And then there were two – weeks left in the Big Ten football regular season, that is.
For the third time in four weeks, all the favorites won in the league, but it didn’t come easily. Northwestern nearly spoiled that when it rallied to take a fourth-quarter lead against Michigan football in Chicago, only for Sherrone Moore’s team to kick a walk-off field goal into the Wrigley Field bleachers.
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This week, there’s a Big Ten championship elimination game: Oregon and USC both have a chance to make the league title game but only if they win out and Indiana or Ohio State flop in the final weeks. Still, the winner between the Ducks and Trojans has a solid College Football Playoff case, so long as they don’t fall in the season finale (against Washington or UCLA, respectively).
Michigan Wolverines defensive back TJ Metcalf (7) tackles Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Griffin Wilde (17) during the second half at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
MAIZE-AND-BLUE WORRIES: Michigan football consistently inconsistent, but keeps on winning
Suffice to say, there’s a lot still left to play for.
Here’s a look at the power rankings for the conference heading into Week 13.
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1. Ohio State (10-0)
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) high fives defensive tackle Kayden McDonald (98) during the NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 15, 2025. Ohio State won 48-10.
Last week’s ranking: 1.
This week’s game: vs. Rutgers.
What to know: The Buckeyes continue to roll, having won every game in league play by at least 18 points, including four in a row by at least 24. It’s senior day for OSU, which will throttle Rutgers as a tuneup for “The Game.”
2. Indiana (11-0)
Last week’s ranking: 2.
This week’s game: Off.
What to know: Indiana hasn’t played crisply of late, but the Hoosiers continue to find a way to beat anybody in their path. The Hoosiers are one win away – against Purdue in the season’s final week – from securing the program’s first-ever berth in the Big Ten championship game.
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3. Oregon (9-1)
Last week’s ranking: 3.
This week’s game: vs. USC.
What to know: With a win, the Ducks will virtually secure a CFP spot. Of course, the last time they hosted a ranked foe in Eugene – Indiana, back in mid-October – they lost. This one is the biggest game in the league this week.
4. USC (8-2)
Nov 15, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane (8) catches a pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Last week’s ranking: 4.
This week’s game: at Oregon.
What to know: The Trojans still have a shot at the CFP and even a spot in the Big Ten title game, but neither happens without a win over their former Pac-12 rivals, in their first Big Ten meeting.
Last week’s ranking: 7.
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This week’s game: at Wisconsin.
What to know: If Illinois continues beating teams that are less talented and falling to those with more skill … then the Illini should handle their business against Luke Fickell’s bunch in Madison.
6. Michigan (8-2)
Last week’s ranking: 6.
This week’s game: at Maryland.
What to know: Michigan won with five turnovers for the first time since 2010. The Wolverines haven’t played well, start to finish, in a Big Ten game this season, but it looks as if they’ll go into “The Game” at 9-2.
7. Iowa (6-4)
Last week’s ranking: 5.
This week’s game: vs. Michigan State.
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What to know: The Hawkeyes were in position to upset Oregon and USC the past two weeks, yet couldn’t hold on in fourth quarters. Instead of climbing the rankings, Iowa is looking at a classic 8-4 season.
8. Washington (7-3)
Nov 8, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (1) rushes with the football against Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Mason Posa (8) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Last week’s ranking: 8.
This week’s game: at UCLA.
What to know: The Huskies will likely continue to rue their loss to a previously winless (in league play) Wisconsin. Without that disaster, Washington would have a shot at a 10-win season, regardless of what happens Nov. 29 vs. Oregon.
9. Nebraska (7-3)
Last week’s ranking: 8.
This week’s game: at Penn State.
What to know: The ‘Huskers impressed against UCLA with freshman TJ Lateef at QB. Still, don’t be surprised if a Penn State squad fighting for bowl eligibility is able to upset Matt Rhule’s group.
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10. Northwestern (5-5)
Last week’s ranking: 10.
This week’s game: vs. Minnesota.
What to know: Northwestern won the turnover battle vs. Michigan decisively, but lost the game. That’s incredibly tough to do. But NU is better than Minnesota and should clinch its second bowl berth in three seasons under coach David Braun.
11. Rutgers (5-5)
Last week’s ranking: 12.
This week’s game: at Ohio State.
What to know: Rutgers has a chance to make a bowl, but it won’t do it this week, as the Scarlet Knights face the toughest test the conference has: Playing in Columbus.
12. Penn State (4-6)
Nov 15, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; The Penn State Nittany mascot runs with a Penn State flag before a game against Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images
Last week’s ranking: 14.
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This week’s game: vs. Nebraska.
What to know: Penn State had lost six straight, but four came by one possession (and two of those by a single point). The Nittany Lions are playing better and can lessen the sting of their sudden fall with a victory.
13. Minnesota (6-4)
Last week’s ranking: 11.
This week’s game: at Northwestern.
What to know: The Golden Gophers were pummeled by Oregon on Friday night and do not look the part of a seven-win team − they barely squeaked by the Big Ten’s two remaining winless teams in league play, Michigan State and Purdue.
14. UCLA (3-7)
Last week’s ranking: 13.
This week’s game: vs. Washington.
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What to know: The Bruins had a nice run after their 0-4 start but have since lost three straight. Still, there’s an outside chance to end the skid this weekend in Pasadena.
15. Wisconsin (3-7)
Last week’s ranking: 16.
This week’s game: vs. Illinois.
What to know: Wisconsin hasn’t scored more than 14 points in any Big Ten play, with 47 points in seven games – less than a touchdown per game. That’s shockingly bad.
16. Maryland (4-6)
Nov 15, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Michael Locksley on the sidelines during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Last week’s ranking: 16.
This week’s game: vs. Michigan.
What to know: Wisconsin ranks ahead of Maryland because, unlike the Terrapins, the Badgers have a win since September. Despite the struggles, Mike Locksley will return in 2026, the school has announced.
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17. Michigan State (3-7)
Last week’s ranking: 17.
This week’s game: at Iowa.
What to know: Like the Terps, the Spartans are winless in October and November. The silver lining for those teams: They meet in the season finale – at Ford Field in Detroit – so at least somebody will finish things off with a win.
18. Purdue (2-9)
Last week’s ranking: 18.
This week’s game: Off
What to know: Purdue’s nine-game skid is the longest in the league, and it appears the Boilermakers are going to go two straight years without a Big Ten win. (Their last conference win? Beating Indiana to end the 2023 season, a few days before Curt Cignetti arrived in Bloomington.)
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Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Big Ten Power Rankings Week 13: Don’t bet on upsets by cellar dwellers
