportedly not on the sideline within the second half. Beginning guard Luka Vincic, beginning proper deal with Conner Moore and beginning tailback Makhi Frazier additionally left the sport after receiving medical consideration.

Nonetheless, head coach Jonathan Smith grew to become the primary coach in program historical past to start his tenure with back-to-back 3-0 begins, a mark he set on the power of a balanced operating sport (33 carries, 174 yards, 4 TDs) and a powerful all-around efficiency from Aidan Chiles, the Spartans’ quickly growing dual-threat quarterback. Chiles accomplished 22 of 29 passes for 270 yards, one landing and one interception whereas additionally carrying eight occasions for a team-high 76 yards. His six-to-one landing to interception ratio by the primary three video games is encouraging for a participant who tossed 11 INTs in 2024. 

The Relaxation

Consequence: 47-7 dwelling win over UMass

This previous Saturday was a joyous afternoon for the Iowa program as head coach Kirk Ferentz, 70, handed legendary Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes for many victories in Massive Ten historical past. Ferentz scored his 206th win on the power of a balanced offensive effort wherein quarterback Mark Gronowski threw touchdowns on the Hawkeyes’ first two possessions and the bottom sport produced 201 yards and two extra scores. Iowa travels to Rutgers earlier than a high-profile dwelling date with No. 19 Indiana. 

Consequence: 27-14 highway loss to California

The Gophers had been in place to tie this sport early within the fourth quarter till two particular groups gaffes tilted momentum towards Cal. Kicker Brady Denaburg, a switch from Syracuse, missed his first area purpose of the season on a 51-yard try when Minnesota trailed 17-14. And a number of other minutes later, star security Koi Perich muffed a punt inside his personal 10-yard line that was recovered by the Bears, handing them a particularly brief area for a straightforward landing. That rating pushed Cal’s result in double digits with 6:55 remaining. 

Consequence: 44-17 dwelling win over Towson

For apparent causes, there was loads of consideration on Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood by the primary few weeks of the season. However maybe it’s time to begin speaking about Maryland’s true freshman signal-caller, Malik Washington, the No. 10 participant at his place within the 2025 recruiting cycle. Washington threw for 261 yards and a landing in opposition to Towson on Saturday, bringing his season complete to 773 yards. It’s the very best passing complete by a real freshman from the Energy 4 convention in his first three video games since former Texas Tech quarterback Alan Bowman threw for 1,160 yards throughout that very same span in 2018. 

Consequence: 60-10 dwelling win over Norfolk State

This week’s 60-point explosion strengthened the concept that Rutgers has a burgeoning offense underneath the course of coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, now in his fifth season with this system. The Scarlet Knights now enter convention play ranked twelfth nationally in scoring (46.3 factors per sport), thirty sixth in complete offense (461 yards per sport) and tied for twenty fifth in third-down dialog fee (50%). A back-loaded Massive Ten slate that includes video games in opposition to No. 9 Illinois, No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Penn State in the course of the second half of the season means Rutgers wants to begin robust in convention play. 

Consequence: 38-14 highway loss to No. 19 Alabama

For the second consecutive season, Wisconsin was outclassed by Alabama in a non-conference sport that was largely uncompetitive. Compelled to depend on backup quarterback Danny O’Neil, who solely accomplished 11 of 17 passes for 117 yards, the Badgers had been outgained 454-209 and misplaced the turnover battle 2-0. They trailed 21-0 at halftime and solely produced one offensive landing within the sport, with their different rating approaching a 95-yard kickoff return by vast receiver Vinny Anthony II. A winnable convention opener in opposition to Maryland subsequent weekend offers approach to a gauntlet October schedule that options No. 21 Michigan, Iowa, No. 1 Ohio State and No. 6 Oregon. 

Consequence: 33-17 dwelling loss to USC

Purdue fell behind by 14 factors at halftime and by no means trimmed the margin nearer than 10 for the rest of the sport. Quarterback Ryan Browne, who had produced 5 touchdowns in opposition to just one interception within the Boilermakers’ first two video games, was intercepted 3 times and sacked 5 occasions because the offense grew to become one-dimensional in an effort to erase the deficit. Purdue gained simply 52 speeding yards on 28 makes an attempt for an anemic common of 1.9 yards per carry. 

Consequence: 34-14 dwelling loss to No. 4 Oregon 

Trailing by 31 factors after three quarters, Northwestern regained a measure of respect by scoring 14 factors within the fourth to make the ultimate rating look extra respectable. However in reality, the sport was by no means shut. Head coach David Braun acknowledged as a lot in his information convention by saying the Wildcats had gotten “our butts kicked by a extremely good soccer crew immediately.” They solely transformed three of 11 occasions on third down and misplaced the turnover battle 2-1.  

Consequence: 35-10 dwelling loss to New Mexico

Is that this all-time low? UCLA paid New Mexico a sum of $1.2 million to schedule this non-conference matchup on the Rose Bowl, and the Bruins had been completely performed off the sector in a humiliating loss to an opponent from outdoors the ability leagues. The college responded by firing second-year head coach DeShaun Foster on Sunday afternoon. He was in command of this system for 15 video games. 

Michael Cohen covers faculty soccer and faculty basketball for FOX Sports activities. Comply with him at @Michael_Cohen13.

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