Week 6 in the Big Ten was relatively light on action but delivered one of the more notable upsets of the year. Penn State’s trip to UCLA was nothing but an absolute disaster for the Nittany Lions while UCLA may have found a much-needed spark to make the Bruins worth paying attention to for the rest of the season. Did UCLA save its season while sending Penn State down a downward spiral?
Here is a quick rundown of what happened in the Big Ten this weekend, the updated conference standings, and a quick look ahead ot the Week 7 Big Ten schedule. Week 7 should be a good one!
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Rankings referenced are from the US LBM Coaches Poll going into Week 6.
No. 1 Ohio State 42, Minnesota 3
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches a touchdown pass during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 4, 2025.
Is Ohio State getting better by the week? The stars continue to shine for the Buckeyes as Julian Sayin passed for 326 yards and 3 touchdowns and Carnell Tate caught 9 passes for 183 yards and a score, and Jeremiah Smith scored 2 touchdowns while catching 7 passes for 67 yards. Ohio State’s defense held Minnesota to just 162 yards of offense
UCLA 42, No. 6 Penn State 37
Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) runs with the ball during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
The big news of the day took place on the West Coast when UCLA just flat-out dominated Penn State in Pasadena despite promoting Jerry Neuheisel to offensive coordinator in the middle of the week. Nico Iamaleava torched the Nittany Lions yards and 2 touchdowns and 128 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. Iamaleava took off for multiple long runs on 3rd-and-long situations to burn a gassed Penn State defense playing without starting linebacker Tony Rojas. Penn State was down 27-7 at halftime but battled back and had the football with chances to tie or take the lead in the final minutes. This is one that will leave many scratching their heads as Penn State’s playoff hopes were dashed.
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No. 20 Michigan 24, Wisconsin 10
Justice Haynes
Wisconsin gave Michigan a good defensive battle for a half but the Wolverines found some big plays from wide receiver Donaven McCulley and running back Justice Haynes to start pulling away in the second half. Bryce Udnerwood passed for 270 yards and a touchdown and Haynes rushed for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns in the win, while Wisconsin fell to 2-3 on the year.
No. 22 Illinois 43, Purdue 27
Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Hank Beatty gestures after making a first down.
Purdue may have been able to give Illinois a scare last year, but the Illini took over this game with a 27-point outburst in the second quarter and never looked back. Luke Altmyer passed for 390 yards and a touchdown and Hank Beaty caught 5 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown. The Illini racked up 507 yards of offense in the win despite going just 2-for-11 on third down.
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In scores of other games…
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Northwestern 42, UL Monroe 7
Updated Big Ten Football Standings After Week 6
|
B1G W |
B1G L |
W |
L |
|
|
Indiana |
2 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
Ohio State |
2 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
Oregon |
2 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
Michigan |
2 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
|
Illinois |
2 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
USC |
2 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
|
Minnesota |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
|
Washington |
1 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
|
Northwestern |
1 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
|
Maryland |
1 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
|
Nebraska |
1 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
|
Iowa |
1 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
|
UCLA |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
Michigan State |
0 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
Penn State |
0 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
Rutgers |
0 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
Purdue |
0 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
Wisconsin |
0 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
Big Ten Week 7 Schedule
All games are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 11, unless noted otherwise. All times are Eastern.
-
Washington vs. Rutgers – Friday, Oct. 10, 9:00 p.m., FS1
-
Illinois vs. Ohio State, 12:00 p.m., Fox
-
Michigan State vs. UCLA, 12:00 p.m., Big Ten Network
-
Oregon vs. Indiana, 3:30 p.m., CBS
-
Penn State vs. Northwestern, 3:30 p.m., FS1
-
Maryland vs. Nebraska, 3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network
-
Wisconsin vs. Iowa, 7:00 p.m., FS1
-
USC vs. Michigan, 7:30 p.m., NBC
-
Minnesota vs. Purdue, 7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Big Ten Week 6 recap: Final scores, updated standings, what’s next?
