In Big Ten Power Rankings, we take a close 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 on a neutral site?” 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 AP Top 25 rankings listed the wins/loss tallies of each team 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 13
1. No. 1 Ohio State (-)
Wins (11): No. 16 Texas, Grambling, Ohio, Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers
Losses (0): N/A
Scoring Margin: +25.6 (3rd in FBS)
It was another dominant performance for the Buckeyes this past weekend. Ohio State routed Rutgers 42-9, outgaining the Scarlet Knights 430-147. For the Buckeyes’ defense, it was the seventh time this season it held an opponent to 10 or less points. And, on the other side of the ball, the Buckeyes continue to prove they’re deeper than their two star receivers. Without Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State’s offense didn’t miss a beat, as junior receiver Max Klare stepped up for seven catches and 105 yards. After the game, the team quickly set its eyes on The Game, Ohio State’s rivalry matchup against No. 15 Michigan next Saturday. The Buckeyes have lost four straight and will look to break that streak en route to a Big Ten Championship game berth.
2. No. 2 Indiana (-)
Wins (11): Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, Indiana State, Illinois, Iowa, No. 6 Oregon, Michigan State, UCLA, Maryland, Penn State, Wisconsin
Losses (0): N/A
Scoring Margin: +27.5 (1st in FBS)
The Hoosier bye week was a time used by fans to sit back and take in what will go down as arguably the greatest season in program history. Indiana is 11-0, ranked No. 2 in the nation and a virtual lock for the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff. Indiana faces Purdue to close out its season in Week 14.
3. No. 6 Oregon (-)
Wins (10): Montana State, Oklahoma State, Northwestern, Oregon State, Penn State, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, No. 17 USC
Losses (1): No. 2 Indiana
Scoring Margin: +22.2 (5th in FBS)
Oregon made their statement this past week with a convincing 42-27 home win over No. 17 USC for its biggest win of the season. After taking a 28-14 lead shortly before the end of the first half, the Ducks held that two-possession lead throughout the rest of the gamee, racking up 436 scrimmage yards against a lackluster Trojan defense. The CFP Committee held Oregon’s win against USC in high regard, jumping them over 10-1 Ole Miss in their most recent rankings. Though it still needs a win over Washington during rivalry week, No. 6 Oregon is positioned well for postseason play.
4. No. 17 USC (-)
Wins (8): Missouri State, Georgia Southern, Purdue, Michigan State, No. 18 Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Iowa
Losses (3): Illinois, No. 9 Notre Dame, No. 6 Oregon
Scoring Margin: +16.5 (10th in FBS)
This season, the Trojans’ defense just was never good enough. After the loss to Oregon this past week, USC loses its chance at securing a ranked win and elevating themselves into CFP contention. The defense simply could not get a stop all game long, a similar story as USC’s other two losses. It’s a tough pill to swallow for the Trojans, considering its offense is one of the best in the country. Jayden Maiva and Co. did their job, but head coach Lincoln Riley continues to struggle on the other side of the ball.
5. N0. 15 Michigan (-)
Wins (9): New Mexico, Central Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Washington, Michigan State, Purdue, Northwestern, Maryland
Losses (2): No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 17 USC
Scoring Margin: +11.4 (23rd in FBS)
Michigan has won five straight, doing its part to give itself a chance at a CFP bid with a win over No. 1 Ohio State in rivalry week. Michigan thrashed Maryland 45-20 in one of its most complete offensive performances all season. Especially encouraging was Michigan’s zero turnovers—against Northwestern the week prior, the Wolverines had five. Beat Ohio State: That’s all that matters now in Ann Arbor.
6. Washington (+1)
Wins (8): Colorado State, UC Davis, Washington State, Maryland, Rutgers, No. 21 Illinois, Purdue, UCLA
Losses (3): No. 1 Ohio State, No. 15 Michigan, Wisconsin
Scoring Margin: +12.4 (18th in FBS)
Demond Williams Jr. put together another gem in Washington’s 48-14 win over UCLA. Williams had four total touchdowns Saturday night, throwing for 213 yards and rushing for 56. The dual-threat sophomore quarterback has proven himself to be one of the most dynamic players in the nation, averaging over 50 yards per game on the ground. With dominant back-to-back wins against Purdue and UCLA, the 8-3 Huskies have jumped Iowa to secure the No. 6 spot in these rankings.
