Just one week remains in the Big Ten regular-season. With every team having played eight conference games, the Big Ten power rankings should be solidified. We know exactly who teams are by now.
Wrong.
As is the nature of college football, what you think you know one week — or, throughout nearly the whole season — has a chance to be completely different the next.
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That’s what Week 13 acted as for the Big Ten, as the Wisconsin Badgers (yes, the Wisconsin Badgers that haven’t thrown for 100 yards in six straight games) have beaten ranked opponents in two of the last three games. The Penn State Nittany Lions, after looking dead in the water at 3-6 with all six losses coming a row, have won two straight and can reach bowl eligibility with a season-finale win over Rutgers.
The Oregon Ducks‘ top-ranked pass defense allowed 306 yards to USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava, committing pass interference penalties left and right and giving up large chunk plays through the air yet still came away with the win.
We broke it all down below as we unveil out post-Week 13 Big Ten power rankings.
18) Purdue Boilermakers (2-9, 0-8)
Nov 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Malachi Singleton (3) passes the ball against the Washington Huskies during the first half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Game Result: Bye
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Previous Ranking: 18
What’s Next: vs. Indiana
Analysis: The Boilermakers took their second bye week of the season, giving them extra time to prepare for No. 2 Indiana. Unless they’re able to pull off what would be the biggest upset of the season in college football, they’re set to go winless in the conference for the second consecutive season. The 2025 campaign has been very, very bleak in West Lafayette.
17) Michigan State Spartans (3-8, 0-8)
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Koen Entringer (4) pressures Michigan State Spartans quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) Nov. 22, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Game Result: L 20-17 vs. Iowa
Previous Ranking: 17
What’s Next: vs. Maryland
Analysis: Since being promoted to the starter earlier this month, quarterback Alessio Milivojevic has brought life to a previously lifeless Spartans offense. He threw for 255 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against the Hawkeyes, helping them hold 17-10 lead in the final minutes. Thus began what’s essentially a microcosm of Michigan State’s season, as they punted and gave up a 40-yard return before allowing a methodical Hawkeyes offense to tie the game as just 1:08 went off the clock. From there, the Spartans went three-and-out before giving up 54 yards in 41 seconds and a game-winning field goal to Iowa’s Drew Stevens. Not good for head coach Jonathan Smith’s chances of keeping his job.
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16) Maryland Terrapins (4-7, 1-7)
Nov 22, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jaishawn Barham (1) looks into the backfield during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Game Result: L 45-20 vs. Michigan
Previous Ranking: 15
What’s Next: vs. Michigan State
Analysis: The losses continue to pile up for the Terrapins, who dropped their seventh straight after starting the season 0-4. The offense around true freshman quarterback Malik Washington has sputtered during that time, as they’ve scored over 30 points just one time during that stretch. However, they have a good shot to defeat Michigan State in their season finale at home, potentially ending a disappointing season on a good note.
15) Wisconsin Badgers (4-7, 2-6)
Nov 22, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Riley Mahlman, left, and Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Kerry Kodanko (73) react to a touchdown scored by Wisconsin Badgers running back Darrion Dupree (6) during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
Game Result: W 27-10 vs. Illinois
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Previous Ranking: 16
What’s Next: @ Minnesota
Analysis: In a surprising turn of events, Wisconsin has won two of their last three games, both coming at home against ranked opponents in Washington and Illinois. The Badgers took down the Fighting Illini in spite of passing for just 92 yards, as they ran for 209 yards while holding Illinois to just 50 yards on the ground. It’s not pretty, but four wins after looking like they’d be resigned to just two moves them up in the rankings.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver David Adolph (82) runs into Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Jacobie Henderson (10) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 22, 2025. Ohio State won 42-9.
Game Result: L 42-9 vs. Ohio State
Previous Ranking: 14
What’s Next: vs. Penn State
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Analysis: As has been the case when the Scarlet Knights face any sort of stiff competition, they crumbled on Saturday against the Buckeyes. They gained just 147 yards to Ohio State’s 430, not even standing a chance against the top-ranked team in the nation. Despite that, they’ll have a chance to reach bowl eligibility next week against Penn State — though it won’t be easy, as the Nittany Lions have found a winning formula over the past two weeks.
