The Big Ten power rankings will be published weekly throughout the regular season using a mix of data-driven insight and unapologetic subjectivity. With 18 teams, nine conference games and wild variations in the quality of non-conference schedules, comparative analysis is an inherently flawed approach. Which is fine, because the Hotline hasn’t been wrong about anything in at least 90 minutes.
The Big Ten opened the 2025 season impressively, with 16 wins, just two losses and Ohio State’s signature victory over Texas.
But dig one layer deep, and that winning percentage (88.9) loses a bit of luster:
— The conference was favored in all but two games.
— Only six of the 16 favorites covered the point spread.
— The two betting underdogs, UCLA and Northwestern, lost outright in gruesome fashion.
— Against power conference opponents, the Big Ten was just 2-1.
We mention these data points not as a warning flare but as a means of adding context.
The SEC was 14-2 on opening weekend, with nine of the winners covering the spread, and went 4-2 against power conference opponents.
The Big Ten will be fine. But its true place in the hierarchy is weeks away from coming into focus.
To the power rankings …
(All times Pacific)
1. Ohio State (1-0)
Result: beat Texas 14-7
Next up: vs. Grambling State (12:30 p.m. Big Ten Network)
Comment: Had you told us the Buckeyes would gain just 203 yards, convert only 3-of-12 third downs and have one Red Zone opportunity, the Hotline would have expected a double-digit loss. Instead, they locked down a huge victory that offers vital margin for error in conference play. First-year defensive coordinator Matt Patricia earned his paycheck, and a bonus.
2. Penn State (1-0)
Result: beat Nevada 46-11
Next up: vs. Florida International (9 a.m. on Big Ten Network)
Comment: The Nittany Lions closed as 42.5-point favorites and led by 43 points late, but Nevada scored with 25 seconds left. The back door is nasty, folks.
3. Oregon (1-0)
Result: beat Montana State 59-13
Next up: vs. Oklahoma State (12:30 p.m. on CBS)
Comment: The Cowboys’ quarterback has a broken foot, Northwestern lost by 20 at Tulane and Oregon State looked inept against Cal, so can we just fast forward to Sept. 27 and the White Out game in Happy Valley. Because that’s when Oregon’s season actually starts.
4. Illinois (1-0)
Result: beat Western Illinois 52-3
Next up: at Duke (9 a.m. on ESPN)
Comment: If you were wondering how the Illini would handle the afterglow of their highest preseason AP ranking in 35 years, well, their 31-0 halftime lead was a fairly convincing answer.
5. Iowa (1-0)
Result: beat Albany 34-7
Next up: at Iowa State (9 a.m. on Fox)
Comment: Big Noon Kickoff is heading to Ames in what stands as a critical game for both teams and both conferences. The outcome will help determine the Big 12’s prospects for a second at-large bid to the College Football Playoff and the Big Ten’s path to a fourth.
6. USC (1-0)
Result: beat Missouri State 73-13
Next up: vs. Georgia Southern (4:30 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: Former USC coach Clay Helton makes his return to the Coliseum with a team that just got blown out by Fresno State. The early point spread (USC -27.5) seems a tad low.
7. Nebraska (1-0)
Result: won at Cincinnati 20-17
Next up: vs. Akron (4:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network)
Comment: The Hotline expected more than 20 points and 356 yards from the Cornhuskers with sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola and playcaller Dana Holgorsen, especially with a two-turnover edge. Either we aren’t as smart as we think we are, or Raiolgorsen isn’t the pairing it should be.
8. Michigan (1-0)
Result: beat New Mexico 34-17
Next up: at Oklahoma (4:30 p.m. on ABC)
Comment: The best quarterback on the field Saturday evening in Norman won’t be the Michigan blue-chipper (Bryce Underwood) whose NIL compensation was funded by a tech billionaire. It will be the Oklahoma transfer (John Mateer) who had one major college scholarship offer — from Washington State, no less.
9. Washington (1-0)
Result: beat Colorado State 38-21
Next up: vs. UC Davis (8 p.m. on Big Ten Network)
Comment: We were curious about the extent to which UW’s passing game would focus on Denzel Boston, but four other players had at least two receptions. For quarterback Demond Williams, success in the toughest games will hinge on replicating that distribution.
10. Michigan State (1-0)
Result: beat Western Michigan 23-6
Next up: vs. Boston College (4:30 p.m. on NBC)
Comment: Both the Spartans and USC should be undefeated when Michigan State heads to the Coliseum on Sept. 20 for Pasadena native Jonathan Smith’s first appearance in the storied venue since Oregon State hung 45 on the Trojans in 2021.
11. Minnesota (1-0)
Result: beat Buffalo 23-10
Next up: vs. Northwestern State (9 a.m. on Big Ten Network)
Comment: The Gophers might get a tougher game from Northwestern State than they would from Northwestern.
12. Maryland (1-0)
Result: beat Florida Atlantic 39-7
Next up: vs Northern Illinois (Friday at 4:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network)
Comment: Plenty of accolades for freshman Malik Washington, who threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns. We prefer to wait a week, or four, before pronouncing him the program’s savior.
13. Indiana (1-0)
Result: beat Old Dominion 27-14
Next up: vs. Kennesaw State (9 a.m. on FS1)
Comment: The Hotline is absolutely committed to not mocking Indiana’s schedule each and every week … starting next week.
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14. Rutgers (1-0)
Result: beat Ohio 34-31
Next up: vs. Miami-Ohio (12:30 p.m. on Peacock)
Comment: The final margin should be slightly concerning to the Scarlet Knights, but Ohio’s success on the ground (201 yards on 31 carries) is cause for outright alarm.
15. Wisconsin (1-0)
Result: beat Miami-Ohio 17-0
Next up: vs. Middle Tennessee State (1 p.m. on FS1)
Comment: The Week 3 trip to Tuscaloosa seems an order-of-magnitude less daunting than it did 48 hours ago. Then again, the Badgers lost at home to Alabama last year by 32.
16. Purdue (1-0)
Result: beat Ball State 31-0
Next up: vs. Southern Illinois (4:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network)
Comment: We did not expect to rank Purdue higher than 18th at any point this season.
17. UCLA (0-1)
Result: lost to Utah 43-10
Next up: at UNLV (5 p.m. on CBSSN)
Comment: The Hotline has seen nothing from DeShaun Foster’s 18 months on the job to convince us that he can lead the Bruins to relevance. (Just being honest.)
18. Northwestern (0-1)
Result: lost at Tulane 23-3
Next up: vs. Western Illinois (Friday at 4:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network)
Comment: Few things reflect the dire situation in Evanston better than Preston Stone, who lost his job at SMU, being the Wildcats’ best option for the role of QB1.
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