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Big 10 Power Rankings: USC takes a big slide after falling to Wisconsin on the road

The Trojans have some work to do after Saturday's loss
ByNicholas Burmood
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Wisconsin Badgers safety Cairo Skanes (21) races downfield after intercepting a pass in the game against USC, Oct. 24, 2026, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Badgers safety Cairo Skanes (21) races downfield after intercepting a pass in the game against USC, Oct. 24, 2026, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Big Ten is just as wide open as ever, but the hierarchy is starting to establish itself. There are a few familiar faces at the top, like Ohio State and Indiana, but other teams have emerged to give the conference a few different potential options for CFP berths.

Here are the Power Rankings in the Big Ten after Week 8:

1. Ohio State (6-1, 4-0)

The Trojans will get to see what the Buckeyes can do without Julian Sayin at quarterback first hand and after a week off, you have to figure that Ryan Day has found out more ways to get the ball to Jeremiah Smith.

2. UCLA (7-0, 5-0)

There's a legitimate argument for the Bruins to be ahead of the Buckeyes because their defense is so good. After giving up 38 points to Purdue last month, UCLA has only yielded 35 points total in the past four games.

3. Indiana (7-1, 4-1)

It hasn't been pretty for the Hoosiers, but they get it done most weeks. Eventually we'll have to talk about that offense, but against Michigan they had just enough.

4. Northwestern (6-1, 3-1)

These aren't the "Mildcats", at least not this year. They can also bury Oregon's season with a win over the Ducks in Week 9. I know Wildcats offensive coordinator and former Ducks coach Chip Kelly is looking forward to this one.

5. Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1)

Much respect to Wisconsin for turning things around in a pivotal season for Luke Fickell. These Badgers are a lot like the old Badgers that could smother opponents with a running game and defense.

6. Minnesota (5-2, 3-1)

There's nothing pretty about the way the Golden Gophers win most weeks, but they manage to survive. It's something that's been the calling card of PJ Fleck's teams since he got there. The next two weeks against Indiana and UCLA will require all the survival instincts that Minnesota has.

7. Iowa (5-2, 2-2)

Before Saturday's loss to Minnesota, it was easy to think that Iowa could hang around and be a factor in the CFP. A win against Northwestern could put the Hawkeyes back on the radar, but that's going to be a tall task.

8. USC (6-2, 3-2)

The Trojans really had to get through the first eight games with just one loss and it didn't happen. Now Ohio State comes to town in a game that could decide Lincoln Riley's future with USC. 

Best of the Rest

9. Illinois (4-3, 2-2)
10. Washington (4-3, 1-3)
11. Oregon (4-3, 2-2)
12. Nebraska (5-2, 2-2)
13. Michigan (4-3, 1-3)
14. Purdue (3-4, 2-2)
15. Penn State (3-4, 0-4)
16. Rutgers (2-5, 1-3)
17. Michigan State (2-6, 0-5)
18. Maryland (2-5, 0-4)

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