College Football: Big Ten Power Rankings

After seven weeks of the College Football season, these are the power rankings in the Big Ten:

1. Ohio State

The machine keeps on rolling. It didn’t even feel like Ohio State was firing on all cylinders in a 34-16 win over Illinois in Week 7. But is that my fault for holding Ryan Day’s bunch to such a high standard?

2. Indiana

I don’t think it would be hyperbole to say that Indiana’s 30-20 victory over Oregon in Week 7 was the biggest win in program history. And that’s for two reasons: first, Indiana football didn’t have much history prior to Curt Cignetti’s arrival. Secondly, Indiana showed the college football world that they belong with the top teams in the country and are a legitimate threat to win the national championship.

3. Oregon

I’m not going to knock Oregon too much for losing to Indiana, but I’m not completely without concern. The teams that Oregon has beaten have a combined 5 FBS wins. We’re in Week 8. That’s not exactly a murderer’s row of a schedule. I’m going to trust my eye test on this team, but I would not be surprised to see them drop another game.

4. USC

I walked away from the Michigan game very impressed with USC. The performances from Jayden Maiava and Makai Lemon showed that the USC passing attack will be effective against any defense, no matter how strong, and the run defense really kept Michigan from getting any momentum going. If not for a terrible schedule spot against Illinois, this team could very well still be undefeated.

5. Illinois

Through 7 weeks, Luke Altmyer and the Illini have two losses. They are to #1 Ohio State and #3 Indiana. These are literally the best pair of losses in the country. The downside – they weren’t really competitive in either of those two games. 9 or 10 wins are still in reach.

6. Michigan

Maybe I overestimated Bryce Underwood. Maybe I overestimated Michigan’s defense. Maybe
I overestimated Wink Martindale as a playcaller. But I really thought Michigan was going to beat USC, and I was wrong. The injury to Justice Haynes certainly did not help, and they will need him healthy if they wish to get back to the top of the Big Ten.

7. Washington

It was a great revenge spot for Washington in Week 7, as they beat a Rutgers team that had beaten them on a cold Friday night in Piscataway in 2024. Demond Williams was outstanding, and he continues to shine as one of the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks.

8. Nebraska

I think 8th is the right spot for this team. I get that they only have one loss so far, but I’m left wanting so much more. The offense never asks Dylan Raiola to throw downfield, and to me, this limits their ceiling as an offense until they decide to be a little more aggressive.

9. UCLA

I think this is where we have to slot UCLA until further notice. After beating Penn State in Week 6, the Bruins followed it up with a domination of Michigan State in Week 7. Interim OC Jerry Neuheisel has devised a scheme to get the absolute most out of Nico Iamaleava, something that Josh Heupel and Tino Sunseri were unable to do in a little over a year as a starter.

10. Penn State

This is absolute rock bottom for the Nittany Lions. They’ve lost three straight, their QB is out for the season, and they fired their head coach. It can’t get much worse than that. So why do I have them at 10? I trust the collective talent on this roster and the pride of the program to win a few more games and be above average in the Big Ten. Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen have history to play for as they chase the school’s all-time rushing record.