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The number of teams in contention for a Big Ten title continues to shrink. Nine teams entered Week 9 with zero or one loss in conference, but only six remain with one-third of the regular season remaining. That has led to some fluctuation in this week’s power rankings. Here’s how the 18 teams stack up heading into a light Week 10 schedule with just six games. Only one matchup is between two teams with winning records in conference play. 18. Wisconsin (2-6, 0-5) Previous rank: 18 Lost to No. 6 Oregon, 21-7 Up next: Idle Hey, the Badgers scored! It was still a tough day for the Badgers offensively, but they did find the end zone for the first time in three games. Despite missing numerous starters on both sides of the ball, they hung around for four quarters against a high-flying Ducks squad. 17. Purdue (2-6, 0-5) Previous rank: 17 Last week: Lost to Rutgers, 27-24 Up next: at No. 21 Michigan, 7 p.m. Saturday The Boilermakers seemed to be steaming ahead toward their first Big Ten victory since 2023. They led for most of the game, and even after Rutgers tied it with 1:06 remaining, they had a chance to drive into field goal range at the end. Instead, QB Ryan Browne fumbled at his own 32, and it was the Scarlet Knights who kicked the game-winner. Purdue’s Big Ten losing streak is at 14. 16. Michigan State (3-5, 0-5) Previous rank: 15 Last week: Lost to No. 25 Michigan, 31-20 Up next: at Minnesota, 3:30 p.m. Saturday The Spartans were competitive against their in-state rival Saturday but two turnovers on downs in the fourth quarter derailed any chance of a comeback. MSU’s passing defense was vastly improved, holding Bryce Underwood to a season-low 86 passing yards, but it wasn’t enough to stop the bleeding. Jonathan Smith’s team has lost five straight. 15. Rutgers (4-4, 1-4) Previous rank: 16 Last week: Beat Purdue, 27-24 Up next: at Illinois, noon Saturday What a wild sequence that led to the Scarlet Knights’ game-winning 30-yard FG as time expired. Browne caught his own pass that was deflected up in the air and then was stripped by Rutgers defensive lineman Farell Gnago. The victory snapped a four-game skid for the Scarlet Knights. 14. Penn State (3-4, 0-4) Previous rank: 14 Last week: Idle Up next: at No. 1 Ohio State, noon Saturday The Nittany Lions had a bye last week but still travel to a hostile Ohio Stadium riding a four-game losing streak. 13. UCLA (3-5, 3-2) Previous rank: 11 Last week: Lost to No. 2 Indiana, 56-6 Up next: Idle The Bruins’ magical three-game run under interim coach Tim Skipper came to a screeching halt in Bloomington. Nico Iamaleava threw a pick-six on the opening drive, and UCLA’s mishaps continued to snowball from there. 12. Maryland (4-3, 1-3) Previous rank: 12 Last week: Idle Up next: vs. No. 2 Indiana, noon Saturday The Terrapins had a week to regroup after losing three straight by one score, but now they welcome a Hoosiers team firing on all cylinders. 11. Minnesota (5-3, 3-2) Previous rank: 8 Last week: Lost to Iowa, 41-3 Up next: vs. Michigan State, 3:30 p.m. Saturday Ouch. In what was supposed to be one of the Big Ten’s headliner matchups last week, the Gophers flopped in Iowa City. They managed just 133 yards, committed three turnovers, including a pick six, and had a punt returned for a score. 10. Northwestern (5-3, 3-2) Previous rank: 12 Last week: Lost to Nebraska, 28-21 Up next: Idle The Wildcats clawed back from a 15-point deficit on the road to tie the game at 21 early in the fourth quarter but came up short of pulling off the upset. They also had a drive with a chance to take the lead after intercepting Dylan Raiola, but Preston Stone returned the favor and threw a pick of his own, setting up the Cornhuskers’ game-winning score. Northwestern’s win streak ends at four games. 9. Nebraska (6-2, 3-2) Previous rank: 9 Last week: Beat Northwestern, 28-21 Up next: vs. No. 23 USC, 7:30 p.m. Saturday The Cornhuskers might be 6-2, but they aren’t exactly striking fear in opponents. They survived a scare from Northwestern but their offense is suddenly a concern. They scored just six points the previous week in a loss against Minnesota and mustered 296 yards against Northwestern, including just 141 passing from Raiola. 8. Illinois (5-3, 2-3) Previous rank: 4 Last week: Lost to Washington, 42-25 Up next: vs. Rutgers, noon Saturday The Illini’s defense was supposed to be a strength of the team this season but now ranks 16th in the Big Ten after allowing 449 yards to the Huskies. 7. Washington (6-2, 3-2) Previous rank: 9 Last week: Beat No. 23 Illinois, 42-25 Up next: Idle After scoring just seven points against Michigan, the Huskies’ offense bounced back in a big way. QB Demond Williams Jr. threw for 280 yards and four touchdowns while adding 66 yards on the ground. 6. Iowa (6-2, 4-1) Previous rank: 9 Last week: Beat Minnesota, 41-3 Up next: Idle The Hawkeyes dominated the Gophers in all three phases, outgaining them 274-133 and winning the turnover battle 3-0. Kaden Wetjen also had a 50-yard punt return for a touchdown. Iowa hosts No. 6 Oregon coming out of its bye, which will essentially be an elimination game in the Big Ten race. Are the Hawkeyes, winners of five straight, peaking at the right time? 5. Michigan (6-2, 4-1) Previous rank: 6 Last week: Beat Michigan State, 31-20 Up next: vs. Purdue, 7 p.m. Saturday The Wolverines’ offensive game script was unexpected, but Sherrone Moore’s team isn’t complaining about the result. The passing attack was stagnant, but Michigan rushed for 276 yards – the most against MSU since 1994 – for its fourth straight win in the rivalry. The defense also appears to have settled in since USC lit up Wink Martindale’s unit two weeks ago. 4. USC (5-2, 3-1) Previous rank: 5 Last week: Idle Up next: at Nebraska, 7:30 p.m. Saturday The Trojans look to get healthy before a final stretch that includes Oregon, Iowa and Nebraska. A path to the playoff is attainable if they win out. 3. Oregon (7-1, 4-1) Previous rank: 3 Last week: Beat Wisconsin, 21-7 Up next: Idle It wasn’t a very productive day for Oregon’s offense on a rainy Saturday in Eugene. Quarterback Dante Moore passed for just 86 yards before leaving the game in the fourth quarter in what coach Dan Lanning said is a minor injury. Fortunately for the Ducks, the Badgers’ last-ranked offense in the conference didn’t pose much of a threat. 2. Indiana (8-0, 5-0) Previous rank: 2 Last week: Beat UCLA, 56-6 Up next: at Maryland, 3:30 p.m. Saturday The Hoosiers are firing on all cylinders heading into a favorable final stretch with games remaining against Maryland, Penn State, Wisconsin and Purdue. A berth in the title game is there for the taking for Indiana, which outgained UCLA 475-201 last week. 1. Ohio State (8-0, 5-0) Previous rank: 1 Last week: Idle Up next: vs. Penn State, noon Saturday This matchup was circled on many calendars before the season as potentially the biggest swing game in the conference title race. Instead, the Buckeyes enter Saturday as a three-touchdown favorite and will be facing a backup quarterback and interim coach.
