Big 10 Power Rankings Entering Week 8

It was one heck of a week in the Big 10, headlined by a Top 3 matchup in Eugene between the Ducks and Buckeyes. In addition to Oregon's primetime stunner, overtime games between Penn State and USC along with Purdue versus Illinois were more than enough for an entertaining weekend. Even some of the conference's mid-tier teams made some noise, with Big 10 West mainstays Wisconsin and Iowa blowing out their respective opponents. It'll be tough for Week 8 to top it, but there's plenty of storylines to follow heading into the weekend.

See Last Week's Rankings Here.

Week 7 Result: Lost 21-17 versus Minnesota

UCLA fell short of snapping its four-game losing streak, yielding a go-ahead touchdown to the Golden Gophers with 27 seconds left in the game. Ethan Garbers returned for the contest and threw three interceptions -- the third came on a hail mary attempt at the end of regulation -- while the team totaled just 36 rushing yards. While the defense held strong and kept Minnesota scoreless until the third quarter, it wasn't enough to pick up the victory, returning the Bruins to the Big 10 basement.

Week 7 Result: Lost in OT 50-49 at Illinois

After getting clobbered last week by Wisconsin, Purdue didn't look much different in the first half of Week 7. The Boilermakers trailed 24-3 at the half but did the unthinkable by scoring 40 second-half points to force overtime. Purdue got a spark from freshman signal caller Ryan Browne, who stepped in for the injured Hudson Card. Brown threw for 297 yards and three scores while adding 118 yards on the ground with zero turnovers. The Boilermakers will face Oregon at home in Week 8 with Browne under center once again..

Week 7 Result: Lost 37-10 versus Northwestern

The Terps dropped to 0-3 in conference play, though this Week's loss is certainly the worst of the three. Maryland accumulated 15 more first downs and 70 more yards of offense but committed three fumbles, an interception and turned it over on downs three times in the second half. Losers of two straight, Maryland will host USC in Week 8

Week 7 Result: Won 37-10 at Maryland

It was a much needed rebound for the Wildcats, who had lost by multiple scores in back-to-back games to start conference play. They forced three fumbles and logged an interception during the second half and turned those opportunities into 17 points. Northwestern still struggled offensively, picking up just 10 first downs and converting on three of 12 third downs. It's definitely a step in the right direction, but they'll likely be tested in Week 8 by a hot Wisconsin squad.

Week 7 Result: Idle

A week off results in no change for Sparty ahead of Week 8. On the backs of a three-game losing streak, Michigan State will host Iowa on Saturday.

Week 7 Result: Lost 42-7 versus Wisconsin

Rutgers cracked the top 10 in the power rankings leading up to Week 6 but a two-game skid in which they've scored a total of 14 points has the Scarlet Knights plummeting. It was complete dominance by the Badgers, running for 309 yards and five touchdowns while keeping Rutgers scoreless until the fourth quarter. During this two-game stretch, Athan Kaliakmanis completed 27-of-69 passes for 289 yards and a 1:3 TD:INT. Until Kaliakmanis shows he can beat defenses over the top, teams will continue to stack the box and stop the run. Rutgers will look to bounce back in Week 8 against UCLA.

Week 7 Result: Lost 40-16 at Iowa

With an opportunity to log back-to-back quality wins, Washington was left speechless by the Hawkeyes. The Huskies started the second half by throwing an interception and turning the ball over on downs three times in a row. During that stretch, the Iowa lead grew from 10 to 30, killing any momentum Washington had built with the Week 6 victory over Michigan. The Huskies will have Week 8 off before a road matchup with the Hoosiers.

Week 7 Result: Won 21-17 at UCLA

Minnesota strung together back-to-back quality performances -- a three-point win over USC and a three-point loss at Michigan -- before stumbling in Week 7. The Golden Gophers were outgained by 95 yards and were gifted 105 penalty yards and three interceptions by the Bruins and yet, it came down to a last second touchdown to put Minnesota ahead. They averaged just 1.7 yards per rush and were kept scoreless until the second half. Minnesota will get Week 8 off before facing Maryland in Week 9.

Week 7 Result: Won 42-7 at Rutgers

It was a statement win for a program that desperately needed one, signifying that the Badgers shouldn't be underestimated. In spite of losing starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to a season-ending injury and starting running back Chez Mellusi stepping away from the team, Wisconsin's offense is clicking. In fact, it might just be the first time they've showcased the blend of Longo's air raid and Wisconsin's ground-and-pound philosophies. Back-to-back dominant wins have the Badgers trending up, but it's hard to forget their slow start to 2024. A road matchup with Northwestern looms in Week 8.

