Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 6

Week 6 was a pivotal week for the Big Ten, with teams like Purdue and UCLA making massive jumps with their victories. Here’s how our power rankings changed based on this week’s results:

1. Ohio State (AP No. 4, Coaches No. 5)

5-1 | 3-0 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 1

Movement: 0

Ohio State left no doubt this weekend as it took down Maryland at home 45-16. From the jump, this game was all Ohio State. Julian Sayin’s 242 passing yards — including a 68-yard completion to Nate Roberts — were striking compared to the mere 64 passing yards the Buckeyes allowed the Terrapins. This team is dominant in all three phases of the game. With Oregon turning from a trap game into a matchup in which the Buckeyes should win comfortably, the Buckeyes top our rankings for Week 6.

2. Indiana (AP No. 5, Coaches No. 4)

6-0 | 3-0 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 2

Movement: 0

After a close escape from Nebraska this week, Indiana looks beatable. While maybe not as strong as its team last year, Indiana is still winning. Like coach Curt Cignetti said, Indiana wins football games. Despite having two extremely close Big Ten matchups in recent weeks, the Hoosiers have found a way each time to pull through and emerge victorious against both Northwestern and Nebraska. This team is strong. Trailing by two scores in the fourth quarter, Indiana came roaring back in the final minutes to top Nebraska 20-17, capped by a 44-yard Nick Marsh touchdown reception.

3. UCLA (AP No. 12, Coaches No. 12)

5-0 | 3-0 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 6

Movement: +3

Maybe this is crazy, but why not? The product UCLA has put on the field looks like a completely different animal from last season. The Bruins’ Big Ten schedule has been on the weaker side, with their first two conference games being Purdue and Maryland. However, they put an absolute beatdown on Maryland in which they beat the Terps by more than 50. UCLA’s win over Oregon reaffirms that dominance. Playing at Autzen Stadium (even with the Ducks playing their backup quarterback) is a harsh environment. It takes a composed football team to navigate and manage the noise to come out with a 17-15 win. And while its ranking may seem high, an undefeated team is an undefeated team. Don’t count out the Bruins.

4. Iowa (AP No. 17, Coaches No. 16)

4-1 | 1-1 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 5

Movement: +1

Following a rout of Washington this past week, the Hawkeyes continue to look dominant on the field. Running back Kamari Moulton ran for 208 yards and a pair of touchdowns, adding an exclamation mark to Iowa’s 41-24 win last weekend. With their only Big Ten loss being to the Buckeyes, the Hawkeyes are easily one of the top teams in the conference and have a relatively easy path forward. Their most difficult games remaining are at Minnesota, at No. 25 Northwestern and home vs. Nebraska. I also think they are fun to watch.

5. Northwestern (AP No. 25)

4-1 | 1-1 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 8

Movement: +3

Aidan Chiles. If you had told me in August that through five games, Chiles hadn’t thrown an interception, had nine passing touchdowns and six rushing touchdowns, I would not have believed you. This Northwestern team, now making the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2020, dominated a full 60 minute 45-14 victory against Ball State Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats, now established at their home base of Ryan Field, have the chance to pull some real upsets as the season progresses. I never doubted Chip Kelly, but never did I think Northwestern would be running the Wing T on a regular basis. The formation has proven effective in confusing defensive lines and creating openings for the running backs downfield. Facing an important game at Chiles’ old home and against former Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald, the ‘Cats need to give it their all in East Lansing this weekend.

6. USC (AP No. 19, Coaches No. 15)

6-1 | 3-1 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 4

Movement: -2

Yes, USC moved down despite a win, but hear me out. Its wins over time have become progressively weaker. Oregon (in all fairness without Dante Moore) seems weaker than projected, and Penn State along with Washington have yet to get a conference win. And all of those games were won by just a single score. Realistically, USC hasn’t proven itself with any marquee win yet. Power rankings are based on the strength of their wins, and Jayden Maiava and the Trojans have yet to prove their worth against any top-tier football teams. USC’s upcoming stretch against Wisconsin, Ohio State and Indiana will allow it to show what its made of and make a statement on the national stage.

7. Nebraska

5-1 | 2-1 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 7

Movement: 0

What could have been. Nebraska looks really solid, and even though it didn’t pull through with the win this weekend, Anthony Colandrea seems comfortable at his new home in Lincoln. For context, in 2024 at Virginia, he threw for 13 touchdowns on the season. He has already thrown 13 this season, and he’s not done. Nebraska held the lead for most of the game, only caving in at the end to fall to the Hoosiers 20-17.

8. Oregon (Coaches No. 25)

3-2 | 1-1 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 3

Movement: -5

Oh, Oregon. A potential great season was stopped in its tracks with a Dante Moore injury followed by a loss to UCLA. For many teams, falling in the middle of the pack of the Big Ten would be acceptable. Not for this team. Oregon came into this season with national championship expectations and one of the most talented rosters on paper in the FBS, but that hasn’t amounted to the expected success. The Ducks’ backup quarterback, Dylan Raiola, was benched in the middle of this weekend’s game following a 6-for-19 completion rate in favor of Brock Thomas. Oregon needs a spark in its offense to move back to where it was at the start of the season, and it starts with a nationally televised home game against Nebraska, Raiola’s former home.

9. Wisconsin

4-1 | 2-0 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 10

Movement: +1

The Badgers had a bye this week after a dominant win over Michigan State the week prior. I have hope in Colton Joseph, especially after throwing three touchdown passes against the Spartans. However, it wasn’t all great. With an under-50% completion rate, there is definitely work to be done for Wisconsin. This team is still a more solid contender and threat in the conference than it had been in years prior following its fourth-quarter comeback win over Penn State.

10. Purdue

3-3 | 2-1 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 14

Movement: +4

Purdue! After a Big Ten losing streak dating back to 2023 (its last Big Ten win was over Indiana that year if you can believe it), the Boilermakers are now on a two-game Big Ten win streak. They destroyed Minnesota and had a nice win over Illinois the week prior, making Purdue a tough out in the Big Ten. This week, the Boilermakers have another real opportunity to make a statement as they face a Washington team that has been struggling to gain momentum, especially following an injury to starting quarterback Demond Williams Jr. last week against Iowa. No, it doesn’t feel right for Purdue to be this high… but it’s 2-1 in the conference.

11. Minnesota

4-2 | 2-1 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 9

Movement: -2

Minnesota looked like it had all the momentum coming into its Week 6 battle with Purdue. Quarterback Drake Lindsey had some nice moments, putting up 248 passing yards in a 41-13 loss to the Boilermakers. Following wins over Washington and Michigan, the loss to Purdue was a shock to the college football world. Did Minnesota have the it factor? Does it still have it? Is Purdue secretly really good? This game posed a lot of questions for the state of the middle-of-the-pack Big Ten rankings. The Golden Gophers will take on Iowa after their bye this week, a monumental matchup that will prove vital if Minnesota wants to fly up the rankings.

12. Michigan

3-2 | 0-2 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 12

Movement: 0

I genuinely have no idea how to rank Michigan, and it’s a fair guess that most people don’t either. Yeah, the Wolverines beat Oklahoma, but they also lost to Minnesota. They narrowly escaped Western Michigan and lost a close one to Iowa. So who knows. Bryce Underwood doesn’t seem to be the star the Wolverines were hoping for at the start of the season, going 10-for-21 against Minnesota a few weeks ago; the same Minnesota team that just got clobbered by Purdue. So, what can be taken away from this bye week for the Wolverines? Not much, except that they need to be on their A-game as they host Penn State this weekend. The Nittany Lions are another team that has performed significantly below expectations, making the matchup a crucial one for Michigan if it wants to prove itself right.

