Big Ten Conference Race Predictions: Here's the Possible Curveball

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Ohio State and Indiana have been on a collision course for the Big Ten Championship for the last several weeks. But with just a few games to go, what could keep that from happening?

Penn State almost opened a can of mayhem against Indiana last week, and then Mr. Mendoza had other ideas. A little while later, Washington and Iowa got their playoff hopes crushed.

Now what? Is the Big Ten really this boring?

There are the two unbeatens and three teams at 5-1 in conference (Michigan, Oregon, USC). Can the Wolverines, Ducks, or Trojans slip into the trip to Indianapolis in early December?

If this goes off the rails, here’s how it could happen.

Big Ten Championship Prediction

Nov 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Bryan Jackson (21) celebrates the touchdown scored by wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.© Gary A&period; Vasquez-Imagn Images

Ohio State over Indiana
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Buckeyes over Hoosiers. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

But again, how can this be anything different?

– Let’s assume Indiana doesn’t lose to Wisconsin or Purdue. The Penn State game was the sidestepped landmine. Let’s also assume Ohio State doesn’t whiff against UCLA or Rutgers

– If Michigan wins out, including another victory over Ohio State …

– USC, thanks to its win over Michigan, is in the Big Ten Championship against Indiana if it wins out (all the remaining games and predictions for all the Big Ten teams are below).

– Oregon is in if it wins out. It will have beaten USC, who beat Michigan, who beat Indiana. The Ducks’ lone loss is to Indiana.

– Michigan is an Iowa fan and a die-hard UCLA supporter for the next few weeks. The Wolverines have to win out, and they need Iowa to beat USC. If that doesn’t happen, they need UCLA to take care of the Trojans, who have to beat Oregon.

Three Most Important Remaining Games of the Big Ten Season

1. USC at Oregon, Nov. 22
Yeah, yeah, I know, but in the overall picture, this is even bigger than the game that should be here.

Assuming Michigan loses to Ohio State, this should be for the No. 3 team in the Big Ten, with the winner likely to be the third team in the CFP. OR, if something gets funky, the Big Ten might have just two teams in, depending on how this goes, and …

2. Ohio State at Michigan, Nov. 29
Okay, so this is No. 1, but it might not matter all that much as long as the Buckeyes don’t melt into a quivering puddle of jelly again at the sight of the Maize and Blue.

3. Iowa at USC, Nov 15
If you’re a fan of an ACC or Big 12 team that will probably be on the CFP bubble, get the love for the Hawkeyes in a big way.

Big Ten Conference Predicted Final Standings

Predicted final records are for Big Ten play only

1. Indiana 9-0
2. Ohio State 9-0
3. Oregon 8-1
T4. Michigan 7-2
T4. USC 7-2
T6. Illinois 6-3
T6. Iowa 6-3
T8. Minnesota 5-4
T8. Washington 5-4
T10. Nebraska 4-5
T10. Northwestern 4-5
T12. Penn State 3-6
T12. UCLA 3-6
14. Rutgers 2-7
T15. Maryland 1-8
T15. Michigan State 1-8
T15. Wisconsin 1-8
18. Purdue 0-9

Big Ten Predictions For Every Remaining Game

Aug 30, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines edge TJ Guy (4) celebrates a fumble recovery in the first half against the New Mexico Lobos at Michigan Stadium© Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Illinois Fighting Illini

2025 Record: 6-3
CFN Predicted Record: 9-3

Nov 15 Maryland W
Nov 22 at Wisconsin W
Nov 29 Northwestern W

Indiana Hoosiers

2025 Record: 10-0
CFN Predicted Record: 12-0

Nov 15 Wisconsin W
Nov 22 OPEN DATE
Nov 29 at Purdue W

Iowa Hawkeyes

2025 Record: 6-3
CFN Predicted Record: 8-4

Nov 15 at USC L
Nov 22 Michigan State W
Nov 29 at Nebraska W

Maryland Terrapins

2025 Record: 4-5
CFN Predicted Record: 4-8

Nov 15 at Illinois L
Nov 22 Michigan L
Nov 29 at Michigan State L

Michigan Wolverines

2025 Record: 7-2
CFN Predicted Record: 9-3

Nov 15 at Northwestern W
Nov 22 at Maryland W
Nov 29 Ohio State L

Michigan State Spartans

2025 Record: 3-6
CFN Predicted Record: 4-8

Nov 15 Penn State L
Nov 22 at Iowa L
Nov 29 Maryland W

Minnesota Golden Gophers

2025 Record: 6-3
CFN Predicted Record: 7-5

Nov 15 at Oregon L
Nov 22 at Northwestern L
Nov 29 Wisconsin W

Nebraska Cornhuskers

2025 Record: 7-3
CFN Predicted Record: 7-5

Nov 15 OPEN DATE
Nov 22 at Penn State L
Nov 29 Iowa L

Northwestern Wildcats

2025 Record: 5-4
CFN Predicted Record: 6-6

Nov 15 Michigan L
Nov 22 Minnesota W
Nov 29 at Illinois L

Ohio State Buckeyes

2025 Record: 9-0
CFN Predicted Record: 12-0

Nov 15 UCLA W
Nov 22 Rutgers W
Nov 29 at Michigan W

Oregon Ducks

2025 Record: 8-1
CFN Predicted Record: 11-1

Nov 15 Minnesota W
Nov 22 USC W
Nov 29 at Washington W

Penn State Nittany Lions

2025 Record: 3-6
CFN Predicted Record: 6-6

Nov 15 at Michigan State W
Nov 22 Nebraska W
Nov 29 at Rutgers W

Purdue Boilermakers

2025 Record: 2-8
CFN Predicted Record: 2-10

Nov 15 at Washington L
Nov 22 OPEN DATE
Nov 29 Indiana L

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

2025 Record: 5-5
CFN Predicted Record: 5-7

Nov 15 OPEN DATE
Nov 22 at Ohio State L
Nov 29 Penn State L

UCLA Bruins

2025 Record: 3-6
CFN Predicted Record: 3-9

Nov 15 at Ohio State L
Nov 22 Washington L
Nov 29 at USC L

USC Trojans