Aug 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
As the season chugs along, there's now some Big Ten teams that find themselves searching for answers after week seven, and some that celebrated massive victories. Here's where everyone stacks up heading into week eight.
No. 1: Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) and defensive tackle Tywone Malone (95) after a fumble by Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Oct. 11, 2025. Ohio State won 34-16. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Buckeyes add another impressive win to their resume. Their 34-16 win in Champaign continues to show their dominance in the conference.
No. 2: Indiana
Oct 11, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) runs with the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
In what ended up being one of the biggest upsets of the day, the Hoosiers stormed into Autzen and came away with a 30-20 upset win.
It's very likely that, unless they completely collapse, Curt Cignetti has guaranteed his team a spot in the College Football Playoffs.
No. 3: Oregon
Oregon outside linebacker Blake Purchase pressures Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the Oregon Ducks host the Indiana Hoosiers Oct. 11, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Despite the loss, the Ducks still have everything in front of them, with only two tough road games left. As long as the Ducks don't embarrass themselves in Iowa City or Seattle (against Iowa or Washington), they should make the playoffs.
No. 4: Illinois
Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Devin Sanchez (6) tackles Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Collin Dixon (17) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Oct. 11, 2025. Ohio State won 34-16. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The next few spots in the rankings are a little tough with all the games on Saturday, but Illinois' resume looks best, even with a 16-34 loss to Ohio State.
Their win against USC, for example, now looks even better.
No. 5: University of Southern California (USC)
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans running back Bryan Jackson (21) gets past Michigan Wolverines linebacker Cole Sullivan (23) and runs for a touchdown in the second half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Trojans made easy work of the Wolverines at home with a 31-13 win. While the Lincoln Riley seat was warm to begin the year, his future seems bright in Southern California.
No. 6: Michigan
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) is pressured in the pocket in the second half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
We have not one but now two big road losses for freshman Quarterback Bryce Underwood. This is just part of the growing pains of having a young man under center, but Michigan does suffer a bit with a now 4-2 record.
No. 7: Nebraska
Oct 11, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Nyziah Hunter (13) catches a touchdown as Maryland Terrapins defensive back Jamare Glasker (14) defends during the game at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
The 34-31 road victory over Maryland wasn't exactly pretty for the Huskers. They'll look to improve to 3-1 with a road game Friday night in Minneapolis against the Gophers.
No. 8: Iowa
Oct 11, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton (28) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ross Harried-Imagn Images | Ross Harried-Imagn Images
The 37-0 drumming of the Badgers on the road adds to a now more impressive resume for the Hawks. With an ailing Penn State team coming to Iowa City this week, the Hawkeyes have a good opportunity to show their worth.
No. 9: Washington
Oct 10, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) celebrates a touchdown against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
The Huskies poured it on and doubled Rugers' score, winning 38-19. It's noteworthy to mention that Desmond Williams Jr. just had a 400-yard passing and 100-yard rushing game, something Michael Penix Jr. never did in his time in Seattle.
No. 10: Maryland
Oct 11, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Malik Washington (7) throws from the pocket during the first half Nebraska Cornhuskers at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Two home losses in a row may not bode well for the Terrapins. However, Malik Washington still has an impressive 1,200-plus passing yards on the season, a promising start for the young quarterback.
No. 11: University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)
UCLA's Nico Iamaleava throws a pass against Michigan State during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Yes, believe it or not, despite the slow 0-4 start, the Bruins are now 2-1 in conference play. Also, UCLA must lock down offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel immediately, as he appears to have a bright future ahead of him.
No. 12: Northwestern
Oct 11, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Caleb Komolafe (5) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
The Wildcats got to celebrate back-to-back victories after stunning Penn State in Evanston. Northwestern still has a challenging schedule ahead, especially with Purdue and Minnesota being their remaining easiest games.
No. 13: Minnesota
Oct 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey (5) celebrates against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images | Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Gophers fought back hard to beat Purdue for their homecoming, 27-20. Do not expect Minnesota to leap in the rankings in the future.
No. 14: Purdue
Oct 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Myles Slusher (9) celebrates an interception against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images | Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Boilermakers probably feel like they let one slip through their hands. Their schedule will give them some chances for upsets, but it is doubtful that they will retain the popular 'spoilermakers' moniker consistently for the rest of the 2025 season.
No. 15: Rutgers
Oct 10, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) prepares to throw the ball during the first half against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images | Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
I'd say the Scarlet Knights also have a schedule, leaving room for an upset win or two. Still, going 0-3 in Big Ten play leaves this fanbase disappointed and in need of great recruiting for next season.
No. 16: Penn State
Oct 11, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks over quarterback Drew Allar (15) as he sit injured on the ground during the fourth quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
If you had a 0-3 conference start on your Bingo card this year for the Nittony Lions, you should play the lottery. With Drew Allar out for the year and James Franklin now out as head coach, things are only going to get worse from here.
No. 17: Michigan State
Oct 11, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) takes a snap against the UCLA Bruins in the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images | Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images
Saturday's 38-13 home loss to UCLA also leaves them at 0-3 in conference play. Aidan Chiles has just not taken that next step, and with him at the helm on the offense, do not expect a lot more W's on that challenging schedule.
No. 18 Wisconsin
Oct 11, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Hunter Simmons (15) attempts a pass in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ross Harried-Imagn Images | Ross Harried-Imagn Images
The sinking ship that is the Wisconsin Badgers has struck an iceberg.
The fans are calling for Head Coach Luke Fickell to be fired, and his 'dumbfounded' reaction in the post-game press conference may be a clue that his job truly is in jeopardy, despite having a lot of injuries also spur their 0-3 Big Ten play start.
Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations
