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
With a couple of unpredictable results that happened during a busy week six slate of college football in the Big Ten, here is where everyone stacks up ahead of week seven.
1. Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) catches a touchdown pass during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 4, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The 42-3 drubbing of Minnesota was arguably an even better performance than I was expecting. The Buckeyes appear to still be in firm control of the conference.
2. Oregon
Oregon running back Dierre Hill Jr. celebrates a touchdown as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Ducks were idle this week, but their undefeated season looks to be challenged when Indiana comes to town this week.
3. Indiana
Sep 27, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Louis Moore (7) reacts late in the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Also on the bye this week, but with Illinois not backing down in their schedule, their week four win over the Illini looks even better.
4. Michigan
Oct 4, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) passes in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The Wolverines defended their home territory well, only allowing 10 points to Wisconsin. We'll see if their road trip to Southern California works out.
5. Illinois
Oct 4, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Ca'Lil Valentine (5) is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Tahj Ra-El (21) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Head Coach Bret Bielema continues to keep the Illini in great shape. They probably won't play for a Big Ten title this year, but their 43-27 victory over Purdue is still a great road win.
6. Nebraska
Oct 4, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) looks downfield to pass during the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kylie Graham-Imagn Images | Kylie Graham-Imagn Images
The Cornhuskers jumped up a few spots this week after a double-digit win over Michigan State on the road. Their Week One win over Cincinnati is aging well, as the Bearcats just took down Iowa State.
7. University of Southern California (USC)
Sep 27, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
The Trojans have had all week to prepare for Michigan. If Quarterback Jayden Maiava is up to the task as he duels with Bryce Underwood.
8. Washington
Oct 4, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) celebrates with wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck (81) after they connected for a touchdown pass in the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images | Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
Not many teams can come back from down 20 points on the road. A lot of credit to Desmond Williams Jr. for staying in the game and finishing a road win.
9. Iowa
Sep 27, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Aiden Fisher (4) hits Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Hank Brown (9) during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
The Hawkeyes have had the bye week to prepare for a matchup at Wisconsin on Saturday. The depth chart lists Mark Gronowski as QB 1, but it remains to be seen who will be under center on Saturday night.
10. Penn State
Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Trebor Pena (8) blocks UCLA Bruins defensive back Scooter Jackson (28) from tackling him during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
The only reason the Nitany Lions crack the top ten is because they forced overtime against the Ducks at home. The road loss against UCLA is still a hard pill for Nittany Lions fans to swallow.
11. Maryland
Oct 4, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins linebacker Trey Reddick (3) celebrates after assisting on a sack of Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) in the second half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images | Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
While they couldn't quite pull off the upset against Washington, the Terrapins should get a lot of credit for the way they played last weekend. They host Nebraska this week and will have to hope for another fast start and a better second half.
12. Michigan State
Oct 4, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Alessio Milivojevic (11) celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kylie Graham-Imagn Images | Kylie Graham-Imagn Images
Michigan State will have to be on guard this week with the upset-minded Bruins coming to East Lansing. It'll be up to Aidan Chiles to keep pace with Nico Iamaleava.
13. UCLA
Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) drops back to pass during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Pulling the biggest upset of the year so far, UCLA takes a jump this week. But the test is on: was that a one-trick performance, or have the Bruins found something that will turn the season around?
14. Minnesota
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles tackles Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Lemeke Brockington during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 4, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
While no one was expecting an upset win on the road, the Gophers' inability to put up more than three points against the Buckeyes is far from promising. They will look to bounce back against Purdue this week.
15. Rutgers
Sep 27, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver DT Sheffield (0) catches a four-yard pass for a touchdown as Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Aidan Gousby (7) defends during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images | Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
The Scarlet Knights were idle this week, but look forward to a Friday night primetime matchup at Washington. The going will be tough, and it's far from an easy matchup.
16. Northwestern
Oct 4, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Ryan Boe (2) runs the ball against the ULM Warhawks during the second half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images
The Wildcats had their homecoming matchup against an inferior University of Louisiana Monroe on Saturday. However, they have to travel to Happy Valley for the now 0-2 Penn State in conference play in what could be a get-right game for the Nittany Lions.
17. Purdue
Oct 4, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Ryan Browne (15) runs with the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Kaleb Patterson (1) (obscured) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
While the Boilermakers didn't completely fold in their 27-43 loss to Illinois, you never felt like they were in the game. Their schedule isn't the toughest in the Big Ten, but upcoming games against Indiana and Ohio State are notable.
18. Wisconsin
Oct 4, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Hunter Simmons (15) passes in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
With the injury to Quarterback Billy Edwards still putting the QB 1 spot in flux, Wisconsin may have to punt on the season if they can't pull off their homecoming game against Iowa this week. Their schedule is brutal, with only Minnesota and Washington not being ranked the rest of the way after Saturday.
