Big Ten Power Rankings: Few changes after Week 12 as contenders emerge
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12 weeks into the 2025 college football season, we know what teams are for the most part. Teams have either played 10 or 11 games, putting immense amounts of film on the field.
And in Week 12 in the Big Ten, nearly every team played exactly how they would’ve been projected to. There were no big upsets, no shocking results. There was a come-from-behind game-winning field goal, but the better team — despite numerous ball security blunders — ended up on top.
That’s largely how this week can be summed up in the conference: the better team ended up on top. But that’s not to say that the rankings didn’t change at all; in fact, four teams changed spots, with two flipping at the 10 and 11 spots and another pair of teams flipping at five and six.
The Oregon Ducks won in convincing fashion for the first time in weeks, yet remain knocking on the door of the top two teams.
Without further ado, here’s our post-Week 12 Big Ten power rankings.
18) Purdue Boilermakers (2-9, 0-8)
Game Result: L 49-13 vs. Washington
Previous Ranking: 18
What’s Next: Bye
Analysis: Week 12 against Washington was Purdue’s final realistic shot of not going winless in conference play for two seasons in a row, as they’ll take on Indiana in the season finale after their second bye week. They didn’t come close to doing so, falling by 36 points and managing just 267 yards of total offense. Not much has gone right for the Boilermakers this season besides competitiveness; but against the Huskies, that was nowhere to be found.
17) Michigan State Spartans (3-7, 0-7)
Game Result: L 28-10 vs. Penn State
Previous Ranking: 17
What’s Next: @ Iowa
Analysis: Once again, the Spartans’ offense let them down. They amassed just 229 total yards and converted a combined one of 12 opportunities on third and fourth downs — extremely difficult marks to overcome. Having lost all seven Big Ten contests, it seems like a matter of when and not if head coach Jonathan Smith will be fired.
16) Wisconsin Badgers (3-7, 1-6)
Game Result: L 31-7 vs. Indiana
Previous Ranking: 16
What’s Next: vs. Illinois
Analysis: Wisconsin held tough for a half against the No. 2 team in the nation, as they were down just three points after 30 minutes. The Hoosiers boosted out of the break, outscoring the Badgers 21-0 in the second half. Starting quarterback Carter Smith had a positive day, completing nine of 15 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown and interception apiece. But Wisconsin was — and is routinely — outmanned in the Big Ten. Their win against Washington in Week 12 continues to look like one of the biggest of the entire season.
15) Maryland Terrapins (4-6, 1-6)
Game Result: L 24-6 vs. Illinois
Previous Ranking: 15
What’s Next: vs. Michigan
Analysis: A nightmare campaign in the Big Ten for the Terrapins continues, who lost their sixth straight game after beginning the season 1-0 and with a win over Wisconsin. Maryland was outgained in the rushing category 225-55, getting completely dominated at the line of scrimmage. True freshman quarterback Malik Washington continues to show promise, though he’s going to enter an offseason as a prime target for top programs who can entice him with large NIL offers.
14) Rutgers Scarlet Knights (5-5, 2-5)
Game Result: Bye
Previous Ranking: 14
What’s Next: @ Ohio State
Analysis: It’s been a rocky season for the Scarlet Knights, who began 3-0 before winning just two of their last five games. It doesn’t get much easier after their bye week, as they’ll travel to take on Ohio State and then host Penn State, who’s playing much better recently. Reaching a bowl game is within reach, but they’ll need big performances from quarterback Athan Kaliakamanis and running back Antwan Raymond.
13) UCLA Bruins (3-7, 3-4)
Game Result: L 48-10 vs. Ohio State
Previous Ranking: 13
What’s Next: vs. Washington
Analysis: Without starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava against the Buckeyes, the Bruins had no chance. Backup Luke Duncan finished with a fine stat line, but he repeatedly missed passes early in the game while Ohio State built a significant lead. The rushing game averaged a meager 2.7 yards per carry while allowing the Buckeyes to rush for 222 yards and four scores. After three straight wins under interim head coach Tim Skipper, UCLA has now lost three straight, with all hope of a midseason turnaround having vanished.
12) Penn State Nittany Lions (4-6, 1-6)
Game Result: W 28-10 vs. Michigan State
Previous Ranking: 12
What’s Next: vs. Nebraska
Analysis: The Nittany Lions have found something in simply pounding the rock with running back Kaytron Allen, who carried the ball 25 times for 181 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Ethan Grunkmeyer threw just 13 passes yet two of them were for touchdowns, capitalizing on his opportunities. The score was 14-10 entering the fourth before Penn State scored two touchdowns to win going away, notching their first Big Ten win of the season.
11) Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-4, 4-3)
Game Result: L 42-13 vs. Oregon
Previous Ranking: 10
What’s Next: @ Northwestern
Analysis: The Golden Gophers have already reached bowl eligibility but were hoping for a breakthrough upset win in Eugene on Friday. That didn’t happen despite star running back Darius Taylor being available and nearing 100 total yards. Minnesota just couldn’t handle the athleticism and talent level of Oregon, marking a clear difference between the middle and top tiers in the conference.
