In Big Ten Power Rankings, we look at each team’s body of work up to this point in the season. When comparing teams head-to-head, I will first answer the question: “Who would be favored if these teams were
to play head-to-head?” From there, if no obvious favorite exists, I will be specifically focused on comparing relative strength of victories and strength of losses to determine appropriate rank.
Note: All CFP Top 25 rankings represent the current rank of the team, not the rank at the time of the game.
Bold Wins/Losses: Represent the outcome of the game that team played in Week 12.
1. No. 1 Ohio State (-)
Wins (10): N0. 17 Texas, Grambling, Ohio, Washington, Minnesota, N0. 21 Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA
Losses (0): N/A
Scoring Margin: +25.6 (3rd in FBS)
Without Carnell Tate (undisclosed injury), Jeremiah Smith was hounded by Bruin defensive backs all afternoon, nabbing just four receptions for 40 yards. However, this was not a problem for the Buckeyes, who exemplified their versatility in a 48-10 thrashing of UCLA. At 10-0, Ohio State continues to look untouchable and poised to contend for back-to-back national championships.
2. No. 2 Indiana (-)
Wins (11): Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, Indiana State, N0. 21 Illinois, Iowa, No. 7 Oregon, Michigan State, UCLA, Maryland, Penn State, Wisconsin
Losses (0): N/A
Last Saturday against the Badgers, Fernando Mendoza was 22-for-24 passing, throwing for 299 yards and four touchdowns. After stuffing the stat sheet, once again, in front of a jam-packed Memorial Stadium, Mendoza has thrown more touchdowns (16) than he has incompletions (15) in Big Ten home games this season.
Yes, you read that right. The Hoosiers’ star junior quarterback is once again the Heisman favorite, and Indiana is bound to finish the season undefeated with a Week 14 win over Purdue.
3. N0. 7 Oregon (-)
Wins (9): Montana State, Oklahoma State, Northwestern, Oregon State, Penn State, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota
Losses (1): No. 2 Indiana
Scoring Margin: +23.0 (4th in FBS)
Dan Lanning’s squad outgained the Golden Gophers 510-200, holding Minnesota’s run game to just 2.6 yards per carry in a 42-13 victory. Carrying major momentum from two big wins in Weeks 11 and 12, the Ducks will host College Gameday in Week 13, with a marquee matchup against the N0. 15 USC Trojans set to determine their spot, or lack thereof, in the College Football Playoff.
4. No. 15 USC (-)
Wins (8): Missouri State, Georgia Southern, Purdue, Michigan State, N0. 18 Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Iowa
Losses (2): No. 21 Illinois, No. 9 Notre Dame
Scoring Margin: +16.5 (10th in FBS)
The Hawkeyes came ready to play against USC, jumping out to an early 21-10 lead against the Trojans and outgaining them 212-161. Later, up 26-21 late in the fourth, Iowa mounted a long drive deep into USC territory, but the Trojans held on, breaking up Mark Gronowski’s pass to Kaden Wetjen on a critical fourth-and-6 to seal the game.
The comeback win gives the Trojans their second ranked win of the season, keeping them in the running for the College Football Playoff at 8-2. If USC can upset N0. 7 Oregon in Eugene, it will be hard for the committee to deny the red and gold a playoff bid.
5. N0. 18 Michigan (-)
Wins (8): New Mexico, Central Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Washington, Michigan State, Purdue, Northwestern
Losses (2): No. 8 Oklahoma, N0. 15 USC
Scoring Margin: +10.0 (24th in FBS)
The Wolverines did everything they could to hand the game to Northwestern on Saturday, turning the ball over five times and missing two field goals. Nonetheless, their College Football Playoff hopes stayed alive after Dominic Zvada’s game-winning field goal as time expired.
In back-to-back weeks against .500-or-worse Big Ten opponents, the Wolverines have played themselves into close games. If Michigan doesn’t get things together in Week 13 against Maryland, it could be in for an embarrassing loss in Week 14’s The Game.
6. Iowa (-)
Wins (6): Albany, UMass, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Penn State, Minnesota
Losses (4): Iowa State, No. 2 Indiana, No. 7 Oregon, N0. 15 USC
Scoring Margin: +12.3 (17th in FBS)
Once again, Iowa let a potential ranked win slip from its grasp against USC. Though head coach Kirk Ferentz has come short of the big wins this season, the Hawkeyes have proven they are one of the best teams in the Big Ten.
