Will the Trojans be the Big Ten chaos team in November? 

No. 18 USC (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten) takes on No. 9 Indiana (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday in a game that has huge implications for the conference and the College Football Playoff race.

If the Hoosiers win, then it’s one step closer to a Big Ten championship game between the defending national champions and No. 4 UCLA (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) in Indianapolis. Curt Cignetti and Bob Chesney have worked remarkable turnarounds at those programs. 

If USC wins? Well, then the Big Ten championship race will be a little more chaotic given there are six other teams entering Week 11 with two losses in conference play. How will that shake out? 

Here is how we project the rest of the regular season for the Big Ten, including our pick for the Indiana-USC matchup and beyond.

MORE: Picks against the spread for Week 11’s Top 25 games 

Big Ten football standings 2026

The Big Ten has nine teams with three losses or less heading into Week 11. Here is a look at where those nine teams stand: 

Big Ten contenders remaining schedules 

UCLA (9-0, 6-0) 

Remaining schedule: vs. Illinois (W), at Michigan (W), vs. USC (W) 

We’re going to give the Bruins the respect they deserve under first-year coach Bob Chesney, even if the schedule is tricky. UCLA has given up 9.2 points per game in its last six games. The path to an unlikely Big Ten championship game is still open, and there is room for one loss. 

Projected record: 12-0, 9-0

Indiana (8-1, 5-1) 

Remaining schedule: vs. USC (W), at Washington (W), vs. Purdue (W) 

This trusts that Curt Cignetti took advantage of the bye week and Indiana’s defense, which has allowed 12.4 points per game this season, takes care of business against the Trojans. A loss, however, widens the scope to a huge degree in the Big Ten championship race. The Hoosiers still look good for another 10-win season under Cignetti. 

Projected record: 11-1, 8-1

MORE: Winners (ND) and losers (Indiana) from second CFP rankings

Oregon (6-3, 4-2) 

Remaining schedule: vs. Michigan (W), at Michigan State (W), vs. Washington (W) 

The Ducks are making a late charge in the Big Ten race, which was affirmed in a 41-28 victory at Ohio State in Week 10. Oregon still has a non-conference loss to Oklahoma State and conference losses to UCLA and Illinois. A head-to-head victory against USC, however, could help if the Hoosiers slip up against USC. 

Projected record: 9-3, 7-2

MORE: Why Michigan should be one and done with Kyle Whittingham

Ohio State (6-3, 4-2) 

Remaining schedule: vs. Northwestern (W), at Nebraska (W), vs. Michigan (W) 

The Buckeyes have slipped down the standings after back-to-back losses to USC and Oregon, but a 19-15 victory against Indiana leaves a glimmer of hope if the Hoosiers lose a game. The Buckeyes also could use losses from Oregon, USC and Wisconsin to open up that pathway. It’s not out of the question. 

Projected record: 9-3, 7-2

MORE: How Julian Sayin, Malachi Toney injuries shake up Heisman race

David Banks-Imagn Images

Iowa (7-2, 4-2)

Remaining schedule: at Purdue (W), vs. Illinois (W), at Nebraska (W) 

It’s less about the Big Ten championship path and more about reaching that 10-win mark, which might be enough to keep the Hawkeyes head of Ohio State, Oregon and USC in the CFP rankings. The only issue is Iowa does not have a victory against a team in the CFP Top 25. 

Projected record: 10-2, 7-2 

Wisconsin (6-3, 4-2) 

Remaining schedule: at Maryland (W), at Purdue (W), vs. Minnesota (W) 

The Badgers still have a chance to make the Big Ten championship game, and a non-conference loss against Notre Dame in Week 1 is not harmful. The Badgers did beat USC 24-7 on Oct. 24, a game that could unlock chaos later.

Projected record: 9-3, 7-2 

USC (7-2, 4-2) 

Remaining schedule: at Indiana (L), at Maryland (W), vs. UCLA (L) 

The Trojans have the most straight-forward path of all. If they win out, then they would likely play the Bruins in a Big Ten championship rematch. One more loss, however, drops USC out of contention in both the Big Ten and College Football Playoff. It’s a huge three weeks for coach Lincoln Riley. 

Projected record: 8-4, 5-4

Illinois (6-3, 4-2) 

Remaining schedule: at UCLA (L), vs. Iowa (L), at Northwestern (L) 

The Illini have won four straight games, and they do have a 21-10 victory against Oregon from Oct. 24 that would carry weight if they continue the hot streak. Illinois is a double-digit underdog against the Bruins on Friday, so it’s an upset opportunity for coach  Bret Bielema.  

Projected record: 7-5, 5-4 

Northwestern (6-3, 4-2) 

Remaining schedule: at Ohio State (L), at Minnesota (W), vs. Illnois (L)  

Northwestern faces long odds to get back in the mix, especially without quarterback Aidan Chiles. The Wildcats likely will be an underdog in their three remaining games. We’ll revisit if the Wildcats can win at Ohio State for the first time since 1971.  

Projected record: 7-5, 5-4

Projected final Big Ten standings 

If the following scenario comes true, then this is what the final SEC standings would look like (with help from mred’s standings tracker):             

This is the chalky scenario the rest of the way, and it would ensure that the Big Ten gets at least two College Football Playoff teams in UCLA and Indiana. The question becomes whether Iowa, Oregon or Ohio State would be a legitimate candidate for a second at-large bid. As it stands now, that would not be the case given the long line of SEC and Big 12 at-large candidates in the rankings. 

The last playoff decision could come down to a three-loss SEC at-large candidate, two-loss Houston and two-loss Iowa or three-loss Oregon. For now, we’ll see either the Hawkeyes or Ducks sneak in as the third team for the Big Ten. 

If USC wins, however, all of these dynamics change with a more wide-open Big Ten championship race that would require much more tie-breaker math in the final three weeks of the season.