Week 7 Result: Won 40-16 versus Washington

The Hawkeyes were outmatched by Ohio State in Week 6 but it was Iowa's turn to do the stomping in Week 7. They outscored Washington 20-6 in the second half and led by as much as 30 before settling into the 24-poitn win. Cade McNamara completed eight of his 14 attempts for 108 and two touchdowns, marking his first passing touchdown since Week 1. Iowa looks like a completely different team when the offense is clicking, and they'll look to keep clicking in Week 8 at Michigan State.

Week 7 Result: Lost 33-30 in OT versus Penn State

USC has lost three of its last four games, falling in heartbreaking fashion to the Nittany Lions in overtime. Miller Moss and the Trojan offense had a chance to win it in regulation, but they could get only four plays off in the final two minutes before Moss threw an interception in Penn State territory. It was another missed opportunity in OT, throwing a pair of incomplete passes and logging a negative three-yard rush before Michael Lantz missed a 45-yard field goal. USC led 20-6 at halftime but yielded scores on four of Penn State's first five drives of the second half. Despite their .500 record, I believe in the Trojans, and they could finish conference play on a win streak, with games against Maryland, Rutgers, Washington, Nebraska and UCLA to close out its first Big 10 season.

Week 7 Result: Idle

They may not have played in Week 7, but the Wolverines were one of the Big 10's biggest movers in the rankings. USC and Washington each suffered losses and Minnesota barely took down UCLA, resulting in a three-spot shift for Michigan. I still have doubts about the Wolverines, and they'll have an opportunity to prove me wrong by defeating Illinois in Champaign during Week 8.

Week 7 Result: Won 50-49 in OT versus Purdue

Whew. The Illini were part of arguably the wildest game of the week, squandering a 27-3 lead before squeaking past Purdue in overtime after stopping a would-be game-winning two-point conversion. Illinois' defense surrendered two touchdowns in the final two minutes of regulation, and gave up 40 points in the second half alone as replacement QB Ryan Browne sparked the Purdue offense. Still, it was another masterful performance from Luke Altmyer and the Illini came away with the win, which is enough to keep them at six. They have a home game against Michigan in Week 8.

Week 7 Result: Idle

The Cornhuskers got the week off after an ugly win over Rutgers in Week 6, and they'll come out of the bye facing ranked opponents in back-to-back weeks. They travel to Indiana in Week 8 to play the Hoosiers before meeting Ohio State in Columbus.

Week 7 Result: Idle

Now one of three undefeated teams in the Big 10, Indiana will have it's toughest game to date in Week 8, hosting Nebraska. It's an opportunity to prove the Hoosiers belong in the College Football Playoff race after beating down on inferior opponents early in the season.

Week 7 Result: Won 33-30 in OT at USC

A slow start compounded by a pair of Drew Allar interceptions almost buried the Nittany Lions. However, they came out of halftime firing, erasing a 14-point deficit with back-to-back touchdown drives. Tyler Warren was unstoppable, catching 17 passes for 224 yards and a score, and he even completed a pass for nine yards. Though it required an extra period, Penn State got the job done and was rewarded with the No. 3 spot in this week's AP Poll. After a bye in Week 8, Penn State travels to Wisconsin to face the Badgers.

Week 7 Result: Lost 32-31 at Oregon

Will Howard emulated Dak Prescott on Saturday, and not in a good way. On the edge of field goal range down one point, the Kansas State transfer scrambled out of the pocked and slid down as time expired, ending the game and stranding the Buckeyes with one timeout available. Still, I'm not willing to drop the Buckeyes any further than two, and I firmly believe they are a top three team in the nation. They'll have Week 8 off before hosting Nebraska in Week 9.

Week 7 Result: Won 32-31 versus Ohio State

This Top 3 matchup did not disappoint, delivering four lead changes in the second half, including a go-ahead field goal by Atticus Sappington with 1:47 left in the game. Dillon Gabriel was exceptional, totaling 373 yards from scrimmage with three total touchdowns, cementing himself in the Heisman conversation. The Ducks defense got the job done without standout edge rusher Jordan Burch, who missed the contest with a knee injury. Now the No. 2 team in the country, Oregon will be at Purdue in Week 8.