The Hawkeyes picked up a pivotal road win in Seattle in week six before a much-needed bye week.
Iowa has another important road matchup in week eight against Minnesota in Minneapolis for the Floyd of Rosedale trophy, and needed this bye week to get healthy and prepare. The Golden Gophers are coming off a brutal road loss to Purdue and are looking to bounce back against the Hawkeyes. During Iowa's week-seven bye, we have the updated Big Ten Conference power rankings.
No. 18: Rutgers (1-4, 0-2 Big Ten, --)
Week six: Bye
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights had a much-needed bye week in week six after getting destroyed by Indiana in week five. Rutgers are off to a difficult start to the season and have a nice start to the second half of the Big Ten Conference slate, with a matchup against an equally bad Maryland squad. Let the cellar battle commence!
Week seven: at Maryland (College Park, MD)
No. 17: Maryland (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten, --)
Week six: 45-16 loss at Ohio State
Maryland stayed winless in the Big Ten after an understandable loss to Ohio State. The Terrapins' offense was horrible against the Buckeyes (146 yards), and the defense wasn't any better (449 yards allowed). Luckily for Maryland, they are back at home against an equally bad Rutgers squad and have a chance to earn their first conference win.
Week seven: vs. Rutgers (College Park, MD)
No. 16: Michigan State (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten, --)
Week six: 38-37 loss vs. Illinois
The Spartans offense FINALLY woke up, but the defense couldn't stop a nosebleed against Illinois. The defense allowed 409 total yards to Illinois, including 282 through the air. Former Hawkeye Jaz Patterson had a great game (93 rushing yards, 27 receiving yards, 4 total touchdowns), but it wasn't enough. The rough start continues for the Spartans in year one with Pat Fitzgerald, with another challenging game on the horizon.
Week seven: vs. No. 25 Northwestern (East Lansing, MI)
No. 15: Illinois (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten, --)
Week six: 38-37 win vs. Michigan State
Illinois earned a hard-fought overtime road win over Michigan State in week six, but they could be without starter Katin Houser, who was injured while making a tackle on an interception. If Houser misses significant time, the Illinois offense will likely regress, but they have a bye week to get him healthy before a tough matchup against Oregon in week eight.
Week seven: BYE
No. 14: Washington (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten, -2)
Week six: 41-24 loss vs. Iowa
Washington took a few early haymakers from Iowa and never recovered. The Hawkeyes led 27-3 at halftime, and the Huskies had to use backup QB Elijah Brown after starter Demond Williams was knocked out in the second quarter. One of the only bright spots was Brown's play (251 passing yards, 3 touchdowns), and the Huskies can feel good knowing he can run the offense. Washington hits the road in week seven to face a hot Purdue team that has won two straight games.
Week seven: at Purdue (West Lafayette, IN)
No. 13: Minnesota (4-2, 2-2 Big Ten, -3)
Week six: 41-13 loss at Purdue
Minnesota was one of the biggest fallers this week after a horrible road loss to Purdue. The Golden Gophers' defense allowed a whopping 305 rushing yards to Purdue, including 195 yards and three touchdowns to Fame Ijeboi. It was a big letdown after taking down Michigan at home in week five, and they have a bye week to figure it out before a trophy game against Iowa in week eight.
Week seven: BYE
No. 12: Penn State (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten, +1)
Week six: 31-23 loss vs. USC
Not all losses are equal, and while people in University Park are getting restless, a loss to a good ranked opponent isn't bad. It hasn't gone well early for Matt Campbell and the new-look Nittany Lions, but hopefully, a close loss to a good team will light a fire under them. They haven't gotten the run game going, forcing Rocco Becht to air it out, and they must correct that before taking on Michigan this week. If they don't win against Michigan at the "Big House," it might be time to panic.
Week seven: at Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
No. 11: Michigan (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten, --)
Week six: BYE
Michigan entered its bye week on a two-game losing streak, shifting from conference contender to fighting for its life. If any team desperately needed a bye week, it was Michigan, and now they welcome a struggling Penn State squad to the Big House for a chance to get back on track.
Week seven: vs. Penn State (Ann Arbor, MI)
No. 10: Purdue (3-3, 2-1 Big Ten, +4)
Week six: 41-13 win vs. Minnesota
Don't look now, but the Boilermakers are heating up! Purdue hosted Minnesota in week six, and gashed them on the ground with 305 rushing yards. Fame Ijeboi (195 yards, 3 touchdowns) led the way, and quarterback Ryan Browne (81 yards, 1 touchdown) also had a solid day on the ground. The Boilermakers have a solid chance to win three straight games as they host Washington, which might be without its starting quarterback.
