With the conclusion of the conference championship game, the 2025 season has come to a close in the Big Ten. The Indiana Hoosiers came out on top on the strength of an undefeated regular season and a 13-10 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday in Indianapolis.
That followed the trend of unexpected outcomes that occurred in the conference this season.
Advertisement
Easily the biggest surprise was the preseason No. 2 Penn State Nittany Lions, who had to eke out a four-point win over Rutgers in the season-finale — just to win their sixth game and reach bowl eligibility. Imagine reading that four months ago.
Just three weeks ago, five Big Ten teams had a shot at making the College Football Playoff: Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon Ducks, Michigan Wolverines and USC Trojans. The latter two suffered losses and fell out of the race, leaving the big three still alive and well and giving the conference a chance to claim its third consecutive national championship.
Without further ado, here’s the final 2025 Big Ten power rankings, complete with each team’s record, where they began the season ranked, what’s next and an analysis on their 2025 campaign.
Nov 28, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Ryan Browne (15) hands the ball off to Purdue Boilermakers running back Antonio Harris (22) during the third quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Record: 2-10, 0-9
Advertisement
Preseason Ranking: 17
What’s Next: Offseason
Analysis: After hiring away UNLV head coach Barry Odom last December, expectations were heightened ever so slightly for the Purdue program after a season in which they went winless in the Big Ten. Well, it was another bleak fall West Lafayette, as Odom’s team went winless once again, extending their losing streak in the Big Ten to 18 games. Without much talent on the roster, it’s difficult to envision the path for the Boilermakers to work their way out of the basement.
17) Maryland Terrapins
Nov 29, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Maryland quarterback Malik Washington (7) throws a pass against Michigan State in the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images
Record: 4-8, 1-8
Preseason Ranking: 13
What’s Next: Offseason
Analysis: Unlike Purdue, there’s at least some promise for the Terrapins despite losing their last eight games. True freshman quarterback Malik Washington threw for nearly 3,000 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions and is a building block for the program moving forward assuming he stays put. It appears that head coach Mike Locksley will keep his job despite two straight 4-8 campaigns, giving the program some stability moving forward. But ultimately, the ceiling isn’t especially high for Maryland and that doesn’t appear to change anytime soon.
Advertisement
16) Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State’s head coach Jonathan Smith leaves the field after the game against Penn State after the game on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Record: 4-8, 1-8
Preseason Ranking: 14
What’s Next: Offseason
Analysis: The Jonathan Smith hiring for Michigan State was a disaster, as he won just nine games in two seasons and was far from beloved by the fanbase. He’s now owed a $33 million buyout. The Spartans pivoted quickly, hiring former long-time Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who led his teams to 10 bowl games in 17 seasons. The standards are extremely high in East Lansing and Fitzgerald will need to get to work quickly in rebuilding this roster, not necessarily an easy task considering the lack of success and relevancy for the Michigan State program of late.
Advertisement
Nov 29, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back John Nestor (17) tackles Wisconsin Badgers tight end Lance Mason (86) during the second half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Record: 4-8, 2-7
Preseason Ranking: 16
What’s Next: Offseason
Analysis: If nothing else, the Badgers were tough and physical in 2025. Despite arguably the worst quarterback situation in the Power 4, head coach Luke Fickell’s team took down two ranked teams in the last month of the season, holding Washington and Illinois to 10 points apiece. The defense finished 39th in scoring defense, a major success considering the lack of complimentary football played by the offense. Though no fireworks are going to lit over a 4-8 record, Fickell squeezed everything he could out of this Badgers roster.
Advertisement
Nov 29, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver KJ Duff (8) makes a catch as Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Audavion Collins (2) defends during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Record: 5-7, 2-7
Preseason Ranking: 15
What’s Next: Offseason
Analysis: The Scarlet Knights were perfectly mediocre in 2025, taking down bottom-dwellers in Maryland and Purdue for their only conference wins and completely crumbling against Oregon and Ohio State while playing everyone else relatively evenly. They have offensive stars, with quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (3,124 yards, 20 TDs,), running back Antwan Raymond (1,241 yards, 13 TDs) and wide receiver KJ Duff (1,084 yards, 7 TDs) all stood out statistically, but the other parts of their roster simply weren’t good enough. A crushing four-point loss to Penn State in the season-finale keeps them out of bowl contention.
