Around the Big Ten: Matchups, Power Rankings for Week 4
Pregame Editor Robert Read provided the DI’s updated power rankings ahead of the fourth week of the season.
Iowa running back Tyler Goodson celebrates a touchdown during a football game between Iowa and Kent State at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. The Hawkeyes defeated the Golden Flashes 30-7.
September 23, 2021
The Daily Iowan’s Pregame Editor Robert Read ranked all 14 Big Ten football teams and previewed every conference Week 4 matchup in this week’s edition of Around the Big Ten.
The Hawkeyes remain at No. 1 in the DI’s power rankings, while Nebraska is still at the bottom.
Here are the full rankings and all the game previews.
Power Rankings
- Iowa — This still feels weird.
- Penn State — Oct. 9 can’t come soon enough.
- Ohio State — This also still feels weird.
- Wisconsin — We will find out a lot about the Badgers this week.
- Michigan — The Wolverines were underrated heading into the season, a refreshing change.
- Michigan State — Are the Spartans again?
- Minnesota — The Gophers are a second-tier West team this season.
- Maryland — The Maryland-Illinois game hurt my eyes.
- Rutgers — The Scarlet Knights are 3-0!
- Indiana — The Hoosiers are a good football team with a tough schedule.
- Purdue — Hope you’re OK, David Bell.
- Northwestern — The Iowa-Northwestern matchup is going to be tough … to watch.
- Illinois — Might not get another conference win this season.
- Nebraska — Kept it close with Oklahoma somehow. Good for you.
Week 4 Big Ten matchups
Villanova vs. No. 6 Penn State
Where/when to watch: Saturday at 11 a.m. on the Big Ten Network | Line: TBD | O/U: TBD
Well, at least this is an in-state rivalry? Still not much of a reason to watch.
No. 12 Notre Dame vs. No. 18 Wisconsin
Where/when to watch: Saturday at 11 a.m. on FOX | Line: WISC -6.5 | O/U: 47
The Fighting Irish have been in close games with inferior teams. Time to see how they fare against a ranked Big Ten foe.
Bowling Green vs. Minnesota
Where/when to watch: Saturday at 11 a.m. on ESPNU | Line: MINN -31.0 | O/U: 51
I’ll be interested to see how the Gophers perform once they start playing conference teams again.
Ohio vs. Northwestern
Where/when to watch: Saturday at 11 a.m. on the Big Ten Network | Line: NU -14.5 | O/U: 48
Watch this game at your own risk.
Colorado State vs. No. 5 Iowa
Where/when to watch: Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on FS1 | Line: IOWA -23.0 | O/U: 45
One more game until the Hawkeyes hit the Big Ten stretch.
Rutgers vs. No. 19 Michigan
Where/when to watch: Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on ABC | Line: MICH -20.0 | O/U: 50
An undefeated Big Ten East team is about to go down (hint, it’s Rutgers).
Illinois vs. Purdue
Where/when to watch: Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network | Line: PUR -11.0 | O/U: 53
The Boilermakers will have their drum on the field again and all will be right with the world.
Kent State vs. Maryland
Where/when to watch: Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network | Line: MD -14.5 | O/U: 69
Calling it now: The Golden Flashes are pulling off the upset this week. You heard it here first.
Nebraska vs. No. 20 Michigan State
Where/when to watch: Saturday at 6 p.m. on FS1 | Line: MSU -5.0 | O/U: 52
A second consecutive close loss to a ranked team could be considered growth for the Huskers.
Akron vs. No. 10 Ohio State
Where/when to watch: Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network | OSU -49.0 | O/U: 68
Imagine what the line would be if the Buckeyes were as dominant as they usually are.
Indiana vs. Western Kentucky
Where/when to watch: Saturday at 7 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network | Line: IU -9.0 | OU: 64
The Hoosiers are better than their record indicates. Didn’t help that they were overrated coming into the season.