Week seven: vs. Washington (West Lafayette, IN)
No. 9: Oregon (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten, -6)
Week six: 17-15 loss vs. UCLA
The Ducks were the biggest faller in our week-seven power rankings after laying an egg at home against UCLA. Coming off a bye week, Oregon had no excuse for playing so poorly, especially quarterback Dylan Raiola. Raiola played well in relief in week four, but was horrible in week six. He was pulled after going 6/19 for 43 yards and 2 interceptions, and almost single-handedly cost his team the game. Oregon has another home game to get back on track, but it's against a hungry Nebraska team that is coming off a close loss to Indiana.
Week seven: vs. Nebraska (Eugene, OR)
No. 8: USC (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten, +1)
Week six: 31-23 win at Penn State
USC continues to survive and advance, and that remained the same against Penn State in week six. Winning on the road against Penn State is never easy, but the Trojans held on for another important Big Ten win. The defense still has multiple question marks, but it held Penn State under 400 total yards (357). The Trojans are off in week seven before hitting the road to Madison in week eight.
Week seven: BYE
No. 7: Northwestern (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten, +1)
Week six: 45-14 vs. Ball State
Northwestern picked up an expected win over in-state rival Ball State thanks to quarterback Aiden Chiles throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for one. The Wildcats continue their 2026 resurgence and are playing especially well at home in their new stadium. Much is on the line for Northwestern in week seven as they travel to East Lansing to face former head coach Pat Fitzgerald and the Michigan State Spartans.
Week seven: at Michigan State (East Lansing, MI)
No. 6: Nebraska (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten, +1)
Week six: 20-17 loss vs. Indiana
Nebraska had a golden opportunity to knock off reining National Champion Indiana at home, falling just short. A costly interception by quarterback Anthony Colandrea, along with taking a sack on their final offensive possession, ultimately cost the Cornhuskers, and they have another tough game ahead. A loss to Indiana isn't bad, and it didn't cost them anything.
Week seven: at Oregon (Eugene, OR)
No. 5: Wisconsin (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten, --)
Week six: BYE
Wisconsin was idle in week six after picking up a massive 31-3 win over Michigan State in week five. The Badgers have been one of the more surprising teams, but have a challenging road matchup against UCLA in week seven. If the Badgers upset the Bruins, they will be in the conversation for conference contenders.
Week seven: at No. 12 UCLA (Pasadena, CA)
No. 4: Iowa (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten, --)
Week six: 41-24 win at Washington
Iowa exploded offensively on the road against Washington, with the running game finally waking up. Kamari Moulton's career-best 208 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns led the Hawkeyes' rushing attack, with backup quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski also playing well in his first collegiate start. Iowa could have jumped into the top three with an Oregon loss, but Washington is a much weaker, unranked opponent. The Hawkeyes have a week off before heading to Minneapolis to fight for the Floyd of Rosedale.
Week seven: BYE
No. 3: UCLA (5-0, 3-0 Big Ten, +3)
Week six: 17-15 win at Oregon
UCLA continues to play well, backed by an elite rushing attack. The Bruins put up 140 rushing yards against Oregon, and the defense held the Ducks' offense to under 300 total yards (272) in a massive road win. It wasn't a pretty win, but a Big Ten road win is a good win. The Bruins are back at home for a challenging matchup against a hot Wisconsin team.
Week seven: vs. Wisconsin (Pasadena, CA)
No. 2: Ohio State (5-1, 4-0 Big Ten, --)
Week six: 45-16 win vs. Maryland
Ohio State took care of business on the road, crushing Maryland. Jeremiah Smith continues his Heisman campaign, and the defense keeps shutting down opposing offenses. After stumbling early against Texas, the Buckeyes are back to being juggernauts and are in the National Championship conversation.
Week seven: at No. 5 Indiana (Bloomington, IN)
No. 1: Indiana (6-0, 5-0 Big Ten, --)
Week six: 20-17 win at Nebraska
Indiana had a scare against Nebraska in week six, but did what champions do. Nebraska dominated most statistical categories and should have won, but Indiana played mistake-free football and made plays when it counted. The Hoosiers have a chance to prove they haven't lost a step when they welcome a very tough Ohio State squad to Bloomington in the weekend's best matchup.
Week seven: vs. No. 4 Ohio State (Bloomington, IN)
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