Even if you don't pay much attention to college football, it was pretty obvious Week 14 was Rivalry Week. Fights broke out on football fields across the country, with teams taking actions with the intent to agitate before, during and after games. The Big 10 is home to several of the game's biggest rivalries, so it's no surprise to see the conference at the forefront of these conflicts. On Friday night, Iowa security guards kept Nebraska players from praying on the Hawkeyes logo and the Cornhuskers retaliated by refusing to shake hands at the coin toss. Michigan and Ohio State took it to another level, with the Wolverines planting a flag at midfield in Columbus, sparking an all-out brawl. Police officers were forced to use pepper spray on the players to break up the scrum. In spite of the fights, the Big 10 Conference regular season came to a close, and Ohio State's loss opened up a spot for Penn State to face Oregon in next week's Big 10 Championship Game.
Week 14 Result Lost 66-0 at Indiana
There is not a positive spin for this one. Purdue went winless in conference play and lost their final 11 games. Head coach Ryan Walters was fired following the loss, ending his two-year stint in West Lafayette. With several players in the Boilermakers' 2025 recruiting class already revoking their verbal commitment, Purdue has plenty of work to do in the offseason.
Week 14 Result: Lost 38-28 vs Illinois
Northwestern didn't score an offensive touchdown until there were less than two minutes left in the third quarter. Yet, they found themselves within one score of the Fighting Illini in the fourth quarter before falling apart. Four of the Wildcats' final five drives ended in a turnover: two interceptions, a fumble and a turnover on downs. The Wildcats went 2-7 in conference play, with their only two wins coming over Purdue and Maryland.
Week 14 Result: Lost 44-7 at Penn State
Maryland got an injection of energy early in the first quarter, recovering a fumble and scoring a touchdown on back-to-back plays to take a 7-0 lead. They couldn't build on the momentum, allowing 44 straight points and taking the loss. The Terps finish the regular season with a 1-8 conference record.
Week 14 Result: Lost 41-14 vs Rutgers
Year 1 of the Jonathan Smith era was largely a disappointment. Michigan State lost seven of its final nine games and only had one quality win, beating Iowa 32-20 at home. Sparty fell one game shy of bowl eligibility but Saturday's blowout loss to Rutgers in East Lansing certainly left a sour taste in the mouths of Spartans fans. Aidan Chiles went 13-for-23 for 150 yards and a touchdown. However, Rutgers dominated on the ground, accumulating 218 rushing yards and three scores.
Week 14 Result: Lost 24-7 vs Minnesota
A 22-year bowl streak. The first losing season since 2001. A five game losing streak. These things were on the line when Wisconsin welcomed Minnesota to Madison in Week 14. The Badgers failed to keep their various streaks alive, being dominated by the Gophers in a wire-to-wire loss. Wisconsin mustered up just 167 yards of offense and gave up 183 yards on the ground. With plenty of question marks -- perhaps exclamation points -- swirling around Wisconsin's program, this offseason should include plenty of changes.
Week 14 Result: Won 20-13 vs Fresno State
UCLA didn't score its first touchdown until the third quarter, notching just a pair of field goals in the first half. However, they went 2-for-3 in the redzone during the second half and pulled away from Fresno State. UCLA's 5-7 record isn't going to catch any eyes, but the Bruins had an exceptionally difficult schedule. They faced off against the Big 10's top three teams (Oregon, Penn State, Indiana) and went 5-4 against unranked opponents.
Week 14 Result: Lost 13-10 at Iowa
Looking at the box score, it's tough to believe Nebraska lost this game. They notched 15 more first downs, had an 18-minute advantage in time of possession and gained twice as many yards as Iowa. It was turnovers that did the Cornhuskers in, losing a pair of fumbles in the second half that led to a pair of Iowa field goals. Nebraska was outscored 13-0 in the second half. Even with the frustrating loss, it's been a strong season for the Huskers, who became bowl eligible for the first time since 2016.
Week 14 Result: Won 41-14 at Michigan State
The Scarlet Knights' rollercoaster season ended on a high note, thumping Michigan State on the road. Kyle Monangai rushed 31 times for 129 yards and Rutgers came away with points on eight of its 10 drives. The team rebounded from a midseason four-game skid to win three of its final four games. Rutgers has won seven games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since joining the Big 10 back in 2014.
