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Big Ten power rankings entering Week 4: Penn State Football or Iowa No. 1?

By Alec Whitaker

Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton (14) intercepts a pass intended for Purdue tight end Payne Durham (87) in the end zone during the fourth quarter of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.Cfb Notre Dame Vs Purdue /

. 2-1. Previous: 10th. Boilermakers . 10. team. 848

Purdue hung in there against Notre Dame, losing 27-13 on Saturday.

It was a 17-13 game heading into the fourth quarter, though.

The offense moved the ball, outgaining Notre Dame 348-343, but two turnovers played a role in them scoring only 13 points. The reason for the two turnovers was that starting quarterback Jack Plummer left the game with an injury, and backup Aidan O’Connell was the one who made the two costly mistakes.

Had Plummer not left the game, the result could have been different, as the score was just 20-13 at the time of the injury. Purdue does need more out of its run game though. The Boilermakers totaled just 57 yards on the ground, and if Plummer is out, the running backs need to pick up more slack.

Defensively, Purdue looked good again and the pass rush got going with four sacks against a good Notre Dame offensive line. This group being able to hold their own is crucial to this team’s succes in 2021.

This team has holes, but they’re tough and won’t be a cakewalk for anyone in the Big Ten. They face Illinois this week.

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