My preview for the consistenty 2nd best conference in college football:
The Big Ten is often extremely top heavy, last year being a very good example, but this year I believe the conference will develop some depth, which may end up hurting its chances at getting a 4th team into the playoffs. The only reason Indiana made the playoffs last year was because they had a such an easy schedule, but this year there is no such team that will be able to capitalize like they did. There are several teams that could emerge this year as Top 25 caliber teams, and the Big Ten should be more interesting than usual past the top 3 teams.
Illinois
Conference Rank: 6
Record Projection: 9-3 (6-3)
Impact Opponents: at IND, vs USC, vs OSU
Illinois is a very popular pick to be the Indiana of 2025 and make the playoffs. I don’t see it. They have a really good coach, an experienced QB, and a lot of returning production, but their schedule isn’t nearly as easy as Indiana’s was, and that was the primary reason they made the playoffs las year. They must play on the road against Duke, Indiana and Washington, and then at home against USC and Ohio State. Those are 5 losable games. They are good, and they have shot to win all 5 of those games expect for the Ohio State one. They are a quality team, no doubt about it, but they don’t have a schedule to go 11-1. 10-2 is the best case scenario, but I don’t know if that’s good enough to make the playoffs over a 9-3 SEC team. They will be good, but they are extremely overrated.
Indiana
Conference Rank: 4
Record Projection: 9-3 (6-3)
Impact Opponents: vs ILL, at ORE, at PSU
I was not high on Indiana at all last year, but I feel like they are getting disrespected this year. They return a plethora of production from last year, and they may have upgraded at QB with Fernando Mendoza. I think they could, and probably will be better this year, but there is a night and day difference in their strength of schedule. Their second hardest game last year (Michigan) would be their 4th, maybe 5th hardest game this year. They probably won’t make a return to the playoffs this year, but they will still be very good.
Iowa
Conference Rank: 10
Record Projection: 7-5 (5-4)
Impact Opponents: vs IND, vs PSU, vs ORE
Well, well, well. Look’s like I was right. The second that Iowa doesn’t get to hide in the Big Ten West, their defense isn’t elite anymore. Their defense will never reach the heights that it did (statistically) when they were able to hide in that sorry division. Their offense is better than ever though, and I think Mark Gronowski could be a huge improvement at QB. Unfortunately he comes in as they lose their entire offense from last year, RB Kaleb Johnson. Iowa will be okay again this year. A good but not great defense, and a decent but not good offense.
Maryland
Conference Rank: 16
Record Projection: 5-7 (2-7)
Impact Opponents: vs NEB, vs IND, at ILL
Maryland was consistently okay for few years there as Mike Locksley has found his footing, but it all went to crap last year. They can’t be much worse than they were last year, and they have the easiest schedule in the conference. They miss Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon, and they get Nebraska, Indiana, and Michigan at home. Unfortunately I don’t think they will be good enough to take advantage of this easy schedule, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they made a bowl game.
Michigan
Conference Rank: 8
Record Projection: 8-4 (6-3)
Impact Opponents: at OU, at NEB, vs OSU
Michigan is another team that is getting hyped up right now, but I don’t see them being much better than last year. While Bryce Underwood is just a true freshman, he can’t be any worse than the QBs they used last year. RB is a big downgrade. Justice Haynes was very underwhelming at Bama, and he isn’t as good as Donovan Edward or Kalel Mullings. The defense will be very good, but they won’t be elite anymore after losing all of their top guys from their championship squad. Offense will be more balanced, and the defense will remain strong, but overall they will probably be about the same.
Michigan State
Conference Rank: 12
Record Projection: 7-5 (4-5)
Impact Opponents: at NEB, at IND, vs PSU
I think Michigan State is getting slept on. Jonathan Smith is a very good coach, and Aidan Chiles has a lot of potential at QB. The receiving corps is solid and the defense should be good too. This is one of the most under the radar teams in the conference, and they could make some noise in year 2 under Smith.
Minnesota
Conference Rank: 11
Record Projection: 7-5 (4-5)
Impact Opponents: at OSU, vs NEB, at ORE
It seems like Minnesota has plateaued. They were really good in 2019, but they have been hovering on the Top 25 fringe for a while now, and I don’t see that improving this year. The main reason being that they still don’t have a QB. The rest of the team is solid as always, and Darius Taylor is especially good at RB. They should get a winning record yet again, but they won’t be contending for anything.
Nebraska
Conference Rank: 5
Record Projection: 9-3 (6-3)
Impact Opponents: vs MICH, vs USC, at PSU
Matt Rhule always has a big year 3 jump, and it will be no different at Nebraska. The schedule is manageable. Penn State is obviously tough, but USC and Michigan are really the only other teams on their schedule that are all that good. The main thing that gets me excited is QB Dylan Raiola. He showed some flashes as a freshman, and I believe he could take the next step. If he doesn’t take the next step, and we get more inconsistency, then Nebraska will be more of the same from last year, but I believe in him. This team may have the best shot of the second tier Big Ten teams to make the playoffs, but they need Raiola and the defense to take the next step.
