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Big Ten power rankings week 3: Penn State catapults to the top spot

By Corey Hunter

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 09: The Penn State Nittany Lion is seen before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Beaver Stadium on September 9, 2017 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 09: The Penn State Nittany Lion is seen before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Beaver Stadium on September 9, 2017 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 02: Mike Dudek
CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 02: Mike Dudek /

Count Illinois as one of the early surprise Big Ten teams.  Perhaps after beating Ball State in the opening week didn’t move the needle that much, but nearly shutting out an offensively strong Western Kentucky squad has raised a few eyebrows outside of Champaign, IL.

The foundation of Illinois’ success has been its defense.  The architect of the resurgent Illini defense is former pro-footballer Hardy Nickerson.  His squad has permitted opposing teams to run for a scant 177 yards in two games and only allowed 442 pass yards over that same span.

So, has head coach Lovie Smith has found the secret formula to turn Illinois into a Big Ten dark horse this season?  Time will certainly tell starting this week as the Illini travel to Tampa to take on the nationally-ranked South Florida Bulls.  A win Friday night and people may have to start looking at Illinois a little differently this season.

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