ESPN ranks Big Ten Football teams from first to last ahead of Week 7

Through the first six weeks of the 2025 season, the Big Ten race has taken multiple turns. But a clear top two teams are starting to emerge, according to ESPN’s FPI.

ESPN ranked every Big Ten football team from first to last ahead of Week 7, using the FPI to do so. Ohio State and Oregon came in not only as the top two teams in the league, but atop the national rankings, as well.

In fact, the Big Ten has three of the top four teams in the country, according to ESPN’s FPI. Here is a look at the full conference rankings, from first to last.

1. Ohio State

The No. 1 team in the country, according to ESPN’s FPI, Ohio State is in the midst of an impressive start to the 2025 season. The Buckeyes are looking to follow up last year’s national championship after multiple roster changes, and they’ve looked the part so far.

Julian Sayin has been impressive through his first season as starter, throwing for 1,313 yards and 13 touchdowns to three interceptions. Of course, top target Jeremiah Smith is also putting together a strong sophomore campaign, leading the Big Ten with 35 receptions and six receiving touchdowns while totaling 463 yards.

2. Oregon

ESPN’s No. 2 team in the country, Oregon sits behind only Ohio State in the rankings. The Ducks also saw roster turnover, but haven’t missed a beat as part of a strong start to the 2025 season.

Dante Moore is off to a monster start at quarterback, completing 74.6% of his passes for 1,210 yards and 14 touchdowns to just one interception. Oregon has a marquee win over Penn State in a White Out atmosphere and has another high-profile game this week against Indiana at Autzen Stadium.

3. Indiana

Last year’s surprise team, Indiana hasn’t missed a beat in 2025. The Hoosiers are a perfect 5-0, including a grind-it-out win over Iowa last time out at Kinnick Stadium.

New quarterback Fernando Mendoza has become one of the top players at the position after transferring from Cal, living up to the expectations. He has completed 73% of his passes for 1,208 yards and 16 touchdowns, to one interception, to make a strong impression early on in Bloomington.

4. USC

One of college football’s top offenses to start the year, USC rounds out the Top 10 nationally in ESPN’s FPI. That then puts the Trojans at No. 4 in the Big Ten football rankings.

USC enters Week 7 ranked second in the nation in total offense, averaging 565 yards per game, while ranking third with 48.4 points on average, as well. Jayden Maiava is leading the charge, throwing for 1,587 yards and 11 touchdowns, to one interception, and his 317.4 yards per game is second in the nation.

5. Michigan

Two spots behind USC nationally, Michigan sits at No. 5 in the Big Ten rankings. That adds to the stakes of this week’s primetime matchup at the Coliseum between the two teams.

Bryce Underwood continues to impress at quarterback during his freshman season. Through five games, he has thrown for 1,003 yards and three touchdowns while adding 181 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

6. Penn State

There’s a big of separation between the No. 5 and No. 6 teams in ESPN’s Big Ten football rankings. Penn State checks in at No. 6, but is seven spots behind Michigan in the national rankings.

The Nittany Lions are currently working to pick up the pieces after back-to-back losses – the first such occurrence since 2021. Last time out, Penn State fell to previously winless UCLA, meaning this week’s game against Northwestern will serve as a bounce-back opportunity.

7. Nebraska

At No. 7 in ESPN’s Big Ten football rankings, Nebraska has a chance for its fifth win this week when the Huskers head to Maryland. They head to College Park fresh off a resounding win over Michigan State at Memorial Stadium last time out.

The Nebraska defense forced three turnovers to help lead the charge in the 38-27 win. Emmett Johnson had three rushing touchdowns in the effort while Dylan Raiola went 16-of-24 for 194 yards and a touchdown.

8. Washington

Fresh off a huge comeback win over Maryland last week, Washington remains one of the more intriguing teams in the Big Ten. The Huskies are now at No. 8 in ESPN’s conference rankings, as well.

Demond Williams Jr. has been impressive to start the year, completing 73.3% of his passes for 1,226 yards and eight touchdowns, to one interception. UW’s only blemish is a loss to Ohio State and have momentum entering this week’s Friday night game in Piscataway against Rutgers.

9. Illinois

One spot behind Washington in the national rankings, Illinois is at No. 9 in ESPN’s Big Ten rankings. The Fighting Illini are coming off back-to-back wins, including a walk-off victory over USC, as they rebounded from a blowout loss at Indiana.

A big test awaits this week, though. Ohio State makes the trip to Champaign, meaning Illinois will face a tall task to avoid a second conference loss as it goes against the top team in the country.

10. Iowa

Rounding out the Top 10 of ESPN’s Big Ten football rankings, Iowa checks in out of the bye week. The Hawkeyes lost a nail-biter against Indiana in Week 5 and will now get ready to take on Wisconsin in Week 7.

All eyes are on the health of Mark Gronowski, though, after he went down with an injury in the loss to IU. He has thrown for 636 yards and three touchdowns this year while adding 150 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground following his transfer from South Dakota State.

Rest of ESPN’s Big Ten rankings

11. Rutgers
12. Maryland
13. Wisconsin
14. Michigan State
15. Minnesota
16. Northwestern
17. Purdue
18. UCLA

Through the early part of the year, the Big Ten race has gotten especially interesting. With some key games left in October and November, the race to Indianapolis is about to heat up.