Indiana sits atop Big Ten power rankings entering Week 11 in college football

The Big Ten conference is in dire straits. In each of the first two 12-team College Football Playoffs, the Big Ten has sent at least three teams, one of whom became the eventual National Champion.

Neither of those looks like they are coming true this season. Oregon and Ohio State’s chances are on life support, and the rest of the league keeps beating each other up. UCLA and Indiana, the two teams currently in the top-12, are dealing with QB injuries. Life is rough in the Big Ten.

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Top 10

10. Northwestern

The Wildcats are fading fast, losers of two straight after their 6-1 start. This week, they can blame injury, as the offense just did not look the same without QB Aidan Chiles against Iowa.

9. Illinois

The Illini are now winners of 4 straight, unbeaten after their loss to Purdue put them at 2-3. This week, it was a 24-13 victory over Nebraska where Katin Houser was efficient, and Collin Dixon could not be covered. I wouldn’t want this team on my schedule these last 3 weeks.

8. Wisconsin

The Badgers turned to freshman Ryan Hopkins at QB against Rutgers, and they were rewarded with a 31-10 victory where Hopkins threw 3 TDs. With games remaining against Maryland and Purdue, the Badgers are likely to get to 8 wins, potentially a job-saving season for Luke Fickell.

7. Minnesota

The Golden Gophers fought admirably but couldn’t come out on top in a 34-20 loss to UCLA. Sitting at 5-4, the Gophers just need one more win to go bowling yet again. Death, taxes, and PJ Fleck’s Minnesota playing in a bowl game on a Tuesday afternoon in between Christmas and New Year’s.

6. Iowa

Sitting at 7-2, it is not out of the question for Iowa to be selected for the College Football Playoff. Only Purdue, Illinois, and Nebraska stand in their way. But with the Hawkeyes’ lack of explosiveness on offense, any game can turn into a dogfight.

MORE:4 biggest fallers in College Football after Week 10

Top 5

5. Ohio State

What is going on in Columbus? Since the injury to Julian Sayin, the Buckeyes are 0-2 and now sit at 6-3. If they win out, they’re going to need some help from other teams to qualify for the College Football Playoff. But winning out is not a guarantee with this team! They need their quarterback!

4. USC

The Trojans have their biggest game of the season coming up in Week 11, which is great timing coming off of their Week 10 Bye. A win over Indiana in Bloomington would keep the Trojans’ CFP hopes alive, and would set up a Thanksgiving Weekend showdown against UCLA with a CFP bid on the line!

3. Oregon

Is Oregon back? With an interim Offensive Coordinator, the Ducks poured on the points against Ohio State in a 41-28 victory. Dylan Raiola finally lived up to all of the hype he entered his career with. Could the Ducks win out and backdoor their way into the CFP at 9-3?

2. UCLA

The UCLA passing offense with backup QB Ty Dieffenbach finally took off in Week 10. Dieffenbach only needed 8 completions to total 303 yards in the 34-20 victory. Now 9-0, massive games loom against Illinois, Michigan, and USC. The Bruins need at least one more win to get selected for the CFP.

1. Indiana

The Hoosiers are in the top spot after Week 10, but it wasn’t through anything they did, as they were on a Bye. It was Ohio State’s misfortunes that got them here. However, Indiana is a deserving number one. Their defense is outstanding, and surely a top-5 unit in the country. They excel at all 3 phases of defense – they can stop the run, rush the passer, and cover receivers well. It’s a winning formula.

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