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Big Ten Power Rankings, Week 7: UCLA on top for now, ahead of Ohio State vs. Indiana clash

UCLA has seized the top spot in the Big Ten power rankings after a hard-fought 17-15 road victory over Oregon, a win that solidified their status as a serious contender for the 2026 title. The Bruins’ run-heavy offense, led by star running back Wayne Knight, will now need to adapt after starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava suffered a likely season-ending knee injury.

Backup Ty Dieffenbach will take over, but UCLA’s ability to sustain momentum without their primary passer remains a critical question as they host five of their next seven games—excluding Ohio State and Indiana—on their way to a potential conference championship run.

Meanwhile, the Buckeyes and Hoosiers are locked in a pivotal clash in Bloomington this weekend, with the winner poised to claim the No. 1 ranking next week.

Ohio State, still searching for their first signature win after a loss in Austin, faces pressure to prove they can close out high-stakes games. Indiana, meanwhile, has eked out narrow victories over Northwestern and Nebraska but has yet to recapture the dominance that earned them a national title last season.

The outcome of this matchup will dictate the conference’s early hierarchy, with the victor setting the tone for the rest of the season.

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