2025 B1G Power Rankings - Week 9

There were a lot of big games in week 8, with Iowa, Washington, and Nebraska winning two loss battles to keep playoff hopes alive.  

Week 9 features a top five battle between Ohio State and Penn State.  Oh, that was preseason.  The Nittany Lions have lost four in a row, fired James Franklin, and lost Drew Allar for the season.  They go in to Columbus as 20+ point underdogs, looking to pull off a huge upset.  The game is so big that Ohio State is having a "BLACK OUT" for a noon game and the team isn't even wearing black jerseys.  The last time the Bucks had a blackout against Penn State, JT Barrett led a fourth quarter comeback to win 39-38.

Locks for playoffs and Indy could be fun: Ohio State, Indiana

Should be good but last four games aren't easy: Oregon

Already lost twice and still play Oregon: Iowa, USC, Washington

It's the end of October, will lose at least three more games: Nebraska

Beat them four in a row, why not a 5th? Michigan

Three playoff spots are still looking good for the B1G.  If Iowa, USC, or Washington win out they'll be in the playoff.  Will Oregon at 10-2 still get in?  

Now for the power rankings:

1. Ohio State (7-0) -  The Bucks were off and host Penn State this week in what was once supposed to be a top 5 matchup.  

2. Indiana (8-0) - The Hoosiers smoked UCLA and travel to Maryland this week as the #2 team in the country.  

3. Oregon (7-1) - The Ducks coasted past Wisconsin in a monsoon.  They are off this week before a tough finishing stretch of teams still vying for the playoffs.  

4. USC (5-2) - The Trojans were off and travel to Nebraska this week in a playoff elimination game.

5. Michigan (6-2) - The Wolverines beat Michigan State and host Purdue this week.  They have a cupcake November and should go in to The Game at 9-2 with a playoff spot on the line.

6. Washington (6-2) - The Huskies beat Illinois in a playoff elimination game and are off this week.

7. Iowa (6-2) - The Hawkeyes dismantled Minnesota and appear to be the new B1G juggernaut.  They are off this week before hosting Oregon for a huge night game at Kinnick.  

8. Illinois (5-3) - The Illini lost at Washington to end any playoff hopes and host Rutgers this week.

9. Nebraska (6-2) - The Huskers held off Northwestern to keep their season alive.  They host USC this week with the season on the line.  

10. Northwestern (5-3) - The Wildcats lost at Nebraska and now the focus turns to the drive for six.  They're off this week.  

11. Minnesota (5-3) - The Gophers lost big to Iowa to dash any playoff hopes.  They host Michigan State this week.

12. UCLA (3-5) - The Bruins came back to earth after being blasted by Indiana.  They're off this week.

13. Maryland (4-3) - The Terps were off host Indiana this week, hoping to pull off the big upset. 

14. Rutgers (4-4) - The Scarlet Knights beat Purdue for their first B1G win.  They travel to Illinois this week.

15. Michigan State (3-5) - The Spartans lost to Michigan and travel to Minnesota this week, looking for their first B1G win.  

16. Purdue (2-6) - The Boilermakers lost to Rutgers and travel to Michigan this week.  Another winless B1G season seems inevitable as they end the season with Ohio State, Washington, and Indiana.  

17. Wisconsin (2-6) - The Badgers hung with Oregon for a little bit before ultimately losing in Eugene.  They are off this week before hosting Washington.   

136. Penn State (3-4) - The Lions were off and travel to Ohio State this week, still looking for their first B1G win.   

2025 B1G Power Rankings - Week 8

Week 7 was a good set up for week 8 in the B1G.  We have 6 vs 7, 8 vs 9, and 10 vs 11 this week.  All three games are playoff elimination games.  10-2 is going to be the threshold to make the playoff for B1G teams and their are 11 teams at 5-2 or better.  

Locks for playoffs and Indy could be fun: Ohio State, Indiana

Should be good but last four games aren't easy: Oregon

Lost to AP #1 and #2 and if win this week probably 10-2: Illinois

Already lost twice and still play Oregon: Iowa, Minnesota, USC, Washington

It's the end of October, will lose at least three more games: Nebraska

Beat them four in a row, why not a 5th? Michigan

LOL, just hope to somehow get to six wins: Northwestern

I'm thinking three for sure spots, maybe Illinois if things break right.  The 63-10 loss to Indiana doesn't look good.