13. Washington

3-3 | 0-3 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 11

Movement: -2

At some point, it’s hard not to feel for the Huskies. The personnel seemed to be there, but the season has not gone their way. With Williams Jr. now on the sidelines following an injury against Iowa, backup Elijah Brown steps in to try to recover a program spiraling out of control following a 41-24 loss to the Hawkeyes. I want to believe Washington has had a difficult schedule following defeats by Minnesota, USC and Iowa, but there are no excuses this weekend. The Huskies travel to West Lafayette to take on Purdue in a must-win game. And it isn’t an easy game either. Purdue is red-hot right now after dominating Minnesota this past week and beating Illinois the week before.

14. Penn State

3-3 | 0-3 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 13

Movement: -1

No, the Nittany Lions haven’t had the easiest Big Ten schedule. But for a program that was a powerhouse for years on end, has one of the best home-field advantages in college football and has a brand-new coach, losing to both Wisconsin and USC at home is inexcusable — especially during the White Out game. Matt Campbell has seemingly brought the Iowa State magic to Penn State — which isn’t a good thing. This team still hasn’t won a Big Ten game, but Wisconsin seems to be better than expected. Still, the standard for Penn State has always been high. Getting blown out on the road by No. 25 Northwestern doesn’t help the Nittany Lions’ case either. They have an upcoming prime-time matchup with Michigan this week, which is a very beatable team, and this game will have major implications for the future of both Penn State’s and Michigan’s seasons.

15. Illinois

3-3 | 1-2 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 15

Movement: 0

The Illini emerged victorious after a failed 2-point conversion in overtime from Michigan State in East Lansing. Following its 36-35 victory, there isn’t much more to say about an Illinois team that barely escaped Michigan State and fell at home to Purdue last week. Going into a bye this week, the Illini’s upcoming schedule is brutal. They take on Oregon before an easier game against Maryland, followed by Nebraska, No. 12 UCLA, No. 17 Iowa and No. 25 Northwestern. So, do the Illini have what it takes? The biggest video board in the Big Ten needs a show to display, and that starts with bringing the momentum from their win against the Spartans to their home battle against Oregon next weekend.

16. Michigan State

2-4 | 0-3 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 16

Movement: 0

With new head coach Pat Fitzgerald at the helm, the Spartans need to turn their season around quickly if they want any chance of making a bowl game. Following a 36-35 loss to Illinois in overtime, Michigan State’s next two games both fall against ranked teams — No. 25 Northwestern and No. 12 UCLA — making it even more difficult for it to make up ground. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic did improve in the loss to Illinois, throwing for 196 yards and two touchdowns after having none the previous three weeks. Now, the Spartans will host their former starting quarterback and the Northwestern Wildcats.

17. Maryland

2-4 | 0-3 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 17

Movement: 0

The Terrapins have been struggling, but don’t count them out. Maryland may have had the strongest Big Ten schedule so far, facing off against No. 12 UCLA, Nebraska (which probably should be ranked) and No. 4 Ohio State. However, losing 54-3 to UCLA doesn’t exactly make one beam with confidence for the future of the Maryland football team. This week, Maryland plays Rutgers — a test in which it could find its first Big Ten victory. DeJuan Williams is fun to watch, but after posting only 48 yards on 16 carries (albeit against Ohio State), this team has some work to do. Will head coach Mike Locksley make it through the season? No one knows.

18. Rutgers

1-4 | 0-2 B1G

Last Week’s Ranking: 18

Movement: 0

Coming off a bye, there isn’t much more to say about Rutgers. Falling to UMass in the first week started it off in a poor position to make moves in the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights did compete in a close game with USC, but ultimately fell short. Antwan Raymond has proven to be an elite running back and can compete with most teams, but Indiana’s elite run defense limited what Rutgers could do. The Scarlet Knights face Maryland this week, one of the weaker teams in the conference, giving them a chance to make up some ground in the power rankings and capture their first Big Ten win.