Michigan State football is 3-0 for a second straight year. That’s something that hasn’t happened since 2007.
It wasn’t pretty but Michigan State handled FCS foe Yougnstown State for the 41-24 win on Saturday afternoon. The victory over the Penguins capped off a perfect 3-0 record in non-conference play. Now, Michigan tate will turn its focus to Big Ten play starting with a road trip to USC next week.
So how do our Spartans compare to the Trojans and the rest of the league? Check out our latest Big Ten power rankings following this week’s action below:
No. 18 – UCLA
Record: 0-3 (0-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Lost vs. New Mexico
Welcome to the bottom of the power rankings, UCLA. The Bruins were blown out at home by New Mexico on Friday night to fall to 0-3, and ultimately result in head coach DeShaun Foster getting fired on Sunday. Now, the question is whether or not UCLA will win at least one game this year or if they’re in for an 0-12 campaign.
No. 17 – Northwestern
Record: 1-2 (0-1 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Lost vs. Oregon
The Wildcats only moved up one spot due to the pure incompetence of the Bruins. But, hey, the Wildcats did cover the spread against the Ducks this week so I suppose that’s worthy of a golf clap celebration, right?
No. 16 – Wisconsin
Record: 2-1 (0-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Lost at Alabama
There’s no shame in losing at Alabama, but how the Badgers lost is what is concerning. Wisconsin without their starting quarterback Billy Edwards is not a dangerous team, and the schedule is so brutal that the train could go off the tracks before he’s even able to return.
No. 15 – Purdue
Record: 2-1 (0-1 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Lost vs. USC
Purdue held its own with USC for a large portion of this game, and that should give Boilermakers fans some hope that this year won’t be as bad as we initially thought entering the season. But overall, this is still a team that has a talent deficiency that’ll make it very difficult to reach a bowl game this fall.
No. 14 – Minnesota
Record: 2-1 (0-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Lost at California
In the Golden Gophers two games against FBS teams, they’ve looked… not good. Minnesota was missing star running back Darius Taylor for this week’s road game at California so that was a big factor in the end result, but I’m to the point where I’m starting to sell my Golden Gophers stock.
No. 13 – Maryland
Record: 3-0 (0-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Won vs. Towson
Maryland has completed one of the easiest non-conference slates in the country with a perfect 3-0 record. Now, the Terps will get to face a team with at least a relative pulse in a road trip to Wisconsin this week. This will be our first true chance to assess Maryland this year.
No. 12 – Rutgers
Record: 3-0 (0-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Won vs. Norfolk State
Like Maryland, Rutgers’ gravy train non-conference slate is over and it’s time to play their first power four school of the season on Friday. We will know a lot more about the Scarlet Knights after Friday night’s home game against Iowa.
No. 11 – Iowa
Record: 2-1 (0-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Won vs. UMass
Iowa finally got a strong performance out of new transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski this week, but it was also against UMass so make what you will out of that. Still, it was a positive step in the right direction and should make Hawkeyes fans everywhere feel better about at least making a bowl game this season.
No. 10 – Michigan State
Record: 3-0 (0-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Won vs. Youngstown State
Michigan State beat Youngstown State on Saturday but it wasn’t impressive. Not at least to the standard of how we’ve seen other good teams beat FCS foes. Combine that with the injury to star wide receiver Nick Marsh and I simply have to drop the Spartans a few spots in our latest power rankings.
No. 9 – Washington
Record: 2-0 (0-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Bye
Washington was off this week and will return to action next week with a fun rivalry matchup against Washington State. The Huskies lost the Apple Cup last year so there will certainly be additional motivation on their end next week.
No. 8 – Michigan
Record: 2-1 (0-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Won vs. Central Michigan
Is Michigan better without Sherrone Moore? That’s not an honest question, but it’s fun to speculate after the Wolverines dominated the Chippewas on Saturday afternoon. Michigan will get another tough road test next week at Nebraska, where we will learn even more about the Wolverines.
No. 7 – Indiana
Record: 3-0 (0-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Won vs. Indiana State
The Hoosiers did exactly what you’re supposed to do against an FCS team and are looking like the same dominant Indiana squad from last year. Now that the easy road is done, we will get a true test for the Hoosiers next week in a home ranked battle against Illinois.
No. 6 – USC
Record: 3-0 (1-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Won at Purdue
It wasn’t necessarily pretty but the Trojans went across the country and picked up a road Big Ten win. That’s something we didn’t see often from them last year so that alone is progress. USC now gets the Spartans coming to town next week, which will be a telling game for both programs.
No. 5 – Nebraska
Record: 3-0 (0-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Won vs. Houston Christian
For a second straight week, Nebraska looked dominant against a bad team. That’s something simply Nebraska didn’t do the last few years and proves this team is much improved under head coach Matt Rhule. Next week’s game against Michigan is massive for the Cornhuskers.
No. 4 – Illinois
Record: 3-0 (0-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Won vs. Western Michigan
Illinois overcame a slow start to dominate the Broncos and improve to 3-0 on the year. Now, the Fighting Illini will be back on the road in a very tough game at Indiana next week. That should be a fun, fun game for us Big Ten folks.
No. 3 – Penn State
Record: 3-0 (0-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Won vs. Villanova
The Nittany Lions made easy work of Villanova and will now go into the bye week with a lot of momentum. After the bye? A massive, massive game against Oregon. That will tell us a lot about Penn State and if they are truly a national title contender.
No. 2 – Oregon
Record: 3-0 (1-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Won at Northwestern
The Ducks could have beaten the Wildcats by 50 if they wanted to, but good thing Northwestern head coach David Braun didn’t run his mouth this week leading up to the game. Oregon is a very good football team, and is looking more and more like a College Football Playoff lock.
No. 1 – Ohio State
Record: 3-0 (0-0 in Big Ten)
Result this week: Won vs. Ohio
It was a sleepy start for the Buckeyes, but also give credit to the Ohio Bobcats because that’s a very good MAC team. Ohio State is off next week, but then they head out west for an intriguing game at Washington.
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Big Ten Power Rankings: MSU drops after lackluster, injury-filled win vs. Youngstown State
Reporting by Robert Bondy, Spartans Wire / Spartans Wire
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