My Preview for all 18 Big Ten teams in 2024:
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Oregon Ducks
- Michigan Wolverines
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- USC Trojans
- Nebraska Corn Huskers
- Wisconsin Badgers
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- Washington Huskies
- Maryland Terrapins
- Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Michigan State Spartans
- UCLA Bruins
- Indiana Hoosiers
- Northwestern Wildcats
- Purdue Boilermakers
- Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois Fighting Illini
Projected 2024 Record: 3-9
2023 Record: 5-7
Toughest Games: vs Kansas, at Penn State, at Oregon
For the last few years, I had believed that Bret Bielema was building something at Illinois, but I am a little more skeptical now. Illinois took a huge step back last year, and they lost some of their key contributors on defense. The offense doesn’t have much exciting going on either.
The schedule should be much more difficult from here on out, now that there are no divisions in the Big Ten. That Big Ten West schedule was a huge reason why Illinois had as many wins as they did the last few years.
Illinois is in a rough year, and they need to generate some positive momentum quickly, or they may be the worst team in the conference for years to come.
Indiana Hoosiers
Projected 2024 Record: 5-7
2023 Record: 3-9
Toughest Games: vs Nebraska, vs Michigan, at Ohio State
Indiana has been the worst team in the Big Ten for a few years now, but I believe they could turn that all around with new HC Curt Cignetti. He brought a lot of players with him from JMU and added QB Kurtis Rourke from Ohio. The roster is very new, but it should be better than last year, as well as a much better coach.
The schedule is very easy as well as they avoid Oregon and Penn State, while they do not play a power conference opponent in their non-conference slate.
Indiana should be moving in the right direction with Curt Cignetti, but they don’t quite have the talent yet to be a top 25 team.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Projected 2024 Record: 7-5
2023 Record: 10-4
Toughest Games: vs Iowa State, at Ohio State, vs Nebraska
Iowa has had very good defensive stats for a while now, but I think that may be deceptive. Iowa has been able to play against weak Big Ten West offense for a very long time, and then they always get exposed in their bowl games, and against the top teams from the East every single year. Iowa returns a lot of talent on that side of the ball, and they should be really good, but they perhaps get a little too much credit, and could be in for a rude awakening with there no longer being divisions. On the positive side for Iowa, they have a new OC in Tim Lester, and I think literally anyone could have been better than Brian Ferentz. I’m not convinced however, that this will be a quick transformation into a top 8 Big Ten offense. As we’ve seen with Wisconsin and Nebraska’s transitions to more modern offenses, it definitely takes time when you don’t have SEC level talent. They should be improved though, and QB Cade McNamara coming back should help.
The schedule is pretty easy at first glance, but Iowa must play against a few teams that are on the rise as programs, and they may have a few losses that would surprise some people.
As you probably could tell, I don’t have have as much confidence in Iowa as the average analyst, but I believe the transition to the new-look Big Ten could be a difficult one for the Hawkeyes. That being said, they should have one of the better defenses in the conference, and I expect them to finish with a winning record.
Maryland Terrapins
Projected 2024 Record: 7-5
2023 Record: 8-5
Toughest Games: vs USC, at Oregon, at Penn State
Maryland has been pretty good after the last few years, but the defense has prevented them from being a true Top 25 team. The defense should be improved this year as they return experience in the front 7 and have added some transfers in the secondary. As the defense gets better however, the offense may take a step back after losing long-time QB Taulia Tagovailoa. They also do not return much O-line experience. The receivers are very good though, and the RBs have potential.
The schedule is not anything crazy, especially with an easy non-conference slate to begin the year. Maryland should have a very good chance to get a winning record again.
Maryland’s defense should be pretty good this year, and the offense should be pretty good if the line is at least decent. If they can hit on a good QB again, Maryland could be pretty dangerous.
Michigan Wolverines
Projected 2024 Record: 9-3
2023 Record: 15-0
Toughest Games: vs Texas, vs Oregon, at Ohio State
Michigan will be losing a lot this year from their undefeated season a year ago, but they should still be fine. They still should have one of the best defenses in the country as they return multiple All-America caliber players including CB Will Johnson, who could be one of the top NFL draft picks next spring. The offense us more of a question mark as they only return TE Colston Loveland from their starting lineup. RB Donovan Edwards should be just as productive as Blake Corum though if the O-line steps up after losing all 5 starters in the offseason. The passing game should take a step back as they lose all three receivers and QB JJ McCarthy.
The schedule is brutal. They must play against 3 of my 6 championship contenders (Texas, Oregon, and Ohio State). The rest of the schedule is managable.