Three of Iowa’s four losses are against Top 15 opponents, and the Hawkeyes lost those games by an average of just four points. Despite this, Iowa will have to settle for N0. 6 in the Big Ten, rewarded for its strength of losses but stuck on what could have been against No. 7 Oregon and No. 15 USC.
7. Washington (-)
Wins (7): Colorado State, UC Davis, Washington State, Maryland, Rutgers, No. 21 Illinois, Purdue
Losses (3): No. 1 Ohio State, No. 18 Michigan, Wisconsin
Scoring Margin: +10.0 (24th in FBS)
It was an extremely efficient bounce-back 49-13 victory for Washington against Purdue. Demond Williams Jr. was 16-for-19 on his passes, while the Huskies had 5.3 yards per carry on the ground, totaling five rushing touchdowns (three of which came from Adam Mohammed). Washington’s blowout victory keeps it in the No. 7 spot of these rankings, though blowout losses against N0. 1 Ohio State and N0. 18 Michigan, along with its brutal defeat to 3-7 Wisconsin last week, keeps it behind Iowa.
8. No. 21 Illinois (-)
Wins (7): Western Illinois, Duke, Western Michigan, No. 15 USC, Purdue, Rutgers, Maryland
Losses (3): No. 2 Indiana, No. 1 Ohio State, Washington
Scoring Margin: +3.8 (45th in FBS)
All season long, Illinois has dominated games it has been expected to win. It was no different on Saturday, as the Fighting Illini took down Maryland 24-6.
Though Maryland was able to gain close to 300 yards on the day, Illinois had fantastic defense inside the 25-yard-line, holding the Terrapins to two field goals and forcing two turnovers on downs. Despite a lack of success against top-tier squads, the Fighting Illini are likely to put together their second straight 9-3 season.
9. Nebraska (-)
Wins (7): Cincinnati, Akron, Houston Christian, Michigan State, Maryland, Northwestern, UCLA
Losses (3): N0. 18 Michigan, Minnesota, N0. 15 USC
Scoring Margin: +8.2 (35th in FBS)
Sitting at 7-3 following a bye, the Cornhuskers will have their true strength tested now that Dylan Raiola is out for the season. Nebraska is a 9.5-point underdog on the road against Penn State, per Odds Shark.
10. Northwestern (-)
Wins (5): Western Illinois, UCLA, Louisiana Monroe, Penn State, Purdue
Losses (5): No. 24 Tulane, No. 7 Oregon, Nebraska, N0. 15 USC, N0. 18 Michigan
Scoring Margin: -1.3 (74th in FBS)
Northwestern had every opportunity to upset No. 18 Michigan at Wrigley Field, but the ‘Cats couldn’t get the job done. Fueled by three straight Michigan turnovers, Northwestern surged to a 22-21 lead with just 4:09 to go, but its offense sputtered, giving the Wolverines too many chances to put the game away.
There’s a lot to love about David Braun’s squad this year, but this week, the ‘Cats lacked the strength, yet again, to make big plays at the end of the game. On to Minnesota!
11. Minnesota (-)
Wins (6): Buffalo, Northwestern State, Rutgers, Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan State
Losses (4): California, No. 1 Ohio State, Iowa, N0. 7 Oregon
Scoring Margin: -8.3 (105th in FBS)
A month ago, Minnesota smashed then-N0. 25 Nebraska 24-6, leading pundits to believe this could be a breakout season for P.J. Fleck’s Golden Gophers. Since then, Minnesota has suffered brutal losses to Iowa and No. 7 Oregon, and it almost fell to a lackluster Michigan State team in overtime. After Week 12, the Golden Gophers’ 301.8 yards per game on offense ranks 17th in the Big Ten.
12. Penn State (-)
Wins (4): Nevada, Florida International, Villanova, Michigan State
Losses (6): N0. 7 Oregon, UCLA, Northwestern, Iowa, N0. 1 Ohio State, N0. 2 Indiana
Scoring Margin: +5.2 (41st in FBS)
At last, the Nittany Lions have a Big Ten win. Carried by Kaytron Allen’s 181 rushing yards, Penn State put Michigan State to bed in the fourth quarter, closing the game 14-0 in the final 15 for a 28-10 victory. With a victory under its belt, Penn State will host Nebraska, well aware that with two more wins it could still qualify for a bowl.
