Updated Big Ten Power rankings after Week 5: Oregon and Indiana are trending up

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore throws a pass as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore throws a pass as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It was another wild week in the Big Ten and here are the Big Ten football power rankings after Week 5.

1. Ohio State 4-0

It wasn’t pretty, but the Buckeyes did what they had to do against Washington on the road, winning 24-6. 

Last Week: 1

2. Oregon 4-0

It took double overtime in a game that went back and forth in the second half against Penn State, but Oregon won 30-24. Oregon is off this week, and then it could be another top-10 showdown this time against current #11 Indiana. 

Last Week: 3

3. Indiana 4-0

Indiana moves up after defeating Iowa on the road 20-15. The Hoosiers have a bye week, then they face #6 Oregon on the road. 

Last Week: 4

4. Penn State 3-1

Penn State lost a tough one to Oregon. Will they ever get over the hump of beating a good team? 

Last Week: 2

5. Michigan 3-1

Michigan was idle and will return home this weekend to face a struggling Wisconsin team. 

Last Week: 5

6. Maryland 5-0

Maryland was idle and has Washington at home this week. 

Last Week: 8

7. Illinois 4-1

The Illini responded well from last week’s loss by defeating #21 USC 34-32 as time expired. They travel to face Purdue this weekend. 

Last Week: 15

8. USC 4-1

USC continues to score points but also continues to fail to stop anybody, and it cost them against Illinois. USC has a bye week to try and figure it out before Michigan comes to town. 

Last Week: 6

9. Nebraska 3-1

Nebraska was idle and will play Michigan State next. 

Last Week: 10

10. Michigan State 3-1

The Spartans were idle and are on the road for their next game against Nebraska. 

Last Week: 11

11. Minnesota 3-1

Minnesota got a win in a close game against Rutgers. They have #1 Ohio State next. 

Last Week: 12

12. Iowa 3-2

Iowa fell short in defeating #11 Indiana 20-15. They have a bye before trying to get back on the winning track in a road game against Wisconsin.

Last Week: 9

13. Washington 3-1

Washington suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Ohio State. Just too much to overcome for the Huskies. Next up is Maryland. 

Last Week: 7

14. Rutgers 3-2

Rutgers lost a close one to Minnesota, 31-28. They have lost their last two games and will have a bye week to try and figure it out before a road game Oct. 10 against Washington. 

Last Week: 13

15. Wisconsin 2-2

Wisconsin was idle, and now they go to Ann Arbor to face #19 Michigan. 

Last Week: 14

16. Purdue 2-2

Purdue was idle and will look to avoid losing three in a row, but they will have to upset #23 Illinois at home. 

Last Week: 16

17. Northwestern 2-2

Northwestern almost blew a 17-0 lead but held on at the end to beat UCLA 17-14. 

Last Week: 17

18. UCLA 0-4

This may have been UCLA’s last chance to get a win this year. The rest of the season, they’re double-digit underdogs. 

Last Week: 18

 

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations