Big Ten Power Rankings updated after Week 12 of college football

On3 has updated their Big Ten Power Rankings following some tremendous action during Week 12 of the college football season.

Michigan amassed win No. 1000 with a victory over Maryland, a game that was much closer than many expected. Ohio State also kept their undefeated season rolling, sending Minnesota out of Columbus with a 37-3 loss.

Elsewhere, Iowa and Penn State both moved to 9-2, continuing their impressive seasons. Nevertheless, we’re full speed ahead towards The Game. Here’s where On3 has each squad at the moment, following their performances in Week 12.

1) Michigan Wolverines (11-0)

Michigan had more trouble with Maryland than some expected, but the Wolverines still secured a 31-24 victory over the weekend. Blake Corum was the star for the Wolverines, amassing 94 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries.

The season will come down to Week 13 for Michigan, as everyone expected. Ohio State is coming to town, and it’s the biggest game of the college football season bar none. Let’s ride.

2) Ohio State Buckeyes (11-0)

Ohio State continued their winning ways, not slipping up before their showdown with Michigan. The Golden Gophers were simply no match for the Buckeyes in Week 12.

Kyle McCord threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns against Minnesota. He’ll have to be everything and more for the Buckeyes if their to beat the Wolverines in The Game.

3) Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2)

It wasn’t pretty throughout, but Penn State moved to 9-2 on the season with their win over Rutgers in Week 12. The Nittany Lions just seem to have the Scarlet Knights’ number, and that continued again in 2023.

Penn State will be hoping to end their season with double-digit wins, as a Black Friday present. They’ll face Michigan State at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan in Week 13, a game that had much more juice before the start of the season.

4) Iowa Hawkeyes (9-2)

Despite all the drama, Iowa simply keeps winning. The Hawkeyes do it close, but they get it done, as they defeated Illinois by two points for their ninth win of the season in Week 12.

Kirk Ferentz and company have a tremendous chance to amass double-digit wins in 2023. They’ll face Nebraska on the road in Week 13, a game they’ll actually enter as underdogs, somewhat surprisingly.

5) Northwestern Wildcats (6-5) (+3)

Even the most optimistic Northwestern fans didn’t expect a bowl game in 2023. What David Braun has done for the Wildcats has been magnificent, and that was personified in Week 12.

Northwestern welcomed Purdue to town, and beat the Boilermakers by 8, en route to clinching their bowl game berth. The Wildcats will look for the seventh win of the season, as they venture to the road against Illinois in Week 13.

6) Wisconsin Badgers (6-5) (+3)

Wisconsin finally clinched their bowl eligibility. It came by the way of a thriller in Madison, as the Badgers needed overtime to send Nebraska home with a loss by seven.

Braelon Allen scored the game-winner for the Badgers, securing at least a .500 season for Wisconsin. The Badgers will look for their seventh win of the season on Saturday, as they’ll face Minnesota in Week 13.

7) Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-5) (-2)

Since clinching a berth in a bowl game, Rutgers hasn’t been able to put it all together. The Scarlet Knights fell to Penn State in Week 12, a game where their defense did enough, but their offense couldn’t get it done.

That’s been the story far too many times for Rutgers. Nevertheless, they’ll be pining for their seventh win of the season against Maryland in Week 13, back in Piscataway.

8) Illinois Fighting Illini (5-6) (-2)

Illinois made it interesting, but they weren’t able to upset Iowa on the road. The two-point loss will sting, as it’s simply been one of those seasons for the Fighting Illini in 2023.

Still, Illinois could clinch a bowl game with a victory in Week 13. They’ll welcome Northwestern to town, a game that’ll be much more interesting than many expected a couple of months ago.

9) Maryland Terrapins (6-5) (-2)

The Terrapins fell to Michigan in a tough showdown, as their final home game of the season came down to seven points. It would’ve been a massive boon for Maryland, but they weren’t able to get the job done.

Both Rutgers and Maryland want their seventh win, after what’s been a tough second half of the season. One of them will get it in Week 13, in what’s sure to be an absolute battle of a showdown.

10) Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-6)

Nebraska wants to make a bowl in Matt Rhule’s first season, and they had an opportunity to clinch in Week 12. However, Wisconsin took care of business, and defeated the Cornhuskers in overtime.

It’ll come down to a showdown against Iowa in Week 13. Nebraska is home, and the fans will show out, but will it be enough? Time will tell.

11) Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-6) (+1)

Speaking of wanting to clinch their eligibility for a bowl game, Minnesota finds itself in a similar position as Nebraska. With five wins on the season, they need a victory in Week 13.

They’ll welcome Wisconsin to town, who’s fresh off clinching theirs. The Badgers are no easy task, and they’re favored at the moment. We’ll see if the Golden Gophers can pull the upset.

12) Michigan State Spartans (4-7) (+2)

Michigan State needed some good vibes during a lost season. They got them on the road in Week 12, with a win over Indiana by three points.

Quarterback Katin Houser passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns in the win. He’ll be hoping to keep it going in Week 13 against Penn State.

13) Purdue Boilermakers (3-8) (-2)

It’s been a miserable season for Purdue, and that continued against Northwestern in Week 12. The Boilermakers are 3-8 now, but they have a shot to finish their season strong.

Indiana comes to town in Week 13, and they’re also 3-8 on the season. Somebody has to win this game. Why’s shouldn’t it be the Boilermakers?

14) Indiana Hoosiers (3-8) (-1)

Speaking of Purdue versus Indiana, the Hoosiers have been inconsistent throughout the 2023 season, but they’re hoping their offense comes through in Week 13. A victory over the Boilermakers would be a boon for Indiana.

Quarterback Brendan Sorsby has been solid for Indiana, and he’ll be looking to continue that play. We’ll see if it’s enough for a Hooisers win to end their campaign.

Alas, the Big Ten will be focused on The Game in Week 13, but there’s plenty of implications throughout the conference this weekend. We’ll see how the final week of the season shakes out for the conference.

On3’s Steve Samra contributed to this article