Big Ten Power Rankings: Oregon Ducks Holding Off Ohio State Buckeyes for No.1 Spot

The Oregon Ducks are coming off a bye week. Are they still No. 1 in the Big Ten Power Rankings? The Ohio State Buckeyes are aiming for the top spot after beating the the Indiana Hoosiers. What about the Penn State Nittany Lions?

Cory Pappas | Nov 25, 2024

Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Brandon Johnson (3) celebrates following the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

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The Oregon Ducks had a bye over the weekend. They hold on to the top spot in the Big Ten Power Rankings even after Ohio States' dominating performance over Indiana.

1. Oregon Ducks: 11-0 (Last Week: 1)

Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jordan James (20) rushes with the football during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks had a bye week as they get ready for their rivalry matchup vs. Washington on Saturday. The No.1 team in the land remains on top.

Next Game: 11/30 vs. Washington

2. Ohio State Buckeyes: 10-1 (Last Week: 2)

Ohio State showed that are the clear cut No. 2 team in the Big Ten with their 38-15 win over Indiana. If Ohio State can beat Michigan next week, they will get another crack at Oregon in the Big Ten Title Game.

Next Game: 11/30 vs. Michigan

3. Penn State Nittany Lions: 10-1 (Last Week: 4)

Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Penn State squeaked out a 26-25 win over Minnesota on the road. The Golden Gophers have been playing well, so this was not an easy game by any means. If the Nittany Lions can beat Maryland next week, they will likely be hosting a College Football Playoff home game in round one.

Next Game: 11/30 vs. Maryland

4. Indiana Hoosiers: 10-1 (Last Week: 3)

Indiana got a reality check on Saturday. They got throttled by Ohio State 38-15 and are clearly not on the level of the top teams in the Big Ten. However, if they win their final game vs. Purdue, they will be 11-1 and in a good position to get into the playoff.

Next Game: 11/30 vs. Purdue

5. Illinois Fighting Illini: 8-3 (Last Week: 5)

The Illini have rebounded after their two game losing skid. Illinois has beaten Michigan State and Rutgers in back to back weeks. They have proven to be the fifth-best team in the Big Ten all season long.

Next Game: 11/30 at Northwestern

6. Iowa Hawkeyes: 7-4 (Last Week: 8)

Nov 23, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton (28) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images / Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Year in and year out, Iowa is one of the most consistent teams in the country. The Hawkeyes have not finished below .500 in the regular season under coach Kirk Ferentz since 2000. Here they are again with 7 wins heading into the last week of the regular season.

Next Game: 11/29 vs. Nebraska

7. Minnesota Golden Gophers: 6-5 (Last Week: 6)

Minnesota is addicted to playing in one possession games. The Golden Gophers have played seven one-score games and have a record of 3-4 in those games. They are what their record says they are.

Next Game: 11/29 at Wisconsin

8. Washington Huskies: 6-5 (Last Week: 9)

Washington had a bye this week. Can they shock the world at Oregon on Saturday? They have already clinched a bowl game berth under coach Jedd Fisch's first year as a Husky.

Next Game: 11/30 at Oregon

9. USC Trojans: 6-5 (Last Week: 10)

USC defeated rival UCLA 19-13. The Trojans may be 6-5 on the season, but are 2-0 with Jayden Maiava at quarterback. They have avoided the complete disaster of missing out on a bowl game in 2024.

Next Game: 11/30 vs. Notre Dame

10. Michigan Wolverines: 6-5 (Last Week: NR)

Nov 23, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Jordan Marshall (23) runs the ball on a kick off return against the Northwestern Wildcats in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Wolverines curb stomped Northwestern 50-6, and it got them back into the top ten. This is a very average football team, but their toughness and rushing attack allow them to beat up on inferior teams.

Next Game: 11/30 at Ohio State

Dropped from Rankings: Rutgers

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