2025 Big Ten Football Power Rankings: Sept. 7th

The Big Ten scored a lot of wins on Saturday in week two, but lost the headliner between Oklahoma and Michigan. Two wins over solid ACC teams helps, but the bottom of the conference looks shaky at best. Here are Hoosier Huddle’s power rankings after week 2.

Conference Favorites

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0, 0-0) Last Week: 1

Did anyone expect anything different? Ohio State could have won by more and they got their offense in order. A home game against Ohio should be a final tune up before traveling out west to face Washington.

Last Game: 70-0 Win vs. Grambling St. | Next Game: Sept. 13 vs. Ohio (1-1)

2. Oregon Ducks (2-0, 0-0) Last Week: 3 

Man, the Ducks look impressive. They have another game breaker at quarterback with Dante Moore and they are dominant in the trenches. They beat the doors off a Big XII team, albeit a bad one. This week they open up conference play and a trip across the country to play Northwestern on the lake.

Last Game: 69-3 Win vs.Oklahoma State | Next Game: Sept 13th at. Northwestern (1-1)

3. Penn State Nittany Lions (2-0, 0-0) Last Week: 2

It was another yawner for Penn State, but their first half effort leaves something to be desired. Yes, they shut out FIU. Their defense is exceptional. They host Villanova this week before a bye heading into the showdown with Oregon on September 27th.

Last Game: 34-0 Win vs. FIU | Next Game: Sept. 13th vs. Villanova (1-0)

Playoff Contenders

4. Illinois Fighting Illini (1-0, 0-0) Last Week: 5

I thought the Illini would be on upset alert and they kind of were early on, but five Duke turnovers turned this game into a blow out. Illinois should be in the top 10 this week and could play their way up into conference title contention.

Last Game: 45-19 win at Duke | Next Game: Sept. 13th vs. Western Michigan (0-2)

5. USC Trojans (2-0, 0-0) Last Week: 4

I am nitpicking here as USC’s offense looks really good. However, the defense showed some holes against Georgia Southern that could linger. A trip east to Purdue could be the challenge USC needs to see if they are indeed Playoff contenders.

Last Game: 59-20 Win vs. Georgia Southern | Next Game: Sept 13th at Purdue (2-0)

6. Indiana Hoosiers (2-0, 0-0) Last Week: 7

Hoosier Nation can take a deep breath and crack a cold beer. The Hoosiers offense was clicking and the defense created enough big plays to cover up some misfirings in the secondary. IU has a short week and plays Indiana State on Friday night.

Last Game: 56-9 Win vs. Kennesaw St. | Next Game: Sept. 12th vs. Indiana St. (2-0)

7. Michigan Wolverines (1-1, 0-0) Last Week: 6

Michigan looked like it had issues on offense all night. They got a couple big plays from the running game, but the air attack lacked bite. The defense could not contain Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer. Now they will be without their head coach Sherrone Moore who serves a two game suspension.

Last Game: 24-13 loss at No. 18 Oklahoma | Next Game: Sept. 13th vs. Central Michigan (1-1)

On Solid Footing

8. Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-0, 0-0) Last Week: 8

Minnesota thumped Northwestern State and are on really solid footing heading into next week’s game at California. If the Gophers want to make a step up into the next category, they need to win Saturday night.

Last Game: 66-0 Win vs. Northwestern St | Next Game: Sept. 13th vs. Cal (2-0)

9. Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-0,0-0) Last Week: 9

Nebraska looks much more together than they trounced a bad Akron game. Houston Christian is the next game up. The Huskers should have no problems. The first real test comes the following week against Michigan. 

Last Game: 68-0 Win vs. Akron | Next Game: Sept. 13th vs. Houston Christian (1-1)

10. Washington Huskies (2-0,0-0) Last Week 10

Washington dropped 70 on UC Davis last week. Running back Jonah Coleman scored five touchdowns and looks like an All-American. This looks like a very dangerous Washington team again. After a bye week The Apple Cup is next!

Last Game: 70-10 Win vs. UC Davis | Next Game Sept. 20th at Washington State (2-0)

11. Michigan State Spartans (2-0,0-0) Last Week: 13

Michigan State beat Boston College in double overtime in one of the best games of week two. Aiden Chiles has matured into the dual-threat quarterback Jonathan Smith envisioned. Sparty gets FCS foe Youngstown State before diving into conference play.

Last Game: 42-40 2OT Win vs. Boston College | Next Game: Sept. 13th vs. Youngstown St. (2-0)

12. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-0,0-0) Last Week: 12

Rutgers’ win this week felt better than week one. A visit from Norfolk State should continue the good vibes in Jersey. After that, they get Iowa at home on a short week.

Last Game: 45-17 Win vs. Miami (OH) | Next Game Sept. 13th vs. Norfolk St. (1-1)

Can They Take a Step Forward?

13. Wisconsin Badgers (2-0, 0-0) Last Week: 14

It was another slow start for Wisconsin and back up quarterback Danny O’Neil, but eventually they buried the Blue Raiders. It is uncertain if starter Billy Edwards will be back for the trip to Alabama. This week should show us what Wisconsin is.

Last Game: 42-10 Win vs. Middle Tennessee | Next Game: Sept. 13th at Alabama  (1-1)

13. Iowa Hawkeyes (1-1, 0-0) Last Week 11

Iowa is doing Iowa things. The defense is very, very good and the offense made an average defense look great. If they cannot get the quarterback situation handled, this may be the end of an era. Losing to Iowa State two years in a row doesn’t happen often. The good news is that they can beat up on UMass next.

Last Game: 16-13 Loss at No. 16 Iowa State | Next Game Sept. vs. UMass (0-2)

The Basement

15. Maryland Terrapins (2-0, 0-0) Last Week: 15

Maryland is 2-0, but a 20-9 win over NIU doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence. A win next week over Towson doesn’t get them out of the basement either. 

Last Game: 20-9 Win vs. NIU | Next Game: Sept. 13th vs. Towson(2-0)

16. Purdue Boilermakers (2-0, 0-0) Last Week: 16

Purdue doubled their win total from 2024, but struggled on defense early. The offense was OK. Their next test comes in the form of a home game against the USC Trojans. A win can shoot Purdue up the rankings, while a loss doesn’t have them fall too far.

Last Game: 34-17 Win vs. Southern Illinois | Next Game: Sept. 13th vs. USC (2-0)

17. UCLA Bruins (0-2, 0-0) Last Week: 14

This was not the start that UCLA envisioned when bringing Nico Iamaleava over from Tennessee. They showed some heart, but the Bruins trailed 30-0 at one point. Things could spiral quickly and Deshaun Foster’s seat may heat up. New Mexico comes to the Rose Bowl next week. It’s a must-win for the Bruins

Next Game: 30-23 Loss at UNLV | Next Game Sept. 13th vs. New Mexico (1-1)

18. Northwestern Wildcats (1-1, 0-0) Last Week: 18

I almost put UCLA here, but a win over Western Illinois just doesn’t have the cache at only 42-7. The Wildcats will host top-10 Oregon next week as Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff hits the lakeside. Can ‘Cat Time’ work its magic again?

Last Game: 42-7 Win vs. Western Illinois | Next Game Sept. 13th vs. No. 6 Oregon