College Football Playoff Picture Solidifies as Big Ten Dominates Week 13

The Big Ten Conference is set to dominate the national conversation this weekend. Ohio State and Oregon lead a crowded field of contenders with major College Football Playoff implications on the line. Week 13 action on November 22, 2025, features eight ranked Big Ten teams in pivotal matchups. This penultimate weekend will finalize championship scenarios and decide crucial postseason berths.

According to the latest AP and Coaches polls, the conference’s depth is unprecedented. The College Football Playoff Selection Committee’s recent rankings reinforce this, placing multiple Big Ten schools in prime position. Every game carries weight for the final four-team field.

Big Ten Teams Command Top Tier of CFP Rankings

The latest College Football Playoff rankings tell a clear story. Ohio State holds the coveted No. 1 spot with a perfect 10-0 record. Indiana sits closely behind at No. 2, setting up a dramatic finish in the Big Ten East.

Oregon, ranked 7th by the Committee, faces a virtual elimination game against No. 15 USC. The Ducks’ impressive 9-1 record is not yet a guaranteed ticket. A loss could see them fall completely out of contention. Analysts from CBS Sports highlight this as the weekend’s most pressure-filled contest.

The conference’s strength is further shown by eight total ranked programs. This includes Michigan, Penn State, and others fighting for top-tier bowl bids. The Big Ten’s performance has reshaped the entire national landscape this season.

Critical Saturday Matchups with Everything at Stake

Saturday’s schedule is a showcase of high-stakes football. Ohio State is a heavy favorite against Rutgers in a noon kickoff on FOX. A win clinches the Big Ten East division for the Buckeyes.

The afternoon slate features the monumental Oregon vs. USC game on CBS. It’s a classic offensive showdown with the Ducks’ powerful run game facing USC’s aerial attack. Simultaneously, Nebraska battles Penn State on NBC with the Big Ten West title in play.

Every result will trigger complex tiebreaker scenarios. The final weekend’s rivalry games will then determine conference championship participants. The path to the playoff runs directly through these Big Ten stadiums.

National Implications of the Conference’s Strength

The Big Ten’s collective success pressures other power conferences. The SEC and ACC contenders now have less margin for error in their own races. A two-loss team from another league likely cannot surpass a one-loss Big Ten champion.

This dominance benefits the conference financially and in recruitment. It also creates a brutal internal gauntlet where teams eliminate each other from contention. The final CFP rankings on December 1 will reveal if the Committee rewards this strength of schedule.

Fans are witnessing one of the most consequential November slates in recent memory. The playoff picture will come into sharp focus by Saturday night.

The College Football Playoff selection process reaches its climax this weekend, with the Big Ten conference holding the keys to the final four. The nation watches as these titans clash.

Dropping this nugget your way

Which Big Ten teams are currently in playoff position?

Ohio State is firmly in at No. 1. Oregon at No. 7 needs to win out and get help. Indiana at No. 2 controls its own destiny but faces a tough final stretch.

What must happen for Oregon to make the playoff?

Oregon must defeat USC and then win the Big Ten Championship game. They also likely need a loss from at least one team currently ranked ahead of them.

Can a two-loss Big Ten team make the playoff?

It is highly improbable. The current top four have zero or one loss. The Committee has historically favored teams with fewer defeats this late in the season.

When are the final CFP rankings announced?

The selection committee will reveal the final, definitive rankings on Sunday, December 7. This set determines the four playoff participants and New Year’s Six bowl matchups.

Where will the Big Ten Championship game be played?

The conference title game is scheduled for Saturday, December 6, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The East and West division winners will compete there.