Coach Griff’s Big Ten Power Rankings: UCLA Surges, Iowa Climbs as Indiana and Ohio State Hold the Top Two
Coach Griff’s Big Ten Power Rankings | October 13, 2026
It was another weekend that reminded us why these are power rankings, not a simple copy of the conference standings. UCLA went into Eugene and beat Oregon. Iowa delivered an impressive road victory at Washington. Purdue continued its climb by dismantling Minnesota. And Indiana found a way to win a physical, difficult road game at Nebraska.
Our evaluation continues to balance opponent quality, game control, roster strength, injuries, the overall résumé and—most importantly—what the film says about how a team is playing. A quality loss can reveal strengths, but it is still a loss. A narrow win can expose flaws, but winning on the road against a good team has real value.
The Complete Big Ten Power Rankings: All 18 Teams
| Rank | Last week | Team | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Ohio State | — |
| 2 | 2 | Indiana | — |
| 3 | 5 | UCLA | ▲ 2 |
| 4 | 9 | Iowa | ▲ 5 |
| 5 | 3 | Nebraska | ▼ 2 |
| 6 | 6 | USC | — |
| 7 | 7 | Wisconsin | — |
| 8 | 4 | Oregon | ▼ 4 |
| 9 | 10 | Northwestern | ▲ 1 |
| 10 | 11 | Purdue | ▲ 1 |
| 11 | 13 | Michigan | ▲ 2 |
| 12 | 8 | Minnesota | ▼ 4 |
| 13 | 12 | Washington | ▼ 1 |
| 14 | 16 | Illinois | ▲ 2 |
| 15 | 14 | Maryland | ▼ 1 |
| 16 | 17 | Penn State | ▲ 1 |
| 17 | 15 | Michigan State | ▼ 2 |
| 18 | 18 | Rutgers | — |
Coach Griff’s Team-by-Team Breakdown
1. Ohio State (unchanged)
The Buckeyes handled Maryland 45–16 and remain our narrow No. 1 heading into Saturday’s showdown in Bloomington.
2. Indiana (unchanged)
The Hoosiers showed grit in a 20–17 road win at Nebraska. Offensive-line play and the run game still need improvement.
3. UCLA (up 2)
The unbeaten Bruins earned a major promotion by winning 17–15 at Oregon.
4. Iowa (up 5)
A 41–24 road win at Washington is the latest evidence the Hawkeyes deserve to be taken seriously.
5. Nebraska (down 2)
A three-point loss to Indiana does not erase how physical and competitive the Cornhuskers were.
6. USC (unchanged)
A 31–23 victory at Penn State helps solidify the Trojans’ place in the upper tier.
7. Wisconsin (unchanged)
The Badgers were idle and hold their position ahead of Oregon, which lost at home.
8. Oregon (down 4)
The Ducks fall after losing 17–15 to UCLA. Their head-to-head win over USC still matters, but two overall defeats weigh on the résumé.
9. Northwestern (up 1)
A 45–14 win over Ball State adds to a season of steady improvement.
10. Purdue (up 1)
The Boilermakers backed up their win at Illinois with a resounding 41–13 victory over Minnesota.
11. Michigan (up 2)
Idle this week, Michigan benefits from losses elsewhere but still needs a stronger on-field statement.
12. Minnesota (down 4)
The 41–13 defeat to Purdue is a major setback after the Gophers’ encouraging previous result.
13. Washington (down 1)
The Huskies’ 41–24 home loss to Iowa compounds their recent conference struggles.
14. Illinois (up 2)
The Illini pulled out a 38–37 victory over Michigan State but still have work to do.
15. Maryland (down 1)
The Terrapins could not stay with Ohio State in a 45–16 loss.
16. Penn State (up 1)
A competitive 31–23 loss to USC is an improvement in performance, not yet in results.
17. Michigan State (down 2)
A narrow 38–37 defeat against Illinois extends the Spartans’ frustrations.
18. Rutgers (unchanged)
The Scarlet Knights remain at the bottom until they show greater consistency.
UCLA Makes Its Case
There is no way around the significance of UCLA’s 17–15 win at Oregon. Winning on the road against a highly regarded opponent is exactly the kind of result that should influence a power poll. The Bruins jump from fifth to third and deserve recognition for what they have accomplished on the field—not what anyone expected in August.
Indiana Wins Ugly, and That Matters
Indiana’s 20–17 victory at Nebraska was not an offensive showcase. The Hoosiers struggled to establish the run, and Nebraska challenged them physically. Those concerns matter as Ohio State comes to Bloomington. But so does the way Indiana competed through adversity and found a way to win on the road. That is why the Hoosiers remain No. 2, just behind the Buckeyes. Saturday’s head-to-head matchup will provide the clearest answer yet.
Iowa and Purdue Are Moving
Iowa’s 41–24 win at Washington moves the Hawkeyes from ninth to fourth. Purdue’s 41–13 rout of Minnesota moves the Boilermakers into the top ten. Those are substantial shifts, but the results warrant them. In our poll, production and opponent quality outweigh preseason reputation.
Wisconsin Holds Ahead of Oregon
Wisconsin was idle and stays seventh. Oregon drops from fourth to eighth after its 17–15 home loss to UCLA. The Ducks still own an important head-to-head win over USC, but their second overall defeat creates a meaningful difference in the total résumé. We are not punishing the Badgers for an open date while a team directly ahead of them loses.
Coach Griff’s Final Word
Ohio State and Indiana remain the top two teams in our poll, separated by a narrow margin. UCLA has earned its way into the top three. Iowa has strengthened its case, and Purdue is forcing everyone to reconsider expectations. This is what a weekly power ranking should do: respond to the evidence rather than protect a preseason narrative.
Saturday brings No. 4 Ohio State to No. 5 Indiana. The stakes are enormous, and the outcome will shape next week’s rankings. Until then, the standard remains the same: evaluate the football, respect the results and apply the same measuring stick to every program.
Fast. Physical. Relentless.
