Big Ten Power Rankings updated after Week 13 of college football

The latest Big Ten Power Rankings from On3, utilizing the On3 Massey Ratings, are in after Week 13 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 13, and ahead of what should be an awesome finale for the regular season in Week 14.

1. Oregon (11-0)

Oregon enjoyed a week off in Week 13. At 11-0 and the top-ranked team in the nation, they have all of their goals in front of them, controlling their own destiny in 2024.

The Ducks return to action in Week 14 against Washington. The Huskies have been their bugaboo over Dan Lanning’s tenure in Eugene, but this is far from the same purple and gold squad they’re used to playing against since Kalen DeBoer left for Tuscaloosa.

2. Ohio State (10-1)

Ohio State welcomed undefeated Indiana to Columbus, where they delivered the Hoosiers their first loss. Curt Cignetti’s team put up a solid fight in the first half, but the Buckeyes were able to get the job done and stifle their opponent in the second half.

Ryan Day’s team can cap off an almost-perfect regular season in a big way in Week 14. The Michigan Wolverines are coming to town, and while The Game doesn’t have as much juice as it’s had in past seasons, a win would be huge for the Buckeyes and their confidence.

3. Penn State (10-1)

Penn State survived an unmitigated disaster against Minnesota. The Golden Gophers had visions of an upset on their mind, but the Nittany Lions did just enough in the end to get the win on the road.

They’ll finish out their season back in Happy Valley, with Maryland coming to town. While nothing is official until the College Football Playoff Selection Committee puts it in stone, James Franklin’s team can basically clinch their spot in the 12-team Playoff with a win.

4. Indiana (10-1)

Indiana’s dream of an undefeated season died in Columbus over the weekend. The Hoosiers got off to a 7-0 start, but Ohio State shaped up after that, leading to a 23-point win for the Buckeyes.

They’ll have one final game to make their case to the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. Thankfully, it comes against 1-10 Purdue, a team the Hoosiers should have zero trouble with as they look to help their resume.

5. Michigan (6-5)

Michigan looked like the Wolverines of old in Week 13. They took care of Northwestern and then some, defeating the Wildcats by 44 points, putting up a 50-burger in the process.

Sherrone Moore has had an uneven first year on the job, but he can truly solidify himself as a worthy successor to Jim Harbaugh if he wins this weekend against Ohio State. Nothing says Michigan Man like ruining your biggest rival’s national title dreams.

6. USC (6-5)

USC got back on track with a huge win over UCLA in Week 13. It wasn’t pretty, as the final score would indicate, but Lincoln Riley’s team’s 19-13 win over the Bruins is exactly what they needed, as they’re now bowl-eligible.

They can end their season strong in Week 14. The Note Dame Fighting Irish are on the docket, and a loss to USC could knock them out of the College Football Playoff. Just what the doctor ordered for the Trojans.

7. Iowa (7-4)

Iowa hasn’t let some injuries at quarterback derail their season. The Hawkeyes have relied on their rushing attack, and they noticed their seventh win of the season doing so, as they defeated Maryland.

Their regular season will come to an end this weekend against Nebraska. Reaching eight wins would be a nice feather in their cap, and knocking off the Cornhuskers wouldn’t be too shabby, either.

8. Illinois (8-3)

It may have taken a 4th and 13 miracle, but Illinois got the job done in Piscataway. Rutgers called an ill-timed time-out, and the Fighting Illini thought better of kicking a potential game-winning field goal through rip-roaring winds. As you now know, it was the right decision.

At 8-3, it’s been a tremendous season for Illinois. Next up is a trip to Chicago to play Northwestern, where the Fighting Illini will be looking to reach an impressive nine wins.

9. Washington (6-5)

Washington enjoyed a bye week after clinching bowl-eligibility against UCLA in Week 12. Opportunity knocks in Week 14, as they’ll face off against the top-ranked Oregon Ducks.

The Huskies can turn the college football world on its head with a win. It certainly won’t be easy, but it isn’t impossible. A win would go a long way towards convincing the greater Seattle area that Jedd Fisch is the man for the job, as well.

10. Minnesota (6-5)

Minnesota was oh-so-close to an incredible upset in Minneapolis. Instead, the Golden Gophers fell just short of defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions, and likely knocking them out of the College Football Playoff.

P.J. Fleck’s team feels like it’s better than a six-win squad, but back-to-back losses tell a different story. They’ll be hoping to get back on the right track in Week 14, as they’ll face Wisconsin.

Big Ten Power Rankings: Nos. 11-16

11. Wisconsin (5-6)
12. UCLA (4-7)
13. Nebraska (6-5)
14. Rutgers (6-5)
15. Michigan State (5-6)
16. Maryland (4-7)
17. Northwestern (4-7)
18. Purdue (1-10)

As for the rest of the Big Ten, Rutgers suffered by far the most heartbreaking loss, while Maryland and Northwestern found out they won’t be heading to a bowl game in 2024. There’s still hope for Michigan State though, and the Spartans will look to clinch their spot against the Scarlet Knights in Week 14.