Big Ten football power rankings: Where does Iowa fall after wacky win?

Big Ten football power rankings: Where does Iowa fall after wacky win?Story byZach Hiney, Hawkeyes WireTue, November 25, 2025 at 5:45 PM UTC·8 min read

What a weird, wacky, and wild week 13 in the Big Ten.

There were game-winning field goals. There were missed field goals late that would've extended the game. There were big upsets and shocking finishes. Once again, the Big Ten slate didn't let you down, even if the games weren't as marquee as usual.

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Following a crazy weekend of football, how do the newest Big Ten power rankings shape out? Which teams saw their stock rise the most? And which teams are just ready for spring ball to begin? Let's dive into a week 13 edition of the Big Ten football power rankings.

1. Ohio State (11-0)

The Buckeyes did exactly what they were supposed to do in a 42-9 drubbing of Rutgers. Even without Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, Ohio State handled business on the back of freshman running back Bo Jackson, who rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Now they have to try to win the biggest game of the season up in Ann Arbor. This will be a season-defining game for Ryan Day and company

Next week: @ Michigan

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2. Indiana (11-0)

The Hoosiers were on a bye this week, giving them plenty of time to prepare for a rivalry game with Purdue this weekend. Indiana should take care of business against an awful Boilermaker team and secure a spot in the Big Ten title game and the College Football Playoffs. The offense is electric, the defense is tough, and the coach has all the faith in the world in his players. This team will be a tough out come playoff time.

Next week: @ Purdue

3. Oregon (10-1)

The Ducks got their statement win with a 42-27 home win over USC. It was a back-and-forth affair, but Oregon was able to withstand every single Trojan push and respond each time. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq was fantastic, catching six passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns. The defense got two interceptions to keep hopes alive for a spot in the Big Ten title game. There's going to be a lot of love for the maize and blue in Eugene this week.

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Next week: @ Washington

4. Michigan (9-2)

Even with some key injuries to the running back room, the Wolverines kept their identity in a 45-20 win over Maryland. Junior Bryson Kuzdzal got his name called with all the injuries and delivered, rushing for 100 yards and three touchdowns. Bryce Underwood played turnover-free football, and the defense had no issues manhandling a far inferior Terrapin offense. The Wolverines will play for a playoff spot this weekend in 'The Game'.

Next week: vs Ohio State

5. USC (8-3)

The Trojans saw their playoff hopes fizzle away in front of a raucous Autzen Stadium with a 42-27 loss to Oregon. The running game was non-existent, Makai Lemon was held in check, and Jayden Maiava had some critical turnovers. Add in some bad defensive play, and this was a terrible performance for Lincoln Riley's team against their old Pac-12 rival. An ugly, ugly game for USC.

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Next week: vs UCLA

6. Iowa (7-4)

The Hawkeyes snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a wild 20-17 home win over Michigan State. Trailing 17-7 to begin the fourth, Iowa rattled off 13 consecutive points to eventually win the game on a walk-off Drew Stevens field goal. This was not one of Iowa's best performances of the season, but they found a way to get it done in clutch time. This was a prototypical Kirk Ferentz win, and the Hawkeyes sent their seniors out with one more win at Kinnick Stadium.

Next week: @ Nebraska

7. Washington (8-3)

The Huskies were the way better team from the start in their 48-14 drubbing of UCLA. They led 20-0 at halftime and didn't look back, riding a strong performance from quarterback Demon Williams and a swarming defense that forced and recovered three fumbles. Washington will have the chance to play spoiler to one of their biggest rivals this weekend.

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Next week: vs Oregon

8. Northwestern (6-5)

The Wildcats find themselves in the top half of the power rankings following a wild 38-35 win over Minnesota at Wrigley Field. Quarterback Preston Stone was fantastic, throwing for over 300 yards and two touchdowns as Northwestern reached bowl eligibility for the second time in three years under David Braun. You have to love the direction of the program under Braun, and this was a statement win for the Cats.

