Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 10: Dan Lanning's Oregon stands undefeated while USC tumbles
The No. 1 Oregon Ducks continue to hold their place as the best team in the Big Ten after their ninth consecutive win. Oregon coach Dan Lanning led the team to a dominant 38-17 win last Saturday over Michigan Wolverines.
Meanwhile, teams like the USC Trojans and No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions suffered setbacks that lowered their placement in the standings.
Here are the Big Ten power rankings after Week 10.
#18 Purdue Boilermakers (1-7)
The Purdue Boilermakers (1-7, 0-5) head into Week 11 hoping to snap their losing streak. Purdue has yet to win against an opponent in the Big Ten and has lost seven consecutive games. In Week 10, they lost 26-20 in overtime to the Northwestern Wildcats (4-5, 2-4) on Nov. 2.
The Boilermakers' chances of winning this Saturday seem slim as they will take on the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1).
#17 Northwestern Wildcats (4-5)
Northwestern defeated Purdue last Saturday to end a two-game losing streak. Due to an open week, the Wildcats will be out of action for Week 11.
The time off could be helpful as the team has a tough matchup against Ohio State in Week 12 on Nov. 16.
#16 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-4)
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-4, 1-4) will return to action this Saturday after a two-week break. Rutgers last game was a loss to the USC Trojans (4-5, 2-5) in Week 9 on Oct. 25. After starting the season off strong, the team has lost their last four matchups.
Rutgers will have a chance to get back on track in Week 11 against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-3, 4-2).
#15 USC Trojans (4-5)
USC will have a break in Week 11 due to an open week. On Nov. 2, the Washington Huskies (5-4, 3-3) defeated USC in a close 26-21 game in Week 10. The season hasn't gone USC's way, and they are on the verge of being ineligible to compete in a bowl game if they lose two more games.
Trojans will return in Week 12 for a home contest against the Nebraska Cornhuskers
#14 Maryland Terrapins (4-4)
The Maryland Terrapins (4-4, 1-4) are coming off a dominant 48-23 loss to Minnesota on Oct. 26 in Week 9. On Saturday, the Terrapins will return to action after a two-week break against Oregon.
Maryland has struggled to maintain momentum throughout the season. Their longest win streak was two victories against the Virginia Cavaliers on Sep. 14, and the Villanova Wildcats on Sep. 21. Maryland has suffered blowout losses in three of their last four games.
The Terrapins still have four games left to turn their season around. However, Oregon is a tough matchup to return against after a two-week break.
#13 Michigan State Spartans (4-5)
The Michigan State Spartans (4-5, 2-4) won't suit up for Week 11 due to an open week. They will return in Week 12 in hopes of breaking their two-game losing streak. Michigan State's last defeat was against the No. 8 Indiana Hoosiers (9-0, 6-0) by 47-10 last Saturday.
The Spartans will take on the Illinois Fighting Illini (6-3, 3-3) on Nov. 16.
#12 UCLA Bruins (3-5)
The UCLA Bruins (3-5, 2-4) are coming off an impressive 27-20 win over Nebraska last Saturday. UCLA enters Week 11 on a two-game winning streak with four opponents remaining. If the Bruins win their last four contest, they'll be eligible to compete in the postseason.
On Friday, they will face the Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3, 4-2) at home. The Week 11 matchup could be difficult for the Bruins, as Iowa has dominated their last two opponents.
#11 Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-4)
Nebraska won't be active in Week 11 due to an open week. They'll attempt to get their season back on track in Week 12 when they take on USC on Nov. 16.
The Cornhuskers are on a three-game losing streak. They must regroup next week to stay on track for bowl eligibility.
#10 Wisconsin Badgers (5-4)
The Wisconsin Badgers (5-4, 3-3) are on a two-game losing skid after Week 10. Last Saturday, they suffered a blowout 42-10 defeat against the Hawkeyes. Wisconsin will not play in Week 11 due to an open week.
Badgers return in Week 12 to face Oregon on Nov. 16. The No. 1-ranked team will be a difficult opponent for Wisconsin to end their losing streak against next Saturday.
#9 Michigan Wolverines (5-4)
Michigan (5-4, 3-3) hopes to bounce back from their loss from Week 10 against the Ducks. On Saturday, Michigan will play an away game against Indiana.
The Wolverines have three games left on their schedule. They must win one more to be eligible for a bowl game. Indiana could be a difficult opponent to defeat, as the Hoosiers have blown out every team they've faced this season.
#8 Washington Huskies (5-4)
Washington is one win away from securing their spot in a bowl game. After their victory over USC, the Huskies have three opponents left to compete in the postseason. That said, they have a formidable matchup on Saturday against Penn State.
The Nittany Lions will try to avenge last Saturday's 20-13 loss to Ohio State. Washington could be in trouble as they face a motivated Penn State in an away game.
#7 Illinois Fighting Illini (6-3)
Illinois won't take the field in Week 11 due to an open week. The time off could be beneficial for the team, which is on a two-game losing streak. Last Saturday, they suffered a 25-17 defeat to Minnesota.
The Fighting Illini returns in Week 12 to challenge Michigan State on Nov. 16. Although Illinois is eligible for a bowl, the Fighting Illini aim to snap their losing streak to have momentum heading into the postseason.
#6 Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-3)
Minnesota has been on a great run over the past few games. The Golden Gophers are on a four-game winning streak and secured eligibility to play in a bowl game with a win over Illinois. Saturday's game against Rutgers could be another win for Minnesota as they continue to finish the regular season on a high note.
#5 Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3)
Iowa comes into Week 11 with an impressive two-game winning streak. In both games, Iowa outscored their opponents by more than 25 points.
The Hawkeyes have earned their spot to play in a bowl game after their win over Illinois. Iowa will look to get their third straight dominant win in the Week 11 game against UCLA.
#4 Penn State Nittany Lions (7-1)
Penn State suffered a setback in a loss against Ohio State. The Nittany Lions were undefeated before the loss, with dominant wins over teams like UCLA, USC, and Wisconsin.
They remained among the best teams in the Big Ten and secured eligibility to compete in the postseason. However, the loss against Ohio State should encourage the Nittany Lions to win in Week 11 against Washington.
#3 Illinois Hoosiers (9-0)
Illinois is having an incredible season, entering Week 11 undefeated. The Hoosiers also had commanding performances against the nine teams they faced this season.
In their upcoming home game against Michigan, Illinois hopes to remain unbeaten.
#2 Ohio State Buckeyes (7-1)
Ohio State wants to continue their win streak in the Buckeyes' upcoming matchup against Purdue. The Buckeyes have won their last two games, including a statement victory over Penn State.
Ohio State has four games remaining in the regular season. They'll try to win all four games to secure their spot in the college football playoffs.
#1 Oregon Ducks (9-0)
Oregon has emerged as the best team in college football. The Ducks have three games left on their schedule and will attempt to end the regular season undefeated.
They are on track to keep winning the Big Ten and get a bye in the college football playoffs. Oregon will aim to defeat Maryland and keep their placement in the rankings.