Not long ago I would have told you the SEC was the better conference. I don’t think that is true any longer. Yes, there is ton of talent in the south and some of the top coaches in college football call the SEC home. But it’s hard to ignore what’s happening in the Big Ten. It is a competitive conference where there is more parity every day. If you don’t think so, sit down and try ranking all 18 Big Ten teams in order of how you think they will finish. Yes, it’s easy to throw Penn State, Ohio State and Oregon in the top three, but four through seven is a crap shoot, while eight through eleven is just as uncertain. The only thing you can say about twelve through eighteen is they are the bottom seven but ranking them is equally difficult.
I’ve gone over each team’s schedule, looked at who is returning, their strengths, and what their biggest questions may be. After reviewing, this is my predicted order of finish for the Big Ten for 2025.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Difference makers: OC Andrew Kotelnicki, DC Jim Knowles, QB Drew Allar, RB Kaytron Allen, RB Nicholas Singleton, DT Zane Durant.
Biggest questions: Does James Franklin have what it takes to finally beat Ohio State.
Returning Production: 63% (No. 33 overall)
Offensive: 72% (No. 14)
Defensive: 53% (No. 73)
Ceiling: 12-0
Floor: 10-2, Oregon, Ohio State
OTC predicted B1G record: 9-0
OTC predicted finish: 11-1
Vegas win total – 10.5
Ohio State Buckeyes
Difference makers: QB Julian Sayin, WR Jeremiah Smith, WR Carnell Tate, DE Kenyetta Jackson Jr., LB Sonny Styles, S Caleb Downs.
Biggest questions: New OC Brian Hartline, DC Matt Patrica, QB Julian Sayin, motivation to beat Michigan.
Returning Production: 46% (No. 101 overall)
Offensive: 47% (No. 92)
Defensive: 45% (No. 103)
Ceiling: 12-0
Floor: 8-4, Texas, Illinois, Penn State, Michigan
OTC predicted B1G record: 8-1
OTC predicted finish: 10-2
Vegas win total – 10.5
Oregon Ducks
Difference makers: QB Dane Moore, WR Evan Stewart, RB Makhi Hughes, Edge Matayo Uiagalelei, LB Bryce Boettcher.
Biggest questions: QB play, the rigors of traveling and playing a B1G schedule
Returning Production: 43% (No. 109 overall)
Offensive: 41% (No. 109)
Defensive: 46% (No. 101)
Ceiling: 12-0
Floor: 9-3, Penn State, USC, Washington
OTC predicted B1G record: 7-2
OTC predicted finish: 10-2
Vegas win total – 10.5
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Difference makers: OC Dana Holgorsen, STC Mike Ekeler, QB Dylan Raiola, WR Dane Key, WR Jacory Barney, LB Vincent Shavers Jr., Jack Desean McCullough, CB Ceyair Wright.
Biggest questions: Offensive line play, defensive line against the run, special teams.
Returning Production: 60% (No. 50 overall)
Offensive: 68% (No. 30)
Defensive: 53% (No. 74)
Ceiling: 11-1
Floor: 8-4, Michigan, Penn State, USC, Iowa
OTC predicted B1G record: 7-2
OTC predicted finish: 9-3
Vegas win total – 7.5
Michigan Wolverines
Difference makers: QB Bryce Underwood, RB Justin Haynes, WR Donavan McCulley, LB Earnest Hausmann, CB Jyaire Hill, PK Dominic Zvada.
Biggest questions: New OC Chip Lindsey, defensive rebuild, HC Sherrone Moore’s absence.
Returning Production: 64% (No. 29 overall)
Offensive: 63% (No. 47)
Defensive: 64% (No. 28)
Ceiling: 11-1
Floor: 8-4, Oklahoma, Nebraska, USC, Ohio State
OTC predicted B1G record: 7-2
OTC predicted finish: 9-3
Vegas win total – 8.5
Indiana Hoosiers
Difference makers: QB Fernando Mendoza, RB Roman Hemby, WR Elijah Starett, DE Mikail Kamara, LB Aiden Fisher, S Amare Ferrell.
