Boilermakers Country

FOX Unveils Big Ten Football Power Rankings After Week 3 — Did Purdue Rise or Fall?

Purdue suffered its first loss of the season, falling to USC 33-17 at Ross-Ade Stadium. How did that affect the Boilers in FOX's Big Ten power rankings?
Dustin Schutte|
Purdue Boilermakers tight end George Burhenn (81) runs the ball
Purdue Boilermakers tight end George Burhenn (81) runs the ball | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

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Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue suffered its first setback of the season, dropping a 33-17 contest to USC in Saturday's Big Ten opener. Although the Trojans had a comfortable margin of victory, the Boilermakers were threatening throughout the game.

How did Saturday's performance at Ross-Ade Stadium impact Purdue's standing in FOX Sports' Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 3? Actually ... not at all.

The Boilermakers entered Week 3 ranked 16th in FOX's power rankings, and that's where they remain after the loss. Purdue is ahead of Northwestern (No. 17) and UCLA (No. 18) currently.

Yes, it's still pretty low in the conference, but Purdue was picked to finish dead last in the Big Ten for a second straight year. So, even though they're near the bottom, the Boilermakers are clearly better than they were a season ago.

Purdue is 2-1 on the season and will head to South Bend for a showdown with No. 24 Notre Dame in a rivalry game. An upset on Saturday could really give the Boilers a bump in next week's power rankings from FOX.

Kickoff between Purdue and Notre Dame is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and the game will air on NBC.

Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 3 (FOX Sports)

Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs with the ball
Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs with the ball | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Each week, FOX Sports' Michael Cohen releases his Big Ten Power Rankings. Here's a look at where each team ranks through the first three weeks of the season.

  1. Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0)
  2. Oregon Ducks (3-0)
  3. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0)
  4. Illinois Fighting Illini (3-0)
  5. Indiana Hoosiers (3-0)
  6. Michigan Wolverines (2-1)
  7. Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-0)
  8. USC Trojans (3-0)
  9. Washington Huskies (2-0)
  10. Michigan State Spartans (3-0)
  11. Iowa Hawkeyes (2-1)
  12. Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1)
  13. Maryland Terrapins (3-0)
  14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0)
  15. Wisconsin Badgers (2-1)
  16. Purdue Boilermakers (2-1)
  17. Northwestern Wildcats (1-2)
  18. UCLA Bruins (0-3)

Related stories on Purdue football

TANONA TALKS RETURN TO NOTRE DAME: There was a time when Joey Tanona was a member of the Notre Dame football team. This weekend, the Purdue lineman will make his first trip back to South Bend. CLICK HERE

HOW TO WATCH PURDUE-NOTRE DAME: A rivalry gets renewed this weekend. Everything you need to know about Purdue's matchup with No. 24 Notre Dame in South Bend on Saturday. CLICK HERE

RYAN BROWNE'S PROGRESS: Ryan Browne had a bit of a roller coaster performance against USC last weekend. How does the Purdue staff think the quarterback has progressed this year? CLICK HERE

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Dustin Schutte
DUSTIN SCHUTTE

Dustin Schutte is the publisher of Purdue Boilermakers on SI and has spent more than a decade working in sports journalism. His career began in 2013, when he covered Big Ten football. He remained in that role for eight years before working at On SI to cover the Boilermakers. Dustin graduated from Manchester University in Indiana in 2010, where he played for the men's tennis team.

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