13) UCLA Bruins (3-8, 3-5)
Aug 30, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) throws against the Utah Utes during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Game Result: L 48-14 vs. Washington
Previous Ranking: 13
What’s Next: @ USC
Analysis: The rails have fallen back off the track in Westwood. The Bruins didn’t score until it was 34-0 and quarterback Nico Iamaleava had been benched, as backup Luke Duncan came in and engineered a pair of touchdown drives. Nothing worked on either side of the ball for UCLA and the spark is completely gone from their midseason three game winning streak.
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12) Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-4, 4-4)
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Yvan Kemajou (99) pressures Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback TJ Lateef (14) during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Game Result: L 37-10 vs. Penn State
Previous Ranking: 9
What’s Next: vs. Iowa
Analysis: It was a tough day for Nebraska, as they ran into a confident and determined Penn State team. They’re also without starter Dylan Raiola, who’s out for the season, giving way to TJ Lateef who started his second game on Saturday. Running back Emmett Johnson is still one of the best backs in the conference, as he amassed 151 total yards but it wasn’t enough, as they fell by 27 points and drop three spots in the rankings.
11) Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-5, 4-4)
Nov 22, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey (5) throws against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Game Result: L 38-35 vs. Northwestern
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Previous Ranking: 11
What’s Next: vs. Wisconsin
Analysis: On a day in which the offense led by quarterback Drake Lindsey (264 yards, four touchdowns) and running back Darius Taylor (43 yards, one touchdown) excelled, the Golden Gophers lost in dramatic fashion as they missed a game-tying 40-yard field goal as time expired. Minnesota is hard to figure out, as they have a large swing of tremendous outings and very lackluster outings.
10) Penn State Nittany Lions (5-6, 2-6)
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Game Result: W 37-10 vs. Nebraska
Previous Ranking: 12
What’s Next: @ Rutgers
Analysis: After nearly two months without a win, the Nittany Lions have fought back and come away with two consecutive victories, setting themselves up to reach bowl eligibility with a win over Rutgers in the season finale. They’ve won in large part because of running back Kaytron Allen, who’s ran for 341 yards and two touchdowns in the past two games. Expect them to ride him once again against the Scarlet Knights, who they should take down and improbably reach a bowl game. Bet you didn’t expect to hear the end of that sentence at the start of the season.
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Nov 22, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats tight end Lawson Albright (86), running back Caleb Komolafe (5) and quarterback Preston Stone (8) celebrate a touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Game Result: W 38-35 vs. Minnesota
Previous Ranking: 10
What’s Next: @ Illinois
Analysis: Coming off three straight losses, the Wildcats got back in the win column, narrowly beating the Golden Gophers. The offense scored the most points in a conference game all season, finding success through the air (Prestone Stone threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns) and on the ground (Caleb Komolafe carried the ball 22 times for 129 yards and a score). Northwestern is officially going bowing.
8) Illinois Fighting Illini (7-4, 4-4)
Nov 22, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Hank Beatty (80) drops a punt during the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images
Game Result: L 27-10 vs. Wisconsin
Previous Ranking: 7
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What’s Next: vs. Northwestern
Analysis: A disappointing season for Illinois got even more disappointing with a loss to Wisconsin. They had just gotten ranked for the first time in nearly a month and wasted the opportunity, getting completely outworked in the trenches. This just doesn’t look like a motivated team and, despite the high level of talent on the roster, is well deserving of their lackluster 4-4 record in the Big Ten.
Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) runs onto the field during senior recognition Nov. 22, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Game Result: W 20-17 vs. Michigan State
Previous Ranking: 6
What’s Next: @ Nebraska
Analysis: The Hawkeyes eked out a win over the Spartans, scoring 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to avoid a devastating loss at home. The defense simply didn’t have enough answers for the opposing passing attack, resulting in Iowa taking a deficit into the final quarter. But they turned it on and got a win — all that matters at the end of the day. They’ll have a good chance to notch their eighth victory of the season next week at Nebraska, who is operating with their backup passer.