Michigan will take a step back, but should still be in playoff contention as they still have some of the best talent in conference and could have one of the best defenses in the country yet again.
Michigan State Spartans
Projected 2024 Record: 6-6
2023 Record: 4-8
Toughest Games: vs Ohio State, at Oregon, at Michigan
Michigan State has a rough schedule, not only against the three playoff contenders I mentioned above, but they also must play Maryland and Boston College on the road.
Michigan State should make a quick rise back to relevance under new HC Jonathan Smith. I think this may have been one of the best hires of the entre offseason. The defense should be decent with a lot of returning experience at LB and in the secondary, but the D-line will have some trouble. The offense should be improved with the arrival of Aidan Chiles at QB. The O-line and running game as a whole should be better with Jonathan Smith as coach and with some transfers coming in.
Michigan State will be really good in a few years, but 2024 will probably more of a rebuild year as Jonathan Smith gets the pieces in place to build a machine. This year should still be better than last year though, as I expect them to reach bowl-eligibility.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Projected 2024 Record: 6-6
2023 Record: 6-7
Toughest Games: at Michigan, vs USC, vs Penn State
Minnesota is in a weird spot as a program. I can’t tell if HC PJ Fleck has been doing a good job or not. They are always teetering between mediocrity and being good. With the new-look Big Ten, I think Minnesota will lean more towards mediocrity. They return some talent at skill positions, and they should have a good running game led by what should be a good O-line. The QB is unproven as he transfers from the FCS, and the offense could be pretty good if he pans out.
Minnesota’s defense was should be pretty good as they return 8 starters, but they lost All-American safety to the NFL, and they lack some star power in the secondary.
Minnesota could be pretty good this year, but they could also be mediocre as they have been since their 11-2 2019 season. It really all comes down to the performance of QB Max Brosmer.
Nebraska Corn Huskers
Projected 2024 Record: 9-3
2024 Record: 5-7
Toughest Games: at Ohio State, at USC, vs Wisconsin
I’m a big believer in HC Matt Rhule. He has seen almost instant success at every school he’s been at, and I expect no different here. Nebraska also has a very easy schedule to deal with as they avoid Michigan, Oregon, and Penn State.
Nebraska returns basically all of their key contributors from last year on both sides of the ball, especially important as their defense was among one of the top defenses in the country statistically. They have one key upgrade though, that I believe could put Nebraska over the top. QB Dylan Raiola could be a star in his freshman year. He just needs to be better than what Nebraska had last year nd take care of the ball. Nebraska was close to being a good team last year, and even a slight improvement could go a long way.
Now’s the time for Nebraska to take the next step as they have one of the easiest schedules in the Big Ten. Matt Rhule has a great track record, and I don’t expect that to end now.
Northwestern Wildcats
Projected 2024 Record: 4-8
2023 Record: 8-5
Toughest Games: vs Wisconsin, vs Ohio State, at Michigan
Northwestern defied the odds last year as they got 8 wins despite the whole controversy with Pat Fitzgerald. They hired the interim to be their coach full time, and Northwestern should have some optimism for the future. The defense should be solid again as they return 7 starters, but the offense is littered with question marks. QB and O-line could be among the more shaky units in the conference, and those just so happen to be the most important positions in football.
The schedule is difficult in conference play as they must play Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin as they must play Iowa, Maryland, and Washington on the road.
Northwestern had a good year last season, but I think that they lack talent to compete with the new Big Ten schedule.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Projected 2024 Record: 12-0
2023 Record: 11-2
Toughest Games: at Oregon, at Penn State, vs Michigan
Ohio State definitely doesn’t have the easiest schedule in the world as they must play Iowa and Nebraska as well, but I think the roster is still good enough to go undefeated.
Ohio State may have the best roster college football has seen, at least since 2020 Alabama and 2019 LSU. They return 9 starters on an elite defense, and add the best safety in the country in former Alabama player Caleb Downs. The offense should have one of the best O-lines in the country, and the receivers should be good as always with the return of Emeka Egbuka. The RB duo is the best in the country as Treveyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins might both be top 10 RBs on their own. Ohio State’s roster is elite.
Ohio State should go undefeated. They went all in on NIL this offseason, and Ohio State fans should expect nothing less than a championship. I have just two concerns. Ryan Day has not one the big games in his career outside of the semifinal win in the COVID year, which seems like more and more of a fluke every time I think about it. My second concern, is that WIll Howard is nowhere near an elite QB. All of the other contenders have much better QBs in my opinion (Texas with Quinn Ewers, Alabama with Jalen Milroe, Georgia with Carson Beck, Oregon with Dillon Gabriel, and Ole Miss with Jaxson Dart). While the better QB doesn’t always win, it may be tough to win 3 games in a row with a QB disadvantage.
