Big Ten Power Rankings are updated once again as we come out of Rivalry Week and wrap up another regular season of football!

And what a season — and week of rivalry action — it was! By now, you’ve seen all the drama, you’ve watched all the skirmishes, and you know about the blowouts.

It all sets up a Penn State vs. Oregon matchup in Indianapolis to determine the Big Ten Championship! The winner will also snag a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff and potentially the No. 1 overall seed in the country.

While fans lick their wounds or prepare for the Playoff, let’s dive straight into another installment of the B1G Power Rankings:

18. Purdue (1-11)

Last week: at Indiana, L 66-0

After Purdue looked like it would hang onto Ryan Walters for another year, the Boilermakers moved on from the coach after 2 seasons. That’s what happens when you produce the most lopsided loss to your in-state rival in program history.

17. Northwestern (4-8)

Last week: vs. Illinois (Wrigley Field), L 38-28

The Wildcats had a chance for a while against Illinois. But after going 8-5 a season ago, Northwestern will miss a bowl game and fall to 4-8 under David Braun. We’ll see if he can find a way to build around Jack Lausch for 2025.

16. Maryland (4-8)

Last week: at Penn State, L 44-7

The post-Taulia Tagovailoa regression was always going to be a real thing. But that’s another clunker against Penn State to add to the ledger. Mike Locksley isn’t in any kind of hot water, but he needs to get his defense fixed and help Billy Edwards Jr. develop in the offseason.

15. Wisconsin (5-7)

Last week: vs. Minnesota, L 24-7

Luke Fickell is facing a pivotal offseason. There’s no other way to put this thing. The Badgers were not dominated by Minnesota, but they were certainly controlled by the Golden Gophers all game long. And thus ends one of the longest bowl game streaks in the country.

14. Michigan State (5-7)

Last week: vs. Rutgers, L 41-14

With a shot at a bowl game on the line, Michigan State rolled out and did… that. It’s not the kind of performance you want to ride off into the offseason, but the Spartans were 100% better under Jonathan Smith than they were the last 2 seasons. Fans need to stop chasing the mirage of a quick turnaround and give Smith a legitimate chance to build this thing his way.

13. UCLA (5-7)

Last week: vs. Fresno State, W 20-13

Avoiding the disaster of losing to Fresno State matters. DeShaun Foster had a solid year in his first season leading the helm, but now the challenge is to improve on those results to show he can be the head coach to build around moving forward.

12. Nebraska (6-6)

Last week: at Iowa, L 13-10

With a bowl game already locked up, Nebraska had a chance to deliver an emphatic win over Iowa. Somehow, the Huskers squandered an early 10-0 lead and lost the game with an identical 13-10 score to the 2023 version of this contest. At least there’s still a bowl game to be played.

11. USC (6-6)

Last week: vs. Notre Dame, L 49-35

It’s hard to find something positive to wrap your arms around for USC. The Trojans have regressed every season of Lincoln Riley’s tenure, and finishing 4-5 in Big Ten games is concerning. Even if Jayden Maiava is the long-term answer at QB, the program needs major improvement in other areas.

10. Washington (6-6)

Last week: at Oregon, L 49-21

Washington’s home-road splits lived up to their reputation in the season-ending loss to Oregon. Now, it’s up to Jedd Fisch to maximize the extra bowl practices with Demond Williams Jr. looking to improve for the starting QB job entering 2025.

9. Rutgers (7-5)

Last week: at Michigan State, W 41-14

Rutgers might have had bigger dreams in the preseason, but Greg Schiano found a way to end the year on an emphatic note. The Scarlet Knights dominated Michigan State while securing their 7th win of the season.

8. Minnesota (7-5)

Last week: at Wisconsin, W 24-7

PJ Fleck has figured out the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe, winning 3 of the last 4 in the series. He’s also guaranteed another winning season for the Gophers. It will be Minnesota’s 5th winning season in Fleck’s 8 years at the helm, and he has a chance to improve to 6-0 in bowl games with the program.

7. Michigan (7-5)

Last week: at Ohio State, W 13-10

There will be no defense of the Big Ten or national championship titles. But, for one day, the glory of The Game shone through. When you ride high in the biggest game of the season, you live large for another 365 days.

6. Iowa (8-4)

Last week: vs. Nebraska, W 13-10

Iowa appeared headed for disaster against Nebraska. Then, Kaleb Johnson provided one of the best individual plays of his career to swing the game before announcing his NFL Draft decision on Sunday. How the Hawkeyes adjust to the new B1G and address the QB position will be a major story in the offseason.

5. Illinois (9-3)

Last week: at Northwestern (Wrigley Field), W 38-28

If not for Indiana’s performance, Bret Bielema could make a healthy case for Big Ten Coach of the Year. It was far from a smooth season, but the Illini stayed the course and delivered a 9-win regular season. That’ll play in Champaign with the new-look B1G.

4. Indiana (11-1)

Last week: vs. Purdue, W 66-0

Indiana doesn’t leap Ohio State, but that doesn’t matter much for now. The Hoosiers are bound to crash the CFP party after doing what they needed to — and then some — against Purdue. Will Curt Cignetti get a home game, or will the committee send IU on the road?

3. Ohio State (10-2)

Last week: vs. Michigan, L 13-10

It’s hard to fully describe and comprehend what is going on with Ohio State right now. I’m intrigued to see what the future holds for Ryan Day, but nothing can happen soon because — like it or not — the Buckeyes will still be in the Playoff.

2. Penn State (11-1)

Last week: vs. Maryland, W 44-7

Penn State did it! Okay, it took some help from Michigan, but the Nittany Lions are back in the B1G Championship for the first time since 2016. Can James Franklin’s group hang with Oregon? Either way, punch that Playoff ticket!

1. Oregon (12-0)

Last week: vs. Washington, W 49-21

Oregon has done it, completing an undefeated season with Dan Lanning’s first win over Washington. The Ducks made it clear they have plans to be at the top of the B1G standings for years to come, and Lanning is turning in impressive results with the program. If the league wasn’t on notice in the preseason, Oregon has its full attention now.