Coach Griff’s Big Ten Power Rankings: UCLA Leads, Indiana Controls Its Opportunity
By Coach Shannon Griffith | Hoosier Football Tailgate
The Big Ten race has opened up, and Indiana has an opportunity to take control of its finish. Oregon’s victory over Ohio State changes the championship discussion, strengthens the Ducks’ argument and raises the stakes for Indiana’s meeting with USC.
These are my latest Big Ten Power Rankings, updated November 9. They are an evaluation of the teams, not the conference standings or a prediction of the College Football Playoff committee’s next rankings.
Coach Griff’s Big Ten Power Rankings: All 18 Teams
- UCLA
- Indiana
- Oregon
- USC
- Ohio State
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Wisconsin
- Northwestern
- Minnesota
- Penn State
- Michigan
- Nebraska
- Washington
- Michigan State
- Maryland
- Purdue
- Rutgers
The Top Six: Championship Stakes and Playoff Arguments
1. UCLA
The Bruins hold the top spot in my conference evaluation. Staying there requires finishing the job. Indiana’s opportunity does not erase UCLA’s own path, and the closing stretch will determine whether these teams turn their position into a championship appearance.
2. Indiana
The Hoosiers’ defense gives them a chance to compete with anyone. The question remains whether the offense can create enough explosive plays to give that defense more room for error. This goes deeper than the identity of QB1: the running game, protection and passing production must work together. Special teams also must become more dependable. USC is the immediate test, with both championship and CFP implications.
4. USC
USC sits directly behind Indiana, making Saturday’s matchup a test of this order. The Trojans have an opportunity to strengthen their argument against a team above them. For Indiana, protecting its position requires handling the challenge on the field.
5. Ohio State
Ohio State sits fifth in my Big Ten evaluation, but its recent losses demand scrutiny. Oregon’s win matters. Reputation cannot erase results, and the Buckeyes’ finish must be judged by what they produce from here.
6. Iowa
Iowa moves to sixth as Oregon rises into the top three. The Hawkeyes remain ahead of Illinois in this week’s evaluation, but the Ducks’ road victories over USC and Ohio State give Oregon the stronger case for a place near the top.
3. Oregon
Oregon moves to third, ahead of USC and Ohio State. Road victories over both teams deserve decisive weight in this comparison. The Ducks have earned this position on the field, and their narrow loss to UCLA also belongs in the broader assessment. Oregon deserves a serious place in the playoff conversation.
The Middle: Positions Seven Through Twelve
7. Illinois; 8. Wisconsin; 9. Northwestern; 10. Minnesota. This is a tightly grouped portion of the conference. Illinois leads that group, followed by Wisconsin, Northwestern and Minnesota. These positions should be treated as an evaluation of relative strength rather than a substitute for the standings.
11. Penn State; 12. Michigan. Both programs sit outside my top ten this week. Program history does not determine placement. Their remaining performances will determine whether either deserves to move back into that group.
The Final Six
13. Nebraska; 14. Washington; 15. Michigan State; 16. Maryland; 17. Purdue; 18. Rutgers. That is the order for the final six teams in this week’s rankings. Each has an opportunity to change its evaluation with its finish, but the current order reflects where I place them entering the next round of games.
What Matters Most for Indiana
The Hoosiers have an opportunity in front of them, and that brings responsibility. Championship hopes and playoff positioning become meaningful only when a team handles the next opponent.
Indiana cannot depend solely on its defense to solve every problem. More offensive explosives, a productive rushing plan and cleaner special teams would give the Hoosiers a stronger chance to finish. USC is the next measuring stick. The conversation will change again after the result.