Advertisement
Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) carries the ball against the Southern California Trojans in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Record: 3-9, 3-6
Preseason Ranking: 12
What’s Next: Offseason
Analysis: What a whirlwind of a season for the Bruins. Head coach DeShaun Foster was fired after three straight losses to begin the season, leading the way for interim Tim Skipper to drop his first game before winning his next three, including over then No. 7 Penn State. Offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel and the Bruins were on top of the college football world, with the words “they control their own destiny to the CFP” even being uttered with games against Ohio State, Indiana and USC still on the schedule. Well, they fell back to Earth and lost their last five games in disappointing fashion. There is talent on this roster however, with quarterback Nico Iamaleava still here and former James Madison head coach Bob Chesney coming in. The Bruins were better than their three wins suggested this season and will almost certainly be better come 2026.
Advertisement
12) Nebraska Cornhuskers
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
Record: 7-5, 4-5
Preseason Ranking: 8
What’s Next: Bowl Game
Analysis: The season effectively ended for the Cornhuskers once quarterback Dylan Raiola suffered a season-ending injury on Nov. 1. Backup TJ Lateef has been fine, leading them to a win over UCLA before losses to Penn State and Iowa to finish the regular season. A 4-5 record in the Big Ten is certainly not what head coach Matt Rhule envisioned coming into this season. Retaining Raiola becomes priority No. 1 for Rhule and his staff, or else they’ll face a crisis at the quarterback position heading into next season.
Advertisement
11) Minnesota Golden Gophers
Nov 29, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive lineman Anthony Smith (0) celebrates with Paul Bunyan’s Axe after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Record: 7-5, 5-4
Preseason Ranking: 10
What’s Next: Bowl Game
Analysis: Though the Golden Gophers will compete in a bowl game for their eighth win, they struggled down the stretch of the season in losing three of their final five games. Looking towards next season, they should like their chances of improving if both running back Darius Taylor and quarterback Drake Lindsey return. Those two were the engine of the offense and will have another year under their belts come 2026.
10) Penn State Nittany Lions
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Zuriah Fisher (36) holds up a Hire Terry Smith sign following the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
Record: 6-6, 3-6
Preseason Ranking: 2
What’s Next: Bowl Game
Analysis: It was a whirlwind of a season for the Nittany Lions, who began the season ranked No. 2 in the country before dropping six consecutive games after a backbreaking loss to Oregon. In the process, they fired their head coach (James Franklin) and lost their starting quarterback (Drew Allar) to injury. Credit interim head coach Terry Smith, who brought the team back together as they won their final three games to reach bowl eligibility. The ensuing hire of former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell should be good for the program, yet there is tons of uncertainty moving forward.
Advertisement
9) Northwestern Wildcats
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
Record: 6-6, 4-5
Preseason Ranking: 18
What’s Next: Bowl Game
Analysis: Nothing about the Wildcats was flashy this season, but they won more games than arguably expected early on to power them to bowl eligibility. They couldn’t quite keep the good vibes going however, as they lost four of their final five games albeit with narrow losses to Illinois, Nebraska and Michigan. The team found something in sophomore running back Caleb Komolafe, who stepped in due to injuries and rushed for 886 yards and ten touchdowns. He should be their lead back come 2026.
8) Illinois Fighting Illini
Nov 1, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights linebacker Dariel Djabome (8) tackles Illinois Fighting Illini running back Kaden Feagin (3) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Record: 8-4, 5-4
Advertisement
Preseason Ranking: 4
What’s Next: Bowl Game
Analysis: Entering the season with outside hopes of making the CFP, it’s hard to consider 2025 as a successful campaign for the Fighting Illini. With quarterback Luke Altmeyer and much of their dominant defense from last season returning, they managed just a 5-4 record in the Big Ten including an incredibly disappointing 27-10 loss to Wisconsin. Illinois just simply didn’t have what it took to play with the big dogs in the conference, as they fell to Ohio State and Indiana by a combined score of 97-26.
