With conference play well underway, it’s time to take a look at how the Big Ten stands after each team has played its 15th or 16th game of the season. It doesn’t come as much of a surprise that the top four or five teams have all but separated themselves from the middle of the pack. Yet this is the Big Ten, and it’s a grind. This new edition of the Big Ten power rankings sees a new team at the top as the Nebraska Cornhuskers remain the lone unbeaten team from the conference, and have looked like a team you don’t want to see.
As Michigan suffered its first slip-up this past week, Purdue and Michigan State are right back into the race in the Big Ten.
Nebraska Storms to the Top of the Big Ten Power Rankings
1. Nebraska (16-0)
Who would have thought that Nebraska would have itself in contention in 2025-26 for not only the Big Ten, but nationally as well? The Huskers are off to the best start in school history at 16-0. Not to mention, they find themselves inside the top 10 in the national polls. After besting MSU in a two-point defensive battle, Nebraska went on the road, where they faced their toughest tests from both Ohio State and Indiana, with both teams having chances to hand Nebraska its first loss. The fight from this team has been incredible, as players outside of leading scorer Rienk Mast have stepped up. That includes both freshmen Braden Frager and senior Jamarques Lawrence . Lawrence’s 27 points were a big reason they escaped Bloomington with a win.
Up next: Oregon (Tues, 1/13), @ Northwestern (Sat, 1/17)
2. Purdue (15-1)
Besides Braden Smith breaking the Big Ten record for career assists , the Boilermakers have been a well-rounded group. Three straight comfortable wins at Wisconsin, followed by back-to-back home victories against Washington and Penn State, have Purdue still very much in contention. Life in the Big Ten continues with a West Coast trip coming up for the Boilermakers.
Up next: Iowa (Wed, 1/14), @ USC (Sat, 1/17)
3. Michigan State (14-2)
Since falling two points short at Nebraska to kick off 2026, the Spartans have made it their focus to return to form. They have done so with a nice home stand. It included a 29-point win against USC before having to fight tooth and nail to pull off a 10-point win against Northwestern. Carson Cooper had a big game with a career high 18 points, not to mention freshman Cam Ward has finally started to look comfortable. Ward dealt with a wrist injury for most of December.
Up next: Indiana (Tues, 1/13), @ Washington (Sat 1/17)
4. Michigan (14-1)
After blowing out opponents but 30 or more points for the better part of the last two months, the Wolveriners fell back to earth this past week. First came a very close game on the road at Penn State. A Roddy Gayle Jr lay-up put the Wolverines ahead in the final minutes of the game, but it was a very tightly contested contest. That game certainly made Michigan vulnerable, which led to the inevitable on Saturday. The Wolverines returned to Ann Arbor for a clash with Wisconsin, which has become quite the rival for Michigan. They added to it as they handed Michigan their first loss of the 2025-26 season. For once, this team looked human for the last two games. They can’t let it linger as they head out to the Pacific Northwest.
Up next: @ Washington (Wed, 1/14), @ Oregon (Sat, 1/17)
5. Illinois (13-3)
There isn’t really any drop off from the top of the Big Ten power rankings to even as low as this spot. The Fighting Illini sit fifth here, primarily because they lost an early Big Ten game to conference leader Nebraska. Illinois has picked up some convincing wins as of late, with road wins at Penn State and No. 19-ranked Iowa. Along with an 81-55 thrashing of Rutgers. Keaton Wagler continues to be the driving force for this young core for the Illini.
Up next: @ Northwestern (Wed, 1/14), Minnesota (Sat, 1/17)
6. Wisconsin (11-5)
For a team that only a week ago felt dead in the water, the Badgers certainly know how to make an impression. They went into Cisler Center in Ann Arbor and handed Michigan its first loss between 26 from John Blackwell and a career high night from Aleksas Bieliauskas . He scored 17 and seemed like he couldn’t miss. That win comes at a perfect time, as the Badgers already have two Big Ten losses to two of the four top teams in the league.
Up next: @ Minnesota (Tues, 1/13), Rutgers (Sat, 1/17)
7. Indiana (12-4)
It looked like it was going to be a special afternoon for the Hoosiers on Saturday. Until it wasn’t, as Indiana blew a 16-point lead in the second half against unbeaten Nebraska. It’s certainly a learning moment for the Hoosiers as they have games against three of the other top Big Ten contenders ahead over the next couple of weeks.
Up next: @ Michigan State (Tues, 1/13), Iowa (Sat, 1/17)
8. Minnesota (10-6)
By far a massive jump for the Gophers. Coach Niko Medved has this team playing confidently, despite a one-point overtime loss against USC on Friday. Right before that, Minnesota scored a road win at Northwestern, before beating a ranked Iowa team in the Barn in Minneapolis on January 6th. They are a confident group for the first-year coach. That is something that has lacked in Minnesota for some time. Thus, they have climbed into the top 10 of the Big Ten power rankings.