Now for the power rankings:

1. Ohio State (7-0) - Ryan Day decided it was going to be Julian Sayin Day in Madison, as Sayin threw for 394 yards and four touchdowns as the Bucks shut out Wisconsin.  They are off this week.

2. Indiana (7-0) - The Hoosiers pulled away from Michigan State.  There was no letdown after the big Oregon win.  They host red hot UCLA this week.

3. Oregon (6-1) - The Ducks had no issues with Rutgers in a bounce back win.  They host Wisconsin this week.

4. USC (5-2) - The roles were reversed this week as Notre Dame bullied the Trojans in rainy South Bend.  The Trojans are off this week.

5. Michigan (5-2) - The Wolverines outlasted Washington, wearing down the Husky front and pulling away for a good home win.  They head to East Lansing to face Big Brother this week.

6. Illinois (5-2) - The Illini were off and travel to Washington this week.

7. Washington (5-2) - The Huskies lost at Michigan and host Illinois this week in what is essentially a playoff elimination game.

8. Iowa (5-2) - The Hawkeyes did Iowa things on Saturday night as they beat the reeling Nittany Lions.  It was a good win and set the Hawkeyes up for the back half of their schedule.  They host Minnesota this week for the Floyd of Rosedale.

9. Minnesota (5-2) - The Gophers had a nice Friday night win vs Nebraska.  They travel to Iowa this week in a "any hope of the playoff rests on this game" game.  

10. Nebraska (5-2) - Second half of the season Nebraska is here.  They are 3-10 in the second half of the season since Matt Rhule arrived in Lincoln.  They host Northwestern this week in a "At 10-2 this team would maybe be a playoff team, but probably isn't good enough to be one" game.

11. Northwestern (5-2) - The Wildcats somehow have five wins after shutting out Purdue.  They travel to Nebraska this week looking for bowl eligibility.    

12. UCLA (3-4) - The Bruins beat Maryland for their third straight win.  The playoffs are still alive if they finish 8-4.  A win at #2 Indiana this week would open some eyes!

13. Maryland (4-3) - The Terps lost at juggernaut UCLA and are off this week.

14. Rutgers (3-4) - The Scarlet Knights were stomped by Oregon and travel to fellow B1G winless Purdue this week.  Be sure to tune in at noon on BTN.

15. Michigan State (3-4) - The Spartans lost at Indiana and host Michigan this week.

16. Purdue (2-5) - The Boilermakers were shutout at Northwestern and host Rutgers this week.

17. Wisconsin (2-5) - The Badgers were shutout by Ohio State and Luke Fickell seemed to receive a vote of confidence from AD Chris Macintosh.  Maybe they'll both be gone soon.  They travel to Oregon this week as 34 point underdogs.  2-10 is almost a guarantee at this point.    

136. Penn State (3-4) - 0-9 B1G record is still in play after they Lions fell in Iowa City.  It was a result that would have surprised no one even if Penn State was 6-0 going in to the game.  They're off this week before back-to-back games with Ohio State and Indiana.  

2025 B1G Power Rankings - Week 7

 LOL Penn State.  Once a contender, once a pretender, now a bottom feeder and James Franklin is out.  It's been quite a fall for Franklin.  From #2 team to fired in 15 days.  Now he'll be at ESPN Gameday this week.  Will Penn State win a B1G game?

Indiana went to Eugene and dominated the Ducks.  Between the big win and the Franklin firing, Curt Cignetti has turned it in to $11.5M per year and a $95M buyout.  

Now for the power rankings:

1. Ohio State (6-0) - The Bucks controlled Illinois to improve to 6-0. They head to Madison this week, so send former Buckeye Luke Fickell off.  

2. Indiana (6-0) - The Hoosiers dominated Oregon.  This team is for real.

3. Oregon (5-1) - The Ducks didn't look great against Indiana, but the schedule is pretty good going forward and 11-1 is still very much on the table.  They travel across the country to Rutgers this week.