7) Washington Huskies
Nov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) hands the ball off to running back Adam Mohammed (24) during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Record: 8-4, 5-4
Preseason Ranking: 9
Advertisement
What’s Next: Bowl Game
Analysis: If not for a dispiriting loss to the Badgers in early November, the Huskies could’ve entered their season-finale game against Oregon with a CFP appearance on the line. Instead, they’re unranked and will have to win their bowl game in order to reach nine wins. The first priority during the offseason will be retaining talented quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who is sure to command significant NIL compensation from other programs if he shows interest in leaving Washington.
6) Iowa Hawkeyes
Nov 28, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; The Iowa Hawkeyes hoist the Heroes Trophy after defeating the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Record: 8-4, 6-3
Preseason Ranking: 11
What’s Next: Bowl Game
Analysis: This was a classic Iowa season, as they played nearly everyone on their schedule tough — especially the top teams. In their losses, coming against Iowa State, Indiana, Oregon and USC, they lost by a combined 15 points. That’s all that separated them from an undefeated season, something that seems completely out of the picture for an 8-4 team but isn’t that far from reality. Head coach Kirk Ferentz will be back for his 28th season in 2026, ensuring one more year of tough Hawkeyes football.
Advertisement
5) USC Trojans
Nov 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (30) celebrates with offensive lineman Kaylon Miller (60) and offensive lineman Justin Tauanuu (74) after scoring on a 5-yard touchdown run against the UCLA Bruins in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Record: 9-3, 7-2
Preseason Ranking: 6
What’s Next: Bowl Game
Analysis: This season for the Trojans will be remembered for their inability to beat ranked teams, as they fell to Illinois, Oregon and Notre Dame. They had an outside chance of making the playoff coming into November, yet couldn’t get it done against the Ducks. Head coach Lincoln Riley’s team was tougher and more physical at the line of scrimmage than years past and had talented skill position players in quarterback Jayden Maiava and wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, but just couldn’t get the job done when they needed it.
Advertisement
4) Michigan Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore leads his team onto the field for the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.
Record: 9-3, 7-2
Preseason Ranking: 7
What’s Next: Bowl Game
Analysis: Similar to USC, a CFP berth was on the line for the Wolverines’ matchup with Ohio State yet they didn’t have enough to come away with the win. True freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood took his lumps in the Big Ten, but showed promise and was much better than any QB options for Michigan from a season ago. A win in their bowl game and reaching ten wins would be a step forward for head coach Sherrone Moore’s squad, as they managed just eight wins last season.
3) Oregon Ducks
Oregon wide receiver Malik Benson breaks away for a touchdown as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington.
Record: 11-1, 8-1
Preseason Ranking: 3
Advertisement
What’s Next: College Football Playoff
Analysis: Despite not making the Big Ten title game, the main goal that the Ducks set out for themselves is well within reach: a national championship. They had must-win games throughout their final four-game stretch in October and November and won them all, giving them an eventual home playoff game at Autzen Stadium. Oregon enters the CFP as a physical team with a talented passer in Dante Moore — not a team that anyone should want to face.
2) Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Bo Jackson (25) rushes the ball Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, during the Big Ten football championship against the Indiana Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Record: 12-1, 9-0
Preseason Ranking: 1
What’s Next: College Football Playoff
Analysis: After being ranked No. 1 all season long, the Buckeyes fell in the Big Ten title game to the Hoosiers, likely relegating them to either No. 2 or No. 3 in the CFP. Despite the loss, it’s still clear that Ohio State has what it takes to win the national title. And as we’ve seen with this same Buckeyes program a season ago, suffering a loss isn’t the worst thing heading into the playoff, as it resulted in a national title a season. We’ll see if they can repeat history.
Advertisement
1) Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) throws during the first half of the Big Ten Conference championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 6, 2025.
Record: 13-0, 9-0
Preseason Ranking: 5
What’s Next: College Football Playoff
Analysis: After beginning these rankings at No. 5 in the preseason, the Hoosiers revealed themselves very early that they were title contenders. Now, four months later, they enter the playoff with a 13-0 record, a bye and the No. 1 seed. The combination of quarterback Fernando Mendoza, wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, a dominant defense and head coach Curt Cignetti has the Hoosiers in the driver seat to win a national title. Not bad for a “basketball school.”
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Final Big Ten power rankings in 2025
