For the Big Ten teams chasing championships, the key early on is to avoid a stumble. There weren’t any conference teams in ranked matchups in Week 3 of the college football season, and just one team — Wisconsin, at No. 19 Alabama, lost to an out-of-conference opponent. The rest stayed on their feet in search of bigger fish. The Daily Emerald broke down the notable matchups.

No. 1 OHIO STATE CRUISES PAST OHIO UNIVERSITY IN 37-4 WIN

The top-ranked Buckeyes (3-0) still have No. 7 Texas as their marquee win. Since that Week 1 victory, Ryan Day’s program hasn’t faced another Power Four opponent, but still started slow (three points in the first quarter, 10 in the second) against Ohio University before stepping on the accelerator in the second half. Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin connected for two touchdowns — their relationship will be key if Ohio State is to repeat as champs.

No. 2 PENN STATE HEADS TO BYE WEEK WITH BLOWOUT VICTORY OVER VILLANOVA

Oregon’s biggest matchup of the regular season still hasn’t faced a power conference team — and won’t before it welcomes the Ducks in Week 5. That doesn’t mean the Nittany Lions (3-0) have struggled, though, as they completed their non-conference slate with a 52-6 win over Villanova University. Star running backs Kaytron Allen (10 carries, 86 yds, TD vs VU) and Nicholas Singleton (20 carries, 84 yds, 2 TD) are driving the Penn State offense.

No. 9 ILLINOIS CRUISES IN SHUTOUT WIN OVER WESTERN MICHIGAN

Quarterback Luke Altmyer was key to the Fighting Illini’s upstart bid in the Big Ten last year — he threw for 2,717 yards and 22 touchdowns as Illinois finished 10-3 and No. 16 in the AP Poll. This year, he’s thrown for 513 yards and six touchdowns through three games, including two through the air and another on the ground as Illinois looks ahead to a ranked matchup with No. 19 Indiana next week.

No. 23 MICHIGAN BOUNCES BACK WITH 63-3 DEMOLITION OF WESTERN MICHIGAN

Wolverines interim head coach Biff Poggi said freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood (235 yds, 1 passing TD, 2 rushing TD) “might actually be Batman” following his leadership of Michigan’s rebound win over its in-state foes. Underwood struggled in the Wolverines’ loss at Oklahoma the week prior, but headlined a dominant rushing attack that combined for 381 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. He’s looking like a true dual threat.

USC, MAIAVA OVERCOME RAIN DELAY TO STORM PAST PURDUE

Jayden Maiava and the Trojans (3-0) had to wait over three hours after a weather delay halted the start of their visit to West Lafayette. After that, they’d score just three points in the first quarter. After the junior ran in a three-yard score to begin the second, though, it never looked in doubt. USC didn’t have a passing touchdown but handed the Boilermakers (2-1) their first loss of the season with two scores on the ground, four Ryon Sayeri field goals and a 70-yard pick-six.

AROUND THE BIG TEN: SCOREBOARD

No. 22 Indiana (3-0) scored 21 or more in each of the first three quarters en route to a 73-0 win over Indiana State University. The Hoosiers travel to Illinois next.

Wisconsin was the victim as star receiver Ryan Williams returned from injury. The No. 19 Tide downed the Badgers, 38-14, ahead of the latter’s matchup with Maryland.

Nebraska (3-0) put up 38 first-half points in a 59-7 victory over FCS Houston Christian University. The Cornhuskers host Michigan in Week 4.

Maryland (3-0) scored 34 first-half points of its own as freshman Malik Washington threw for 261 yards in a 44-17 win over FCS Towson University. The Terps travel to Wisconsin in Week 4.

Rutgers (3-0) scored 60 points in a 60-10 destruction of Norfolk State, and will face Iowa in a Friday night matchup at home.

Michigan State (3-0) won, 41-24, over Youngstown State University. Quarterback Aidan Chiles had 346 all-purpose yards ahead of trip to USC.

Iowa (2-1) grabbed a 44-7 win over the University of Massachusetts that saw head coach Kirk Ferentz become the conference’s winningest-ever coach (206, passing Ohio State coach Woody Hayes). Next, the Hawkeyes travel to face Rutgers.

Minnesota (2-1) fell to Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3 TD passes) and Cal, 27-14. The Golden Gophers are idle next.

UCLA (0-3) looked desolate in a 35-10 loss to the University of New Mexico. The Bruins, who travel to face Northwestern, fired head coach Deshaun Foster the next day.