The Big Ten might be worse than I originally had predicted. The bottom of the conference is so horrifyingly bad that I get sad writing about it. Penn State, Michigan, and Illinois aren’t on par with the top
three of the conference. All it means for Hawkeye fans is an abundance of upward mobility. Here’s where the Big Ten stands going into week nine.
1: Ohio State
7-0, BYE WEEK
The Buckeyes are going to win the whole thing, aren’t they? Ohio State’s warchest of offensive weapons is deeper than ever. Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith are the top two receivers in the entire country. Julian Sayin has been super impressive, throwing the ball around (very much aided by his receivers). I’ve seen people asking a couple of questions online related to the Buckeyes. The first question is dumb and easy to answer. Could Ohio State beat the Cleveland Browns? Absolutely no chance in any world would that happen. Myles Garret would shatter Sayin’s ribs. Secondly, the people ask if the 2025 Buckeyes are better than the 2024 national champion Buckeyes. To my eyes, this year’s team looks more dominant than the last. Ryan Day must beat Michigan; this team could be his best ever.
2: Indiana
7-0, @ UCLA
Indiana took care of “rivals” Michigan State after a sluggish first-half start, winning 38-13. The Hoosiers found themselves in a fight in the first half, but they pulled away big time in the second half. The Hoosiers have a clear path to the playoffs. Indiana has already played the two most challenging games of the season. Mendoza could easily win the Heisman if he continues his absurd production rate. UCLA is red-hot, but so is Indiana. The Hoosiers should roll out in the Rose Bowl this weekend.
3: Oregon
6-1, Vs Wisconsin
The Ducks made the cross-country trip to vent their frustrations on the Scarlet Knights, winning 56-10 last Saturday. Oregon has a habit of obliterating the irrelevant teams of the Big Ten. Dan Lanning needs to start winning against the big boys if he wants to be welcome at the table of great coaches. The Ducks have the best roster that money can buy (literally), so it’s time for them to start playing like it. Once again, Oregon should mock Wisconsin, but they’re vulnerable to tripping up against the Hawks in a few weeks.
4: USC
5-2, BYE WEEK
The Trojans are the leaders of the top middle tier of the conference. I don’t know what to do with the USC, Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa group. Thanks to a Jeremiah Love masterclass, USC lost to an excellent Notre Dame team last week. Lincoln Riley will put together an offensive game plan that is good enough to win every week. If the defense decides to show up, there’s no reason that the Trojans can’t have success.
5: Illinois
5-2, @ Washington
Brett Beliemma and company had a week to rest up in preparation for the long trip to Washington this Saturday. The Illini can’t afford to slip up against the Huskies if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive. Luke Altmeyer has to have a great day to keep up with the talented, albeit inconsistent, Demond Williams Jr. Illinois has the 23rd spot in the AP poll and is opening as an underdog to Washington. The Illini can add a signature win to their resume if they can get out of Seattle with a win.
6: Michigan
5-2, @ Michigan State
On Saturday, Michigan was a boa constrictor, choking out the Huskies 24-7. The Wolverines turned the Huskies over three times and held them to 1.7 yards per carry on the ground. They’re a great team when Michigan can control the game’s pace. Unfortunately for them, coming from behind is a death sentence. Sherrone Moore can’t get the same consistency Jim Harbaugh had before him. The Wolverines are one-dimensional but are masters of their style of play. Expect a slog in East Lansing with Michigan ending up on top.
7: Iowa
5-2, Vs. Minnesota
The Hawks don’t have much chance to catch their breath before the Gophers come to town. Iowa found a way to win underneath the lights despite uncharacteristic mistakes from coach Ferentz. Mark Gronowski may not be throwing it well, but the guy is an absolute gamer. It’s scary to see an Iowa squad with a competent leader under center. Getting back up for the Gophers will be challenging after last weekend’s thriller. It’s a blackout 2:30 kickoff in Kinnick, it’s the Hawks game to lose. Iowa is flying below the radar, and there’s no other place I’d want to be.
8: Penn State
3-4, BYE WEEK
The Nittany Lions are a talented team playing with a chip on their shoulder. The version of Penn State we saw against Iowa had some real spunk. Kaytron Allen is a gritty back and gave Iowa fits all night. There’s still abundant talent for the Nittany Lions to finish the season strong. Unfortunately, they still have yet to face Ohio State and Indiana. Penn State has its work cut out for it, including finding the man to take over the reins.
9: Washington
5-2, Vs Illinois
For my life, I cannot pin down this Husky team. One week, they’re lighting the world on fire; the next, they can’t move the ball down the field. It’s a crapshoot trying to predict what version of Washington will show up on Saturdays. When the Huskies are home, they’re clearly more comfortable. Getting the Illini off a bye is a tall task. Washington has all the ability in the world; whether they’ll live up to their talent is impossible to tell.
10: Minnesota
5-2, @ Iowa
I hate Minnesota and Nebraska equally. The only tiebreaker is how much hype the team is getting at the time. Seeing the Gophers take out the fraudulent Huskers made me smile. Darius Taylor was a unit on the ground, going for 148 yards and a touchdown. This week, the shoe is on the other foot. Minnesota is starting to get some shine in the media. Gopher fans are starting to forget they’re the little brother in this relationship. PJ Flecks’ squad is respectable, but they don’t have the gusto to win in Kinnick.
11: UCLA
3-4, Vs Indiana
Does the entire internet think that Jerry Neuheisel is the head coach for UCLA? I was one of those people for a hot minute, and there’s a good reason. Neuheisel has become the face of UCLA football. The Bruin players genuinely love the interim staff. The Bruins found a way to win ugly, sealed the victory by hitting a field goal as time expired to win the game. UCLA is the textbook definition of scrappy. Bruin fans should be proud of their squad, even after they get demolished by Indiana.
12: Northwestern
5-2, @ Nebraska
The Northwestern Wildcats are 3-1 in Big Ten play. Nobody is talking about the Cats. There’s a good reason for the silence. No matter how you slice it, Northwestern isn’t really a good team. The Cats are coached well; they’ll beat the teams in the doldrums of the conference. Northwestern has a chance to be taken seriously in its road trip to Lincoln this weekend.
13: Nebraska
5-2, Vs Northwestern
There they are! That’s the Nebraska I’ve come to know and love. The Huskers had the stinker to end all stinkers on their Friday night visit to Minnesota. Raiola holds onto the football longer than it takes Luke Fickell to get fired. Nebraska perennially underperforms with the resources they are given. The attitude of the team does not face adversity well. Matt Rhule must return to the drawing board to fix Husker football.
14: Maryland
4-3, BYE WEEK
Like clockwork, Maryland has pooed down their leg in Big Ten play. The Mike Locksley era has been marked with small doses of excitement, followed by disappointment. The Terrapins will have to upset someone to make a bowl game. I wouldn’t bet on Maryland turning it around.
15: Michigan State
3-4, Vs Michigan
Spartan fans, cross your fingers and close your eyes, and you could pull off a rivalry upset. When that fails, start getting ready for Izzo hoops.
16: Purdue
2-5, Vs Rutgers
Barry Odom is losing me a little bit. All it takes is one win for an improvement from 2024; this weekend is your best shot.
17: Rutgers
3-4, @ Purdue
[Depressed Italian Noises]
18: Wisconsin
2-5, @ Oregon
This T.E.A.M. is the worst Wisconsin T.E.A.M. I have ever seen. Luke Fickell should start looking for his next T.E.A.M.
