What did we learn about the Big Ten in Week 11? -

Resilience at the Top: One of the key takeaways from Week 11 is how resilient Indiana continues to be, even when they don’t play their best football. Their close win against Michigan demonstrated that the Hoosiers can handle adversity. Michigan’s offensive struggles gave Indiana’s defense just enough room to seal a victory. While Indiana’s offense sputtered in the second half, their special teams and defensive stops were critical in pulling out a win. As long as Indiana continues to make timely plays, they will remain at the top of the Big Ten discussion.

Ohio State’s Dominance: On the other hand, Ohio State continued their march as one of the most complete teams in the conference. Their 45-0 rout of Purdue showed off their dominance on both sides of the ball, as they put the game out of reach early and kept their foot on the gas. Purdue had no answer for the Buckeyes, and Ohio State’s defense pitched a shutout, making them a legitimate College Football Playoff contender again. The big question is whether Ohio State can sustain this level of play as they approach tougher matchups down the stretch.

Struggles in the Middle Tier: Teams like Iowa and Minnesota have shown inconsistent performances throughout the season. Iowa’s loss to UCLA highlighted their offensive inefficiencies, while Minnesota’s woes vs Rutgers make it difficult for them to rise in the rankings. The middle of the Big Ten remains cluttered with teams struggling to separate themselves, but Week 11 showed that some of these programs have real potential if they can just piece together consistent performances.

Blowout Thoughts

Purdue 0, Ohio State 45
Ohio State made quick work of Purdue in a dominant 45-0 victory. The Buckeyes showcased their complete dominance, especially on the defensive side, where they completely neutralized Purdue’s offense. With a high-powered offense and a defense that showed up in every phase, Ohio State continues to look like one of the top contenders not only in the Big Ten but also for the College Football Playoff.

Maryland 18, Oregon 39
Oregon was slow to start but eventually overpowered Maryland, securing a 39-18 win. Maryland’s defense kept them in the game early, but Oregon’s offense proved too explosive as the game wore on. With a consistent passing attack and a defense that tightened up in key moments, Oregon remains undefeated and looks poised for a high playoff seed.

Washington 6, Penn State 35
Penn State bounced back from a tough loss to Ohio State with a commanding 35-6 victory over Washington. The Nittany Lions’ defense suffocated Washington from the start, and Penn State’s offense put together a complete performance. Washington benched Will Rogers in favor of Desmond Williams, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a hungry Penn State team looking to make a statement.

Game Recaps

Minnesota 19, Rutgers 26
In an unexpected twist, Rutgers managed to end their four-game losing streak with a 26-19 win over Minnesota, who had been one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten. Despite playing without their star player Kyle Monangai, Rutgers’ defense stepped up and made critical plays down the stretch. Minnesota, who had been riding a four-game winning streak, struggled to find consistency on offense. This loss is a significant setback for Minnesota, as they were climbing the Big Ten standings, while Rutgers showed they still have some fight left in them.

Iowa 17, UCLA 20
Iowa’s struggles reared their ugly head in Week 11, as they dropped a close 20-17 game to UCLA. Iowa’s quarterback issues played a major role in the loss, as they were down to their fifth-string walk-on quarterback, which limited their offensive capabilities. Iowa’s defense did everything they could to keep them in the game, but UCLA’s offense, led by an improving Deshaun Foster offense and Eric Bieniemy’s play-calling, proved to be too much. UCLA is on a hot streak and continues to rise in the Big Ten power rankings, while Iowa’s up-and-down season makes it difficult to gauge their future.

Michigan 15, Indiana 20
In one of the most talked-about games of the week, Indiana managed to hold on for a 20-15 victory over Michigan. Michigan had multiple opportunities to win this game, especially in the second half, but failed to capitalize due to poor offensive line play and missed opportunities. Indiana’s defense and special teams made key plays when needed, and their resilience in close games continues to impress. For Michigan, this loss adds to their frustrations in close games, and questions remain about the direction of their program.

Top 25 Reactions/CFP Rankings Expectations/Playoff Implications

The Week 11 results have set the stage for some movement in the Top 25, particularly for Big Ten teams. Oregon remains at the top, holding firm as the number one team with a perfect 10-0 record. Ohio State’s dominant performance over Purdue should solidify their position as the number two team, as their only loss remains to Oregon. Texas and Penn State also won comfortably and should maintain their positions in the top four.

Indiana’s narrow win over Michigan may raise concerns about their long-term ability to challenge for the Big Ten title, but their 10-0 record will put them in the top five. The Hoosiers, however, will be on a bye week before they face their toughest opponent of the season: The Ohio State Buckeyes. The playoff committee has shown reluctance to elevate Indiana, but with a few more wins, they could rise as high as number one.

With Georgia losing, there’s a real chance for Indiana to make a case for a top-four ranking if they remain undefeated. However, the true test for Indiana will come in the Big Ten Championship, where they will likely face either Oregon. If Indiana can win out, they could make a historic push for a playoff spot.