Big Ten Football: Scores, Standings, And Rankings From Week 12

The top two teams in the conference took care of business on Saturday, setting the stage for an epic matchup between No. 3 Michigan and No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday.

There wasn't much in the way of marquee matchups in the Big Ten conference this weekend, but No. 3 Michigan was certainly pushed to the limit on the road against Maryland. No. 2 Ohio State took care of business against Minnesota, No. 12 Penn State won convincingly over Rutgers, and No. 16 Iowa won a low scoring battle (I know, surprising) over Illinois. 

Here's a complete look at the Big Ten scoreboard from Week 12:

• Minnesota 3, No. 2 Ohio State 37

• No. 3 Michigan 31, Maryland 24

• Rutgers 6, No. 12 Penn State 27

• Illinois 13, No. 16 Iowa 15

• Michigan State 24, Indiana 21

• Purdue 15, Northwestern 23

• Nebraska 17, Wisconsin 24 (OT)

Here's a look at the updated standings within the conference:

Big Ten East

1. Michigan: 11-0 (8-0)
2. Ohio State: 11-0 (8-0)
3. Penn State: 9-2 (6-2)
4. Maryland: 6-5 (3-5)
5. Rutgers: 6-5 (3-5)
6. Michigan State: 4-7 (2-6)
7. Indiana: 3-8 (1-7)

Big Ten West

1. Iowa: 9-2 (6-2)
2. Northwestern: 6-5 (4-4)
3. Wisconsin: 6-5 (4-4) 
4. Nebraska: 5-6 (3-5)
5. Minnesota: 5-6 (3-5)
6. Illinois: 5-6 (3-5)
7. Purdue: 3-8 (2-6)

Although the latest playoff rankings don't come out until Tuesday, it's hard to imagine a scenario where anyone in the top four moves from their current place. It will most likely remain Georgia at No. 1, Ohio State at No. 2, Michigan at No. 3, and Florida State at No. 4 - although I could certainly see a scenario where No. 5 Washington leaps No. 4 Florida State after an impressive road win over No. 11 Oregon State this weekend. 

While the rankings will be interesting, there's absolutely no doubt that the stage is already set for arguably the biggest game of the 2023 college football season - and it's set to take place this Saturday in Ann Arbor. No. 3 Michigan will welcome No. 2 Ohio State to the Big House for a noon matchup up FOX, and the outcome of that came will almost certainly shake up the playoff picture in a major way. 

As if the game isn't big enough on its own, the backdrop includes the controversy surrounding the Michigan Football program, the fact that Jim Harbaugh will be serving the final game of his three-game suspension, and the suspicion/speculation that Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is somehow involved in the investigation that brought so much scrutiny to Ann Arbor. 

It's always a highly anticipated matchup when these two programs clash, but the current circumstances surrounding both programs have made this one of the most anticipated games in recent memory.