Seven Big Ten Teams Land In Week 12 Polls

The AP and USA Today Coaches’ polls released earlier this week for Week 12 of the season and seven Big Ten teams were fortunate enough to make the cut. It’s an impressive achievement for the league and that’s not even to mention Minnesota, who narrowly missed the cut for the top 25.

Here is where the Big Ten landed:

Week 12 AP Poll:

• No. 3 - Michigan
• No. 4 - Ohio State
• No. 6 - Illinois
• No. 15 - Iowa
• No. 21 - Wisconsin
• No. 24 - Purdue
• No. 25 - Rutgers
• Receiving Votes: Minnesota

Week 12 USA Today Coaches’ Poll

• No. 3 - Michigan
• No. 5 - Ohio State
• No. 6 - Illinois
• No. 16 - Iowa
• No. 21 - Wisconsin
• No. 25 - Purdue
• Receiving Votes: Rutgers, Minnesota

While it’s disappointing to see teams like Iowa and Wisconsin drop, there’s still a lot to like here. Three teams in the top six and four in the top 15 is an impressive achievement. And that’s not even to mention the three other ranked Big Ten teams and the Gophers, who are also currently receiving votes. The league remains stacked.

Perhaps the most intriguing question moving forward will be how high teams like Michigan and Ohio State can climb in the rankings. Michigan gets back into action after a COVID-19 pause this week and the Buckeyes have a few key games as well. We’ll have to wait and see.