Biggest questions: Does Cignetti’s blatant over confidence work in year two & can they sneak up on teams a 2nd time.
Returning Production: 61% (No. 44 overall)
Offensive: 61% (No. 55)
Defensive: 60% (No. 45)
Ceiling: 10-2
Floor: 8-4, Illinois, Iowa, Oregon, Penn State
OTC predicted B1G record: 6-3
OTC predicted finish: 9-3
Vegas win total – 8.5
USC Trojans
Difference makers: QB Jayden Maiava, WR Ja’Kobi Lane, WR Makai Lemon, DT Keeshawn Silver, LB Eric Gentry, S Kamari Ramsey.
Biggest questions: QB Maiava’s ball security, improved defense, playing in B1G weather
Returning Production: 46% (No. 97 overall)
Offensive: 50% (No. 85)
Defensive: 43% (No. 108)
Ceiling: 10-2
Floor: 7-5, Illinois, Michigan, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Oregon
OTC predicted B1G record: 7-2
OTC predicted finish: 8-4
Vegas win total – 7.5
Illinois Fighting Illini
Difference makers: QB Luke Altmyer, RB Kaden Feagin, LB/Edge Gabe Jacas, DB Xavier Scott
Biggest questions: Wide receiver play, playing to the level of their competition
Returning Production: 76% (No. 3 overall)
Offensive: 78% (No. 5)
Defensive: 75% (No. 8)
Ceiling: 10-2
Floor: 8-4, Indiana, USC, Ohio State Washington
OTC predicted B1G record: 6-3
OTC predicted finish: 8-4
Vegas win total – 7.5
Washington Huskies
Difference makers: DC Ryan Walters, QB Demond Williams, RB Johah Coleman, WR Denzal Boston, CB Ephesians Prysock.
Biggest questions: Overall defense and Linebacker play.
Returning Production: 52% (No. 84 overall)
Offensive: 48% (No. 91)
Defensive: 55% (No. 65)
Ceiling: 9-3
Floor: 7-5, Washington State, Ohio State, Michigan, Illinois, Oregon
OTC predicted B1G record: 6-3
OTC predicted finish: 8-4
Vegas win total – 7.5
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Difference makers: QB Drake Lindsey, RB Darius Taylor, DE Anthony Smith, LB Maverick Baranowski, LB Devon Williams, SS Kerry Brown.
Biggest questions: QB Drake Linsey, receivers, and the passing game
Returning Production: 62% (No. 40 overall)
Offensive: 50% (No. 83)
Defensive: 73% (No. 11)
Ceiling: 8-4
Floor: 6-6, Ohio State, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Oregon, Wisconsin
OTC predicted B1G record: 5-4
OTC predicted finish: 8-4
Vegas win total – 6.5
Iowa-4-5, Big Ten
Difference makers: QB Mark Gronowski, RB Kamari Moulton, DC Phil Parker, DE Ethan Hurkett, DT Aaron Graves, DE Max Llewellyn, STC LeVar Woods.
Biggest questions: Receivers, passing game, and defensive backs
Returning Production: 57% (No. 65 overall)
Offensive: 67% (No. 35)
Defensive: 48% (No. 95)
Ceiling: 8-4
Floor: 6-6, Iowa State, Penn State, Oregon, USC, Nebraska, Wisconsin
OTC predicted B1G record: 5-4
OTC predicted finish: 8-4
Vegas win total – 7.5
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Difference makers: QB Athan Kaliakmanis, RB Antwan Raymond, WR Ian Strong, LB DJ Djabome, CB Bo Mascoe, S Kaj Sanders.
