The dust has settled on another Big Ten football season.
Ohio State remains a wagon. Indiana’s turnaround is legitimate. Oregon is headed back to the College Football Playoff. USC andMichigan football are just on that next tier. Iowa, with four losses by 15 total points, just missed out on a truly special year. Illinois was solid. Northwestern has plenty to be excited about. Penn State salvaged a year headed for the toilet. Nebraska, for the second year in a row, is going bowling. The boat keeps rowing in Minneapolis. Everyone else ... well, there’s always next year. Gulp.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt was a fun, wild and, at times, topsy-turvy year in one of the best football conferences in America. But, as is often the case, the cream rose to the top by the end.
RAINER SABIN: Michigan football stung by how Ohio State 'smashed' Wolverines
Here are the final Big Ten power rankings of the 2025 regular season.
1. Ohio State (12-0)
Ohio State players and coaches hold a Ohio Against the World flag to celebrate 27-9 win over Michigan as they exit the field at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.Last week’s ranking: 1.
This week’s game: Big Ten championship game vs. Indiana (8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6).
What to know: For the first time since 2019, Ohio State ends its regular season with a win over Michigan. Now, it's back in a familiar spot – the Big Ten title game and what feels like it will be a lengthy CFP march.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJEFF SEIDEL: Matt Patricia finally gets signature win in Michigan – for Ohio State
2. Indiana (12-0)
Last week’s ranking: 2.
This week’s game: Big Ten championship game vs. Ohio State (8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6).
What to know: This will be the 15th Big Ten title game played in Indianapolis, 52 miles from the Hoosiers' campus – and the Hoosiers' first appearance in program history. No matter how it goes, they should have a first-round bye in the CFP – an indescribably validating accomplishment.
3. Oregon (11-1)
Nov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Jadon Canady (22) intercepts a pass intended for Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) during the first half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn ImagesLast week’s ranking: 3.
This week’s game: Off.
What to know: Oregon slipped up one time this year, against one of the two undefeated teams in the nation. Little shame in that, as the Ducks head to yet another CFP – their third overall and second straight as a Big Ten member.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement4. USC (9-3)
Last week’s ranking: 5.
This week’s game: Off.
What to know: The Trojans came up a win over Oregon short of going to their first CFP. It was a good season, but likely won't satisfy the supporters who know what USC is capable of.
5. Michigan (9-3)
Last week’s ranking: 4.
This week’s game: Off.
What to know: Michigan won the nine games it was favored in and lost the three times it was an underdog. It finished right where it was expected to, but missing the CFP two years in a row after three straight appearances is moving in the wrong direction.
6. Iowa (8-4)
Last week’s ranking: 7.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis week’s game: Off.
What to know: The Hawkeyes lost four times by a combined 15 points – falling to three of the top four teams in the league, plus rival Iowa State. Coach Kirk Ferentz was inches shy of a truly special season in Iowa City.
7. Illinois (8-4)
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer steps back to pass during the second quarter against Northwestern at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.Last week’s ranking: 8.
This week’s game: Off.
What to know: The Illini finished off their year with a win over a solid Northwestern squad but a loss to lowly Wisconsin will stand in the way of a potential 10-win season, which feels a bit disappointing.
8. Washington (8-4)
Last week’s ranking: 6.
This week’s game: Off.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat to know: Almost the exact same story as the Trojans – the Huskies had a nice year (with a young quarterback, no less), but a loss to 4-8 Wisconsin prevents a 10-win season.
9. Nebraska (7-5)
Last week's ranking: 9.
This week's game: Off.
What to know: After seven straight years of missing a bowl, Nebraska has its second straight seven-win season. It's decent, but really nothing to write home about.
10. Penn State (6-6)
Last week's ranking: 12.
This week's game: Off.
What to know: The Nittany Lions, who opened the year at No. 2 in the nation, were in shambles after losing six straight and firing coach James Franklin. They were able to salvage it, in some capacity, with three straight wins to earn a bowl berth.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement11. Minnesota (7-5)
Nov 29, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey (5) celebrates with Paul Bunyan’s Axe after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn ImagesLast week's ranking: 13.
This week's game: Off.
What to know: Minnesota has earned its seventh consecutive bowl berthin a full season. The Golden Gophers barely made it, however, with tight wins over Big Ten cellar-dwellers Purdue and Michigan State.
12. Northwestern (6-6)
Last week’s ranking: 10.
This week’s game: Off.
What to know: Few expected Northwestern to go bowling. The program isn't where it was under Pat Fitzgerald, but David Braun has done a nice job avoiding the Purdue-like fate many expected.
13. Rutgers (5-7)
Last week's ranking: 12.
This week's game: Off.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhat to know: The Scarlet Knights fell to Penn State in their finale to miss a bowl. Rutgers wasn't at the bottom of the league – better than their early days in the league – but after two straight bowls, it will be a long offseason.
14. Wisconsin (4-8)
Last week's ranking: 15.
This week's game: Off.
What to know: The Badgers finished strong with a pair of November wins. This was as bad as Wisconsin has been in the modern era – it's now time to prove keeping coach Luke Fickell was the right call.
15. UCLA (3-9)
Last week's ranking: 16.
This week's game: Off.
What to know: The Bruins were bad, but their three-game win streak in September and October keep them out of the cellar.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement16. Michigan State (4-8)
Michigan State defensive lineman Quindarius Dunnigan (99) cheers after defeating Maryland at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.Last week's ranking: 17.
This week's game: Off.
What to know: Michigan State snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 38-28 win over Maryland to wrap up the season. Now, with coach Jonathan Smith out in favor of Pat Fitzgerald, another important offseason begins.
JEFF SEIDEL: Why Pat Fitzgerald is a home-run hire for Michigan State football
17. Maryland (4-8)
Last week's ranking: 16.
This week's game: Off.
What to know: The Terrapins started the year 4-0 and then lost eight straight. Coach Mike Locksley is coming back, but that was about as brutal a final two months as possible.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement18. Purdue (2-10)
Last week's ranking: 18.
This week's game: Off.
What to know: Actually, THIS is as brutal a final two months as possible – after a pair of nonconference wins, Purdue lost 10 consecutive games, going winless in the Big Ten for a second straight year. Good thing the hoops team is dominant.
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Final Big Ten football power rankings: A clear top two lead the league
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