Buckeyes Top Big Ten as Quarterback Questions Mount

Ohio State holds the top spot in the Big Ten power rankings entering Week 9, but coach Ryan Day has not named a starting quarterback for Saturday's game against USC. It is the Buckeyes' first game without Julian Sayin, and the choice between Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair remains open. That uncertainty at the position is the central problem facing the conference's highest-ranked team.

The rankings list Ohio State first and UCLA second after eight weeks. Ohio State, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and Michigan are cited for their defenses, with UCLA joining that group after a midseason turnaround that has kept the Bruins unbeaten. The concerns sit on offense. Ohio State and Indiana have top skill-position talent but uncertain quarterback play, and Indiana's Josh Hoover is described as a significant downgrade for the Hoosiers.

UCLA's offense has cooled and its rushing attack has stalled since Nico Iamaleava was injured. Ty Dieffenbach has delivered two wins through the air, and the defense has improved. The Bruins face Nevada this week.

Northwestern moved up to third after a rout of Rutgers and travels to Oregon as short underdogs. Indiana dropped to fourth after a win at Michigan, though its passing game remained a problem. Wisconsin jumped from eighth to fifth on a 24-7 win over USC that addressed questions about Luke Fickell's future in Madison. Minnesota rose to sixth by beating Iowa 13-10, a result built on defense and special teams that kept the Floyd of Rosedale trophy. Iowa sits seventh and faces Wisconsin and Northwestern in back-to-back games.

Nebraska is eighth after a bye week that followed two straight losses, including a fourth-quarter collapse at Oregon. The Huskers host Washington and need a win to reach 6-2. USC is ninth at 6-2, Washington 10th and Purdue 11th. Illinois climbed to 12th after beating Oregon. Oregon fell to 13th after that performance in Champaign, and quarterback Dante Moore is out for the season with a concussion.

Michigan is 14th after a loss to Indiana. Rutgers is 15th, Penn State 16th under first-year coach Matt Campbell, and Michigan State 17th after a 28-10 loss at UCLA. Maryland sits 18th and is playing under an interim coach.