We're starting to thin the herd now, and an Indiana win against USC this weekend could take us further toward settling the matchup for the Big Ten championship game. A Southern Cal win in Bloomington, however, would introduce chaos.

It would also create a potential path for multiple two- (and maybe even three-)loss teams to push for College Football Playoff consideration.

There remains plenty to play for in the top third of the Big Ten heading into Week 11. Meanwhile, in Ann Arbor, West Lafayette and Piscataway, there is only frustration, and the wait for the offseason. Let's look at this week's power rankings:

1. UCLA (9-0, 6-0)

Last week (2): 34-20 win at Minnesota

This week: Illinois, Nov. 13 (Friday)

What to know: For the first time this season, the Bruins take top billing. And they earned it, delivering a tough, poised performance in the Dinkytown cold Saturday at Minnesota. It would take a lot to keep UCLA out of Indianapolis now.

2. Indiana (8-1, 5-1)

Last week (1): Bye

This week: USC, Nov. 14

What to know: The Hoosiers might have fallen a spot on their bye, but they gained something valuable last weekend. Ohio State's loss means that if the Hoosiers win out, they're back in Indy for a second straight December.

3. Iowa (7-2, 4-2)

Last week (4): 24-10 win at Northwestern

This week: Purdue, Nov. 14

What to know: The road to 10 wins is wide open in Iowa City. Would that be enough to get Iowa into the playoff?

4. Oregon (6-3, 4-2)

Last week (5): 41-28 win at Ohio State

This week: Michigan, Nov. 14

What to know: This version of Dylan Raiola can lead Oregon to nine wins and, dare we say it, back-end playoff consideration.

5. Southern Cal (7-2, 4-2)

Last week (7): Bye

This week: at Indiana, Nov. 14

What to know: Speaking of playoff consideration, the Trojans are playing for theirs Saturday in Bloomington. If they win there, they introduce real chaos into the race to Indianapolis.

6. Ohio State (6-3, 4-2)

Last week (3): 41-28 loss vs. Oregon

This week: Northwestern, Nov. 14

What to know: It's not been the quarterback situation, but the curious defensive regression, that's derailed the Buckeyes' season. Everything is linked, of course, but these last two weeks have been ugly for Matt Patricia's crew.

7. Northwestern (6-3, 3-3)

Last week (6): 24-10 loss vs. Iowa

This week: at Ohio State, Nov. 14

What to know: The Iowa loss can be forgiven in the absence of Aidan Chiles, but it probably ends any conversation of either Indy or the CFP in Evanston. It also speaks to Chiles' excellence, and importance.

8. Wisconsin (6-3, 4-2)

Last week (9): 31-10 win vs. Rutgers

This week: at Maryland, Nov. 14

What to know: This season delivers the answer to the question: What if Wisconsin could just give Luke Fickell a competent offense? There should be optimism for what's ahead in Madison.

9. Illinois (6-3, 4-2)

Last week (10): 24-13 win vs. Nebraska

This week: at UCLA, Nov. 13 (Friday)

What to know: Spoiling UCLA's party on Friday night in Pasadena would reframe Illinois' season, but Bret Bielema's run defense doesn't look stout enough to do that.

10. Minnesota (5-4, 3-3)

Last week (8): 34-20 loss vs. UCLA

This week: at Penn State, Nov. 14

What to know: A limited offense is going to keep Minnesota from getting where its defense and toughness could otherwise take the Gophers. Lose this weekend, and they might not even go bowling.

11. Penn State (5-4, 2-4)

Last week (14): 28-25 win at Washington

This week: Minnesota, Nov. 14

What to know: Penn State tried to throw an outstanding first half with an ugly second in Seattle. But now there's a clear path to eight wins and a November rescue for Matt Campbell in Year 1.

12. Washington (5-4, 2-4)

Last week (11): 28-25 loss vs. Penn State

This week: at Michigan State, Nov. 14

What to know: A team that's just never been able to maintain consistency this season, Washington throws one away with a terrible first half at home.

13. Nebraska (5-4, 2-4)

Last week (13): 24-13 loss at Illinois

This week: at Rutgers, Nov. 14

What to know: Another Nebraska season run aground in a painfully familiar manner. Lose this weekend at Rutgers and things get really uncomfortable for Matt Rhule, and for the leadership that handed him that lucrative extension last year.

14. Michigan State (3-6, 1-5)

Last week (16): 15-6 win at Michigan

This week: Washington, Nov. 14

What to know: There's work to do, but a win at Michigan absolutely brightens Pat Fitzgerald's first season in East Lansing, regardless of what happens from here.

15. Michigan (5-4, 2-4)

Last week (12): 15-6 loss vs. Michigan State

This week: at Oregon, Nov. 14

What to know: What to say at this point? Michigan looks like a team and a program cut loose from any sense of direction. The offseason can't come soon enough in Ann Arbor.

16. Maryland (3-6, 1-5)

Last week (18): 34-29 win at Purdue

This week: Wisconsin, Nov. 14

What to know: A performance that reminded us there's still a real playmaker in Malik Washington, as Maryland snapped its long conference losing streak.

17. Purdue (3-6, 2-4)

Last week (15): 34-29 loss vs. Maryland

This week: at Iowa, Nov. 14

What to know: The callback at defensive coordinator never really made sense. Now, staring at the possibility of a 3-9 season, it's probably cost Barry Odom any real sense of momentum exiting Year 2.

18. Rutgers (2-7, 1-5)

Last week (18): 31-10 loss at Wisconsin

This week: Nebraska, Nov. 14

What to know: The performances have been commendable, but the results have not improved in Piscataway. Rutgers could heap some misery on Nebraska this weekend if it plays like it has the last two weeks, though perhaps not without KJ Duff.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: How Oregon win at Ohio State reshapes Big Ten football power rankings after Week 10

Source: Yahoo Sports