Eric Boggs
The Big Ten continues to flex its national strength as two of its programs — Ohio State and Indiana — now sit atop both the AP and USA Today Coaches Polls after a chaotic week in college football. For the Buckeyes, the perch at No. 1 remains secure, while Indiana’s rise to No. 2 marks the highest ranking in program history, creating a rare Big Ten one-two punch at the top of the national standings.
Ohio State earned all 65 first-place votes in the Coaches Poll following its dominant 34-0 win at Wisconsin, a performance that further solidified its reputation as the most complete team in the country. Head coach Ryan Day’s squad has been nearly flawless through seven games, blending elite quarterback play from Julian Sayin with one of the nation’s most suffocating defenses. With a bye week ahead before hosting Penn State on November 1, the Buckeyes have the luxury of fine-tuning details while the rest of the country continues to scramble for position.
Indiana’s historic climb to No. 2 in both polls came after its victory over Michigan State, coupled with Miami’s stunning home loss to Louisville. The Hoosiers have been one of college football’s most surprising stories, and their success underscores the Big Ten’s growing national footprint. The conference now boasts five ranked teams in the AP Poll — No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Indiana, No. 6 Oregon, No. 23 Illinois, and No. 25 Michigan — with one of those teams residing in the expanded Big Ten’s footprint.
In the Coaches Poll, the top five reads like a familiar playoff picture: Ohio State at No. 1, followed by Indiana, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Georgia. Vanderbilt made the biggest leap of the week, jumping seven spots to No. 10 after an upset win over LSU, while the Tigers tumbled ten places to No. 20. USC, meanwhile, dropped out entirely after a 34-24 loss to Notre Dame.
With the first College Football Playoff rankings show scheduled for November 4, all eyes will soon turn toward how the committee evaluates this new Big Ten power dynamic. The CFP rankings will be released weekly through December 2, with Selection Day set for December 7, when the final playoff field will be announced live on ESPN.
For now, though, Ohio State remains the unquestioned standard-bearer of college football — dominant, disciplined, and dangerous on both sides of the ball. As the Buckeyes rest during their second bye week, their focus is clear: maintain the top spot, march toward a Big Ten crown, and take the next steps on their way to another College Football Playoff run.