Northwestern
Conference Rank: 17
Record Projection: 3-9 (1-8)
Impact Opponents: vs ORE, at PSU, at NEB
This team impressed me in 2023 in the first year under David Braun, but they came back to reality last year as they don’t get to prey on the Big Ten West anymore. The schedule is very difficult, and despite some roster improvements (QB Preston Stone especially) and a lot of experience, I would be surprised if they made a bowl game. They must play Oregon and Michigan at home and then Tulane, Penn State, Nebraska, USC, and Illinois on the road. That’s rough.
Ohio State
Conference Rank: 1
Record Projection: 11-2 (8-1)
Impact Opponents: vs TEX, at ILL, vs PSU
Ohio State just messed around all season last year, and turned it on in the playoffs and showed that they were clearly the best team, and it wasn’t even close. They lose a lot from that team this year. They lose their QB, top 2 RBs, no. 2 WR, their top edge rushers, and therir top CB. That being said, they are still filled with talent. They might even have the top 2 players in all of college football with Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs. The main thing you have to look at when evaluating OSU is QB. Will Howard was average at times last year and they still made the playoffs, but once they got there he played at an elite level, which was crucial. They need someone who can turn it on like Howard could, and Julian Sayin is gonna have to be the guy. I’d imagine that there will be some growing pains, especially as his first start will be against Texas, but the schedule is pretty easy for the most part. They should win the Big Ten this year as I trust Ryan Day and the talent.
Oregon
Conference Rank: 3
Record Projection: 10-2 (7-2)
Impact Opponents: at PSU, vs IND, vs USC
Oregon was so good last year until the Rose Bowl when everything just fell apart. I have really mixed feelings about the Ducks this year. The defense should be good but not elite as always, and the O-line might be the best in the Big Ten. Makhi Hughes is a huge get in the portal at RB, but the QB and WRs are mostly unknowns. Dante Moore does not have much experience, and we really can’t know what to expect as the last two QBs (Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel) were some of the most experienced QBs of all time when they played. Oregon lost 3 of their top 4 receivers in the offseason (all to the NFL) and Evan Stewart had a major injury in the offseason, and I’m not sure if he is even going to play. That means that their top WR may end up being former Bama player Malik Benson. Yikes. The main thing that made Oregon so good the last few years has been their veteran QB and top of the line WRs. They have neither of those this year. I’d imagine that they will still make the playoffs this year with a pretty easy schedule, but I wouldn’t surprised if they dropped a game or to against some inferior opponents if they can’t get the run game going.
Penn State
Conference Rank: 2
Record Projection: 11-2 (8-1)
Impact Opponents: vs ORE, at OSU, vs IND
Penn State is the sexy pick to win the championship right now. Them and Clemson. Unlike with Clemson, I think PSU has a shot, albeit, a very small one. James Franklin did not prove anything last year. They won two playoff games, yes, but they were against SMU and Boise State, two teams that had no business being on the same field with them. They lost against the top 3 teams they played. Ohio State, Oregon, and Notre Dame. They were all close, but Franklin has been close before. Again and again, with (nearly) no big wins to his name. This team is so experienced, and the offense looks to be even better than it was last year, but the defense lost an elite player in Abdul Carter. Players like that don’t grow on trees. To counteract that though, they managed to hire the best DC in the country in Jim Knowles. With Oregon maybe having a bit of a down year, I think Penn State can realistically get the win at home, but they must go on the road against Ohio State, which is where Franklin will be tested. They will most likely make the Big Ten Championship and play against Ohio State again, and then go to the playoffs where they will inevitably play against more top tier teams. Franklin is bound to get one of these top 5 wins eventually, but can he get 3 or 4? Unlikely.
Purdue
Conference Rank: 18
Record Projection: 2-10 (0-9)
Impact Opponents: at ND, vs OSU, vs IND
Last year was BAD. This year will also be bad as they have to rebuild from that mess. Barry Odom was a good hire, and I think he can do some pretty good things here, but it will take time. A lot of time. There really isn’t much good to say about this team other than that they really can’t get any worse.
Rutgers
Conference Rank: 13
Record Projection: 6-6 (3-6)
Impact Opponents: vs ORE, at OSU, vs PSU
Schiano has had this team going steady, and this may be his best team yet, even with the loss of Kyle Monangai. The defense should be very good and they have a very experienced offense… but the schedule is tough. They have to play Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon, as well as road games at Washington and Illinois. They should make a bowl game yet again, but the record won’t reflect their improvement.
UCLA
Conference Rank: 14
Record Projection: 5-7 (3-6)
Impact Opponents: vs PSU, at IND, at OSU
Much like Rutgers, they should improved, but the record won’t refelect that because of the tough schedule. Utah, Penn State, Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio State, Washington, and USC are all here, and the Bruins will have a tough time getting more than 1 win out of that group. QB Nico Iamaleava was huge get in the portal, and I think he could be really good this year. If UCLA makes a bowl game, it will probably be because he made from strides in his progression. The offense will be improved and the defense should remain solid, so the Bruins shoudln’t be taken lightly.
