Big Ten Power Rankings following Week 13
Big Ten Power Rankings are updated as we emerge from Week 13 and prepare for the final week of the 2024 regular season!
At this point, the B1G Championship race boils down to The Game between Ohio State and Michigan. A win by the Buckeyes erases any drama while a loss would open the door for Penn State or Indiana.
No matter who advances to face Oregon, the shot at a first-round bye in the new Playoff will be up for grabs in Indy. That means there is still plenty to play for as we hit the end of November and turn the calendar to December.
As we settle in for Rivalry Week (and Thanksgiving), here is how the B1G looks moving forward:
18. Purdue (1-10)
Last week: at Michigan State, L 24-17
At this point, my only advice to Boilermaker fans is to prepare for the inevitable. I am talking about a 1-11 season, but I’m also talking about the fact Ryan Walters will be back to roam the sidelines in 2025.
17. Northwestern (4-7)
Last week: at Michigan, L 50-6
The firm regression of Northwestern’s 2023 performance crystallized in a massive blowout loss to Michigan. The Wildcats are guaranteed to fall below .500 this season, and it will be interesting to see how David Braun responds in the offseason.
16. Maryland (4-7)
Last week: vs. Iowa, L 29-13
Maryland will fall below the 3-year standard Mike Locksley has upheld with the Terrapins, but there is some good news here. The offense struggled at times but did not fall off a cliff without Taulia Tagovailoa. Billy Edwards Jr. was solid at times, and it’s mainly the defense that needs adjusting.
15. Wisconsin (5-6)
Last week: at Nebraska, L 44-25
Luke Fickell’s search for an identity continues, but Wisconsin fans probably need to realize there’s no “going back” to whatever you think the glory days were. Phil Longo and the Air Raid did not work. But Fickell still needs time to re-shape his culture after a blowout loss to Nebraska.
14. Michigan State (5-6)
Last week: vs. Purdue, W 24-17
Jonathan Smith can still get the Spartans to a bowl game if they beat Rutgers. I know some fans will be disgruntled by the slow build of Smith while watching Curt Cignetti’s Indiana program, but that doesn’t mean Smith isn’t finding the necessary progress.
13. UCLA (4-7)
Last week: vs. USC, L 19-13
The Bruins’ shot at a bowl game evaporated with the loss to USC, but UCLA still gets credit for its fighting spirit here. DeShaun Foster has shown his program can be defined by toughness and fighting for one another moving forward.
12. USC (6-5)
Last week: at UCLA, W 19-13
Now is not the time to try and project what Lincoln Riley’s USC future looks like. But getting a bowl game, and all the extra practices, with this roster is important for the Trojans as they build for 2025.
11. Nebraska (6-5)
Last week: vs. Wisconsin, W 44-25
The long nightmare in Lincoln is over! The Huskers are going bowling, and that’s enough for now.
10. Michigan (6-5)
Last week: vs. Northwestern, W 50-6
Michigan delivered its best game of the season coming off a bye week against Northwestern. At least the Wolverines will play in the postseason, and now they’ll try to avoid embarrassment in The Game.
9. Rutgers (6-5)
Last week: vs. Illinois, L 38-31
Greg Schiano should not be eviscerated for trying to ice the Illinois kicker on Saturday. It’s what all coaches do. But the Scarlet Knights should be scolded for allowing Pat Bryant to cash in a 40-yard touchdown ahead of the buzzer.
8. Minnesota (6-5)
Last week: vs. Penn State, L 26-25
So close. Minnesota was that close to securing another monumental upset of Penn State and potentially knocking the Nittany Lions out of the Playoff.
7. Washington (6-5)
Last week: BYE
6. Iowa (7-4)
Last week: at Maryland, W 29-13
Even with the QB situation unclear, Iowa’s ground game was more than enough to overpower Maryland. Doing the same to Nebraska may be a different story, but the Hawkeyes are guaranteed another winning season with their 7th win of the year.
5. Illinois (8-3)
Last week: at Rutgers, W 38-31
Bret Bielema already has a pair of 8-win seasons at Illinois. That is impressive in itself, and the Illini saved their best escape act for Week 13. That was a finish for the ages.
4. Indiana (10-1)
Last week: at Ohio State, L 38-15
Indiana started hot, but the good vibes did not last long in Columbus. The Hoosiers wait to hear how the CFP committee views them after the loss, but Curt Cignetti has a point. A 10-1 Indiana team should be in the field, and a win over Purdue should lock IU into the 12-team bracket.
3. Penn State (10-1)
Last week: at Minnesota, W 26-25
Winning on the road in conference games is tough. Winning in late November, with title aspirations, is a couple extra layers of tough. You won’t find me trying to detract from that win against the Golden Gophers. Survive and advance.
2. Ohio State (10-1)
Last week: vs. Indiana, W 38-15
Ohio State flexed its muscles in Week 13 and should have a Playoff spot locked up. The Buckeyes have faced a trio of top-5 teams, going 2-1 with one win on the road. The lone loss came by a single point to the No. 1 team in the country. That’s a clear Playoff team (and a shot at a first-round bye still exists).
1. Oregon (11-0)
Last week: BYE