Big Ten Football: Week 13 Power Rankings

With only two weeks of conference play remaining, the conference ranking is starting to take shape. Minnesota was the big story line this week as they were handed their first loss on the season. No other major upsets occurred and only one other close game with Indiana at Penn State. No new teams made it to bowl eligibility, but Nebraska, Michigan State and Purdue still have a chance to make it to the six-win mark.

Big Ten Football Week 13 Power Rankings

No. 14 Rutgers (2-8, 0-7 B1G)

Previous: No. 14; Last Week: Loss vs #2 Ohio State 21-56

Well if there are moral victories, Rutgers’ 21 to 56 loss against Ohio State would count. Despite being underdogs by over 55 points, the Scarlet Knights have no problem covering that as they do not completely embarrass themselves against the number two team in the country. Their 21 points ties the highest number of points that any team has scored against Ohio State this season.

No. 13 Northwestern (2-8, 0-7 B1G)

Previous: No. 13; Last Week: Win vs UMass 48-7

After scoring 38 points in their previous five games, the Wildcats broke out for 45 against a woeful 1-10 UMass squad. In his first career start, freshman RB Evan Hull reeled off 220 yards and 4 TD, becoming the first Big Ten player to do so since Ezekiel Elliott.

No. 12 Maryland (3-7, 1-6 B1G)

Previous: No. 12; Last Week: Bye Week

Maryland exits their bye week with a home match up against Nebraska who are coming off a 16-point loss to Wisconsin. The Terrapins two remaining opponents have a combined record of 8-12. The chance for bowl eligibility is out the window, but the team can try to find some positives as they head into the off season.

No. 11 Nebraska (4-6, 2-5 B1G)

Previous: No. 11; Last Week: Loss vs #14 Wisconsin 21-37

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Breaking news: Nebraska lost again. That’s the Huskers’ third home loss of the season, and Iowa still comes to Lincoln in two weeks. For some reason, Nebraska decided to reward coach Scott Frost’s 8-14 start with a two-year extension to 2026 that pays him $5 million per season.

No. 10 Purdue (4-6, 3-4 B1G)

Two chances to become bowl eligible. One game against the Badgers, who are also fighting for their own destiny and one game against the Hoosiers, who played admirably against Penn State at Happy Valley. Neither game will be easy for the Boilermakers, but their season is not yet completely over. Does Purdue to try to muster up one more push for the post-season action or does it make more sense to not rush any of their offensive weapons who are troubled with injuries?

No. 9 Michigan State (4-6, 2-5 B1G)

Michigan State continues its downward spiral from being ranked to now needing to win out for a bowl game. On the bright side, they play Rutgers and Maryland to end the season so it is likely they will do so. If not, it will be a very disappointing season for the Spartans.

No. 8 Illinois (6-4, 4-3 B1G)

Illinois is coming off a bye week after extending their winning streak to four games and reaching bowl eligibility. The Fighting Illini go on the road for a match up against Iowa and then have a home contest against Northwestern to finish the regular season. Lovie Smith’s team is facing a Hawkeye defense that is giving up lust 11.7 points per game. Look for the Illini to come out fighting to receive a bigger bowl bid.

No. 7 Indiana (7-3, 4-3 B1G)

The Hoosiers fell short to a top team in the conference once again after their seven-point loss to the Nittany Lions. Tom Allen’s team does not have long to hang their heads on this loss as Michigan rolls into Bloomington on a three game winning streak. Can this be the game that Indiana defeats one of the Big Ten’s best before they face off against the Boilermakers for the Old Oaken Bucket?