10) Northwestern Wildcats (5-5, 3-4)
Game Result: L 24-22 vs. Michigan
Previous Ranking: 11
What’s Next: vs. Minnesota
Analysis: The Wildcats fought hard but suffered their third consecutive loss, this time to the 18th-ranked Wolverines on a game-losing field goal in the final seconds. It’s a miracle that Northwestern even had a chance to win, as they were outgained by over 250 yards and had 11 first downs to Michigan’s 25. The only reason was that the Wolverines were extremely sloppy, turning the ball over five times — yet still won. The Wildcats will have to beat either Minnesota or Illinois in the next two weeks to reach bowl eligibility.
9) Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-5, 3-4)
Game Result:
Previous Ranking: 9
What’s Next: @ Penn State
Analysis: With starting quarterback Dylan Raiola out for the season with an injury, it may seem like all hope would be lost for Nebraska. That was the thinking until freshman backup TJ Lateef completed 13 of 15 passes for 205 yards and three scores last week against UCLA. If Nebraska can take down Penn State and Iowa to finish the regular season and win their bowl game, they could reach ten wins.
8) Illinois Fighting Illini (7-3, 4-3)
Game Result: W 24-6 vs. Maryland
Previous Ranking: 8
What’s Next: @ Wisconsin
Analysis: The Fighting Illini got the job done against the Terrapins, putting the game away in the second half. That’s not to say they earned any style points, as the offense failed to break loose against a far inferior opponent. It’s been that kind of season for Illinois, which seems destined for another nine or ten win season without seriously contending for the Big Ten or national title.
7) Washington Huskies (7-3, 4-3)
Game Result: W 49-13 vs. Purdue
Previous Ranking: 7
What’s Next: @ UCLA
Analysis: Playing without star running back Jonah Coleman, who missed the game with an injury, the Huskies rolled right along against the Boilermakers. In all, they rushed for 212 yards and backup running back Adam Mohammed ran for three touchdowns. The blowout win makes last week’s loss to Wisconsin that much more disheartening, as Washington was in position to push for a spot in the CFP with victories over UCLA and Oregon in their final two games. Now, they’ll be resigned to a bowl game.
6) Iowa Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3)
Game Result: L 26-21 vs. USC
Previous Ranking: 5
What’s Next: vs. Michigan State
Analysis: The weather conditions heavily favored Iowa despite their game against USC being played in Los Angeles, as rain poured down onto the field. But the Hawkeyes couldn’t take advantage, succumbing the lead in the fourth quarter and failing to put together a game-winning drive. Two weeks and two tough losses for Iowa, who fell to Oregon on a game-losing field goal in Week 11.
5) Michigan Wolverines (8-2, 6-1)
Game Result: W 24-22 vs. Northwestern
Previous Ranking: 6
What’s Next: @ Maryland
Analysis: Though it looked to be in doubt several times, Michigan did what they do and grinded out a win over Northwestern on the road. True freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood threw two interceptions but led a clutch drive that culminated in a game-winning 31-yard field goal. As mentioned, the only reason the game was close was because of the Wolverines’ five turnovers. That can’t happen again. But overcoming those allowed Michigan to keep their CFP afloat.
4) USC Trojans (8-2, 6-1)
Game Result: W 26-21 vs. Iowa
Previous Ranking: 4
What’s Next: @ Oregon
Analysis: This is exactly the type of game that the Trojans wouldn’t have won in recent years. But this team is different, specifically in their physical nature at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Though they ran for just 106 yards, they came in timely fashion. Quarterback Jayden Maiava, battling through the conditions, passed for 254 yards and a score, with his top wide receiver Makai Lemon another big game. A major test against Oregon awaits with heavy CFP implications.
3) Oregon Ducks (9-1, 6-1)
Game Result: W 42-13 vs. Minnesota
Previous Ranking: 3
What’s Next: vs. USC
Analysis: With clear conditions for the first time in what seemed like forever, the Ducks‘ passing game opened up against the Golden Gophers on Friday night. Dante Moore had a career night, completing a program record 90% of his passes while tight end Kenyon Sadiq had a career night in terms of catches (eight) and yards (96) while catching one of Moore’s two touchdown passes. The defense was lights out in limiting Minnesota, notching their ninth win of the year and setting up a pivotal contest against USC next week.
2) Indiana Hoosiers (11-0, 8-0)
Game Result: W 31-7 vs. Wisconsin
Previous Ranking: 2
What’s Next: Bye
Analysis: A slow start gave way to an onslaught, as the Hoosiers took care of the Badgers. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza was nails once again, completing 22 of 24 passes for 299 yards and four scores, pushing his season total to 30 touchdown passes. A season finale against Purdue is all that’s between Indiana and an undefeated season. A date with Ohio State in the Big Ten title game appears inevitable — a game that will likely decide who takes the No. 1 seed in the CFP.
1) Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0, 7-0)
Game Result: W 48-10 vs. UCLA
Previous Ranking: 1
What’s Next: vs. Rutgers
Analysis: It was a relatively easy day at the office for the Buckeyes, who stymied the Bruins’ offense from the start and jumped out to a 27-0 lead by halftime before coming away with a 38-point win. The absence of wide receiver Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith (who played in the first half but was held out of the second) is concerning, considering those are the team’s top targets on the outside. But if they can get those two back healthy, this team will be in good position to make a run at a national title.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Big Ten power rankings feature little changes after calm Week 12
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