ESPN ranks Big Ten Football teams from first to last after Week 12

ESPN ranked all of the Big Ten football teams from first to last after Week 12 of the college football season. It’s a tight race at the top and it’s only going to get more intriguing as we get closer to the College Football Playoff.

Reminder, this is through ESPN’s FPI rankings which takes strength of schedule, projected win total and other ratings into account. We’ll look at the movement from last week to this one.

So without further ado, let’s dive into the Big Ten rankings, via ESPN’s FPI. We’ll start at the top.

1. Ohio State

The Buckeyes throttled UCLA 48-10 over the weekend and remained atop the Big Ten rankings, per ESPN. Now at 10-0, Ohio State is still in the driver’s seat for the conference crown and a national title repeat.

Next up is Rutgers at home, where Ohio State is a massive favorite. But they’ll end in Ann Arbor on November 29th where all eyes will be on Ryan Day to get over the Wolverines’ hump.

2. Indiana

The Hoosiers just find ways to win this season, whether it’s close or by blowout. This time, they beat down Wisconsin 31-7 at home to get to 11-0 for the first time in program history.

ESPN’s FPI has them second in the Big Ten right now, still behind the Buckeyes. But that could be potentially settled in the conference title game in a few weeks.

3. Oregon

Oregon is still lurking around after they blew out Minnesota 42-13 last weekend. The Ducks are 9-1 and still have a small shot at the Big Ten title game.

But for now, they’re focused on finishing out the season on a high note and getting to the College Football Playoff. Next up, USC comes to town in a top 15 matchup.

4. USC

Speaking of USC, the Trojans have been a nice story this season. They lost to Notre Dame and Illinois this year but perhaps that Illinois loss was a fluke?

Either way, Lincoln Riley and crew have been a player in the Big Ten this season. If they knock off Oregon, well, maybe it’s time to put the Trojans in the bracket!

5. Michigan

Michigan has a path to the playoff and they round out the top five of the Big Ten this week. At 8-2, the Wolverines have Maryland and top ranked Ohio State left on the docket. So, it’s a possibility.

But a lot will be on the shoulders of the defense and freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. With no Justice Haynes at RB, things only get more difficult.

6. Penn State

Penn State finally got a Big Ten win this year! They beat Michigan State 28-10 to give interim coach Terry Smith some buzz.

Now, the Nittany Lions have to win the final two games of the year to be bowl eligible and maybe they’ll get some good vibes going into 2026. On the docket: Nebraska at home and Rutgers on the road.

7. Iowa

Iowa just missed out on knocking off Oregon and USC in consecutive weeks, so they’ll certainly want to rectify those in Big Ten play with Michigan State and Nebraska to end the year. But, no CFP for them.

However, Kirk Ferentz can give Hawkeye fans their standard eight wins in a season with room to grow. It’s become standard procedure at this point.

8. Washington

Washington got back on the right track and improved to 7-3 on the season with a 49-13 win over Purdue. They’ll end with Big Ten games at UCLA and home vs. Oregon.

Demond Wiliams had 257 yards and two touchdowns through the air on Saturday and he’ll have to play at a high level to finish the year on a high note. Right now, Jedd Fisch is trying to improve bowl positioning.

9. Illinois (+1)

Illinois is near the bottom of the top 10 of the Big Ten following their win over Maryland. But, the Illini are up a spot from last week!

It wasn’t the prettiest game, but Luke Altmyer had 172 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Kaden Feagin added 81 yards and one touchdown on the ground.

10. Nebraska (+1)

Nebraska had the week off following a win over UCLA on November 8th. But, they are up a spot this week as they sit at 7-3 on the season.

This is without Dylan Raiola for the remainder of the year at QB too. Matt Rhule’s done a heck of a job considering the circumstances in recent weeks and they can end on a high note against a wounded Penn State team and then end of season rival Iowa.

ESPN ranks Big Ten football teams after Week 12

11. Northwestern
12. Rutgers
13. Wisconsin (+1)
14. Minnesota
15. Maryland (-1)
16. Michigan State
17. UCLA
18. Purdue