Oregon Ducks
Projected 2024 Record: 11-1
2023 Record: 12-2
Toughest Games: vs Boise State, vs Ohio State, at Michigan
Oregon should have the best offense in the country with the best QB and the best receiving corps with a top 10 O-line. RB is the only place where I pause, but with such a good passing game and O-line, you could almost put anyone back there and see success. The defense will be the weaker unit for sure, but they attacked the transfer portal to find improvements at all three levels. I especially like the pick up of CB Jabbar Muhammad.
The schedule has some tough games. Boise State is probably going to be a playoff team out of the Group of 5, Ohio State and Michigan will obviously be very difficult, and they also must play at Wisconsin, which could be tough late in the season.
Oregon only two losses last year were to the National runner-ups twice by a combined 6 points. Oregon was 4 points away from making the 4 team playoff. This year, they could be improved, and they could contend for a championship.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Projected 2024 Record: 9-3
2023 Record: 10-3
Toughest Games: at USC, at Wisconsin, vs Ohio State
Penn State always seems to be a step behind Ohio State and Michigan, but then they dominate the rest of the conference. This year’s schedule sees them avoiding Michigan and Oregon, but road games to USC, Wisconsin, and West Virginia could be very difficult.
Penn State had a borderline elite defense last year, and they should be really good again despite losing their DC in the offseason. The offense is the question as always for the Nittany Lions. They got former Kansas OC Andy Kotelnicki, which should help, but QB Drew Allar was extremely disappointing last season. The WR room is unproven as well. Penn State does return a really good RB duo in Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, but I am not sure if they will be as productive as they suffered significant losses to the O-line in the offseason.
Penn State is consistantly a second tier Big Ten team, but, in a 12 team playoff era, can make the playoffs despite never showing up in the big games. Week 1’s game against West Virginia should give us a decent idea on where the Nittany Lions lay as a team.
Purdue Boilermakers
Projected 2024 Record: 4-8
2023 Record: 4-8
Toughest Games: vs Notre Dame, at Ohio State, vs Penn State
Purdue’s schedule is tough in conference, but unlike other Big Ten teams, they also have a tough non conference with Notre Dame and a road trip to Oregon State.
The roster isn’t great in Year 2 for HC Ryan Walters. The offense should be the stronger half of the team as they return an actually pretty good QB-RB duo in Hudson Card and Devin Mockobee. The line and receiving corps should be decent as well. Their defense on the other hand is a little more uncertain. They have some decent high end players, but the depth is lacking. The d-line should be pretty good though with the return of NT Cole Brevard.
Overall, Purdue has a lot of decent going around, where they don’t really excel anywhere. In an era without the Big Ten West, I don’t know if a bowl berth is likely.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Projected 2024 Record: 7-5
2023 Record: 7-6
Toughest Games: at Virginia Tech, at Nebraska, at USC
Rutgers has been getting better and better every year during Greg Schiano’s second stint as HC. This year shouldn’t be any different. They return all of their main contributors from last year on both sides of the ball including RB Kyle Monangai. How transfer QB Athan Kaliakmanis does will decide what Rutgers’ ceiling can be. The defense should be one of the best in the Big Ten, if they can replace CB Max Melton in the secondary.
The schedule is extremely favorable as they avoid Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, Penn State, and Iowa.
Now’s the time to see what Rutgers can be. They have a chance to have a very good record, but the difference between this year and last comes in the new QB. if he can be an improvement over last year, Rutgers could be sneaky good, if not, then they will be more of the same from last year.
UCLA Bruins
Projected 2024 Record: 4-8
2023 Record: 8-5
Toughest Games: at LSU, vs Oregon, at Penn State
UCLA has a brutal schedule as they enter the Big Ten. They must play LSU, Oregon, and Penn State in 3 consecutive weeks. They also must play USC and Iowa at home while going on the road to Rutgers, Nebraska, and Washington. Fresno State is one of the better group of 5 teams in the country as well.
More than anything else, UCLA’s coaching staff took a big blow. Chip Kelly left to be the OC for Ohio State, and DC D’Anton Lynn left to be the DC for their main rival, USC. They lost a lot of the talent on the roster that had made them an exciting up and coming team as well. Their defense was really good last year, but they return none of their main stars. The offense may be better than the defense, but there really isn’t anything to get excited about roster wise. One thing UCLA can be excited about though, is the arrival of former Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy.
