If properly done, rankings should fluctuate. After all, they're based on limited information after three weeks. Currently the conference has 11 (!) undefeated teams, five at 2-1, and two with losing records.
Only USC and Oregon have won a conference game. Purdue and Northwestern started 0-1 in the Big Ten and dwell in the conference basement.
Rankings in mid-September are based on two-paragraph resumes and one bullet point.
1. Ohio State
The defending national champion, AP No. 1 Buckeyes have the conference's best win, shutting down Arch Manning and Texas 14-7 in the opener in Columbus, crushing Grambling in the Horseshoe 70-0, putting away Ohio 37-9.