13. Rutgers (-)
Wins (5): Ohio, Miami OH, Norfolk State, Purdue, Maryland
Losses (5): Iowa, Minnesota, Washington, No. 7 Oregon, No. 21 Illinois
Scoring Margin: -5.7 (93rd in FBS)
With two games to go following a bye, the goal for Rutgers is crystal-clear: win one and make a bowl. Rutgers faces Ohio State on the road in Week 13 and hosts Penn State in Week 14.
14. UCLA (-)
Wins (3): Penn State, Michigan State, Maryland
Losses (7): N0. 12 Utah, UNLV, New Mexico, Northwestern, N0. 2 Indiana, Nebraska, N0. 1 Ohio State
Scoring Margin: -13.0 (124th in FBS)
For a while, it looked like Tim Skipper and Jerry Neuheisel had brought new life to the Bruins after their brutal 0-4 start to the season. Fast forward to November, and Ohio State just beat UCLA 48-10, bringing the 3-7 Bruins’ losing streak to three games.
Though UCLA won’t finish 0-12, it will not play in a bowl either. Another disappointing season in Pasadena.
15. Maryland (-)
Wins (4): Florida Atlantic, Northern Illinois, Towson, Wisconsin
Losses (6): Washington, Nebraska, UCLA, N0. 2 Indiana, Rutgers, No. 21 Illinois
Scoring Margin: -3.1 (84th in FBS)
This past week, the Terrapins’ 24-6 loss to Illinois came at the hands of unfinished drives in Illini territory. Maryland settled for two field goals within the 25-yard line while turning the ball over on downs twice. The freshmen talent is exciting —Malik Washington, DeJuan Williams, Carlton Smith, Sidney Stewart — but this team is still at least a year away from having the poise and maturity needed to win big conference games.
16. Wisconsin (-)
Wins (3): Miami OH, Middle Tennessee, Washington
Losses (6): No. 4 Alabama, Maryland, No. 18 Michigan, Iowa, No. 1 Ohio State, No. 7 Oregon, No. 2 Indiana
Scoring Margin: -11.2 (118th in FBS)
On Saturday, the Badgers fell 31-7 against Indiana. As has been the case all year, Wisconsin’s offense has struggled to do all of anything against ranked opponents, averaging just 8.5 points per game in these matchups. Against the Hoosiers, freshman quarterback Carter Smith —one of four quarterbacks to play this season — completed just nine passes for 98 yards. Upgrading at the quarterback position in terms of talent and health will definitely be a primary focus for head coach Luke Fickell this offseason.
17. Michigan State (-)
Wins (3): Western Michigan, Boston College, Youngstown State
Losses (7): No. 15 USC, Nebraska, UCLA, No. 2 Indiana, No. 18 Michigan, Minnesota, Penn State
Scoring Margin: -9.8 (111th in FBS)
Michigan State fell 28-10 to Penn State, remaining winless in Big Ten play. After being forced to vacate their wins from the 2022-2024 seasons due to former head coach Mel Tucker’s recruiting violations, the Spartans are now just 3-29 over the past four seasons and an unbelievable 0-26 in Big Ten play. Facing fines from Tucker’s recruiting violations and stuck in a long-term, expensive contract with Jonathan Smith, Spartan faithful may have to wait a while before things get better.
18. Purdue (-)
Wins (2): Ball State, Southern Illinois
Losses (9): No. 15 USC, No. 9 Notre Dame, No. 21 Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern, Rutgers, No. 18 Michigan, N0. 1 Ohio State, Washington
Scoring Margin: -12.1 (123rd in FBS)
Washington defeated Purdue 49-13 last Saturday. Outgained 506-267, it was another lopsided, start-to-finish loss for the Boilermakers.
It’s been one of the worst stretches in program history down in West Lafayette. Over the last three seasons, Purdue is 3-24 in Big Ten conference play. And, assuming a loss to N0. 2 Indiana in Week 14, Purdue will finish 2-10, failing to win three games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1942.
