Week 4 featured many notable conference programs on bye weeks, but also saw conference play begin to get into full swing. With some huge wins, losses and even more big games upcoming, expect this week to be the first of many with big changes on the Big Ten ladder.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0)
Last week's ranking: No. 1
Last week's game: BYE
The Buckeyes take a week off before conference play starts for them, but they maintain the No. 1 rank in the entire nation, as well as in this Big Ten power rankings. Ohio State still has one of the most marquee wins in college football this season, with its Week 1 victory over Texas on its resume. They go on the road to play Washington this Saturday, which could be on the same level as the Texas game in terms of being a tough matchup.
2. Oregon Ducks (3-0)
Last week's ranking: No. 2
Last week's game: BYE
Oregon also took a Week 4 bye ahead of a big game, as the Ducks will travel to Happy Valley to take on Penn State in a White Out. Already, you can start to see why Week 5 will be a massive week in the Big Ten landscape. The Ducks are 3.5-point underdogs, which means they can easily cement themselves on top of the conference and nation with a win. But that's a big "if."
3. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0)
Last week's ranking: No. 3
Last week's game: BYE
Entering the season as the No. 1 team in the Big Ten power rankings, Penn State dropped to No. 3 after Ohio State's and Oregon's early dominance. Now, the Nittany Lions have the chance to reclaim that top spot. A White Out and College GameDay in the same week will have the Happy Valley crowd jumping, giving them a massive advantage. It's just up to James Franklin and his players to capitalize on it.
4. Indiana Hoosiers (4-0)
Last week's ranking: No. 7 (+3)
Last week's game: W, 63-10 vs No. 9 Illinois
Boy, did Indiana and quarterback Fernando Mendoza make a statement. Not only did they beat a top-10 team in their conference, but they did so by a 53-point margin. Indiana is looking like one of the top dogs in the Big Ten, proving that last season's CFP appearance wasn't a fluke. Mendoza is now the Heisman trophy frontrunner, Curt Cignetti is arguably the best coach in the nation, and the rest of the roster has future pros all over it.
5. USC Trojans (4-0)
Last week's ranking: No. 5
Last week's game: W, 45-31 vs Michigan State
USC took care of business at home against Michigan State, securing its second Big Ten win of the season. Again, the offense looked dominant while the defense left a lot to be desired. Quarterback Jayden Maiava might be the second-best quarterback in the conference, which is saying a lot considering how much talent is in the Big Ten. He leads the nation in QBR. The Trojans go on the road to take on an Illinois team that will be hungry to avenge an embarrassing loss to Indiana.
6. Washington Huskies (3-0)
Last week's ranking: No. 6
Last week's game: W, 59-24 vs Washington St.
Washington is a nearly identical team to USC: an amazing offense with a questionable defense. Yet somehow, the Trojans are ranked No. 21 in the country while the Huskies haven't gotten a single vote in the AP poll all year. The Huskies will look to change that in a big way this Saturday, as they take on the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes in a game that could be Demond Williams Jr.'s coming-out party.