Big Ten Top Ten: Conference's football teams ranked ahead of Week 13 action
Welcome to another week of my Big Ten rankings ahead of Week 13 of the college football season. I've been debating changing the name to the Big Ten Carousel, with the number of shake-ups at the bottom of this list week-in and week-out. Below is the Big Ten's freshest top ten.
– No. 1 - Oregon (11-0, 8-0)
LW: @ Wisconsin W 16-13
NW: BYE
It's hard to argue with a win, but Oregon made things interesting, as it entered the fourth quarter down 7 to Wisconsin. The Ducks escaped Madison, Wisconsin, with the win thanks to a solid defensive day, but it's something to note when looking to the postseason. No. 1 Oregon coasts into their bye week as the best team in the country with an upcoming matchup against Washington. The Ducks' game against the fellow former PAC-12 foe will end the regular season.
– No. 2 - Ohio State (9-1, 6-1)
Last Week: @ Northwestern W 31-7
Next Week: vs Indiana
Last week, Ohio State did what it needed to do: beat up a bad Northwestern team and leave with a statement win. The Buckeyes offense had a day against the Wildcats, featuring a pair of touchdowns each from running back Quinshon Judkins and sneakily-good receiver Carnell Tate. No. 2 Ohio State now prepares for the biggest game of the weekend against Indiana, which I don't think will be close — I'll elaborate more on that later.
– No. 3 - Penn State (9-1, 6-1)
LW: @ Purdue W 49-10
NW: @ Minnesota
Similarly to the Buckeyes, Penn State handled business against a weak Purdue team. Tyler Warren and the Nittany Lions dominated on offense, with Warren racking up 190 total yards and two touchdowns. No. 4 Penn State should end the year with two wins against Minnesota on the road, then home against Maryland.
– No. 4 - Indiana (10-0, 7-0)
LW: BYE
NW: @ Ohio State
What a week upcoming for the Hoosiers. Fresh off a bye and well rested, No. 5 Indiana will have its toughest test of the season on the road against Ohio State. This could be the Hoosiers' first loss of the season. What head coach Curt Cignetti has done in his first year can not be understated, but I think the team's historic winning streak ends here.
– No. 5 - Illinois (7-3, 4-3)
LW: vs Michigan State W 38-16
NW: @ Rutgers
Illinois toppled Michigan State in a game that followed the script. The Fighting Illini are ranked again for the first time since Week 10 and could be getting hot just in time to end the season. No. 24 Illinois has road trips to Rutgers and Northwestern to close the season.
– No. 6 - Michigan (5-5, 3-4)
LW: BYE
NW: vs Northwestern
Each week Michigan is more unpredictable. The Wolverines come off a bye with their sights set on a bowl game. The team will look for a win over the Wildcats to get that coveted sixth win, its Week 14 matchup being the big, bad Buckeyes.
– No. 7 - Minnesota (6-4, 4-3)
LW: BYE
NW: vs Penn State
The Golden Gophers profit from a UCLA loss and slide up one spot in the rankings. Minnesota entered the bye week following a confusing loss to Rutgers in Piscataway but should be more than rested to welcome the Nittany Lions on Saturday. The four-game win streak before playing the Scarlet Knights holds a lot of merit, so don't be surprised if this weekend isn't a blowout.
– No. 8 - Iowa (6-4, 4-3)
LW: BYE
NW: @ Maryland
Iowa is another team that slides up a spot while sitting on the couch. The Hawkeyes have had impressive wins this season but also some confusing losses. Matchups against Maryland and Nebraska to end the season will provide more clarity to this team.
– No. 9 - Wisconsin (5-5, 3-4)
LW: vs Oregon L 16-13
NW: @ Nebraska
Yes, I know boosting a losing team into the nine spot looks ridiculous, but the Badgers have shown they have what it takes to hang with the best in the country. Wisconsin is right in that range of being able to handle the weaker teams but not having what it takes to beat the greater teams. I expect the Badgers to win out and finish 8-5.
– No. 10 - Rutgers (6-4, 3-4)
LW: @ Maryland W 31-17
NW: vs Illinois
It was a toss-up for the ten spot between Rutgers, Washington and UCLA, but I'll give the edge to the Scarlet Knights after winning in Maryland. Rutgers had its second impressive game in a row and is starting to pick up steam to end the year. The Scarlet Knights' defense made some incredible plays in the win, and the team secured a second consecutive bowl game after heading to the Pinstripe Bowl last year.
For more updates on the Rutgers football team, follow @TargumSports on X.
To view more of Philip Jaccoma's work, follow @PJaccoma on X.
