Big Ten Power Rankings (Week 14): Dan Lanning's Oregon stands on top while Indiana dips 

The Big Ten comes out of Week 13 ready for the playoff. While Indiana will take a bit of an image hit, the league's top four teams are all but guaranteed their playoff spots. Admittedly, the rest of the Big Ten is a bit of a jumble, but here's our attempt to sort it all out.

Here's a closer look at the league's power rankings before the final week of the regular season.

Big Ten Power Rankings for Week 14

Curt Cignetti and Indiana are probably safe in the CFP despite an ugly loss to Ohio State. (Image Source: IMAGN)

#18. Purdue (1-10)

The best news for Purdue is that the season ends next week. There's not much else to say.

#17. Northwestern (4-7)

A 44-point loss to a typically offense-challenge Michigan squad wasn't the look Northwestern needed. The Wildcats pretty much cinched their spot at next-to-worst in the league.

#16. Maryland (4-7)

Maryland is officially out of the bowl hunt after a significant loss to Iowa. They play Penn State this week, so there's not much hope of a sudden jump in the rankings.

#15. UCLA (4-7)

The Bruins coughed up a fourth-quarter lead in an ugly loss to rival USC. The Bruins close next week by hosting Fresno State, but there's no bowl in their future.

#14. Wisconsin (5-6)

An ugly loss to Nebraska leaves Wisconsin needing a season-closing win over Minnesota just to reach a bowl. It's been a disappointing season in Madison.

#13. Michigan State (5-6)

It wasn't necessarily pretty, but the Spartans eeked out a win over Purdue. They host Rutgers with a legitimate shot to reach a bowl. For a team projected at the bottom of the league, that would be significant.

#12. Rutgers (6-5)

The Scarlet Knights gave up 23 fourth-quarter points to Illinois for a tough loss. They're still in a bowl and could jump another spot or two with a seventh win over Michigan State.

#11. Nebraska (6-5)

The Huskers ended a four-game losing streak that jeopardized a promising season. Nebraska will make a bowl game and still seeks another win to clinch a winning season. That's a tough ask for a game at Iowa.

#10. Michigan (6-5)

The Wolverines took care of business and cinched a bowl. That's good because Ohio State seems like something beyond a challenge for this week.

#9. Washington (6-5)

The Huskies had the week off, but now have to travel to Oregon. Like Michigan, it's another team that's probably going from CFP to 6-6. But at least there's a bowl and the chance to get in some extra practice.

#8. Minnesota (6-5)

The Gophers came close to a season-shifting upset against Penn State but instead took a tough loss. They close the regular season with a trip to Wisconsin to play spoiler for the Badgers' bowl hopes.

#7. USC (6-5)

The Trojans played a daunting schedule and made it ugly, but did claim a late win over UCLA. USC locked up its bowl eligibility but now has to host Notre Dame in a game that could drop them a few notches.

#6. Iowa (7-4)

The Hawkeyes took care of business against Maryland to log an 8-4 season. They're with Illinois in a two-team tier that falls between the Big Ten's playoff contenders and the league's riffraff.

#5. Illinois (8-3)

The Illini had to rally late to post their eighth win, but Northwestern should provide less of a challenge. Illinois tops the head of the best of the rest of the Big Ten outside of the big four.

#4. Indiana (10-1)

IU may have gotten exposed. The people who believe that the Hoosiers' success lies in their subpar competition have some fuel for that view. At the same time, Indiana has done enough work to be in the CFP and beating Purdue will further that plan.

#3. Penn State (10-1)

Penn State didn't do itself any favors in creeping past Minnesota. But their CFP spot is pretty much already settled and Maryland is unlikely to give them much trouble in Week 14.

#2. Ohio State (10-1)

Ohio State blasted Indiana into submission. Having a loss keeps the Buckeyes second on this list, but they're one of the hottest teams in the nation as well as the Big Ten. Surely Michigan won't give them much trouble?

#1. Oregon (11-0)

Oregon was off and stayed atop college football. Washington is the last team left, but a rematch with OSU in the Big Ten title game beckons. At this point, the Ducks are just playing for the CFP bye.

What do you think of the Big Ten Power Rankings? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.