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6) Washington Huskies (8-3, 5-3)
Nov 22, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) warms up prior to the game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Game Result: W 48-14 vs. UCLA
Previous Ranking: 7
What’s Next: vs. Oregon
Analysis: No Jonah Coleman, no problem for a second week in a row for the Huskies. They rolled the Bruins by 34 points thanks to four total touchdowns from quarterback Demond Williams Jr. and forcing three UCLA turnovers. Washington, after a dispiriting loss to Wisconsin three weeks ago, have followed that up with a pair of blowout victories as they head into their season finale with Oregon. Though they won’t make the CFP, they have a chance to play spoiler against their hated rival.
5) USC Trojans (8-3, 6-2)
USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, left, dives into the corners of the end zone for a touchdown under cover from Oregon defensive back Theran Johnson as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Game Result: L 42-27 vs. Oregon
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Previous Ranking: 4
What’s Next: vs. UCLA
Analysis: The Trojans’ offensive firepower was on display in Eugene, as quarterback Jayden Maiava passed for 306 yards and had success throwing downfield to both receivers Ja’Kobe Lane and true freshman Tanook Hines. Star Makai Lemon did his thing underneath, scoring two touchdowns while passing for another as well. But the deficit in the trenches was just too much to overcome, as Oregon ran for over three times as many rushing yards and possessed the ball for nearly seven more minutes.
4) Michigan Wolverines (9-2, 7-1)
Nov 22, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) celebrates with running back Bryson Kuzdzal (24) after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Game Result: W 45-20 vs. Maryland
Previous Ranking: 5
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What’s Next: vs. Ohio State
Analysis: It’s essentially plug-and-play for the Wolverines running backs, as they lost starter Justice Haynes to a season-ending injury and backup Jordan Marshall missed this game due to injury as well yet junior third-stringer Bryson Kuzdzal carried the ball 20 times for 100 yards and three touchdowns. He spearheaded an efficient offensive day for Michigan, as didn’t commit a single turnover after committing five last week. Now, they’ll take on Ohio State with a potential CFP berth on the line.
3) Oregon Ducks (10-1, 7-1)
Oregon running back Noah Whittington, center, celebrates a touchdown as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Game Result: W 42-27 vs. USC
Previous Ranking: 3
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What’s Next: @ Washington
Analysis: Aside from having to clean up the secondary and several moments of lost composure, the Ducks promptly took care of business against the Trojans and notched their best victory of the season. Linebacker Bryce Boettcher was the star, amassing 13 total tackles and running in a one-yard touchdown on senior day. A win over Washington next week and Oregon will be 11-1 and have a spot in the CFP.
2) Indiana Hoosiers (11-0, 8-0)
The Hoosiers celebrate after the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
Game Result: Bye
Previous Ranking: 2
What’s Next: @ Purdue
Analysis: Indiana has about as relaxed a late season schedule as you’ll find, as they easily dismantled Wisconsin before taking their second bye in Week 13. That gives them two weeks to prepare for last-place Purdue, who they could probably beat coming off no preparation. They might as well book their trip to Indianapolis for the Big Ten title game, as they’ll either take on Ohio State or Oregon in a couple weeks.
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1) Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0, 8-0)
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) throws a pass during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Ohio Stadium.
Game Result: W 42-9 vs. Rutgers
Previous Ranking: 1
What’s Next: @ Michigan
Analysis: It was just another day at the office for the Buckeyes, despite missing star wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Tight end Max Klare was the star on Saturday, as he caught seven passes for 105 yards and a touchdown, easily his best performance of the season after transferring from Purdue. All that’s left on the schedule is taking down 9-2 Michigan in the Big House, something they haven’t done in four seasons. A simple task, really.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Big Ten power rankings see numerous changes after hectic Week 13