UCLA lost just about everything that made them good, but the overall talent, while unproven, may still be better than some of the lesser teams of the Big Ten. The rough schedule really hurts their bowl chances though.
USC Trojans
Projected 2024 Record: 8-4
2023 Record: 8-5
Toughest Games: vs LSU, at Michigan, vs Notre Dame
It really says a lot about your schedule when you play against Penn State, and they don’t even make their 3 toughest. I think USC will be improved, but given the schedule, their record may not show it.
USC returns a lot of talent on offense, but I really don’t think it matters. Lincoln Riley could have a team of 5 year olds and still get Heisman level QB play and a top 10 offense. The defense is where there is real intrigue this offseason. They finally got rid of DC Alex Grinch, and grabbed D’Anton Lynn from UCLA, who is one of the more underrated DCs in the country. USC has good talent, but the talent has never been the problem for the defense. We’ll see if Lincoln Riley can have his first ever average at best defense.
USC could make some noise in their first year in the Big Ten, especially if they can win at Michigan in week 3. If USC can even go 9-3 in this schedule, the committee may look at them come time for Selection Sunday just based on SOS alone.
Washington Huskies
Projected 2024 Record: 7-5
2023 Record: 14-1
Toughest Games: vs Michigan, at Penn State, at Oregon
I think Washington will have a little bit more of a step back than others may expect. They only have 2 returning starters on the entire team after Kalen DeBoer’s departure. While I do think Jedd Fisch was a good replacement, it will take some time to rebuild after the roster was completely depleted by the transfer portal. The main thing that would give me optimism if I were a Huskies fan, is the arrival of QB Will Rogers from Mississippi State. As an SEC fan primarily, I saw him do very well against SEC defenses (except for Alabama’s). The defense should be much better than the offense as Fisch brought over a bunch of transfers, especially on the d-line, which should be the strength of the team.
Washington should take a huge step back this year, but they still should still be decent as they made some decent portal acquisitions. Jedd Fisch just needs some time to build with his own players in the future.
Wisconsin Badgers
Projected 2024 Record: 7-5
2023 Record: 7-6
Toughest Games: vs Alabama, vs Penn State, vs Oregon
The schedule is difficult, though they do get their three toughest teams at home. Outside of those top three, they got some rough road games at USC, Rutgers, Iowa, and Nebraska.
Wisconsin has a really good coach in Luke Fickell, and I think they could be building towards something special as a program, much like Nebraska, Michigan State, and Indiana. The defense should be good this year with plenty of talent, but the offense needs to improve in year 2 under Phil Longo. The most important piece in this is transfer QB Tyler Van Dyke, who has a lot of potential. While the loss of RB Braelon Allen hurts, the other RBs should be productive. The receivers should be better this year as well.
Wisconsin is slowly building, and they should be just as good as Nebraska, but the schedule should be much more difficult.
Conclusion
This is Ohio State’s conference to lose, even with Michigan being the defending champion and Oregon being a contender to win that natty. The more interesting part of this conference is seeing some of these programs with really good coaches, trying to rebuild. Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Indiana, and Washington all have coaches that are really good, and it will be fun to see who ends up building something great, and who falls short.
Big Ten Champion: Ohio State
All Big Ten 1st Team
Offense
QB – Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)
RB – Donovan Edwards (Michigan)
RB – TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
AP – Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
WR – Tez Johnson (Oregon)
WR – Evan Stewart (Oregon)
WR – Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State)
TE – Colston Loveland (Michigan)
OL – Donovan Jackson (Ohio State)
OL – Ajani Cornelius (Oregon)
OL – Josh Conerly (Oregon)
OL – Josh Fryar (Ohio State)
OL – Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota)
Defense
DL – JT Tuimoloau (Ohio State)
DL – Mason Graham (Michigan)
DL – Abdul Carter (Penn State)
DL – Jack Sawyer (Ohio State)
LB – Jay Higgins (Iowa)
LB – Nick Jackson (Iowa)
LB – Jeffrey Bassa (Oregon)
LB – Kobe King (Penn State)
CB – Will Johnson (Michigan)
CB – Denzel Burke (Ohio State)
S – Caleb Downs (Ohio State)
S – Dillon Thieneman (Purdue)
Special Teams
K – Dragan Kesich (Minnesota)
P – Ryan Eckley (Michigan State)
KR – Zachariah Branch (USC)
PR – Zachariah Branch (USC)
Awards
MVP: Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)
OPOY: Donovan Edwards (Michigan)
DPOY: Will Johnson (Michigan)
Breakout Player: Miller Moss (USC)
The Grinder: Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
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