Up next: Wisconsin (Tues, 1/13), @ Illinois (Sat, 1/17)
9. Iowa (13-3)
Despite being ranked for the last several weeks, the Hawkeyes find themselves on a two-game losing streak following a tough loss on the road at Illinois. It has been a productive first season for Ben McCollum’s team, but they haven’t fared well on the road thus far in the Big Ten. They have a tough road slate awaiting them this week, and if they aren’t careful, the bleeding could continue.
Up next: @ Purdue (Wed, 1/14), @ Indiana (Sat 1/17)
10. UCLA (11-5)
Just when you think the Bruins have gone quiet, they find a way to make some noise. After back-to-back road losses at Iowa and Wisconsin, UCLA returned home to take care of Maryland. It’s still not good enough, as they are heading back east again. Honestly, the hopes were quite high for this team, but they are trending in the wrong direction once again. It’s not a good kind of noise, but here they are.
Up next: @ Penn State (Wed, 1/14), @ Ohio State (Sat, 1/17)
11. USC (13-3)
West Coast teams on road trips have not fared too well in the East. What made it worse was that USC had to play Michigan and Michigan State within four days of each other. Both games were blowout defeats, as the Wolverines beat the Trojans by 30 and the Spartans beat them by 29. Flash forward a few more days, and USC was able to get a road win in overtime at Minnesota, building some confidence back for the Trojans. Especially Chad Baker-Mazara , who had 29 points in the victory.
Up next: Maryland (Tue, 1/13), Purdue (Sat, 1/17)
12. Ohio State (11-5)
Talk about a team where you don’t know what you’re going to get. That’s the Buckeyes for sure in 2025-26. One night, they look great, the next not so much. They came up three points short of upsetting Nebraska last Monday, before going out to Oregon and getting a much-needed win. That was once again short-lived as they finished up a three-game week with an 81-74 loss at Washington. Those three game weeks are tough, especially with two of them on the road. This team continues to be a big unknown.
Up next: UCLA (Sat, 1/17)
13. Washington (10-6)
The Huskies appear to be in the danger zone of the power rankings. It’s their lack of consistency. They already have three Big Ten losses, all on the road, ironically. If you can’t find a way to get wins on the road in this league, you’re in trouble. Luckily, they have a fun homestand this week, with two of the top four Big Ten teams stopping in.
Up next: Michigan (Wed, 1/14), Michigan State (Sat, 1/17)
14. Rutgers (9-8)
I thought for sure this Rutgers team would stay at the bottom of the barrel. Turns out they have a little fight in them. In fact, they have won two of their last three games in overtime. First, they beat Oregon 88-85. Then they outlasted Northwestern 77-75. If not for the blowout loss at Illinois in between, this team would have huge confidence. If they can keep winning at home, they could avoid the bottom of the conference. However, this next slate of games is uber rough.
Up next: @ Wisconsin (Sat, 1/17)
15. Penn State (9-7)
The wins haven’t come in Big Ten play thus far, but this group continues to give every team a challenge. So far, they have played five teams in the Big Ten, all of which are in the top 10 of the league right now. The games at Bryce Jordan Center have been very close games, including a four-point loss to MSU and a two-point loss to Michigan. That toughness also went on the road to Purdue this past weekend. Despite the wins, I’m confident in this team growing as a group.
Up next: UCLA (Wed, 1/14), @ Maryland (Sun, 1/18)
16. Oregon (8-8)
Are the Ducks back from the dead? Don’t be so sure. This team has been so injury-riddled, it’s hard for them to feel confident. Nate Bittle is back to leading the charge, but with no Jackson Shelstad , Oregon is out of luck. Wei Lin has been a nice surprise, at least.
Up next: @ Nebraska (Tue, 1/13), Michigan (Sat, 1/17)
17. Northwestern (8-8)
Can someone help the Big Ten’s leading scorer? Anybody. Nick Martinelli continues to light it up. He’s scored 26 or more points in each of his last four games. That includes 34 against Rutgers. Too bad it was in a two-point overtime loss. If only the Wildcats had more playmakers around Nick. If they did, they wouldn’t be near the bottom.
Up next: Illinois (Wed, 1/14), Nebraska (Sat 1/17)
18. Maryland (7-9)
Talk about a massive disappointment. The Maryland Terrapins are in the tank right now. From being winless in the Big Ten to eight losses in their last 10 games overall. Then again, they have played some heavy hitters, but it hasn’t been pretty in year one under Buzz Williams. Elijah Saunders has been nice piece the last two games, as he scored 16 against Indiana and 17 at UCLA to lead the Terps.
Up next: @ USC (Tues, 1/13), Penn State (Sun, 1./18)
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