Big Ten Power Rankings Entering Week 12
There was some shakeup in the middle tiers of the Big 10 in Week 11, with Rutgers defeating Minnesota and UCLA taking down Iowa. However, with a third of the Big 10 on bye, there wasn't and massive changes. It's nothing but familiar faces at the top and bottom, but with a handful of excellent games coming in the final three weeks, no team should feel secure with its ranking.
Week 11 Result: Lost 45-0 at Ohio State
Purdue forced a punt on its first defensive possession but yielded scores on the Buckeyes' next six drives in addition to a fumble return touchdown. The Boilermakers had multiple chances to avoid the shutout but missed field goals of 21 and 38 yards kept them scoreless for the second time in three games. They've lost eight consecutive games and still have to play Penn State and Indiana before the season concludes.
Week 11 Result: Idle
Despite being one game below .500, the Wildcats stand as the second-worst team in my rankings. That, in part, speaks to their offensive inconsistency but it's more of a compliment to the overall talent level in the Big 10. Northwestern's losses have come to Duke in double overtime, Washington, Wisconsin and Iiowa, all quality teams. Still, they won't have an easy end to the 2024 season, with Ohio State, Michigan and Illinois left on their schedule.
Week 11 Result: Lost 39-18 at Oregon
It would've taken a perfect game for the Terps to defeat Oregon in Euguene. They were nowhere near perfect Saturday. Billy Edwards completed just 50 percent of his pass attempts and committed three turnovers, while the team mustered up just 83 yards on the ground. Maryland has dropped four of their last five games, but they'll have a chance to bounce back in Week 12 against Rutgers.
Week 11 Result: Idle
The Spartans have lingered around the bottom of the Big 10 throughout the season but there's still been plenty for Michigan State fans to get excited about. Aidan Chiles has shown flashes of excellence and they've got a budding star on the perimeter in freshman Nick Marsh. They'll look to end the season on a high note, with matchups against Illinois, Purdue and Rutgers remaining.
Week 11 Result: Won 26-19 vs Minnesota
It was a revenge game for Athan Kaliakmanis, and he seemed to be playing with an extra edge against his former team. He threw for three touchdowns for the first time since Week 2`and threw for more than 230 yards for a third straight game. The Scarlet Knights were without Kyle Monangai, making the victory all the more impressive. They snapped a four-game losing streak and will look to finish the season strong with Maryland, Illinois and Michigan State left on their schedule.
Week 11 Result: Idle
Nebraska's bye week comes at an opportune time, as Matt Rhule's Huskers have endured a three-game losing streak. They won't have any easy games down the stretch, facing USC and Iowa on the road with a home game against Wisconsin scheduled in between.
Week 11 Result: Lost 35-6 at Penn State
Washington made a quarterback change after entering halftime down 28-0, turning to true freshman Demond Williams. Williams didn't do anything exceptional, but he made a stagnant offense move, which is something to note moving forward. Will Rogers is expected to remain the Huskies starting quarterback, though it's possible he'll have a shorter leash. Now 3-4 in conference play, Washington will face UCLA in Week 12.
Week 11 Result: Idle
Even with a few upsets occurring in the back half of the Big 10, Wisconsin didn't move in the Week 12 Power Rankings. They'll face Oregon at Camp Randall in Week 12, though a 42-10 loss to Iowa in Week 10 may have hurt their hopes of an upset.
Week 11 Result: Idle
Already below .500, the Trojans won't have an easy time ending the 2024 season with a winning record. They'll face Nebraska in Week 12 before playing at UCLA in Week 13 and vs Notre Dame in Week 14.
Week 11 Result: Won 20-17 vs Iowa
It wasn't always pretty -- Chase Garbers' three turnovers stand out in that sense -- but it was a quality win for the Bruins, who've quietly won three straight games. They shut down Kaleb Johnson, a task few have been capable of completing this season, and held Iowa to just 80 yards on the ground. UCLA dominated in the trenches, rushing for 211 yards and notching three sacks while keeping Garbers upright. Now through the toughest part of their schedule UCLA will look to keep rolling, and they'll match up with Washington in Week 12.