Next week: @ Illinois

9. Illinois (7-4)

This team is so confusing. One week, they're handling business against a solid USC team. And the next week, they get blown out 27-10 by a bad Wisconsin team. Any hopes of a special season went out the window with this dismal loss in Madison. Illinois has now wasted Luke Altmyer's final season with terrible run defense, questionable coaching decisions, and baffling losses. What a horrible performance for the Illini.

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Next week: vs Northwestern

10. Penn State (5-6)

You have to give a lot of credit to Terry Smith and this Nittany Lion team for not giving up this season. A 37-10 win over Nebraska on Saturday night was the second win in a row for Penn State, which has picked itself up off the mat and has a chance to make a bowl game with a win in its final regular-season game. Kaytron Allen rushed for 160 yards and two touchdowns on his senior day, becoming Penn State's all-time leading rusher in the process.

Next week: @ Rutgers

11. Nebraska (7-4)

The Cornhuskers looked overwhelmed from the start in Happy Valley, losing 37-10 to the Nittany Lions. Freshman quarterback TJ Lateef looked like a freshman, and the defense had no answers for Penn State's running game. This team, without Dylan Raiola, looks bland and predictable. They'll have a chance to change the narrative of the season on Black Friday, but for now, this looks like a very disappointing third season for Matt Rhule.

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Next week: vs Iowa

12. Minnesota (6-5)

I don't want to say I told you so, but I told you so about this Gophers team. A 38-35 loss to Northwestern exposed a ton of flaws with this team and program. They wasted a great performance from Drake Lindsey by giving up 525 yards of offense to the Wildcats. But that's par for the course for the most mediocre and overrated coach in the nation. As long as PJ Fleck is there, other elite Big Ten programs should salivate seeing Minnesota on their schedule.

Next week: vs Wisconsin

13. Wisconsin (4-7)

The Badgers pulled off another stunner, dominating Illinois in a 27-10 win at home. They rode a strong run game and an excellent defense to their second conference win of the season against a ranked opponent. It's been a long season for Badger fans, so this is a nice way to end the home slate and send the seniors out. I still don't think Luke Fickell is a great coach, but he's righted the ship a little bit here recently.

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Next week: @ Minnesota

14. Rutgers (5-6)

A 42-9 loss to Ohio State was an expected result for Greg Schiano's team, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. The Scarlet Knights will need a win this weekend to guarantee bowl eligibility. This shouldn't be where the program is at in year six under Schiano. Flirting with .500 and a bowl game every season isn't good enough, but Schiano will stick around this program for however long he wants to. And mediocrity will continue to follow him.

Next week: vs Penn State

15. UCLA (3-8)

This team is terrible. They were never even competitive in an embarrassing 48-14 home loss to Washington. All three phases of this team are not Big Ten caliber at the moment, and things could get even worse this offseason with the transfer portal. The Buins have to knock it out of the park with this head coach hire. The wrong move will continue to keep this program behind the eight ball. No pressure.

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Next week: @ USC

16. Maryland (4-7)

The Terrapins' losing streak reached seven with a 45-20 loss to Michigan. After a quick 4-0 start to the season, this season has gone completely off the rails for Mike Locksley and company. Locksley is going to return next season, but the leash will probably be very short. The biggest question for the program now is whether they can retain the talents of freshman quarterback Malik Washington.

Next week: @ Michigan State

17. Michigan State (3-8)

The Spartans delivered another gutpunch to their fanbase with a devastating 20-17 road loss to Iowa. Losing the game wasn't a big surprise. Blowing a 13-point fourth quarter was a very fitting result for this year's iteration of the Spartans. They showed flashes of great play, but completely collapsed at the end to fall to 0-8 in conference play. Jonathan Smith might've lost his job with this latest failure.

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Next week: vs Maryland

18. Purdue (2-9)

The Boilermakers had a bye this past weekend to reflect on what's been another disaster of a season in West Lafayette. It's the second season in a row without a conference win for Purdue so far, and barring one of the biggest upsets of all time, that streak with continue into next season. Barry Odom has his work cut out for him with this program rebuild.

Next week: vs Indiana

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Big Ten football power rankings: Where does Iowa fall after wacky win?

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