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Week 12 Big Ten Football Power Rankings: Ohio State and Indiana on a Collission Course
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Week 12 Big Ten Football Power Rankings: Ohio State and Indiana on a Collission Course

Originally posted on EasySportz  |  By Lee Bushkell  |  Last updated Nov 10, 2025 11:19 AM ET

The Big Ten’s undefeated giants stayed unbeaten in Week 11—Indiana with late-game heroics and Ohio State managing a tough road test—while the West division saw a massive upset that reshuffled the standings yet again.

Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 11 – Undefeateds Survive

The Week 11 Scoreboard Highlights

  • #2 Indiana 27, Penn State 24 (Hoosiers win with a game-winning drive in Happy Valley)
  • #1 Ohio State 34, Purdue 10 (Buckeyes handle business on the road)
  • #9 Oregon 18, #20 Iowa 16 (Ducks kick game-winner to win West division tiebreaker)
  • Wisconsin 13, #23 Washington 10 (Badgers pull off a massive upset in Madison)
  • #19 USC 38, Northwestern 17 (Trojans win convincingly on the road)
  • Nebraska 28, UCLA 21 (Huskers secure bowl eligibility with a big win)
  • Rutgers 35, Maryland 20 (Scarlet Knights win huge in their rivalry game)

The Rankings

Tier 1: The Championship Collision Course

  1. Ohio State Buckeyes (9-0, 6-0 B1G) The Buckeyes were efficient in their 34-10 win over Purdue. Julian Sayin keeps his Heisman campaign rolling, and their flawless record means they are still the team to beat. They now have a critical bye week to prepare for the final stretch. Next Week: BYE
  2. Indiana Hoosiers (10-0, 7-0 B1G) The Hoosiers are the first team in the nation to reach 10 wins! They survived their toughest road test, beating Penn State 27-24 with a thrilling, game-winning drive led by Fernando Mendoza. They are perfect and in control of the Big Ten West destiny. Next Week: vs. Wisconsin (Saturday, 12:00 PM ET, BTN)

Tier 2: One-Loss Big Ten Title Hopes

  1. Oregon Ducks (8-1, 5-1 B1G) The Ducks escaped Iowa City with a dramatic 18-16 victory, securing the crucial head-to-head tiebreaker over the Hawkeyes. This win positions them perfectly to potentially meet one of the undefeated teams in the title game. Next Week (Friday Night): at Minnesota (Friday, 9:00 PM ET, FOX)
  2. Michigan Wolverines (7-2, 5-1 B1G) Michigan was on a bye week and benefited greatly from Oregon’s win, which keeps the Ducks as the main threat in the West. The Wolverines are well-rested for the final two-game conference stretch. Next Week: vs. Northwestern (Saturday, 12:00 PM ET, FOX)
  3. USC Trojans (7-2, 5-1 B1G) The Trojans bounced back with a decisive 38-17 road win over Northwestern. They remain a one-loss conference team and are still fighting for a top-tier Playoff spot. Next Week: vs. Iowa (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)

Tier 3: The Bowl-Bound & West Chaos


Nov 8, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback TJ Lateef (14) drops back to pass against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
  1. Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3, 4-2 B1G) The Hawkeyes suffered a heartbreaking 18-16 loss to Oregon after giving up a field goal in the final seconds. They now have two conference losses, but they are bowl eligible and remain one of the best defenses in the league. Next Week: at #19 USC (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
  2. Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-3, 4-3 B1G) Nebraska secured their seventh win and bowl eligibility with a gutsy road win over UCLA, 28-21. This team has done enough to be rewarded with a respectable postseason game. Next Week: BYE
  3. Washington Huskies (6-3, 3-3 B1G) The Huskies suffered the most shocking upset of the week, falling to Wisconsin 13-10. This loss severely damages their Playoff hopes and knocks them back into the middle of the conference. Next Week: vs. Purdue (Saturday, 7:00 PM ET, FS1)
  4. Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-3, 4-2 B1G) The Gophers were on a bye week but remain firmly in the West contention picture due to Washington’s loss. They are bowl eligible and have a chance to play spoiler against Oregon. Next Week (Friday Night): vs. #9 Oregon (Friday, 9:00 PM ET, FOX)
  5. Illinois Fighting Illini (6-3, 3-3 B1G) The Illini were on a bye week after achieving bowl eligibility last week. They are well-rested for the final stretch. Next Week: vs. Maryland (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, FS1)

Tier 4: Everyone Else

  1. Northwestern Wildcats (5-4, 3-3 B1G) The Wildcats fell to USC 38-17. They need one more win over their final three games to secure bowl eligibility. Next Week: at #21 Michigan (Saturday, 12:00 PM ET, FOX)
  2. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-5, 2-5 B1G) Rutgers secured their fifth win by beating Maryland 35-20. They are one win away from bowl eligibility with two games remaining. Next Week: BYE
  3. UCLA Bruins (3-6, 3-4 B1G) The Bruins lost a close one to Nebraska, 28-21. Their unexpected four-game win streak is over, and they are now eliminated from bowl contention. Next Week: at Ohio State (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, NBC/Peacock)
  4. Wisconsin Badgers (3-6, 1-5 B1G) The Badgers finally got their first Big Ten win, upsetting Washington 13-10. This is a massive boost for their program and ensures they won’t go winless in league play. Next Week: at #2 Indiana (Saturday, 12:00 PM ET, BTN)
  5. Maryland Terrapins (4-5, 1-5 B1G) Maryland’s struggles continue with a 35-20 loss to Rutgers. They need two wins in their final three games to reach bowl eligibility. Next Week: at Illinois (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, FS1)
  6. Penn State Nittany Lions (3-6, 0-6 B1G) A heartbreaking 27-24 loss to Indiana. Despite the loss, Penn State is mathematically eliminated from bowl contention. Next Week: vs. Michigan State (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS/BTN)
  7. Michigan State Spartans (3-6, 0-6 B1G) The Spartans were on a bye week. They are also eliminated from bowl contention. Next Week: at Penn State (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS/BTN)
  8. Purdue Boilermakers (2-8, 0-7 B1G) Purdue lost to Ohio State 34-10. They remain winless in conference play and are mathematically eliminated from bowl eligibility. Next Week: at #23 Washington (Saturday, 7:00 PM ET, FS1)

Big Ten Week 12 Preview: A Quiet Week?

Most Big Ten teams are on bye this week, with only 4 games on the schedule.

  • Oregon at Minnesota (Friday, 9:00 PM ET, FOX) – The Ducks look to maintain their tiebreaker advantage against the tough Gophers.
  • USC at Iowa (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS) – Iowa needs a win to stay alive in the West race, while USC fights for a top Playoff spot.
  • Michigan at Northwestern (Saturday, 12:00 PM ET, FOX) – Michigan tries to avoid a late-season upset to the Wildcard team.
  • Wisconsin at Indiana (Saturday, 12:00 PM ET, BTN) – The undefeated Hoosiers try to keep their historic season rolling.

This article first appeared on EasySportz and was syndicated with permission.

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