ESPN ranks Big Ten Football teams from first to last after Week 9

ESPN ranked all 18 Big Ten football teams from first to last after Week 9 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 as we turn the page to November.

1. Ohio State

Ohio State had the week off but it did not affect their standing in the FPI rankings this weekend. The Buckeyes are still the top team in the country in this metric, as well as the Big Ten.

Moving forward, all eyes will be on the Buckeyes as they take on Penn State and Michigan over the course of the final five games. Undefeated until the Big Ten championship?

2. Indiana

Indiana put the hammer down on UCLA over the weekend. The Hoosiers stayed in the No. 2 spot in the Big Ten after Saturday as they cruised to a 35-3 halftime lead.

There’s an argument for the top spot, but Indiana will have to settle for second behind Ohio State, for now. Curt Cignetti and crew also have Penn State on the docket, not a top Penn State team, but perhaps a desperate one in a couple of weeks.

3. Oregon

With Indiana’s win, and the Ducks’ lack of a blowout, Oregon stayed at No. 3 in the Big Ten. They edged Wisconsin 21-7 after a scoreless first quarter.

Dante Moore exited the game in the second half, but his bloody nose and damage he took from a hit seemed to be much ado about nothing. Dan Lanning and crew won ugly, but they won.

4. USC

USC is 5-2 on the season and remained in the top four in the conference going into the final month. They’ll be back in action with all Big Ten games in their final five contests.

The Trojans can certainly soar high up the Big Ten and maybe a week off did them some good. We’ll see how Lincoln Riley and crew respond in Lincoln next weekend.

5. Michigan

Michigan took care of rival Michigan State in East Lansing 31-20. This is still a top five team in the Big Ten right now as they sit comfortable at 6-2.

Bryce Underwood only passed for 86 yards but ran for a score. Justice Haynes made the team go with 152 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

6. Iowa

Iowa smoked Minnesota 41-3 in Big Ten play over the weekend. Interestingly, this team is also 6-2 and lurking in 2025.

Kirk Ferentz and crew are just the model of consistency. Maybe they aren’t great, but they’re always going to be good and competitive, giving themselves a chance late in the season.

7. Penn State

Penn State fired James Franklin after a 3-3 start, lost to Iowa and then had a bye week. Maybe it was a needed week off before resuming Big Ten play.

But, they have to take on Ohio State, so good luck this week! With no QB Drew Allar either, the Nittany Lions are certainly up against it.

8. Washington

Washington beat Illinois 42-25 and essentially jumped them in the Big Ten rankings. Illinois was a CFP dark horse going into the year, but you might want to switch that focus to the Huskies.

They are 6-2 and not quite out of it yet! They have four Big Ten games left, including a finale against Oregon. If they win out, well, we’re just saying!

9. Illinois

As for Illinois, Luke Altmyer threw two touchdowns and two picks in the loss to the Huskies. He also led the team in rushing with 48 yards, so not a great sign!

Illinois fell to 5-3 on the season and will have to try and salvage the campaign for a solid bowl game, considering the CFP is most likely out of reach now. They have a chance to bounce back against Rutgers at home this weekend.

10. Nebraska

Nebraska edged out northwestern 28-21 at home, holding off the Wildcats in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t a perfect game, but the Huskers are in the Big Ten race at 6-2.

Dylan Raiola was hit and miss, throwing for 141 yards, one touchdown and one pick. Emmett Johnson starred though, running for 124 yards and two touchdowns.

ESPN Big Ten rankings updated after Week 9

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