Week 11 Result: Lost 20-17 at UCLA
Iowa is almost out of quarterbacks. Already down Cade McNamara, Brendan Sullivan sustained a sprained ankle in the third quarter, forcing Jackson Stratton -- listed fourth on the depth chart when the season started -- into the game. Stratton was under center for two drives, leading a 13-play drive that culminated in a game-tying touchdown before going three-and-out. It was an ugly game by both sides, with six total turnovers commited. While it's undoubtedly a bad loss, it was good timing for the Hawkeyes to drop a game, as Minnesota and Washington also took losses, resulting in just a one-spot drop for Iowa. They're on bye in Week 12.
Week 11 Result: Lost 26-19 at Rutgers
Just when Minnesota looked to be establishing itself as a high-tier Big 10 team, they faltered against a Kyle Monangai-less Rutgers team that had lost four straight games. A fumble inside their own ten and a safety on back-to-back possessions in the fourth quarter put Minnesota in a scramble, as they resulted in nine points for Rutgers. With the loss, Minnesota drops to sixth in the Big 10, and they'll have a bye in Week 12 before facing Penn State in Minneapolis.
Week 11 Result: Lost 20-15 at Indiana
Losers in three of their last four, Michigan had a chance to right the ship in Week 11. They took Indiana down to the wire and were within one point with less than 10 minutes to play. The Wolverines had plenty of chances to win but settled for field goals in two of their three goal-to-go opportunities. Davis Warren has been solid since being named the starter in Week 9, totaling 425 passing yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers across three games. After a bye in Week 12, Michigan will welcom Northwestern to Ann Arbor.
Week 11 Result: Idle
Illinois benefitted from Minnesota's loss to Rutgers, leapfrogging the Golden Gophers to reclaim a spot in the Top 5. After an exceptional start to the season, the Fighting Illini have lost back-to-back games. They'll have a home game against Michigan State in Week 12.
Week 11 Result: Won 35-6 vs Washington
After touching the ball just seven times in the Week 10 loss to Ohio State, Tyler Warren was featured in Penn State's offensive attack. The tight end caught eight passes, ran the ball three times and attempted two passes during the lopsided victory over Washington. The Nittany Lions surged to a 28-0 halftime lead and didn't yield a touchdown. Despite the defeat to the Buckeyes, Penn State has a serious chance to finish the year 11-1, with matchups at Purdue, at Minnesota and vs Maryland remaining.
Week 11 Result: Won 20-15 vs Michigan
No matter how impressive the Hoosiers have looked this season, it's difficult to evaluate any team until you see them respond to adversity and play under pressure. They were put under pressure by the Wolverines in Week 11, with a Kalel Mullings rushing touchdown making it a two-point game in the fourth quarter. The Hoosiers answered the Michigan score with a field goal and wound up taking the victory. Now ranked fifth in the AP Top 25, Indiana has a bye in Week 12 before making the trek to Columbus in Week 13 to face the Buckeyes.
Week 11 Result: Won 45-0 vs Purdue
Ohio State's last three games have been decided by a total of 12 points. Saturday's contest snapped the streak of tight games, with the Buckeyes cruising to their second shutout victory of the campaign. They'll travel to Northwestern in Week 12, where they'll likely be massive favorites once again.
Week 11 Result: Won 39-18 vs Maryland
Dillon Gabriel made history in Week 11, throwing a touchdown pass in the third quarter to an offensive lineman. The score was Gabriel's 179th career touchdown, surpassing Case Keenum for the most total touchdowns in FBS history. In addition to Gabriel's accomplishment, the Ducks improved to 10-10 without breaking a sweat. Just two games away from a perfect regular season, Oregon will visit Wisconsin in Week 12 before closing out the season in Week 14 versus Washington.