Rivalry Week in College Football
Rivalry Week always brings some of the most exciting moments in college football, and this season is no exception, with plenty on the line.
As the last week of the 2025 college football regular season kicks off, four teams in the Big Ten find themselves vying for a spot in the Championship Game. Ohio State and Indiana have the advantage of controlling their destiny, while Oregon and Michigan are still in the mix, hoping for a shot at the Indianapolis berth.
Overall, there are seven potential scenarios for the Big Ten Championship game, making it an exciting time for fans and teams alike.
Current Big Ten Standings
Here’s how the standings look right now. Teams in bold are still in the running for the Championship Game.
| Team | Big Ten Records | Overall Record |
| Indiana | 8—0 | 11-0 |
| Ohio | 8-0 | 11-0 |
| Oregon | 7-1 | 10-1 |
| Michigan | 7-1 | 9-2 |
| University of Southern California | 6-2 | 8-3 |
| Washington | 5-3 | 8-3 |
| Iowa | 5-3 | 7-4 |
| Nebraska | 4-4 | 7-4 |
| Northwestern | 4-4 | 6-5 |
| Minnesota | 4-4 | 6-5 |
| Illinois | 4-4 | 7-4 |
| University of California Los Angeles | 3-5 | 3-8 |
| Penn State University | 2-6 | 5-6 |
| Rutgers | 2-6 | 5-6 |
| Wisconsin | 2-6 | 4-7 |
| Maryland | 1-7 | 4-7 |
| Michigan | 0-8 | 3-8 |
| Purdue | 0-8 | 2-9 |
Week 14 matchups: @Purdue, Friday, 7:30pm ET
For the Indiana Hoosiers, the path to advancement is pretty straightforward. If they secure a victory over Purdue, it will mark their first-ever trip to the Big Ten Championship Game. Though they’ve won the Big Ten twice in the past—back in 1945 and 1967—both of those titles were before the current Championship Game format was introduced.
However, there’s a catch: even if Indiana were to lose, the Buckeyes would clinch a spot in the Championship if they falter against the Wolverines this Saturday.
Week 14 matchups: @Michigan State, Saturday, 12pm ET
– Win or – Indiana loss and Oregon loss
Similar to Indiana, Ohio State has its fate in its own hands. A win over Michigan State means they’ll head to the Championship Game. But, if they lose to Michigan, they’ll require more than just one other team to stumble. If Indiana, Oregon, and Michigan all win this weekend, Indiana would walk into the Championship Game with a perfect 9-0 conference record, while Ohio State, Oregon, and Michigan would all be at 8-1.
The first tiebreaker is the head-to-head record, but that doesn’t apply in a three-team scenario. The second tiebreaker looks at records against common opponents, and these teams each hold a 2-0 record against Washington and Wisconsin. Oregon State would then break the tie as they have the best overall record among the tied teams.
Week 14 matchups: @Washington, Saturday, 3:30pm ET
The Ducks have an opportunity to make it to the Big Ten Championship Game, yet they don’t have control over their own fate. A win against Washington wouldn’t be enough; Oregon also needs Ohio State to lose to Michigan. As mentioned, if both Indiana and Ohio State lose, Oregon State will then play Michigan State in the Championship. In this case, all four teams would tie with an 8-1 conference record. Introduce another tiebreaker, and Oregon State takes the top spot due to having the best overall record among tied teams.
If Indiana slips against Purdue, they would be out of the equation. This leaves Michigan and Ohio State competing for the other Championship spot.
If Michigan defeats Ohio State, they would face Oregon State in the Championship.
Week 14 matchups: vs. Ohio State, Saturday, 12:00 PM ET
– Indiana wins or an Oregon loss
The Wolverines, too, find themselves in a complicated situation. They can’t dictate their own fate, but there are still several ways to reach Indianapolis. First, they need to beat Ohio State. Then they could advance if Indiana loses or if Oregon State falls short. If Indiana wins, along with Michigan and Washington State, the Hoosiers will have an impressive 9-0 conference record. Should Oregon finish at 7-2, they wouldn’t be in contention, leaving Ohio State and Michigan to potentially tie at 8-1. If Michigan prevails against Ohio State, they’ll secure a Championship spot.
Interestingly, there’s a chance that the Big Ten championship ends up as a rematch between Ohio State and Michigan. If Purdue, Michigan, and Washington all come out on top, it would create a 3-way tie between Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio State at 8-1 in conference play. In this scenario, Oregon State, with its 7-2 record, would be out of the mix.
Since there’s no direct matchup among Michigan, Ohio State, and Indiana, a second tiebreaker will focus on their performance against common opponents. If Indiana falters against Purdue, it’ll be out of the discussion, leaving just Michigan and Ohio State as the last contenders.
For a deeper dive into the various potential outcomes for the Big Ten Championship, the official Big Ten website has more details available.
