No surprises from week nine of Big Ten play. Every favorite won, and the superior teams dominated the scum of the conference. Iowa and Indiana boast the most impressive wins of the season, winning by a combined
97-9. Oregon was caught sleepwalking against Wisconsin, and still won by two touchdowns. The week ten slate is as lackluster as the last, but the one to watch is USC @ Nebraska on Saturday night—big-time playoff implications for two of the Big Ten’s middle-tier teams.
1: Ohio State
7-0, Vs Penn State
Wake up the Buckeyes when it’s the week of the game. There is nothing else to be said about Ohio State until it’s time for Ryan Day to climb his final mountain.
2: Indiana
8-0, @ Maryland
If Curt Cignetti weren’t 64, he’d be the biggest name on the coaching market. With all the momentum the Bruins had built up to face the Hoosiers, it was washed away seconds into the game. Indiana scored 56 points at UCLA, making it look like a cakewalk. Iowa may end up being their tightest contest all year.
3: Oregon
6-1, BYE WEEK
What happened to the Ducks on Saturday? They may have taken the Grateful Dead theming too seriously because Oregon looked sluggish. The Ducks beat the Badgers 21-7 at home on Saturday. It was a rare, uninspired effort from Dan Lanning’s squad, who usually are best when mauling inferior opponents. Dante Moore looked incredibly pedestrian, and if I were a Duck fan, I’d start asking some questions.
4: Michigan
6-2, Vs Purdue
The Wolverines took care of little brother on Saturday, 31-20. When Michigan bully ball works, it’s a Big Ten thing of beauty. The Wolverines are teetering between a good and a great team. They’re always a tough team to beat when the run game is rolling. Michigan will never reach its full potential as long as Sherrone Moore coaches it.
5: USC
5-2, @ Nebraska
Lincoln Riley, here is your chance to be a made man in the Big Ten. USC travels to Lincoln for a November showdown. The Trojans are a road favorite by 6.5 points. If Riley wins this game, he has my respect as a real Big Ten coach. Taking a road game against a respectable opponent is how you separate the haves and have-nots. All eyes should be on this matchup; it’s the best of the week.
6: Washington
6-2, BYE WEEK
The Huskies got the best possible version of Demond Williams Jr. against Illinois. Williams is the most polarizing player in the country. The Illini were being pieced up all day, giving up 280 yards and four touchdowns through the air. Washington has major struggles away from home, but they are as good as anyone in Seattle.
7: Iowa
6-2, BYE WEEK
The Hawks might be all the way back. I’m getting dangerously close to fantasizing about making the playoffs. Iowa steamrolled Minnesota from the get-go, doing it through all three game phases. I’m struggling to find weaknesses with this team, the way they’re playing right now. Gronowksi is fitting in perfectly, doing what he needs to do: win football games. The boys get a week to regroup, looking ahead to what could be the biggest game in recent memory.
8: Illinois
5-3, Vs Rutgers
The Illini have been the most disappointing team in the Big Ten this year. All of the returning production has done absolutely nothing for Illinois. Going out to Seattle to get your butt handed to you really puts a damper on the season. What was supposed to be a historic season has turned out to be a remarkably sad 2025.
9: Nebraska
6-2, Vs USC
The Huskers are at the crossroads of their season. Nebraska can either beat USC and push for the playoffs or lose and fall back where they’ve always been. The Huskers will only get as far as Raiola will carry them. In the seven-point win against Northwestern, Raiola was extremely mediocre, throwing for 141 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. USC is the last chance for Nebraska to save its season. I wouldn’t be too confident.
10: Penn State
3-4, @ Ohio State
Penn State heads into the Shoe as 20-point underdogs. I would’ve told you you’re nuts if you had told me that in week one. The Nittany Lions have absolutely nothing to lose going into Saturday. Now, let me clarify: Penn State will not beat Ohio State, but 20 points is disrespectful. I know they’re 3-4, but the Nittany Lions still have some good things going.
11: Northwestern
5-3, BYE WEEK
Northwestern gets the award for the most improved team from week one. The Cats opened the year with a road loss to Tulane, and I threw them to the wayside. I’m here to say that I was wrong for my Northwestern. Ryan Braun deserves all the flowers in the world for what he has done for the Wildcats. Big Ten teams should beware of Northwestern, because they will sneak up on you and make you wish you took them seriously.
12: Minnesota
5-3, Vs Michigan State
Yikes. The Gophers are nowhere near our level, and never will be. Even in a season where people are giving them a chance, we blow their doors off. Their ceiling is our floor. Darius Taylor is a talented back, but the Hawks made him look like a Pop Warner player. Last week was so cute to see all the Gopher fans get their hopes up. Better luck next year, Minnesota.
13: UCLA
3-5, BYE WEEK
Indiana extinguished any of the underdog fire that was burning out in Los Angeles. The Bruins were not ready for the force of nature, the Indiana Hoosiers. UCLA isn’t going to get dinged in my ratings for getting schlacked by the second-best team in the country. The Bruins get a week off and a chance to cook more magic to finish the season.
14: Maryland
4-3, Vs Indiana
Maryland has a tough decision to make as this season winds down. Does Mike Locksley keep his job? Locksley has a few more weeks to find wins and pad his resume. Terrapin football has no expectations, so I don’t know if anyone even cares. Maryland fans are getting amped up watching Buzz Williams’s new squad on the hardwood.
15: Rutgers
4-4, @ Illinois
[Happy Italian Noises]
16: Michigan State
3-5, @ Minnesota
Jonathan Smith is a dead man walking in East Lansing. You know it’s over when the fans start making photoshops of other coaches in the colors. Michigan State should still be able to pull a good hire, but they can’t afford to have another whiff like Smith.
17: Wisconsin
2-6, BYE WEEK
I have no idea what is going on here. Why is Fickell still here? How did the Badgers keep it close with the Ducks? Things are strange in Madison. If I were a Wisconsin fan, I would start demanding some answers.
18: Purdue
2-6, @ Michigan
Keep trying, buddy. Next week you’ll get your first conference win!
