13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0)
Last week's ranking: No. 14 (+1)
Last week's game: W, 60-10 vs Norfolk State
The Scarlet Knights stay in the undefeated club after a 50-point win. Conference play begins next week for them, which will be the true test to see where they stand in the Big Ten. Their schedule is pretty devastating with Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Ohio State, and Penn State on it, but the Knights have a chance to jump in the power rankings next week if they can beat Iowa.
14. Maryland Terrapins (3-0)
Last week's ranking: No. 15 (+1)
Last week's game: W, 44-17 vs Towson
Maryland also remains undefeated, although haven't yet had a victory of notice. Freshman quarterback Malik Washington has looked like ... well, a freshman. But, his season stat line so far looks impressive - 773 yards with six touchdowns and only one interception.
15. Wisconsin Badgers (2-1)
Last week's ranking: No. 13 (-2)
Last week's game: L, 38-14 vs No. 19 Alabama
You can say that Wisconsin doesn't deserve to drop two spots when they lost to Alabama, while Maryland and Rutgers had cupcakes, but the Badgers didn't look competitive in the slightest against top-tier competition. I fear that is a bad omen as they go into one of the toughest conference schedules in the Big Ten. Now with an injured quarterback, things can get ugly quick.
16. Purdue Boilermakers (2-1)
Last week's ranking: No. 16
Last week's game: L, 33-17 vs USC
Just like choosing between Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State at the top of the conference is hard - choosing between Purdue, UCLA, and Northwestern at the bottom may be even harder. Purdue at least kept it relatively close against a high-powered USC team, which is why it gets the nod here.
17. UCLA Bruins (0-3)
Last week's ranking: No. 17
Last week's game: L, 35-10 vs New Mexico
Yikes. UCLA remains winless after losing by more than three possessions, at home, versus a New Mexico team that went 5-7 last year. Head coach DeShaun Foster was subsequently fired as a scapegoat, but this entire team has issues from top to bottom. The Bruins will have a bye week to regroup, but with conference play ahead, this has the potential to be an 0-12 season.
18. Northwestern Wildcats (1-2)
Last week's ranking: No. 18
Last week's game: L, 34-14 vs No. 4 Oregon
The fact that Northwestern is still behind a team that hasn't won a game and already fired its head coach should say a lot. Northwestern looked like a JV team against Oregon - dropped wide-open catches, passes that hung in the air like balloons, defensive plays where its players couldn't even get a hand on the ball carrier. At least UCLA has upside with former five-star Nico Iamaleava and some other decent skill position players. Nevertheless, Northwestern has the chance to beat UCLA coming up in Week 5.