Big Ten football standings have a surprise leader after Week 8

The Big Ten has just one remaining undefeated team through Week 8 of the college football season. And just like everyone predicted, it's UCLA.

The surprising Bruins sit atop the Big Ten standings with a 5-0 conference mark and have a pretty favorable path to Indianapolis, avoiding both Ohio State and Indiana. UCLA finishes at Minnesota, vs. Illinois, at Michigan, vs. USC. It's official, every Big Ten team should hire a James Madison coach.

Just behind the Bruins are the Buckeyes, who were off this week. And Ryan Day will likely need the bye to get Luke Fahey as much work with the first-team offense following Julian Sayin's injury.

Hayes: Ohio State has one move left to save its season - Ryan Day must rehire Ryan Day

3 takeaways: Indiana escapes

Michigan. Neither team should feel good about it

Indiana survived Michigan with a rugged overtime win, which raised plenty of questions, but it's worth noting the Hoosiers hadn't won at the Big House since 1967, so who cares about style points? Up next for Indiana, a matchup with Minnesota, which like the Hoosiers has just one conference loss.

Here's a look at the updated Big Ten standings and a glance ahead at next week's schedule.

Updated Big Ten football standings after Week 8

1. UCLA — 5-0, 7-0 overall
2. Ohio State — 4-0, 6-1 overall
3. Indiana — 4-1, 7-1 overall
4. Northwestern — 3-1, 6-1 overall
5. Minnesota — 3-1, 5-2 overall
6. Wisconsin — 3-1, 5-2 overall
7. USC — 3-2, 6-2 overall
8. Purdue — 2-2, 3-4 overall
9. Illinois — 2-2, 4-4 overall
10. Oregon — 2-2, 4-3 overall
11. Iowa — 2-2, 5-2 overall
12. Nebraska — 2-2, 5-2 overall
13. Michigan — 1-3, 4-3 overall
14. Washington — 1-3, 4-3 overall
15. Rutgers — 1-3, 2-5 overall
16. Penn State — 0-4, 3-4 overall
17. Maryland — 0-4, 2-5 overall
18. Michigan State — 0-5, 2-6 overall

Week 9 Big Ten football schedule, Oct 31 games

All times ET.

• Wisconsin at Iowa, noon (Fox)
• Illinois at Maryland, noon (FS1)
• Michigan at Rutgers, 12:30 p.m. (BTN)
• Minnesota at Indiana, 3:30 p.m (CBS)
• Northwestern at Oregon, 3:30 p.m. (Peacock)
• Nevada at UCLA, 4:15 p.m. (BTN)
• Purdue at Penn State, 4:15 p.m. (BTN)
• Ohio State at USC, 7:30 p.m. (NBC)
• Washington at Nebraska, 8 p.m. (BTN)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big Ten football standings have a surprise leader after Week 8