Big Ten Football Week 11 Power Rankings: Illinois Falls, Indiana Rises

The Illini's loss to Minnesota, at least for now, puts them back toward the middle of the conference pack

Steven Greenberg | Nov 3, 2024

Nov 2, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) runs with the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images / Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

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We’ve seen the future, and it looks an awful lot like a rematch. Oregon vs. Ohio State, Part II in the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis, anyone?

It’s probably going to happen. Then again, unbeaten Indiana – what a thing in November! – still might have something to say about that. The Hoosiers can’t stop landing heavyweight blows, game after enormously impressive game, and now they’re up to No. 3 on our conference list. Deal with it, Penn State faithful.

For the glory of old IU. pic.twitter.com/Dhj2tXP986
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) November 3, 2024

Red-hot Minnesota has won four in a row. Illinois, a loser of two straight — including Saturday at home against the Gophers — has been humbled. Wisconsin is a mess. UCLA is (kind of?) rising. Nebraska, once so promising, is a shell of its former self.

Let’s take it from the bottom (all times Central):

18. PURDUE (1-7, 0-5)

At least the Boilermakers don’t still have to play Ohio State, Penn State and Indiana. Oh, wait, they do.

Polls: N/A.

Next up: 11 a.m. Saturday at Ohio State (FOX).

17. RUTGERS (4-4, 1-4)

The Scarlet Knights can’t stop the run or pressure opposing passers – a double dose of deficiency for an average-at-best offensive team.

Polls: N/A.

Next up: 11 a.m. Saturday vs. Minnesota (NBC).

16. MARYLAND (4-4, 1-4)

Let’s be honest, how many bye weeks in a row would it take to adequately prepare the Terps for the game that’s up next?

Polls: N/A.

Next up: 6 p.m. Saturday at Oregon (BTN).

15. MICHIGAN STATE (4-5, 2-4)

Someday, they’ll write books about Sparty’s 10-point lead against Indiana. They can just leave out the part about the Hoosiers then scoring 47 straight.

Polls: N/A.

Next up: Nov. 16 at Illinois.

WALKOFF WINNER! pic.twitter.com/QQJiQVNlMK
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) November 2, 2024

14. NORTHWESTERN (4-5, 2-4)

What are we supposed to do, throw the Wildcats a parade for winning in overtime at Purdue?

Polls: N/A.

Next up: Nov. 16 vs. Ohio State.

13. NEBRASKA (5-4, 2-4)

“People are going to be disgruntled. You’re going to hear things,” Matt Rhule said. Here’s a thing: Losing at home to UCLA was a massive step back.

Polls: N/A.

Next up: Nov. 16 at USC.

12. UCLA (3-5, 2-4)

Or maybe the Bruins actually are getting kinda good? Look, we said “maybe.”

Polls: N/A.

Next up: 8 p.m. Friday vs. Iowa (FOX).

11. WISCONSIN (5-4, 3-3)

Luke Fickell called the blowout loss at Iowa his “worst nightmare.” How does he think Badgers fans feel?

Polls: N/A.

Next up: Nov. 16 vs. Oregon.

10. USC (4-5, 2-5)

Another one-score defeat? Man, these guys are good at doing that.

Polls: N/A.

Next up: Nov. 16 vs. Nebraska.

9. MICHIGAN (5-4, 3-3)

From national champs to 6-6 at regular season’s end? That might be the best-case scenario.

Polls: N/A.

Next up: 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Indiana (CBS).

Sealed the deal 😤🙌 @lancefrmdabean #AllAboutTheW pic.twitter.com/9I6VAsHTsf
— Washington Football (@UW_Football) November 3, 2024

8. WASHINGTON (5-4, 3-3)

From national runners-up to 6-6 at regular season’s end? Also, is there an echo in here?

Polls: No. 31 AP.

Next up: 7 p.m. Saturday at Penn State (Peacock).

7. ILLINOIS (6-3, 3-3)

So much for that breakout season. The Illini will have to settle for trying to top their 2022 total of eight wins.

Polls: No. 36 coaches.

Next up: Nov. 16 vs. Michigan State.

6. MINNESOTA (6-3, 4-2)

Running back Darius Taylor was sensational in the win at Illinois. Nobody wants a piece of this team right now.

Polls: No. 33 coaches.

Next up: 11 a.m. Saturday at Rutgers (NBC).

5. IOWA (6-3, 4-2)

The Hawkeyes have scored at least 40 points in each of their last three wins. What planet is this again?

Polls: No. 33 AP, No. 34 coaches.

Next up: 8 p.m. Friday at UCLA (FOX).

4. PENN STATE (7-1, 4-1)

Worst case, James Franklin gets a second win against Ohio State in his next life.

Polls: No. 6 AP, No. 7 coaches.

Next up: 7 p.m. Saturday vs. Washington (Peacock).

3. INDIANA (9-0, 6-0)

The Hoosiers are going into a game against mighty Michigan as double-digit favorites. Only in America.

Polls: No. 8 AP, No. 10 coaches.

Next up: 2:30 p.m. Saturday vs. Michigan (CBS).

Goodnight Buckeyes 😏 pic.twitter.com/F1uZby92BG
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 3, 2024

2. OHIO STATE (7-1, 4-1)

Ryan Day needed a big “W.” Will Howard needed one, too. Best team in the country? Oh, it just might be.

Polls: No. 3 AP, No. 3 coaches.

Next up: 11 a.m. Saturday vs. Purdue (FOX).

1. OREGON (9-0, 6-0)

Nothing but respect to the Ducks, who keep taking care of business and looking damn good doing it.

Polls: No. 1 AP, No. 1 coaches.

Next up: 6 p.m. Saturday vs. Maryland (BTN).