Week 14 Result: Lost 49-21 at Oregon
Washington was dominated in the trenches, allowing 10 sacks and five rushing touchdowns during the blowout loss. While they couldn't pull off a rivalry-week upset, it's been a quality first season in the Big 10 for the Huskies. They'll finish the regular season 4-5 in conference play, with three of those losses coming during road games against Indiana, Penn State and Oregon, respectively. True freshman Demond Williams drew the start against the Ducks, and completed 17 of his 20 attempts, providing another glimpse into the future of Washington football.
Week 14 Result: Lost 49-35 vs Notre Dame
This game was a lot closer than the final score would indicate. Jayden Maiava had the Trojans at the Notre Dame 21 yard line down by seven points with four minutes to play. He then threw two pick-sixes, ruining an otherwise stellar game from the sophomore quarterback. USC finishes their first season in the Big 10 with a 4-5 conference record and will look to finish the season above .500 with a Bowl Game victory.
Week 14 Result: Won 24-7 at Wisconsin
Minnesota took home Paul Bunyan's Axe for the third time in four years and evened up the historical series against Wisconsin. The Golden Gophers played stifling defense and dominated in the trenches, keeping the Badgers scoreless until the third quarter while opening a 21-point lead. Minnesota is bowl eligible for a fourth consecutive season and finished above .500 in conference play for the third time in four years.
Week 14 Result: Won 13-10 vs Nebraska
Putting aside the pregame antics, it was a classic Iowa game. The Hawkeyes went plus-two in the turnover margin and found a way to pull out a victory despite tallying just 164 yards of offense. Iowa turned the pair of Nebraska turnovers into six points, helping spur a second-half comeback after entering halftime down 10-0. Iowa faced only one ranked opponent (Ohio State) in 2024, but they'll finish sixth in the Big 10 after going 6-3 in conference play.
Week 14 Result: Won 13-10 at Ohio State
Michigan waltzed into Columbus as 20-point underdogs and shocked the Buckeyes in front of a home crowd, winning a fourth straight game in the historic rivalry. The Wolverines stuck to their identity, controlling the line of scrimmage and playing suffocating defense. Kalel Mullings ran 32 times for 116 yards while the pairing of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson combined for 22 rushes and 67 rushing yards. Davis Warren threw a pair of interceptions -- both in the redzone -- but the defense didn't allow a point off the turnovers and forced a pair of turnovers themselves. Considering the spotty quarterback play, a 7-5 record and a win in The Game should suffice in Sherrone Moore's first season.
Week 14 Result: Won 38-28 at Northwestern
Luke Altmyer didn't have a good game. However, the Fighting Illini running game picked up the slack, combining for 215 yards and four scores. Aidan Laughery led the way, compiling 172 yards and three touchdowns on just 12 carries. Illinois offset Altmyer's pair of interceptions with four forced turnovers in order to clinch its first nine-win season since 2006. While they'll likely be on the outside of the College Football Playoff, Illinois should be part of a pristine bowl game.
Week 14 Result: Won 66-0 vs Purdue
The Hoosiers were out for revenge after dropping by multiple scores to Ohio State in Week 13. They took their frustration out on the lowly Boilermakers, routing their in-state rival. Kurtis Rourke threw for six touchdown passes and linked up with wide receiver Elijah Sarratt for 165 yards and two scores. Though the Hoosiers will narrowly miss out on the Big 10 Championship Game, they're expected to participate in College Football's first 12-team playoff.
Week 14 Result: Lost 13-10 vs Michigan
In an absolute stunner, the Buckeyes squandered their spot in the Big 10 Championship Game and lost a fourth straight contest against the Wolverines. The Buckeyes went scoreless in the second half and left some points on the field as Jayden Fielding missed a pair of field goals. Even with the loss, Ohio State should be penciled in to the College Football Playoff, but Ryan Day might have moved into the hot seat.
Week 14 Result: Won 44-7 vs Maryland
Penn State took care of business Saturday and then got some help from Michigan to land a spot in the Big 10 Championship. Nicholas Singleton fumbled on the Nittany Lions' first offensive play of the game, which set up a Maryland touchdown. Penn State blanked the Terps afterward, scoring 44 straight to nab its 11th win.
Week 14 Result: won 49-21 vs Washington
Oregon finishes the regular season as the only undefeated team in the FBS, clinching a berth in the Big 10 Title Game against Penn State. Oregon cruised to a 28-point win over the Huskies. The Ducks combined to run for 226 yards and five scores during the victory and logged a program record with 10 sacks.