2024 Big Ten Football Week 12 Power Rankings: Top Teams Hold Steady as UCLA Climbs; Week 12 picks
Big Ten Power Rankings Week 12: Top Teams Remain Unchallenged, UCLA Surges, and Key Matchups Loom
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The top 11 of the Big Ten stays steady. UCLA’s three-game win streak vaults them up to three spots at No. 14. The Big Ten schedule this week offers no matchups between ranked teams. It could be a boring weekend for the conference.
Tier 1 - College Football Playoff Contenders
1. Oregon (10-0, 7-0)
Trend: -
CFP Ranking: No. 1
Last week: 38-19 win vs. Maryland
This week: at Wisconsin
On-the-field success naturally leads to recruiting success. The Ducks flipped a key 2025 UW commit this past weekend, with head coach Dan Lanning persuading four-star tight end Vander Ploog (what a name), to join Oregon next season.
2. Ohio State (8-1, 5-1)
Trend: -
CFP Ranking: No. 2
Last week: 45-0 win vs. Purdue
This week: at Northwestern
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith broke the Buckeyes’ freshman receiving record with his ninth touchdown reception of the season in his team’s win over Purdue.
3. Penn State (8-1, 5-1)
Trend: -
CFP Ranking: No. 4
Last week: 35-6 win vs. Washington
This week: at Purdue
Penn State looked and was, absolutely dominant, in its win over Washington. The Huskies’ offensive line looked hopeless against Penn State’s relentless pressure.
4. Indiana (10-0, 7-0)
Trend: -
CFP Ranking: No. 5
Last week: 20-15 win vs. Michigan
This week: BYE
Michigan held Indiana to a season-low 20 points last weekend, but the Hoosiers still found a way to win. The magical season continues.
Tier 2 - Outside, Looking In
Tier 3 - Bowl Bound
5. Iowa (6-4, 4-3)
Trend: -
Last week: 20-17 loss at UCLA
This week: BYE
Hawkeyes running back Kaleb Johnson was held to a season-low 49 yards against UCLA. Can he and Iowa bounce back on the road against Maryland in two weeks?
6. Minnesota (6-3, 4-3)
Trend: -
Last week: 26-19 loss at Rutgers
This week: BYE
Minnesota’s four-game win streak ended in a road loss to Rutgers. The Golden Gophers get a bye week before finishing their season with games against Penn State and Wisconsin.
7. Illinois (6-3, 3-3)
Trend: -
Last week: BYE
This week: vs. Michigan State
Illinois is looking to conclude its impressive home campaign at Memorial Stadium. The Fighting Illini are 5-1 at home this season. A win against Michigan State would give Illinois six home wins for the first time since 2001.
8. Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3)
Trend: -
Last week: BYE
This week: vs. No. 1 Oregon
Wisconsin is only allowing 158.9 passing yards per game this season. Will they be able to slow down Oregon and its quarterback Dillon Gabriel?
9. Nebraska (5-4, 2-4)
Trend: -
Last week: BYE
This week: at USC
This season, three of Nebraska’s four losses have been by a touchdown or less. Can they beat a dejected USC team on the road in Los Angeles?
10. Washington (5-5, 3-4)
Trend: -
Last week: 35-6 loss at No. 6 Penn State
This week: vs. UCLA
I’ll own up to it. I thought Washington had a chance against Penn State. I was wrong. Whether this season is a success comes down to this home game against UCLA. Win, and Washington preserves its home winning streak and goes undefeated at home this season, and qualifies for a bowl game. Lose, and its home winning streak ends and UW’s last shot at a bowl game is mounting a monumental upset over Oregon on the road. Gotta win.
11. Michigan (5-5, 3-4)
Trend: -
Last week: 20-15 loss at No. 8 Indiana
This week: BYE
Michigan, like Washington, is fighting for a bowl berth. The team gets two weeks to prepare for Northwestern. They then will end their season against rival Ohio State. Beating Northwestern seems more realistic, and possible.
12. Rutgers (5-4, 2-4)
Trend: +1
Last week: 26-19 win vs. Minnesota
This week: at Maryland
Rutgers gets back in the win column after beating a hot Minnesota team. Even though USC beat them, I’m putting them above USC by virtue of Rutgers’ winning record.
13. USC (4-5, 2-5)
Trend: -1
Last week: BYE
This week: vs. Nebraska
USC is rocking throwback jerseys this weekend at home to celebrate its 1972 National Championship team. These jerseys have stripes, which USC hasn’t worn since the Pete Carroll era in 2002. Cool.
Tier 4 - Bottom 5
14. UCLA (4-5, 3-4)
Trend: +3
Last week: 20-17 win vs. Iowa
This week: at Washington
They are alive! Make that three straight wins for the Bruins, heading into a critical road game against former Pac-12 friend Washington.
Inside the Matchup: Can Washington's Stop UCLA's Momentum? Previewing UW-UCLA with The Mighty Bruin
15. Michigan State (4-5, 2-4)
Trend: -1
Last week: BYE
This week: at Illinois
One standout that has emerged in the Spartans’ offense? Freshman wide receiver Nick Marsh, who is averaging 69.1 receiving yards per game, ranking him third among FBS freshmen.
16. Maryland (4-5, 1-5)
Trend: -1
Last week: 39-18 loss at No. 1 Oregon
This week: vs. Rutgers
Maryland also has a standout wide receiver. Senior Tai Felton will set the single-season record for receptions at Maryland with his next catch. He leads the Big Ten in receptions (80) and receiving yards (979).
17. Northwestern (4-5, 2-4)
Trend: -1
Last week: BYE
This week: vs. No. 2 Ohio State
2024 Northwestern enters its Wrigley Park era starting this Saturday against Ohio State. Here’s a nugget. Dating back to last season, the Wildcats have forced a turnover in 14 of its last 16 games. Can the Wildcats defense create one this weekend against Ohio State and make the game interesting?
18. Purdue (1-8, 0-6)
Trend: -
Last week: 45-0 loss at No. 2 Ohio State
This week: vs. No. 4 Penn State
Purdue is in the middle of a stretch finding itself playing four of the top five ranked teams in college football. Brutal.
Week 12 Picks
2024 Record vs. the spread: 26-28
2024 Record, straight up: 40-17
Week 11 Record vs. the spread: 2-3
Week 11, straight up: 3-2
UCLA (4-5, 3-4) at Washington (5-5, 3-4) (Friday at 6 p.m., FOX)
The spread: Washington is favored by 4 points.
The pick: Washington 23, UCLA 17
Utah (4-5) at No. 17 Colorado (7-2) (Saturday at 9 a.m., FOX)
The spread: Colorado by 11.5 points.
The pick: Colorado 24, Utah 17
Nebraska (5-4, 2-4) at USC (4-5, 2-5) (Saturday at 1 p.m., FOX)
The spread: USC is favored by 9.5 points.
The pick: USC 25, Nebraska 21
No. 7 Tennessee (8-1) at No. 12 Georgia (7-2) (Saturday at 4:30, ABC)
The spread: Georgia is favored by 10 points.
The pick: Georgia 28, Tennessee 22
No. 1 Oregon (10-0, 7-0) at Wisconsin (5-4, 3-3) (Saturday at 4:30 p.m., NBC)
The spread: Oregon is favored by 14 points.
The pick: Oregon 38, Wisconsin 17