ESPN ranks Big Ten Football teams from first to last after Week 8

ESPN ranked all 18 Big Ten football teams from first to last after Week 8 of the college football season. There wasn’t too much movement, but there is a clear gap between the top teams the next couple of tiers.

Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana are considered the best three teams in the Big Ten. However, you rank them is up to you!

We’ll dive in ESPN’s rankings using their FPI metrics and ratings. We’ll start at the top!

1. Ohio State

Ohio State tops ESPN’s Big Ten rankings after Week 8 and are still undefeated on the season. The FPI metrics also have the Buckeyes as the top team in the country.

Julian Sayin threw for 393 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-0 win over Wisconsin. Ohio State is off this week before hosting Penn State on November 1st.

2. Oregon

Oregon is next up in the ESPN Big Ten rankings. They’re fresh off a 56-10 win over Rutgers on the road and compiled 750 yards of offense. Insane.

The Ducks have a Heisman candidate in Dante Moore at QB and are rolling, sans a loss to Indiana. Oregon hosts Wisconsin this weekend after the Badgers were blitzed by the Buckeyes.

3. Indiana (+1)

The Hoosiers are still undefeated and moved up a spot in the Big Ten rankings per ESPN’s FPI. They started slow against Michigan State, but ended up winning 38-13.

Fernando Mendoza had another stellar outing, throwing for 332 yards and four touchdowns. They’ll host a hot UCLA team on Saturday.

4. USC

USC is still in the fourth spot in the Big Ten ESPN rankings. The Trojans just fell to Notre Dame on the road but have a chance to make up some ground in the conference.

USC heads to Nebraska after a bye week this week. So getting two weeks to prepare to travel might bode well for Lincoln Riley and crew.

5. Michigan (+1)

Michigan just took down Washington 24-7 in a much controlled win. They’re right back to work against rival Michigan State in East Lansing this weekend.

At 5-2, Michigan has a chance to make a run as well, but can’t afford any slipups. The good news is Bryce Underwood had one of his best games, throwing for 230 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-27 passing in his last outing.

6. Penn State

Penn State is still in the top half of the Big Ten rankings per ESPN’s FPI and metrics. The Nittany Lions fell to 3-4 on the season, in their first game without James Franklin, 25-24 to Iowa on the road.

Ethan Grunkemeyer threw for just 93 yards and two interceptions. Kaytron Allen had a positive outing though: 145 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Penn State has a bye week before traveling to Ohio State.

7. Washington

Washington fell to 5-2 with a loss to Michigan on the road, but they are still a top 10 team in the Big Ten. ESPN’s FPI metrics is a fan of the Huskies within the confines of the conference.

Demond Williams struggled though, throwing for 209 yards and three interceptions. They are back in action this weekend as No. 23 Illinois comes to town.

8. Iowa

Despite a poor passing performance from Mark Gronowski, he ran for 130 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Not only that, Iowa remained a top 10 team in ESPN’s Big Ten rankings with a 25-24 win over Penn State.

Don’t look now, but Iowa is 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the conference. They have Minnesota at home this weekend before two weeks to prepare for Oregon coming to town.

9. Illinois

Illinois was left licking their wounds on October 11th, losing to Ohio State. But, the Big Ten should still watch out for the Fighting Illini the rest of the way.

They travel to Washington this weekend, but should be favored in games against Rutgers, Maryland, Wisconsin on the road and Northwestern the last four games. Late season surge?

10. Nebraska

Nebraska had a disappointing loss to Minnesota on the road last week. However, the Huskers remained in the top 10 of the Big Ten ESPN rankings this week.

THe Huskers managed just 213 yards of offense last week so they look to turn the page at home against Northwestern this week. This team is still 5-2 on the season.

ESPN ranks Big Ten teams after Week 8

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