UCLA ranks sixth, Northwestern 13th in a combined SEC-Big Ten playoff ranking

Two Big Ten programs few people expected to be in the playoff race have made a national columnist's list of contenders. In a combined SEC and Big Ten ranking for the Knoxville News Sentinel, syndicated by The Tennessean, John Adams puts unbeaten UCLA sixth and Northwestern 13th among 18 teams with two or fewer losses.

Adams ranked teams on what they have done so far, not on how he expects them to finish. Ohio State sits first, ahead of Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky and Texas. That makes UCLA the second-highest Big Ten team on his list, behind only the Buckeyes. He wrote that the Bruins' schedule looks stronger now that Wisconsin, which lost to UCLA, came back a week later to beat Southern California. His view of Northwestern was split. He called the Wildcats' schedule "ridiculously easy" but gave them credit for how they played in the narrow loss at Indiana.

Adams expects the Big Ten to send three teams to the 12-team field and the SEC five, the same split as last season. If he is right, there is little room for error. UCLA's best route is to stay unbeaten. Northwestern needs wins that count for more than the ones it has so far.

What it means for Saturday

Northwestern gets that kind of chance right away. The Wildcats (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten), No. 20 in the poll, play at Oregon on Saturday, October 31 (Peacock). ESPN lists the Ducks at 4-3 and 2-2 in the league. Northwestern has won four straight since the 29-23 loss at Indiana, most recently a 42-14 rout of Rutgers. Its 24-21 win at Michigan State is the only close game in that run. Aidan Chiles has thrown for 1,617 yards with 12 touchdowns and one interception. The Ducks lost at home to UCLA 17-15 earlier this season.

Even with three losses, Oregon is favored. Novig has the Ducks at -163 on the moneyline, and the best price among the 11 venues on our board is FanDuel's -160, so the venues barely differ on who wins. Novig sets the spread at Oregon -3.5, while BetRivers offers Northwestern +4. The total is 47.5 on Novig and 47 at Pinnacle. Sportsbook hold on the moneyline runs from 3.1% to 6.5%.

UCLA's next game is much easier on paper. The No. 7 Bruins (7-0, 5-0 Big Ten) host Nevada (3-4) at the Rose Bowl to finish a three-game homestand, according to UCLA Athletics. Kickoff is 1:15 p.m. PT on BTN. UCLA beat Michigan State 28-10 last week while allowing a season-low 156 yards, with Ty Dieffenbach passing for 198 yards and a touchdown in his second FBS start. The defense has allowed 10 points or fewer in four of seven games.

UCLA is heavily favored. Novig lists the Bruins at -1567 on the moneyline, and the best price anywhere is Polymarket's -1370. That is the widest moneyline gap on either board. Novig has the spread at UCLA -22.5, and BetRivers offers Nevada at +23.5. The total sits at 44.5 (full board).

A win in Eugene would answer much of Adams' complaint about Northwestern's schedule. For UCLA, beating Nevada keeps the record clean but does little to change how the Bruins are ranked.