4. USC (5-1) - The Trojans put on their big boy pants and dominated Michigan.  They travel to South Bend to face Notre Dame on Saturday night.  Win and the playoffs are in sight.   

5. Washington (5-1) - The Huskies beat Rutgers and travel to Michigan for a noon matchup.  They are #28 in the polls, but should be top #15.  Maybe with a win the voters will notice they're 6-1 with a loss to #1.  

6. Michigan (4-2) - The Wolverines were manhandled by USC and host Washington this week.  Blue collar Sherrone Moore's seat is getting a little warm.  

7. Nebraska (5-1) - The Huskers beat Maryland and travel to Minnesota on Friday night.  They've lost five in a row to the Gophers.  It should change this week.

8. Illinois (5-2) - The Illini lost to Ohio State and are off this week.

9. Iowa (4-2) - The Hawkeyes shutout Wisconsin 37-0 and host the flailing Nittany Lions this week.

10. Maryland (4-2) - The Terps lost to Nebraska to keep up the October slide.  They travel to red hot UCLA this weekend.

11. Minnesota (4-2) - The Gophers came back to beat Purdue.  They host Nebraska on Friday night.

12. Northwestern (4-2) - The Wildcats upset Penn State and fired James Franklin.  They host Purdue this week as favorites.  Are six wins in reach?  

13. UCLA (3-4) - The Bruins are red hot after dominating Michigan State on the road.  They host Maryland this week.  If the Bruins can win out, they'll be head to Indy with a playoff spot on the line.  

14. Rutgers (3-3) - The Scarlet Knights lost to Washington and host Oregon this week.  Upset in Piscataway?  Doubtful.

15. Michigan State (3-3) - The Spartans were humiliated by UCLA and travel to Indiana this week.

16. Purdue (2-4) - The Boilermakers blew a lead against Minnesota and travel to Northwestern this week.

17. Wisconsin (2-4) - The Badgers were shutout by Iowa and host Ohio State this week.  Will Fickell make it through the weekend?  They travel to Oregon next week before a bye.  Maybe Fickell will make it till then?

136. Penn State (3-3) - What else is there to say?  0-9 B1G record is definitely in play.  

2025 B1G Power Rankings - Week 6

LOL Penn State.  Once a contender, now a pretender.

This week features some great matchups as #1 Ohio State travels to #4 Illinios, #3 Indiana travels to #2 Oregon, and #7 Michigan heads to #5 USC.  There will be some clarity in the conference and playoff race after this week.

Now for the power rankings:

1. Ohio State (5-0) - The Bucks manhandled Minnesota and travel to Champaign this weekend for BNK.  Things can get interesting at Illinois.  The Bucks won in OT en route to a title in 2002 and have had other close battles since.  Never forget Illinois 06, picture from 2008 as I couldn't find any from 2006.  

2. Oregon (5-0) - The Ducks was off and host Indiana this week.

3. Indiana (5-0) - The Hoosiers were off and head to Oregon this week.

4. Illinois (5-1) - The Illini beat Purdue and host Ohio State this week.

5. USC (4-1) - The Trojans were off and host Michigan.  

6. Washington (4-1) - The Huskies beat Maryland and host Rutgers on Friday night.  

7. Michigan (4-1) - The Wolverines had no issues with Wisconsin and travel to USC this week.

8. Nebraska (4-1) - The Huskers beat Michigan State and travel to Maryland this week.

9. Iowa (3-2) - The Hawkeyes were off and travel to Wisconsin this week.

10. Michigan State (3-2) - The Spartans lost at Nebraska and host UCLA this week.

11. Maryland (4-1) - The Terps fell to Washington and host Nebraska this week.

12. Minnesota (3-2) - The Gophers lost big to Ohio State and host Purdue this week.

13. Rutgers (3-2) - The Scarlet Knights were off and travel to Washington this Friday.

14. Purdue (2-3) - The Boilermakers lost to Illinois and travel to Minnesota this week.

15. Northwestern (3-2) - The Wildcats beat Louisiana Monroe to get to three wins!  They travel to Penn State this week to face the reeling Lions.

