Big Ten Power Rankings updated after Week 11 of college football

The latest Big Ten Power Rankings from On3, utilizing the On3 Massey Ratings, are in after Week 11 of the college football regular season.

The On3 Massey Ratings – which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated high school sports team rankings since 1995 – rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

With a couple of interesting results and a myriad of wild games, the college football world as a whole was shaken up, including the Big Ten’s group of teams. Here’s where they all stand after Week 11, and ahead of what should be an awesome Week 12.

1. Oregon (10-0)

Oregon reached double-digit wins in Week 11. The Ducks welcomed Maryland to Eugene, and they sent the Terrapins back to the East Coast with a loss. It was closer than some expected, but at the end of the day it was a 21-point win for Dan Lanning’s squad.

Next up for the top-ranked team in the nation is a date with Wisconsin in Camp Randall. The Badgers are far from an easy opponent, despite their record, so Dillon Gabriel and the Ducks will have to bring their best to the Midwest.

2. Ohio State (8-1)

After a couple of close calls over the last month, Ohio State needed to give someone the business, and Purdue was on the receiving end. The Buckeyes welcomed the Boilermakers to Columbus, and sent them home with a 45-0 loss.

Ohio State will go on the road in Week 12, with a trip to Chicago on the docket. They’ve handled Northwestern with relative ease in the past, and that’s exactly what Ryan Day will be calling for this coming weekend.

3. Penn State (8-1)

Penn State celebrated their White Out in dominating fashion, defeating Washington by a score of 35-6. It was the bounce-back performance the Nittany Lions needed after falling to Ohio State during the previous weekend.

With their hunger for the College Football Playoff reaching a new level, Penn State will look to stay hot this weekend. It’s a favorable matchup, as the Nittany Lions will travel to West Lafayette to face Purdue.

4. Indiana (10-0)

Indiana continued their surge towards the College Football Playoff in Week 11. The Hoosiers notched a huge win over Michigan, defeating the Wolverines by five points over the weekend.

Next up for Indiana is a bye week, but arguably the biggest game in their history will follow. The undefeated Hoosiers will welcome Ohio State to Bloomington in Week 13, in a game that should be a doozy.

5. Michigan (5-5)

Michigan fell to 5-5 at the hands of Indiana in Week 11. The same offensive inconsistency has plagued the Wolverines all season long, and that was their downfall against the Hoosiers.

A bye week is coming at a great time for Michigan, as they try to figure out where they need to go from here. They’ll return to action in Week 13, against the Northwestern Wildcats. A winnable game for Sherrone Moore’s team.

6. Iowa (6-4)

Iowa took a trip to the West Coast in Week 11, but it wasn’t one to remember for the Hawkeyes. They were defeated by the surging UCLA Bruins during a Friday night showdown, falling by three points.

Moving forward, Iowa has a bye week in Week 12, but they’ll be back in action in Week 13 against Maryland on the road. A home date with Nebraska will close out their season the following weekend.

7. USC (4-5)

USC enjoyed a week off in Week 11. The Trojans are hoping it refocused them on their mission, as Lincoln Riley’s team certainly didn’t expect to be 4-5 at this point in the season.

Perhaps a victory coming out of the bye week will sooth Trojans faithful. USC will welcome Matt Rhule and the Nebraska Cornhuskers to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for what should be an awesome affair.

8. Wisconsin (5-4)

Wisconsin was able to sit back, relax and watch some football over the weekend, due to their bye week. The Badgers are one win away from becoming eligible for a bowl game, and it looks like they’ll have a good shot at doing just that over the next couple of weeks.

They certainly won’t be favored this weekend though. Wisconsin will welcome Oregon to Madison, but a win over the top-ranked team in the nation could do wonders for the Badgers’ standing in 2024.

9. Minnesota (6-4)

Minnesota put themselves in a hole early on against Rutgers, and while they made it a close game, they never were able to overcome the Scarlet Knights in Pisacataway. Their rollercoaster season continued, as Minnesota fell to 6-4 on the campaign.

The Golden Gophers will enjoy a week off in Week 12. They’ll be looking to set themselves up nicely for the stretch run in the Big Ten, while gaining some valuable intel on their opponents throughout Saturday afternoon.

10. Illinois (6-3)

Illinois entered their bye week this past weekend at 6-3, a fantastic record, all things considered. Still, the Fighting Illini are far from satisfied, especially when you consider the torrid start they got out to in 2024.

The rest of the season will be about proving where Illinois stands inside the Big Ten. The Fighting Illini have an opportunity to do just that in Week 12, with the Michigan State Spartans coming to town for a fascinating clash.

Big Ten Power Rankings: 11-16

11. Washington (5-5)
12. UCLA (4-5)
13. Nebraska (5-4)
14. Rutgers (5-4)
15. Michigan State (4-5)
16. Maryland (4-5)
17. Northwestern (4-5)
18. Purdue (1-8)

Elsewhere in the Big Ten, UCLA and Rutgers made some serious noise with victories in Week 11, while a couple of teams enjoyed a week off. They’ll be back on the horse in Week 12, while teams like Washington, Maryland and Purdue will be hoping to bounce back with a win.