Thanks to three straight national championships, the Big Ten was happy to puff out its chest over the summer and flex that it was the nation's best conference.
The AP Poll voters were clearly convinced, placing eight Big Ten teams in the preseason top 25 - including Ohio State at No. 1, Oregon at No. 2, and defending champion Indiana at No. 6.
But as we enter Week 9, only the Buckeyes and Hoosiers remain in the top 25 from the original Big Ten preseason contingent, though UCLA, Northwestern, and Wisconsin have now joined them.
It feels like every program in the conference has major question marks looming over it, and none of them should be fully trusted down the stretch. Let's examine which of the current top-four Big Ten teams is really the best and who's fallen drastically short of expectations.
Legit contenders
UCLA (7-0)
Case for: It's Oct. 28, and UCLA is the only remaining unbeaten team in either the Big Ten or SEC. The Bruins are also the only program in those two dominant conferences averaging over 220 yards per game on the ground. The fact that those statements are true and not some sick joke really highlights just how brilliant a job Bob Chesney has done in his first season at UCLA.
Case against: If any other Big Ten team were undefeated through seven games, they'd be nearly a lock for No. 1 in the AP Poll. Yet the Bruins aren't even in the top four. The lack of respect boils down to a pillow-soft schedule so far. Six other conference teams have at least three wins, but UCLA has played only one of them - Wisconsin. The win over Oregon and its backup and third-string quarterbacks also looks less impressive by the week. To make matters worse, Chesney has lost starting passer Nico Iamaleava for the season. Though the Bruins' dominant defense ranks second nationally with 22 turnovers, sustaining that pace over an entire year is a tall order.
When we'll know: It might take all of November to truly know whether UCLA has a real argument for being the Big Ten's best. After a home date with Nevada, the Bruins finish at Minnesota, host Illinois, play on the road at Michigan, and then face USC in the rivalry game. While that list currently has no ranked opponents, ending the season with a cross-country trip to face the Wolverines and a finale against the Trojans will give us better evidence of UCLA's ability.
Ohio State (6-1)
Case for: Because it's Ohio State. The Buckeyes are perfect in Big Ten play and are the only team to beat Indiana in the past 23 games. They're unquestionably the most talented squad in the conference and roster the best offensive player in Jeremiah Smith. Ohio State's remaining schedule is tough, but after a road trip to take on a wounded USC this weekend, the Buckeyes finish with three of their final four games at home.
Case against: Julian Sayin's arm is in a sling. Ohio State's passing offense is the most dangerous in the country, and Smith is the top player when Sayin is the quarterback. However, with Sayin's injury likely keeping him out until 2027, that scenario likely won't happen again this season. That thrusts either freshman Luke Fahey or sophomore Tavien St. Clair into the quarterback role. Fahey appears to be the safer option, but he has the more limited ceiling. Meanwhile, St. Clair is a former five-star recruit who hasn't performed well enough in practice to win the QB2 job.
When we'll know: Saturday night at USC. Although it's a cross-country road trip, the Trojans' defense ranks 119th nationally in passer efficiency rating allowed, making it a very friendly opener for a new quarterback. If Fahey - or St. Clair - can show us that the offense continues to click without Sayin, Ohio State should still be considered the Big Ten's best.
Indiana (7-1)
Case for: The defending champions are just a Nick Marsh big toe away from being undefeated and possibly the No. 1 team in the nation. The Hoosiers' defense is still one of the best in college, with only Northwestern scoring more than 20 points on them this season. Curt Cignetti is also arguably the best coach in the country, which brings heightened awareness in one-score games. Notably, Indiana is 3-1 in those situations this year, with the loss to Ohio State the only blemish.
Case against: Have you ever seen this offense face a defense with a pulse? Josh Hoover is clearly injured in some capacity and just isn't on the same level as Fernando Mendoza. The TCU transfer has cleaned up turnover issues that plagued him in the Big 12, but Indiana's offense isn't moving the ball well with him at quarterback. The Hoosiers haven't scored more than 20 points in their last three games and are too often relying on their defense to keep things close.
When we'll know: The Hoosiers get Minnesota this week before a much-needed bye, but then they'll enjoy a comfortable schedule the rest of the way until a possible Big Ten title game. The conference championship could ultimately reveal whether Indiana is the best squad in the conference, as upcoming games against Minnesota, USC, Washington, and Purdue likely won't answer that.
Northwestern (6-1)
Case for: Chip Kelly is absolutely cooking. Northwestern's offensive coordinator won the national title just two years ago calling Ohio State's offense, and he's been in his bag all season for the surprising Wildcats. Northwestern ranked 89th last year in yards per play, but they're now 11th in the country after adding Kelly and quarterback Aidan Chiles. Kelly's reputation speaks for itself, and there isn't an opponent that isn't worried about what he might pull off with the Wildcats.
Case against: What's been your favorite Northwestern FBS victory over a team with a winning record this season? It's somehow Oct. 28, and the Wildcats still don't have one. After eight weeks, the only FBS team they've faced with a winning record is Indiana - and they lost that game 28-23. The strength of schedule suggests Northwestern is good at beating lesser opponents, but we aren't sure if it can knock off a more talented squad.
When we'll know: The good news is we won't have to wait long to see whether Northwestern is a legit 6-1 or propped up by its schedule. Its next four games include road trips to Oregon, Ohio State, and Minnesota. Add home dates with Iowa and Illinois, and all five of the Wildcats' remaining matchups are against teams that currently hold winning records.
Contenders who flopped
USC (6-2)
Just when we thought USC had turned a corner with a road win at Penn State, the Trojans rushed for minus-17 yards and lost by 17 points to a Wisconsin team that threw for just 58 yards. An unserious football team in serious need of a change at the top.
Oregon (4-3)
The preseason No. 2 team is now unranked and can't move the ball on offense after Dante Moore's season-ending injury. The first-year offensive coordinator has been fired, injuries have piled up, and off-field issues have further hurt the team. Although the Ducks should get at least two more wins and be bowl-eligible, that's well short of the lofty expectations people had in mind in September.
Michigan (4-3)
The remaining two schools on this list have struggled after bringing in coaches from the Big 12. Kyle Whittingham and coordinator Jason Beck were supposed to give Michigan an offensive boost, but the Wolverines have been shut out in four of their last five halves and rank 123rd of 138 teams in total offense. Michigan needs to beat Rutgers and Michigan State over its next two games, because ending the season with a trip to Oregon, a home outing versus UCLA, and a contest at Ohio State leaves little hope for a sixth win and a bowl berth.
Penn State (3-4)
We didn't expect a Big Ten title in Matt Campbell's first season at Penn State, but one of the conference's easiest schedules should have made it a soft landing in Year 1. Instead, the Nittany Lions are 0-4 in conference play despite not facing Indiana or Ohio State. We aren't saying Campbell will be fired after just one campaign, but it won't be pretty in State College if he doesn't get three more wins and make a bowl game.