7. Iowa (-1)
Wins (7): Albany, UMass, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Penn State, Minnesota, Michigan State
Losses (4): Iowa State, No. 2 Indiana, No. 7 Oregon, No. 17 USC
Scoring Margin: +11.4 (21st in FBS)
For once, it was Iowa on the better side of a comeback victory, after the Hawkeyes squandered leads in Weeks 11 and 12 against No. 7 Oregon and No. 17 USC, respectively. Kirk Ferentz’s squad came out flat in the opening 45 minutes of action, falling behind 17-7 to 3-7 Michigan State. But in the fourth quarter, Iowa tightened the screws, forcing the Spartans to punt on each of its final four drives and allowing just 26 total scrimmage yards. Iowa won the quarter 13-0, and walked off victorious on a 44-yard Drew Stevens field goal as time expired.
8. Illinois (-)
Wins (7): Western Illinois, Duke, Western Michigan, No. 17 USC, Purdue, Rutgers, Maryland
Losses (4): No. 2 Indiana, No. 1 Ohio State, Washington, Wisconsin
Scoring Margin: +3.8 (45th in FBS)
Fighting Illini faithful, look away. Illinois suffered its worst loss of the season in Week 13, a meaningful remark considering it had also lost 63-10 to Indiana in Week 4. The Illini were defeated 27-10 by the now 4-7 Wisconsin Badgers, who ran the ball at will against Illinois all Saturday long, averaging 4.8 yards per carry and totaling 209 yards on the ground. Illinois missed a field goal and turned the ball over on three straight drives in the fourth quarter, getting outscored by Wisconsin 20-3 in the game’s final 31 minutes. Though Illinois does not get demoted in these rankings, after this loss it sits a long way away from No. 6 Washington and No. 7 Iowa.
9. Northwestern (+1)
Wins (6): Western Illinois, UCLA, Louisiana Monroe, Penn State, Purdue, Minnesota
Losses (5): No. 24 Tulane, No. 6 Oregon, Nebraska, No. 17 USC, No. 15 Michigan
Scoring Margin: -0.9 (72nd in FBS)
A walk-off at Wrigley! It was by no means a perfect performance for the Wildcats, but David Braun’s squad got the job done, securing the victory after Brady Denaburg’s 40-yard field goal missed wide left as time expired. This game was a shootout, and Northwestern came out on top in large part due to Co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week Preston Stone’s best game of the season. Stone completed 25 of 30 passes for 305 yards and 2 touchdowns while scrambling for 28 yards, his second-highest rushing total of the season.
10. Penn State (+2)
Wins (5): Nevada, Florida International, Villanova, Michigan State, Nebraska
Losses (6): N0. 7 Oregon, UCLA, Northwestern, Iowa, N0. 1 Ohio State, N0. 2 Indiana
Scoring Margin: +7.4 (36th in FBS)
The Nittany Lions were another team who picked up a statement victory on Saturday, crushing the Dylan Raiola-less Cornhuskers 37-10 in Happy Valley. Penn State led the whole way, as running back Kaytron Allen had a big day with 160 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. In what has been a nightmare season for the Nittany Lions, many have forgotten just how close many of Penn State’s losses have been. Losing by just one possession to No. 6 Oregon, UCLA, Northwestern, Iowa and No. 2 Indiana, Penn State easily could be 7-4 or 8-3 had a few plays in a few of these games flipped in its favor. Instead it sits at 5-6, leaving fans wondering “what could’ve been?”
11. Minnesota (-1)
Wins (6): Buffalo, Northwestern State, Rutgers, Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan State
Losses (5): California, No. 1 Ohio State, Iowa, No. 6 Oregon, Northwestern
Scoring Margin: -7.8 (100th in FBS)
After falling behind 10-0 in the early going, PJ Fleck’s squad went on a 28-3 run to take a two-score lead at the start of the third quarter. However, in the second half the Golden Gophers defense could not buy themselves a stop, surrendering 24 points on the Wildcats’ final four offensive possessions. For a defense that leads the Big Ten in sacks (34), it could not get a pass rush on a stingy NU offensive line, bringing Stone down just once all afternoon. That, combined with Denaburg’s two missed field goals, created heartbreak for Gopher fans at the Friendly Confines.
12. Nebraska (-3)
Wins (7): Cincinnati, Akron, Houston Christian, Michigan State, Maryland, Northwestern, UCLA
Losses (4): N0. 18 Michigan, Minnesota, N0. 15 USC, Penn State
Scoring Margin: +4.7 (43rd in FBS)
Last week I wrote that Nebraska’s matchup against Penn State was bound to prove how good the Cornhuskers are at this point in the season without their star quarterback Dylan Raiola. Losing 37-10 in blowout fashion to the Nittany Lions, the Cornhuskers proved they are in fact missing their star. While the defense certainly had its problems as well, Nebraska’s 10 points—the team’s second lowest scoring output all season—made it hard for the Cornhuskers to compete in this one.
