Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 3: Washington and Wisconsin drop big-time

There wasn't a lot of movement with the Big Ten in Week 3. With three of the top four teams on a bye, any big upsets that could have happened will probably have to wait till Week 4.

The two biggest losses for teams ranked in the upper half of the rankings were Washington and Wisconsin. Wisconsin lost in more ways than one on Saturday when they fell to No. 4 Alabama at home and lost starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. Washington feel in the Apple Bowl to Washington State in these team's first matchup outside of the Pac-12.

Iowa also looked sluggish yet again on offense against Troy, but more importantly, they looked rough on defense which is not normal for a Phil Parker defense.

So, with Week 3 finally behind us, here are the Big Ten power rankings.

18. UCLA Bruins

Previous ranking: 18
Record: 1-1

After a bye week in Week 2, UCLA came into Week 3 refreshed and ready for their first official Big Ten game. Well, that is at least what everyone thought it would be like. The Bruins struggled against Indiana and lost 42-13 to fall to 1-1. UCLA looks like they are going to struggle for the rest of the season after that Week 3 performance.

17. Northwestern Wildcats

Previous ranking: 17
Record: 2-1

Northwestern was able to get a win in Week 3, but it was against Eastern Illinois. Of course, any given team can be beaten on any given day, but Northwestern was favored heavily to win this game. The Wildcats will probably be eliminated from College Football Playoff contention, but anything could happen, they still only have one loss.

16. Purdue Boilermakers

Previous ranking: 15
Record: 1-1

Purdue looked good in Week 1 with over 250 rushing yards against Indiana State, but the Boilermakers were on the wrong end of a comeback game against Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish were coming off a big upset loss to northern Illinois and were wanting to get back on track. Purdue was simply the team standing in their way, resulting in them now being 1-1 on the season.

15. Maryland Terrapins

Previous ranking: 16
Record: 2-1

After a close loss to Michigan State in Week 2, Maryland was able to come back and get a big win against fellow power conference member Virginia. The Terrapins looked good in all phases of the game and walked away with a 27-13 win over the Cavaliers to be above .500.

14. Wisconsin Badgers

Previous ranking: 10
Record: 2-1

The Badgers had the definition of a tough game against No. 4 Alabama on Saturday. Not only did Wisconsin lose the game, but they also lost starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke on the first drive of the game to what is now revealed to be a season-ending knee injury. Backup quarterback Braedyn Locke is set to be the starter going forward for the Badgers.

13. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Previous ranking: 14
Record: 2-1

Minnesota, so far, has been able to shake off the early season loss to UNC with two wins against Rhode Island and a shutout win this past week against Nevada. The Golden Gophers start Big Ten play in Week 4 with a matchup against Iowa and their lockdown defense.

12. Washington Huskies

Previous ranking: 5
Record: 2-1

A season after a National Championship appearance, the Washington Huskies have an entirely new look. The Huskies had a matchup with rival Washington State, the first matchup since Washington moved to the Big Ten. The Huskies struggled and couldn't get a conversion on fourth down to seal the loss heading into Big Ten play.

11. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Previous ranking: 13
Record: 2-0

Rutger has the most prolific run offense in the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights have double the amount of rushing yards as they do passing yards, so they need to add some diversity to their offense. Rutgers needs to get better every week in order to contend.

10. Michigan State Spartans

Previous ranking: 12
Record: 3-0

In a rebuilding season, Michigan State has started off the season well with a 3-0 start. The Spartans are looking like a solid team, but against the heavy hitters in the Big Ten, there probably isn't much concern there.

9. Indiana Hoosiers

Previous ranking: 12
Record: 3-0

Indiana is also starting to look like a sneaky team. The Hoosiers had a solid win over new Big Ten opponent UCLA to stop off conference play on a high note.

8. Iowa Hawkeyes

Previous ranking: 9
Record: 2-1

Iowa is looking even more confusing this season than they have in past seasons. The Hawkeyes are known for having great defenses, but lately, they haven't shown it as much. The offense was supposed to be revamped this season, but it's not looking that way. Iowa officially starts Big Ten play in Week 4, so questions will hopefully be answered.

7. Michigan Wolverines

Previous ranking: 8
Record: 2-1

Michigan had a "bounce back" game against Arkansas State if you can really call it that. The Wolverines were embarrassed on their home field against Texas in Week 3, and now they are set to take on USC in the Rose Bowl for the first time as Big Ten opponents.

6. Illinois Fighting Illini

Previous ranking: 7
Record: 3-0

Illinois is starting to look like a team that could be very dangerous for the rest of the Big Ten. They may not be in the Big Ten Championship, but if they beat the right teams at the right time, there is a possibility they could sneak into the College Football Playoff. There is a lot of season left though, so not trying to jump too far ahead.

5. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Previous ranking: 6
Record: 3-0

Coming off the big win over Colorado, Nebraska needed to come out and show they could still score. The Cornhuskers struggled to score in the second half against the Buffaloes, but they got that figured out against Northern Iowa.

4. USC Trojans

Previous ranking: 3
Record: 2-0

USC had a bye in Week 3 after some great games in Weeks 1 and 2 and are ready for their first Big Ten matchup against Michigan in Week 4.

3. Oregon Ducks

Previous ranking: 4
Record: 3-0

The Oregon Ducks finally started to look like the team everyone knew they could before the season started. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel was let loose and allowed to run a bit against Oregon State, showcasing his talent to the rest of the conference. The Ducks still have work to do if they want to contend for the Big Ten title, but they are heading in the right direction.

2. Penn State Nittany Lions

Previous ranking: 2
Record: 2-0

After a rocky game against Bowling Green, Penn State had a week to catch their breath and get back on the right track for their Week 4 matchup against Kent State.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

Previous ranking: 1
Record: 2-0

The Buckeyes were on a bye in Week 3 so there is no movement at the top, but they still remain the best-looking team in the conference.