The Large Ten energy rankings shall be printed weekly all through the common season utilizing a mixture of data-driven perception and unapologetic subjectivity. With 18 groups, 9 convention video games and wild variations within the high quality of non-conference schedules, comparative evaluation is an inherently flawed strategy. Which is okay, as a result of the Hotline hasn’t been improper about something in not less than 90 minutes.
The Large Ten opened the 2025 season impressively, with 16 wins, simply two losses and Ohio State’s signature victory over Texas.
However dig one layer deep, and that successful proportion (88.9) loses a little bit of luster:
— The convention was favored in all however two video games.
— Solely six of the 16 favorites lined the purpose unfold.
— The 2 betting underdogs, UCLA and Northwestern, misplaced outright in ugly trend.
— Towards energy convention opponents, the Large Ten was simply 2-1.
We point out these knowledge factors not as a warning flare however as a way of including context.
The SEC was 14-2 on opening weekend, with 9 of the winners overlaying the unfold, and went 4-2 towards energy convention opponents.
The Large Ten shall be positive. However its true place within the hierarchy is weeks away from coming into focus.
To the facility rankings …
(All occasions Pacific)
1. Ohio State (1-0)
Outcome: beat Texas 14-7
Subsequent up: vs. Grambling State (12:30 p.m. Large Ten Community)
Remark: Had you informed us the Buckeyes would achieve simply 203 yards, convert solely 3-of-12 third downs and have one Crimson Zone alternative, the Hotline would have anticipated a double-digit loss. As a substitute, they locked down an enormous victory that provides important margin for error in convention play. First-year defensive coordinator Matt Patricia earned his paycheck, and a bonus.
2. Penn State (1-0)
Outcome: beat Nevada 46-11
Subsequent up: vs. Florida Worldwide (9 a.m. on Large Ten Community)
Remark: The Nittany Lions closed as 42.5-point favorites and led by 43 factors late, however Nevada scored with 25 seconds left. The again door is nasty, of us.
3. Oregon (1-0)
Outcome: beat Montana State 59-13
Subsequent up: vs. Oklahoma State (12:30 p.m. on CBS)
Remark: The Cowboys’ quarterback has a damaged foot, Northwestern misplaced by 20 at Tulane and Oregon State seemed inept towards Cal, so can we simply quick ahead to Sept. 27 and the White Out sport in Completely satisfied Valley. As a result of that’s when Oregon’s season truly begins.
4. Illinois (1-0)
Outcome: beat Western Illinois 52-3
Subsequent up: at Duke (9 a.m. on ESPN)
Remark: In case you have been questioning how the Illini would deal with the afterglow of their highest preseason AP rating in 35 years, properly, their 31-0 halftime lead was a reasonably convincing reply.
5. Iowa (1-0)
Outcome: beat Albany 34-7
Subsequent up: at Iowa State (9 a.m. on Fox)
Remark: Large Midday Kickoff is heading to Ames in what stands as a essential sport for each groups and each conferences. The end result will assist decide the Large 12’s prospects for a second at-large bid to the School Soccer Playoff and the Large Ten’s path to a fourth.
6. USC (1-0)
Outcome: beat Missouri State 73-13
Subsequent up: vs. Georgia Southern (4:30 p.m. on FS1)
Remark: Former USC coach Clay Helton makes his return to the Coliseum with a workforce that simply bought blown out by Fresno State. The early level unfold (USC -27.5) appears a tad low.
7. Nebraska (1-0)
Outcome: gained at Cincinnati 20-17
Subsequent up: vs. Akron (4:30 p.m. on Large Ten Community)
Remark: The Hotline anticipated greater than 20 factors and 356 yards from the Cornhuskers with sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola and playcaller Dana Holgorsen, particularly with a two-turnover edge. Both we aren’t as good as we predict we’re, or Raiolgorsen isn’t the pairing it ought to be.
8. Michigan (1-0)
Outcome: beat New Mexico 34-17
Subsequent up: at Oklahoma (4:30 p.m. on ABC)
Remark: The very best quarterback on the sphere Saturday night in Norman gained’t be the Michigan blue-chipper (Bryce Underwood) whose NIL compensation was funded by a tech billionaire. It is going to be the Oklahoma switch (John Mateer) who had one main school scholarship supply — from Washington State, no much less.
9. Washington (1-0)
Outcome: beat Colorado State 38-21
Subsequent up: vs. UC Davis (8 p.m. on Large Ten Community)
Remark: We have been curious concerning the extent to which UW’s passing sport would give attention to Denzel Boston, however 4 different gamers had not less than two receptions. For quarterback Demond Williams, success within the hardest video games will hinge on replicating that distribution.
10. Michigan State (1-0)
Outcome: beat Western Michigan 23-6
Subsequent up: vs. Boston School (4:30 p.m. on NBC)
Remark: Each the Spartans and USC ought to be undefeated when Michigan State heads to the Coliseum on Sept. 20 for Pasadena native Jonathan Smith’s first look within the storied venue since Oregon State hung 45 on the Trojans in 2021.
11. Minnesota (1-0)
Outcome: beat Buffalo 23-10
Subsequent up: vs. Northwestern State (9 a.m. on Large Ten Community)
Remark: The Gophers would possibly get a harder sport from Northwestern State than they might from Northwestern.
12. Maryland (1-0)
Outcome: beat Florida Atlantic 39-7
Subsequent up: vs Northern Illinois (Friday at 4:30 p.m. on Large Ten Community)
Remark: Loads of accolades for freshman Malik Washington, who threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns. We favor to attend every week, or 4, earlier than saying him this system’s savior.
13. Indiana (1-0)
Outcome: beat Previous Dominion 27-14
Subsequent up: vs. Kennesaw State (9 a.m. on FS1)
Remark: The Hotline is totally dedicated to not mocking Indiana’s schedule each week … beginning subsequent week.
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14. Rutgers (1-0)
Outcome: beat Ohio 34-31
Subsequent up: vs. Miami-Ohio (12:30 p.m. on Peacock)
Remark: The ultimate margin ought to be barely regarding to the Scarlet Knights, however Ohio’s success on the bottom (201 yards on 31 carries) is trigger for outright alarm.
15. Wisconsin (1-0)
Outcome: beat Miami-Ohio 17-0
Subsequent up: vs. Center Tennessee State (1 p.m. on FS1)
Remark: The Week 3 journey to Tuscaloosa appears an order-of-magnitude much less daunting than it did 48 hours in the past. Then once more, the Badgers misplaced at dwelling to Alabama final yr by 32.
16. Purdue (1-0)
Outcome: beat Ball State 31-0
Subsequent up: vs. Southern Illinois (4:30 p.m. on Large Ten Community)
Remark: We didn’t count on to rank Purdue greater than 18th at any level this season.
17. UCLA (0-1)
Outcome: misplaced to Utah 43-10
Subsequent up: at UNLV (5 p.m. on CBSSN)
Remark: The Hotline has seen nothing from DeShaun Foster’s 18 months on the job to persuade us that he can lead the Bruins to relevance. (Simply being sincere.)
18. Northwestern (0-1)
Outcome: misplaced at Tulane 23-3
Subsequent up: vs. Western Illinois (Friday at 4:30 p.m. on Large Ten Community)
Remark: Few issues replicate the dire scenario in Evanston higher than Preston Stone, who misplaced his job at SMU, being the Wildcats’ most suitable choice for the position of QB1.
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