The Big Ten power rankings will be published weekly throughout the regular season using a mix of data-driven insight and unapologetic subjectivity. With 18 teams, nine conference games and wild variations in the quality of non-conference schedules, comparative analysis is an inherently flawed approach. Which is fine, because the Hotline hasn’t been wrong about anything in at least 90 minutes.
(Last week’s rankings are here.)
All times Pacific
1. Ohio State (11-0/8-0)
Result: beat Rutgers 42-9
Next up: at Michigan (9 a.m. on Fox)
Comment: The opinion expressed here with Oregon last year holds for the Buckeyes today: Remove the emotion of the Michigan rivalry, and they are better off losing, not making the Big Ten title game and hosting a CFP game. The three-and-a-half week layoff for the top-four seeds should be avoided at all costs. (Previous: 1)
2. Indiana (11-0/8-0)
Result: did not play
Next up: at Purdue (Friday at 4:30 p.m. on NBC)
Comment: Combined overall record of the last six teams on Indiana’s schedule: 21-45. Combined conference record of the last six teams on Indiana’s schedule: 8-40. (Insert sigh emoji followed by vomit emoji.) (Previous: 2)
3. Oregon (10-1/7-1)
Result: beat USC 42-27
Next up: at Washington (12:30 p.m. on CBS)
Comment: The formula for an optimal outcome is simple: beat Washington, root for Ohio State, don’t make the trip to Indianapolis and get ready for a home playoff game. (Previous: 3)
4. USC (8-3/6-2)
Result: lost at Oregon 42-27
Next up: vs. UCLA (4:30 p.m. on NBC)
Comment: “I know exactly what Lincoln Riley means when he says USC was ‘right there,’” Sisyphus said, maybe. (Previous: 4)
5. Michigan (9-2/7-1)
Result: won at Maryland 45-20
Next up: vs. Ohio State (9 a.m. on Fox)
Comment: Pretty clear the only way for the Big Ten to collect four CFP bids would be for both Oregon and Michigan to win. And if both lose, a two-bid endgame is likely, if not guaranteed. (Previous: 5)
6. Washington (8-3/5-3)
Result: won at UCLA 48-14
Next up: vs. Oregon (12:30 p.m. on CBS)
Comment: The Hotline spotted a slew of complaints on social media about UW not appearing in the latest AP poll. Speaking only for myself, here’s the issue: The Huskies are 0-2 against ranked opponents (Ohio State and Michigan); they have a terrible loss (Wisconsin); and they have one victory over a team with a winning record (Illinois). All in all, that’s a pretty mid resume, as the kids say. (Previous: 7)
7. Iowa (7-4/5-3)
Result: beat Michigan State 20-17
Next up: at Nebraska (Friday at 9 a.m. on CBS)
Comment: An Iowa victory would help Oregon; a Nebraska win would help Michigan. Oh, the drama. (Previous: 6)
8. Nebraska (7-4/4-4)
Result: lost at Penn State 37-10
Next up: vs. Iowa (Friday at 9 a.m. on CBS)
Comment: On the bright side, at least the Cornhuskers signed Matt Rhule to a contract extension to prevent him from leaving for Penn State. Err … (Previous: 8)
9. Northwestern (6-5/4-4)
Result: beat Minnesota 38-35
Next up: at Illinois (4:30 p.m. on Fox)
Comment: That’s three wins by three points or less for the Wildcats, whose latest escape came courtesy of a field goal with 53 seconds remaining. (Previous: 11)
10. Minnesota (6-5/4-4)
Result: lost at Northwestern 38-35
Next up: vs. Wisconsin (12:30 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: So much for the Gophers always beating the teams that are on their talent tier. (Previous: 10)
11. Illinois (7-4/4-4)
Result: lost at Wisconsin 27-10
Next up: vs. Northwestern (4:30 p.m. on Fox)
Comment: We considered dropping the Illini onto the bottom third after that terrible loss to Wisconsin, but the situation is so dreadful below No. 12 that we couldn’t go through with it. (Previous: 9)
12. UCLA (3-8/3-5)
Result: lost to Washington 48-14
Next up: at USC (4:30 p.m. on NBC)
Comment: Remember when social media was buzzing over the Bruins, their wise interim head coach who deserved the permanent job and their hot young playcaller? Feels like an eternity ago. (Previous: 12)
13. Penn State (5-6/2-6)
Result: beat Nebraska 37-10
Next up: at Rutgers (12:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network)
Comment: From 3-6 to bowl-eligibility in one month — all things considered, that would be a solid accomplishment, even for a program as storied as Penn State. (Previous: 14)
14. Wisconsin (4-7/2-6)
Result: beat Illinois 27-10
Next up: at Minnesota (12:30 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: Strange but true: The point total against Illinois equaled Wisconsin’s output from the previous five games combined. (Previous: 17)
15. Rutgers (5-6/2-6)
Result: lost at Ohio State 42-9
Next up: vs. Penn State (12:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network)
Comment: Had the Scarlet Knights held that fourth-quarter lead at Minnesota in late September, they would be bowl-eligible instead of facing elimination against the Nittany Lions. (Previous: 13)
16. Maryland (4-7/1-7)
Result: lost to Michigan 45-20
Next up: at Michigan State (4 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: Remember when the Terps were 4-0 and looked like a fringe contender? Seven consecutive losses later, they look like a true bottom feeder. (Previous: 15)
17. Michigan State (3-8/0-8)
Result: lost at Iowa 20-17
Next up: vs. Maryland (4 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: Enough Power Four schools are retaining their coaches that maybe the Spartans will decide to dismiss Jonathan Smith and plunge into the market. (Previous: 16)
18. Purdue (2-9/0-8)
Result: did not play
Next up: vs. Indiana (Friday at 4:30 p.m. on NBC)
Comment: Never say never in rivalry games, except in this case. (Previous: 18)
*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to wilnerhotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716
*** Follow me on the social media platform X: @WilnerHotline