13. Wisconsin (+3)
Wins (4): Miami OH, Middle Tennessee, Washington, Illinois
Losses (7): No. 10 Alabama, Maryland, No. 15 Michigan, Iowa, No. 1 Ohio State, No. 6 Oregon, No. 2 Indiana
Scoring Margin: -8.6 (107th in FBS)
Darrion Dupree, Darryl Peterson, Luke Fickell… Madison’s superheroes, for now. Wisconsin took down Illinois 27-10 at home, picking up its fourth win of the season playing the hardest schedule in football, per ESPN’s strength of schedule. Dupree posted 131 rushing yards and two touchdowns, leading a Badger offense that has been impotent through the air. Peterson, the senior linebacker, led the Badger defense with three sacks, while also picking up five solo tackles and two pass deflections. As for Fickell, he’ll stick around as Wisconsin’s head coach next season, as his Badgers have proven that maybe they weren’t so bad after all, having picked up wins over both Washington and Illinois in recent weeks.
14. Rutgers (-1)
Wins (5): Ohio, Miami OH, Norfolk State, Purdue, Maryland
Losses (6): Iowa, Minnesota, Washington, No. 7 Oregon, Illinois, No. 1 Ohio State
Scoring Margin: -8.4 (104th in FBS)
Rutgers’ offense sputtered in a 42-9 loss to Ohio State, gaining just 147 yards, in-large part due to a lackluster rushing performance. The Scarlet Knights averaged just 1.9 yards on 35 carries, and their quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis fumbled on a strip sack at their own one-yard line. At 5-6, Rutgers’ bowl status will now depend on the result of it’s final matchup against the surging Nittany Lions.
15. UCLA (-1)
Wins (3): Penn State, Michigan State, Maryland
Losses (8): No. 12 Utah, UNLV, New Mexico, Northwestern, No. 2 Indiana, Nebraska, No. 1 Ohio State, Washington
Scoring Margin: -14.9 (125th in FBS)
UCLA was held scoreless by the Huskies until there was just 2:53 remaining in the third quarter, as Washington went on a 34-0 run from the start of the game. After last Saturday’s 48-14 loss to Washington, the Bruins have been beaten 180-51 in their last four. The reality is, when your defense allows 386.9 (15th in the Big Ten) yards per game and 33.8 points per game (last in the Big Ten), it’s hard to be a competitive football team in the Big Ten.
16. Maryland (-1)
Wins (4): Florida Atlantic, Northern Illinois, Towson, Wisconsin
Losses (7): Washington, Nebraska, UCLA, No. 2 Indiana, Rutgers, Illinois, No. 15 Michigan
Scoring Margin: -5.3 (87th in FBS)
Maryland was beaten by Michigan 45-20 at home, extending its losing streak to seven straight games. Despite an early touchdown and aggressive play calling, like a trick play and an onside kick attempt, the Terrapins struggled with turnovers, dropped an interception and couldn’t pick up stops when needed all game long. Once again, Maryland’s miscues and inconsistent offense killed its chances in this game, as calls for Mike Locksley’s replacement grew loud again despite the university’s firm stance that it will keep the Terrapin head coach around for the 2026 season.
17. Michigan State (-)
Wins (3): Western Michigan, Boston College, Youngstown State
Losses (8): No. 17 USC, Nebraska, UCLA, No. 2 Indiana, No. 15 Michigan, Minnesota, Penn State, Iowa
Scoring Margin: -9.1 (111th in FBS)
Michigan State lost 20-17 to Iowa after a game-winning field goal at the end of the game. Despite holding a 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, the Spartans couldn’t hang on as the offense suddenly went dead. MSU was in position to win, but just couldn’t finish, losing its second one possession game in the past three weeks.
18. Purdue (-)
Wins (2): Ball State, Southern Illinois
Losses (9): No. 17 USC, No. 9 Notre Dame, Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern, Rutgers, No. 15 Michigan, No. 1 Ohio State, Washington
Scoring Margin: -12.1 (121st in FBS)
The upside for Boilermakers’ fans is that Purdue basketball is ranked No. 1 in the nation. But the 2-9 football team is sitting at the bottom of the B1G and has not sparked much excitement over in West Lafayette. Purdue will finish its season as a 28.5-point underdog (per ESPN Bet) in a rivalry game against No. 2 Indiana this Friday.
