Big Ten Power Rankings updated after Week 12 of college football

The latest Big Ten Power Rankings from On3, utilizing the On3 Massey Ratings, are in after Week 12 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 litany 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 12, and ahead of what should be an awesome Week 13.

1. Oregon (10-0)

Oregon survived a potential disaster on Saturday evening in Eugene. The Ducks were given all they could handle by the Wisconsin Badgers, but Dan Lanning’s team sent them back to Madison with a three-point loss.

As their championship hopes continue to grow, Oregon will have a slight reprieve in Week 13. The Ducks will enjoy a well-timed week off, while their biggest competitors face some stiff competition.

2. Ohio State (9-1)

Ohio State got off to a slow start inside Wrigley Field, but the Buckeyes were able to get the job done against Northwestern. The Wildcats couldn’t stop Chicago native Carnell Tate, and his two touchdowns elevated Ryan Day’s bunch to another victory.

Looking ahead to Week 13, Ohio State will face an undefeated Indiana team looking to prove they’re for real. It should be an awesome one, getting started at Noon ET inside Ohio Stadium for the Buckeyes.

3. Penn State (9-1)

Penn State was never really threatened on Saturday against Purdue. The Nittany Lions dismantled the Boilermakers throughout the evening, as Tyler Warren continued his Heisman campaign in West Lafayette.

Moving forward, Penn State will be looking to keep their foot on the gas in Week 13. The Nittany Lions are on the road in Minneapolis, as they’ll take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

4. Indiana (10-0)

Indiana enjoyed a nice week off after beating Michigan in Week 11. They’ve been a point of contention for many college football fans, due to their high ranking in the College Football Playoff, but their record speaks for itself.

They can certainly silence their critics with a win in Week 13. The Hoosiers will travel to take on the 9-1 Ohio State Buckeyes, and the energy will be through the roof for the conference clash.

5. Michigan (5-5)

Michigan fans are hoping their bye week in Week 12 is enough to refocus their team for a nice little run over the final weeks of the season. The reigning champions of the college football world have been disappointing, sitting at 5-5 at the moment.

A winnable game is on the docket for Michigan in Week 13. They’re back at home in Ann Arbor, and Northwestern will oppose them at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon.

6. USC (5-5)

USC came through with a big win in Week 12. The Trojans showed up for their home crowd, sending Nebraska back to Lincoln with an eight-point loss on their resume.

A familiar foe stands in the Trojans’ way in Week 13. With a chance to clinch bowl-eligibility on the line, they’ll travel to face the UCLA Bruins at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

7. Iowa (6-4)

Iowa was off this weekend, enjoying a bye week in Week 12. The Hawkeyes are already bowl-eligible, and they’ll be looking to pad their resume over the next couple of weeks.

They’ll be looking to notch their seventh win of the season in Week 13. Iowa will travel to Maryland to take on the Terrapins this coming weekend, with that game beginning at Noon ET.

8. Wisconsin (5-5)

Wisconsin almost pulled off one of the larger upsets of the season in Week 12. The Badgers gave the top-ranked Oregon Ducks a scare in Eugene, but they came up three points shy of winning against Dan Lanning’s bunch.

Now, Wisconsin must avoid a let-down in Week 13. The Badgers can’t be caught licking their wounds, as they have a trip to Lincoln on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. against a Nebraska team starved for a victory.

9. Illinois (7-3)

Illinois took care of business in Week 12 against Michigan State, to the tune of a 38-16 win. The Fighting Illini moved their record to an impressive 7-3, and they’re hoping to finish strong.

A trip to Piscataway is up next for Illinois. The Fighting Illini have a Rutgers team that’s been playing very well over the past few weeks, so they’ll be looking to avoid a disaster in New Jersey.

10. Washington (6-5)

Washington continued to be one of the more uneven teams in the Big Ten in Week 12, as they put up one of their best performances of the season in Week 12. The Huskies defeated a surging UCLA team on Friday evening by 12 points.

Now, Washington will have a bye week in Week 13, before finishing out their season with a huge matchup against Oregon. A win in that one could change the perception of their campaign in a major way, although they’ll be heavy underdogs.

Big Ten Power Rankings: 11-16

11. Minnesota (6-4)
12. UCLA (4-6)
13. Rutgers (6-4)
14. Nebraska (5-5)
15. Michigan State (4-6)
16. Maryland (4-6)
17. Northwestern (4-6)
18. Purdue (1-9)

Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Rutgers was able to secure a huge win over Maryland on the road, securing bowl-eligibility for the Scarlet Knights. UCLA, Nebraska, Michigan State, Northwestern and Purdue weren’t as fortunate, suffering some serious losses in Week 12. They’ll be looking to bounce-back in Week 13.