Ohio State Stays Perfect as Oregon and USC Push for Big Ten Title in Week 12 Showdown
The Ohio State Buckeyes remain the only undefeated team in Big Ten Conference football after Week 12, holding a perfect 7-0 conference record and a 10-0 overall mark as of November 16, 2025. Their dominance isn’t just about wins—it’s about sheer control. They’ve scored 375 points this season while allowing just 75, a +300 point differential that’s the best in the FBS. Meanwhile, the Oregon Ducks and USC Trojans are closing in, both sitting at 6-1 in conference play, turning what looked like a one-team race into a genuine three-horse fight for the conference title.
Ohio State’s Machine-Like Dominance
It’s not just that the Buckeyes haven’t lost. It’s how they’ve won. They’ve held five opponents to under 10 points. They’ve won three games by 30+ points. Their defense, led by All-American linebacker Devin Harper, has forced 22 turnovers in 10 games—more than any team in the nation. Quarterback Jack Miller has thrown for 2,810 yards and 28 touchdowns with just two interceptions. This isn’t luck. It’s execution. And it’s why, even with two games left, Ohio State is already being talked about as a national championship favorite.
Oregon and USC: The Surprising Challengers
Here’s the twist: Oregon, picked to finish third in the preseason media poll, is outscoring everyone—even Ohio State. The Ducks have piled up 390 points, the most in the conference, thanks to a high-octane offense led by freshman sensation Jalen Williams, who’s averaging 8.9 yards per carry. Their only loss? A 24-21 heartbreaker to USC in late October. And now, the Trojans, who many wrote off after a 1-3 start, are surging. With a 6-1 conference record and a 3-game winning streak, they’ve become the most dangerous team left on Ohio State’s schedule. Their defense, once a liability, has tightened up, holding their last four opponents under 24 points.
Michigan’s Confusing Standings and Illinois’ Disappointing Slide
Confusion lingers around the Michigan Wolverines. Multiple sources list them at 6-1 in conference play, but their point total—199—doesn’t add up. That’s less than half of what Oregon and USC have scored. It’s likely a data error, but it underscores how messy the standings have become. Meanwhile, the Illinois Fighting Illini, projected third in the preseason poll with 353 votes, have collapsed. At 4-3, they’re barely in the top half of the conference. Their offense, once a strength, has stalled, scoring fewer than 20 points in four of their last six games.
Who’s Falling Behind? The Bottom of the Barrel
The bottom of the standings tells a story of rebuilding—and in some cases, unraveling. The Wisconsin Badgers have been brutal, scoring just 120 points all season—the lowest in the conference. Their offense looks lost. The Maryland Terrapins are on a six-game losing streak, and their defense has given up more than 200 points in their last three games alone. Even Penn State, once a powerhouse, sits at 1-6 after a disastrous season under new head coach Robb Akey. The Nittany Lions’ 304 points scored might sound decent, but 211 of those came against teams with losing records.
What’s at Stake? The Championship Game and Beyond
With two games left, Ohio State faces Michigan State and Indiana. Oregon plays Washington and Stanford. USC closes with Arizona State and Colorado. A win for Ohio State locks them into the Big Ten Championship Game. But if Oregon beats Washington and USC wins out, we could see a three-way tie for first—something the conference hasn’t seen since 2018. Tiebreakers? Head-to-head doesn’t resolve it. That means point differential. And here, Ohio State’s +300 edge is nearly 100 points better than Oregon’s +253. That’s not just an advantage—it’s a fortress.
Preseason Predictions vs. Reality: A Lesson in Uncertainty
Remember the preseason media poll? Ohio State got 431 points and 10 first-place votes. Oregon? 405 points and two first-place votes. Illinois? 353. Michigan? 346. Fast forward to Week 12, and only Ohio State has lived up to the hype. Oregon exceeded it. Illinois fell short. Michigan’s data is muddled. The lesson? College football doesn’t care about polls. It cares about execution, adaptability, and resilience. The Ducks didn’t just improve—they transformed. The Trojans didn’t just recover—they became dangerous. And the Buckeyes? They didn’t just stay perfect. They became the standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Ohio State still lose the Big Ten Championship?
Technically, yes—but it’s extremely unlikely. Ohio State holds a 100+ point differential advantage over Oregon and USC in the tiebreaker. Even if Oregon and USC both win out and Ohio State loses both of its remaining games, the Buckeyes would still lead in point differential. The only way they’re bumped is if the Big Ten changes its tiebreaker rules, which hasn’t happened since 2011.
Why is Oregon outscoring Ohio State but ranked behind them?
Oregon has scored more points, but they’ve also allowed 62 more points than Ohio State. The Buckeyes’ defense has been elite—allowing only 7.5 points per game. Oregon’s defense, while improved, has given up 137 points in seven conference games. In college football, defense wins championships. Ohio State’s balance—offense that scores efficiently and a defense that suffocates—is why they’re ranked higher despite fewer total points.
What does this mean for the College Football Playoff?
Ohio State is almost certainly in the playoff if they finish 12-0. Oregon and USC need help: both must win out, and at least one top-4 team (like Alabama or Georgia) must lose. ESPN’s FPI gives Ohio State a 78% chance to make the playoff. Oregon and USC each sit at around 40%—plausible, but not guaranteed. A loss by Ohio State would open the door for either, but the committee has historically favored undefeated teams with dominant defenses.
Why are Illinois and Michigan underperforming?
Illinois lost their starting QB to injury in Week 4 and haven’t found a consistent replacement. Their offensive line has been porous, leading to 23 sacks in six games. Michigan’s offense is stagnant—no player has more than 450 rushing yards, and their quarterback has thrown more interceptions (9) than touchdowns (8) in conference play. Both teams were built on hype, not depth. When the schedule toughened, so did their weaknesses.
Who’s the dark horse for the Big Ten Championship?
Washington. They’re 7-3 overall and 4-3 in the conference, but they’ve won their last three games by an average of 21 points. Their quarterback, Michael Nunez, has improved dramatically since Week 6. If they upset Oregon next week and Ohio State stumbles, Washington could sneak into the title game as a 10-2 team. It’s a long shot, but in college football, long shots happen.
Is this the end of the Big Ten’s dominance in the playoff race?
Not at all. Ohio State is a top-2 team nationally. Oregon and USC are top-5. Even with the struggles of Illinois and Michigan, the Big Ten has three legitimate playoff contenders—more than any other conference this year. The SEC might have depth, but the Big Ten has elite ceiling. This season could be the conference’s best playoff representation since 2014.