USC
Conference Rank: 7
Record Projection: 8-4 (6-3)
Impact Opponents: at ND, at NEB, at ORE
USC was a weird team last year. They only went 6-6 (in the regular season) but they every oppurtunity to win every game that they lost. The defense was immensely improved, and they should continue that improvement in year 2 of the Big Ten. The O-line is solid, the WRs are very good, and Lincoln Riley says this is the best RB room he has had at USC. QB Jordan Maiava has what it takes to be great under Riley (if Jalen Hurts can be a Heisman contender with Lincoln than Riley, then anyone can), and if he takes the next step, USC could be a really, really good team. Their schedule could be a problem though. They must play Illinois, Notre Dame, Nebraska, and Oregon the road with a game against Michigan at home. It will be tough to get double digit wins and a playoff berth, but not impossible.
Washington
Conference Rank: 9
Record Projection: 8-4 (5-4)
Impact Opponents: vs OSU, vs ILL, vs ORE
Washington should be much improved in year 2 with Fisch. Demond Williams could be a surprise All Big Ten candidate, and he has a good supporting cast. With Ryan Walters at DC now, they should have an improved defense. This team is basically the definition of good but not great. They have the potential to nock some of the top teams on their schedule down, but I don’t see them contending for the Big Ten Championship or anything like that.
Wisconsin
Conference Rank: 15
Record Projection: 3-9 (1-8)
Impact Opponents: at BAMA, vs OSU, at ORE
Sorry Wisconsin fans. If you thought the last few years were as bad as they could get, then you were mistaken. I really thought Luke Fickell would be a great fit for Wisconsin, but he could find himself on the hot seat after this season. The offense just doesn’t have any eye popping talent, and the defense will be good, but not nearly as good as the heights of the Paul Chryst era. The team is unspectacular, and the schedule is one of the hardest in the country. They might only be favored 3 maybe 4 games. They must play at Alabama, at Michigan, vs Iowa, vs Ohio State, at Oregon, vs Washington, at Indiana, vs Illinois, and at Minnesota. All of these teams are significantly better than them, and the Badgers would be lucky to get any upsets in this group, and they need 3 if they want to make a bowl game. I don’t think Fickell will be fired after this season, but they’ll surely be thinking about it.
Big Ten Championship Preview
There are really only three teams here that can make it in my opinion. Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon. Nebraska would be my darkhorse because they have an easy schedule, but that might be a bit of a stretch. It will most likely come down to whoever wins the Penn State vs Oregon game to decide who faces Ohio State here, but really this game will be pretty much meaningless as all three of these teams are basically locks to make the playoffs.
Ohio State will beat Penn State in the Big Ten Championship.
All Big Ten Team
Offense
QB: Drew Allar (Penn State)
RB: Nicholas Singleton (Penn State)
RB: Makhi Hughes (Oregon)
WR: Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State)
WR: Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)
WR: Makai Lemon (USC)
TE: Max Klare (Ohio State)
OT: Isiah World (Oregon)
OT: Gennings Dunker (Iowa)
OG: Olaivavega Ioane (Penn State)
OG: Emmanuel Pregnon (Oregon)
C: Iapani Laloulu (Oregon)
Defense
DT: Aaron Graves (Iowa)
DT: Zane Durant (Penn State)
EDGE: Mikail Kamara (Indiana)
EDGE: Matayo Uiagaleilei (Oregon)
LB: Sonny Styles (Ohio State)
LB: Aiden Fisher (Indiana)
LB: Bryce Boettcher (Oregon)
CB: Xavier Scott (Illinois)
CB: D’Angelo Ponds (Indiana)
S: Caleb Downs (Ohio State)
S: Dillon Thieneman (Oregon)
Special Teams
K: Dominic Zvada (Michigan)
P: Ryan Eckley (Michigan State)
KR: Makai Lemon (USC)
PR: Kaden Wetjen (Iowa)
Conference Rankings
- Ohio State Buckeyes 11-2 (8-1)
- Penn State Nittany Lions 11-2 (8-1)
- Oregon Ducks 10-2 (7-2)
- Indiana Hoosiers 9-3 (6-3)
- Nebraska Corn Huskers 9-3 (6-3)
- Illinois Fighting Illini 9-3 (6-3)
- USC Trojans 8-4 (6-3)
- Michigan Wolverines 8-4 (6-3)
- Washington Huskies 8-4 (5-4)
- Iowa Hawkeyes 7-5 (5-4)
- Minnesota Golden Gophers 7-5 (4-5)
- Michigan State Spartans 7-5 (4-5)
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights 6-6 (3-6)
- UCLA Bruins 5-7 (3-6)
- Wisconsin Badgers 3-9 (1-8)
- Maryland Terrapins 5-7 (2-7)
- Northwestern Wildcats 3-9 (1-8)
- Purdue Boilermakers 2-10 (0-9)
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