Author’s note: I am previewing each Power Four conference (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC) ahead of the 2024 NCAA football season, which will be the first year with a 12-team playoff.
As a reminder, here are the number of teams in each Power Four conference following nationwide realignment:
ACC (17 teams)
Big 12 (16 teams)
Big Ten (18 teams)
SEC (16 teams)
Big Ten Season Superlatives
Favorite to win the Big Ten: Ohio State
Ohio State is a loaded team this year. They are bringing back a ton of players who decided against turning pro. Players like J.T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, and TreVeyon Henderson all decided to come back. Plus, Ohio State crushed it in the portal, picking up Caleb Downs, the best defensive back in the portal, and Quinshon Judkins, one of the best running backs in the portal. They should be the top pick to win the Big Ten and also compete for a National Title.
Favorite to win Big Ten Player of the Year: Dillon Gabriel (Quarterback, Oregon)
It is hard to pick one specific player from Ohio State, so instead, I went with Gabriel, the star quarterback who transferred from Oklahoma to Oregon.
We know you’ve been waiting for this one…
— Big Ten Conference (@bigten) August 2, 2024
“Maps” is here and it’s beautiful. #B1GWelcome pic.twitter.com/vPfVeEdonn
Favorite to win Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year: Will Johnson (Defensive Back, Michigan)
Johnson is one of the best defensive backs in the country and should have a good chance to win this award. Other candidates will be JT Tuimoloau of Ohio State, Jay Higgins of Iowa, and Caleb Downs of Ohio State.
Sleeper Team: Iowa
Iowa has had a great defense in the last few years, but their offense has been abysmal. Now, though, they have a new offensive coordinator in Tim Lester. If the offense can improve and the defense continues to be dominant, Iowa could make a playoff run. They also have a very manageable schedule.
Big Ten Team Notes
Ohio State
Can Ryan Day get over the hump and beat Michigan? It’s been three straight losses to Ohio State’s arch-rival. This is Day’s best chance with a talented team.
Oregon
Oregon could be the best team in the Big Ten during their first season in the conference. They host Ohio State on Oct. 12, and the two teams could match up a second time in the Big Ten championship. Dan Lanning has done a great job recruiting and hitting the portal to establish a good program.
Michigan
Michigan had an amazing three-year run capped off by them beating Washington to win a National Championship. Jim Harbaugh has since moved on to the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers. Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore replaced Harbaugh last season for the final three regular-season games when Harbaugh was suspended for a sign-stealing scandal, so he was a logical successor. Michigan is still a talented team, but they lost many players and coaches from last year’s team. I don’t think they will struggle, but I expect a few losses this season.
We asked Sherrone Moore to build his perfect @UMichFootball offensive lineman 〽️
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) August 1, 2024
Who would you have picked? pic.twitter.com/64LnLTPaHK
Penn State
James Franklin is a good college football coach but has not been able to win many big games during his Penn State tenure. They bring back a good core with two good running backs. Meanwhile, Drew Allar is trying to build off a solid season from last year at quarterback. Penn State should be a good team, but the ceiling will always be in question with Franklin’s Nittany Lions.
Iowa
Kirk Ferentz has shown that he has tough-nosed football plays and has mastered playing low-scoring games where defense and special teams win. In the era of high-octane offense, Iowa has been playing a ’90s brand of football. They do have a new offensive coordinator after Brian Ferentz, Kirk’s son, left the program. They have some nice pieces on offense, so they could be better on that side of the ball.
Wisconsin
Luke Fickell is entering his second season as head coach, which is usually when his teams make a jump. I think Wisconsin will be improved off last year’s initial team that won six games, but they do have a tough schedule and play Alabama in a non-conference game.
USC
Lincoln Riley’s USC team struggled last year despite having the future No. 1 pick, Caleb Williams. Riley brought in a new defensive coordinator in D’Anton Lynn who had success at cross-town rival UCLA last year. Riley is considered one of the best quarterback developers and play-callers in the country, but so far, his teams have not been good enough on defense to win a playoff game.
Rutgers
Greg Schiano is entering his fifth year at Rutgers for his second stint at the school. He finally had a breakthrough, winning seven games last year. Rutgers should be an improved team this season. They could have a chance to improve from seven wins.
Nebraska
Nebraska has fallen on hard times. They have not been in a bowl game since 2016 and haven’t been a national program for several decades. The program hopes to break through in Year 2 of Matt Rhule. Rhule has a long track record of success, so after going 5-7 last year, expectations are for him and highly-regarded quarterback Dylan Raiola. Making a bowl game would be a success for them.
Matt Rhule running bleachers with the team
— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) August 2, 2024
Football guy pic.twitter.com/EckuivVPB6
Maryland
Mike Locksley has won eight games in back-to-back years for Maryland, marking the most successful two-year run in a while for the program. Maintaining the consistency of at least eight wins might be difficult with how talented the Big Ten is now.
Washington
Washington was in the National Championship last year but then lost their head coach, Kalen DeBoer, to Alabama. As a result, most of the team went to the NFL or the transfer portal. Jedd Fisch comes from Arizona after a successful stint but could have a tough time in Year 1 since they are only returning two starters.
Indiana
Indiana is another school that hired a new head coach after firing Tom Allen. They lured Curt Cignetti from James Madison after a long and successful run there. It might be a rough Year 1 for Cignetti, but he has a long track record of success.
Minnesota
P.J. Fleck has done a good job at Minnesota. They did fall back to six wins last year after winning nine games in back-to-back seasons. Fleck should be able to continue their successful program overall.
Northwestern
David Braun was thrust into the interim head coaching job at Northwestern after a sexual scandal under former head coach Pat Fitzgerald. In a major surprise, he won eight games in his first season and got the job permanently. Can he maintain it going into Year 2? I am not sure; time will tell.
Purdue
Purdue struggled mightily in Year 1 of the Ryan Walters era. Walters came from Illinois after a successful run as defensive coordinator there. Making a bowl game in Year 2 would be a huge accomplishment.
Illinois
Brett Bielema is entering Year 4 as head coach. He has won five, eight, and five games each of his first three years at Illinois. Bielema should be able to make a bowl game this season with the Illini.
Bret Bielema has most wins (18) in 1st 3 years of any Illinois coach since John Mackovic (1988-90). Last year, Illini’s final 6 games were all decided by 4 points or less
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 23, 2024
UCLA
UCLA is the cross-town rival of USC and is also breaking in a new coach after Chip Kelly joined Ohio State as their offensive coordinator. They have been decent the last three years, winning eight, nine, and eight games. Replacing him is Dan Foster, the former running backs coach for UCLA. UCLA will struggle this year and making a bowl game might be difficult.
Michigan State
Michigan State is another program that could struggle since they have a new coach (Jonathan Smith from Oregon State). Smith did a good job rebuilding the Oregon State program, winning eight games last year and 10 games the previous year. I think he is a successful head coach, but Year 1 could be tough for Michigan State.
Final Thoughts
The Big Ten is going through a ton of changes this year. They have added four new teams (USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon) and also got rid of divisions. Furthermore, the teams with the best two records will face each other in the Big Ten championship. With the 12-team playoff in its infancy, the Big Ten is hoping to get at least three teams into the playoff, maybe even more. This should be a fun and entertaining season.
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