Biggest questions: Defensive line play, special teams play, overcoming schedule
Returning Production: 71% (No. 7 overall)
Offensive: 80% (No. 2)
Defensive: 62% (No. 38)
Ceiling: 8-4
Floor: 5-7, Iowa, Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Ohio State, Penn State
OTC predicted B1G record: 2-7
OTC predicted finish: 5-7
Vegas win total – 5.5
Michigan State Spartans
Difference makers: QB Aidan Chiles, WR Nick Marsh, TE Jack Velling, S Nikai Martinez, S Malik Spencer.
Biggest questions: Receivers and defense
Returning Production: 63% (No. 30 overall)
Offensive: 72% (No. 17)
Defensive: 55% (No. 64)
Ceiling: 8-4
Floor: 5-7, USC, Nebraska, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Penn State, Iowa
OTC predicted B1G record: 2-7
OTC predicted finish: 5-7
Vegas win total – 5.5
Northwestern Wildcats
Difference makers: QB Preston Stone, RB Cam Porter, RB Joe Himon, LB Mac Uihlein, secondary play
Biggest questions: Receivers, overcoming schedule
Returning Production: 58% (No. 57 overall)
Offensive: 54% (No. 76)
Defensive: 62% (No. 35)
Ceiling: 7-5
Floor: 5-7, Oregon, Penn State, Nebraska, USC, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois
OTC predicted B1G record: 2-7
OTC predicted finish: 5-7
Vegas win total – 3.5
Wisconsin Badgers
Difference makers: Offensive line, RB Dillin Jones, TE Lance Mason, WR Vinny Anthony, CB Nyzier Fourqurean, S Preston Zachman, CB Ricardo Hallman
Biggest questions: OC Jeff Grimes, QB Billy Edwards, overcoming the schedule
Returning Production: 64% (No. 25 overall)
Offensive: 67% (No. 34)
Defensive: 62% (No. 39)
Ceiling: 7-5
Floor: 4-8, Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Washington, Oregon, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota
OTC predicted B1G record: 3-6
OTC predicted finish: 5-7
Vegas win total – 5.5
UCLA Bruins
Difference makers: OC/QB Tino Sunseri, QB Nico Iamaleava, RB Jalen Berger, LB Jallen Woods, LB JonJon Vaughn
Biggest questions: Receiving Corp, Defensive line, secondary
Returning Production: 43% (No. 111 overall)
Offensive: 53% (No. 78)
Defensive: 33% (No. 124)
Ceiling: 7-5
Floor: 4-8, Utah, Penn State, Michigan State, Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio State, Washington, USC
OTC predicted B1G record: 2-7
OTC predicted finish: 4-8
Vegas win total – 4.5
Maryland Terrapins
Difference makers: QB Malik Washington, RB Nolan Ray, Offensive line, LB Daniel Wingate, S Jalen Husky, S Lavin Scruggs
Biggest questions: OC Pep Hamilton, DC Ted Monachino, STC Andre Powell, Receivers
Returning Production: 51% (No. 85 overall)
Offensive: 48% (No. 89)
Defensive: 54% (No. 71)
Ceiling: 5-7
Floor: 3-9, Wisconsin, Washington, Nebraska, UCLA, Indiana, Rutgers, Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State
OTC predicted B1G record: 0-9
OTC predicted finish: 3-9
Vegas win total – 4.5
Purdue Boilermakers
Difference makers: RB Devein Mockobee, Special Teams
Biggest questions: New staff, QB, lack of returning production
Returning Production: 32% (No. 127 overall)
Offensive: 27% (No. 130)
Defensive: 37% (No. 118)
Ceiling: 6-6
Floor: 3-9, Notre Dame, USC, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio State, Washington, Indiana, Rutgers, Minnesota
OTC predicted B1G record: 1-8
OTC predicted finish: 3-9
Vegas win total – 3.5
If you thought you noticed a consistent theme of the QBs being difference makers or questionable, it’s true. Most of these teams will go just as far as their QBs take them. The top eleven teams all have the potential to make the CFP, but things will have to fall into place, and the ball bounce right for each of them.
The Big Ten returning production rankings came from ESPN’s Bill Connelly. Obviously the win total came from Vegas oddsmakers.
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