BIG TEN CONFERENCE

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW

The Big Ten has a ton of top teams in he country and have two or three legitimate challengers for the national tile. Here they are listed in my order as the best to worst in the Big Ten in 2025.

Best Offensive Players in Big Ten

QB- Drew Allar

RB-  Maki Hughes- Oregon

RB- Nicholas Singleton- Penn State

WR- ELijah Surratt- Indiana

WR- Carnell Tate

TE- Max Clare- Ohio State

C- Logan Jones- Iowa

Conference Champion- Penn State over Ohio State

Here are the Big Ten teams in my order of finish in 2025

1. Penn State– Quarterback Drew Allar was phenomenal last year with 73% completion rate and with his leadership, the senior should be better for head coach James Franklin. Three very good transfers arrived with wide receiver Devonte Ross from Troy, another  wide receiver in Kyron Hudson from USC and a third wide receiver Trebor Pena from Syracuse makes the offense dangerous. Defense is in the hands of former DC from Ohio State in Jim Knowles. This team is in good shape and is a legitimate possible national champion. They play st  Beaver Stadium and it seats 106,572 fans. They open on August 30th at home against Nevada.

2. Oregon- The Ducks will be good again with sophomore quarterback Dante Moore returning and running back Makhi Hughes. Wide receiver Evan Stewart will be the primary target for mid to long range chances. Head coach Dan Lanning saw his team go 12-1 last year and in 2025, things look to be similar in wins and losses. This team plays at Autzen Stadium with 54,000 seats and they will open their season on August 30th at home against Montana State.

3. Ohio State– The Buckeyes are coached by Ryan Day and play at Ohio Stadium which seats to capacity  102, 780 fans. They open their season on August 30th against a tough Texas team. Willk Sayin appears to be the quarterback of choice. With little experience the game turns to the running back Tegra Tshabola and James Peeples. Look for wide receiver Carnell Tate to get many opportunities to score.

4. Michigan– Head coach Sherrone Moore has a program Even with many players not returning, this program is a top tier recruitment program and you can always expect plug and play for Wolverines. Freshman Bryce Underwood is the expected quarterback and a host of other unproven players are expected to be a Top Ten team in 2025. They play at Spartan Stadium in front of 107, 760 fans and open their season on August 30th at home against New Mexico.

5. Illinois- Quarterback Luke Altmyer returns for his senior season. This is a big deal for head coach Bret Bielema and the Illini fans after winning 10 games in 2024. Three good running back return with Kadin Feagley, Ca’Lil valentine and Aidan Laughery. Two tight ends with experience return with senior Tanner Arkin and another senior in Melvin Priestly. The defense is set and could be the calling card for a bowl hungry Illinois team. David Olano is a kicking specialist with 17 of 20 field goals made. This team isn’t far off from a playoff season. They play at Memorial Stadium with 60,670 fans. The opener is August 30th at home against Western Illinois.

6.Indiana – In 2024, the Hoosiers were 11-2 for head coach Curt Cignetti. In 2025 he doesn’t have many scorers with experience returning. He will use Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza at quarterback. To protect the QB, he grabbed Kahlil Benson from Cincinnati, Roman Hemby out of Maryland and UAB transfer Lee Beebe, Jr. Defense is outstanding at every position. this team may be better than 6th in the Big Ten.They play at Memorial Stadium which seats 52,626 seats. Their opener is August 30th at home facing Old Dominion.

7. Iowa – Kirk Ferentz returns for his 27th season as the Hawkeyes head coach. He has former South Dakota quarterback Mark Granowski chosen to head his team. Jaziun Patterson. sophomore Reece Vander Zee and  Kamari Moulton as the primary running backs along with Jacob Gill as the primary tight end. The defense will need many replacement. Defensive coach Phil Parker is capable of getting that done. The Hawkeyes play at Kinnick Stadium with 69,25 seats. The opener is at home against Albany on August 30th.

8. Nebraska- Matt Rhule the Huskers head coach, is excited to have sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola back. Raiola threw 13 touchdown passes and finished with 67% completion rate. Look for him to run more in 2025.Emmett Johnson is versatile as a running back or wide receiver to bring in the points. Dane Key from Kentucky and Noziah Hunter came in as a transfer from Cal. The defense will need to step from last season. The team plays at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln Nebraska and it seats 85,458 fans. The opener is August 30th in a neutral field in Kansas City.

9. USC – Quarterback Jayden Maiava, a junior, go some experience last year. Head coach Lincoln Riley may be on the hot seat if he doesn’t produce like the fans and boosters think they should. The scrimmage line has many big and strong bodies to help running back Bryan Jackson. The experience is at the wide receiver position with juniors Ja’Kobi Lane, Prince Strachan and Makai Lemon.The Trojans play at Los Angeles Memorial Stadium with 77,500 seats. They open at home with Missouri State on August 30th.