16. Wisconsin (2-3) - The Badgers lost again to Michigan and host Iowa this week. 

17. UCLA (1-4) - The Bruins upset Penn State at the Rose Bowl, dominating the game from start to finish.  They travel to Michigan State this week.

18. Penn State (3-2) - After a close loss to Oregon, the Nittany Lions flew across the country, only to be humiliated by UCLA in the Rose Bowl.  It was an inexcusable loss and the leash has gotten very short for James Franklin.  Four losses is on the table for a team that came in to the season with National Championship aspirations.  Can they beat Northwestern in State College this week?

2025 B1G Power Rankings - Week 5

 It was a great week in the B1G with Oregon outlasting Penn State in Happy Valley.  Illinois and USC had a great battle in Champaign, and the #1 Buckeyes went to Seattle and manhandled Washington.

Now for the power rankings:

1. Ohio State (4-0) - The Bucks won at Washington for their second ever win in the Pacific Northwest.  The first win was in 2007 when the Buckeyes won at Washington.  We went out for that one and took in some sailgating!  The defense was dominant yet again and the offense overcame a slow start to pull away from the Huskies.  They host Minnesota this week.  

2. Oregon (5-0) - The Ducks survived a Penn State comeback to win in two overtimes.  They were up 17-3 in the 4th quarter, before letting Penn State back in it.  Any win at a whiteout is a good win.  They are off this week, with Indiana coming to town next week. 

3. Indiana (5-0) - The Hoosiers went to Iowa City and won, which is impressive for anyone.  They are off this week with a big test at Oregon coming up next week.

4. Penn State (3-1) - James Franklin loses a big game yet again.  Surprise surprise.  They made it a game after coming back from 14 down to take the game to a 2nd overtime.  Similar to the national semifinal last season, Drew Allar throw a game sealing interception.  10-2 gets the Lions to the playoff, but with games at Ohio State and vs Indiana remaining, that's no guarantee.  The travel to the Rose Bowl this week to face winless UCLA.  Hopefully they enjoy their time there, as they won't be heading back in January.  

5. Illinois (4-1) - The Illini rebounded from the big loss at Indiana to beat USC and stay in B1G contention.  They are at Purdue this week.

6. USC (4-1) - The Trojans lost a back and forth game at Illinois for their first loss of the season.  They are off this week before hosting Michigan.  

7. Washington (3-1) - The Huskies vaunted offense was held to six points at home against Ohio State, twice being stuffed in the red zone.  They travel to undefeated Maryland this week in a contender v pretender game.  

8. Michigan (3-1) - The Wolverines were off and host Wisconsin for Big Noon Kickoff this week.  They'll move to 4-1, with a big game at USC looming.  

9. Iowa (3-2) - The Hawkeyes fell to Indiana at home.  They forced Indiana to play Iowa football and kept things interesting.  They are off this week. 

10. Michigan State (3-1) - The Spartans were off and travel to Nebraska this week.

11. Nebraska (3-1) - The Huskers were off this week and host Michigan State this week.

12. Maryland (4-0) - The Terps were off and host Washington this week, looking for their first big win the of the season.  Is this another 4-0 to 6-6 Maryland team?  We'll have a good idea after this week.

13. Minnesota (3-1) - The Gophers were beat Rutgers and travel to Columbus to face the #1 Buckeyes this week.  

14. Rutgers (3-2) - The Scarlet Knights lost a back and forth game at Minnesota and are of this week.  

15. Purdue (2-2) - The Boilermakers were off and host Illinois this week.

16. Wisconsin (2-2) - The Badgers were off and travel to Michigan for Big Noon Kickoff this week.  

17. Northwestern (2-2) - The Wildcats beat UCLA to get their first B1G win.  They host ULM this week, looking for their third win.  

18. UCLA (0-4) - The Bruins nearly left Evanston with their first win, but fell 17-14 to Northwestern.  They host Penn State this week.  I'm not seeing a way that they leave this spot and 0-12 is very possible.