Games to Watch in the Big Ten

Aug. 30 Texas vs Ohio State          Oct. 11 Michigan @USC          Nov. 8  Indiana @ Penn State

Sept 6 Iowa @ Iowa State               Oct 11 Indiana @ Oregon        Nov 28 Nebraska @ Iowa

Sept 27 Oregon @ Penn State        Oct 11 Indiana @ Oregon        Nov 29 Oregon @ Washington

Oct 11 Ohio State @ Illinois          Nov 1 Penn State @ Ohio State   Nov 29 Ohio State @ Michigan

 

10. Washington -Head coach Jedd Fisch is counting on sophomore quarterback Demond Williams, Jr. to continue his success. In 2024, he completed 81% of his passes with four touchdowns and 374 yards. Senior running back Jonah Coleman will get the bulk of the carries. Wide receiver Denzel Boston received 994 yards last year and is poised to led the conference in 2025. The defense picked up one of the best in the portal with  6’4″ cornerback from Arizona in Tacario Davis. This team is improving and could surprise others in the Big Ten conference. They play in Seattle at Husky Stadium and it seats 70,083 fans. They open at home on August 30th against Colorado State.

11. Rutgers– Head coach Greg Schiano returns for his 17th season at the hem of the Scarlet Knights. Senior quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is back and looking for help from running back transfer from Florida Atlantic CJ Campbell. Two wide receivers return with Ian Strong and KJ Duff prepare to represent the offense. The defense is built around cornerback Cam Miller, a transfer from Penn State. SHI Stadium is Rutgers home which seats 52, 454. They open their season on August 30th at home against Ohio,

12. Minnesota– PJ Fleck is the Golden Gophers head coach and he may be in some hot water if his team doesn’t perform better in 2025. Freshman Drake Lindsey is their expected starter. He did a redshirt year in 2024. Senior running back Darius Taylor had 986 yards with 10 touchdowns and will be the primary offensive weapon  with wide receiver Le’Meke Brockington as the top receiver. The team plays at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis and it seats 50,805 fans. The team opens on August 28th at home versus Buffalo.

13. Wisconsin – The Badgers are coached by Luke Fickell and he is looking to do a somewhat major overhaul of his offense. Junior Billy Edwards, Jr. , originally out of Maryland is the quarterback and a pair of running backs with Darrion Dupree and Dilin Jones will get the bulk of carries. Ohio State transfer wide receiver and senior Vinny Anthony II will get the passes.The defense is bigger and stronger and will be a force in he Big Ten. This team plays at Camp Randall in Madison. Wisconsin with 78,057 fans. The opening game for the Badgers is at home as the take on Miami (Ohio).

14. UCLA – The Bruins are coached by DeShaun Foster in his second season.  Nico Imaleava joined the program from Tennessee. He is a top ten  quarterback in the nation and could push this team to new heights. Freshman Madden Iamaleava , Nico’s brother is the backup. Experience comes in the form of two wide receivers with sophomore Kwazi Gilmer and junior Mikey Matthews. The defense took an extreme makeover and this team could be a top five team in the Big Ten. The Bruins play at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and it seats 89,702 fans. They open at home against Utah on August 30th.

15. Michigan State- Aidan Chiles returns as quarterback for head coach Jonathan Smith.  Chiles average just over 200 yards per game and  59% completion rate. Wide receiver , sophomore, Nick Marsh had 41 catches for 649 yards. This is not a scary team in 2025, but give them time and the Spartans will be. They play at 75,000 seats Spartan Stadium and open on August 30th at home against Western Michigan.

16.Northwestern  – It’s been awhile since the Wildcats have challenge for a conference title. 2025 won’t be any difference as head coach David Braun starts his third season. He has SMU transfer Preston Stone lined up at quarterback. Junior South Dakota State transfer Griffin Wilde is the top receiver on he squad. One bright spot is senior running back Cam Porter who is a back for his sixth season. Also, Joseph Hinton II may get plenty of chance as a running back along with Caleb Komolafe.  The defense will be strong for the Wildcats.They play at Martin Stadium which only seats 12, 023.They open on the road at Tulane on August 30th.

17. Maryland – The portal really hurt the Terrapins and head coach Mike Locksley. His only scoring returning is wide receiver is Octavian Smith Jr. Quarterback appears to be junior Justyn Martin or freshman Malik Washington. This team and head coach are in trouble. They play at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland and it seats 1,802  fans. They open the season at home on August 30th versus Florida Atlantic. 

18. Purdue– The bottom belongs to the Boilermakers after winning one conference game in 2024. Head coach Barry Odom is entering his 7th season and it may be unfortunate end to his career if this continues to falter. He has one returnee on offense with running back Devin Mockobee. They play at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana and it holds 61,441 fans. They open on August 30th at home against Ball State.

 

 

Other articles in this series all read HERE.

ACC Preview,      AAC Preview,      Big 12 Preview