Continuing the one-liner trend that was started with the SEC preview, the Big Ten Conference can be described slightly less glowingly: it’s crowded in the middle.
This is not to say that the conference which has won the previous two national titles is void of depth. On the contrary, there is a ton of it. But whereas there are eight or nine teams in the SEC that could make the conference title game without many people batting an eyelash, I believe that number is maybe half that large in the Big Ten. In other words, the tiers are more clearly separated in the largest conference in FBS.
That being said, the “middle” tier of the Big Ten being so large should make for incredibly competitive play this season. The fact that there is undoubtedly some contention about which teams actually fall into this tier most notably brings into question my one-liner, but it also verifies that the conversation about which conference is the strongest in FBS is far from dead.
The Big Ten sits at No. 2 from where I’m sitting. But debates are welcome.
Embed from Getty ImagesTeams I Like
Illinois
Though Illinois was far more of a surprise last season by coming within a single victory of likely making the Playoff, it very much feels like Bret Bielema’s squad is being treated like a “dark horse” candidate to make the CFP in 2025. But the Illini are coming off their first 10-win season since 2001 and return a ton of starters on both sides of the ball. If anything, it would be a disappointment if Illinois was not contending for a Playoff spot come the end of the regular season.
Luke Altmyer’s composure in the pocket became evident to a wider audience last season, and amongst the contenders in the Big Ten no team has more experience at the quarterback position than Illinois. His offensive line returns all five starters and the running back corps is deep, so while Coach Bielema’s offense may not be the most exciting thing to watch, they’ll be difficult to stop. With a favorable schedule that in my opinion only features two particularly tough road tests, the Illini should be in a similar position compared to last year come November.
Ohio State
The defending national champions may have lost a ton of production from last year’s squad to the NFL, but talent is like shark’s teeth in Columbus and the Buckeyes will remain relevant in terms of the national title conversation throughout 2025. The two most obvious concerns are at the quarterback position and the defense in general, which loses not only a number of players at all levels but also its coordinator. New defensive coordinator Matt Patricia was a solid hire, though, and has enough future NFL talent at his expense to feel comfortable in the collegiate environment.
The maturation of Julian Sayin will be important, but the talent around him is still elite and he won’t need to put the team on his back for the Buckeyes to be successful. He has more raw talent as a passer than Will Howard, though, so chances are that once he has some starts under his belt, the Buckeyes will be more dangerous through the air than they were last year with the stars they have at wide receiver. There are a few tough dates on the schedule, but it would be a surprise if Ryan Day doesn’t get the program back to the Playoff.
Penn State
I draw a lot of parallels between this season’s Penn State team and the Ohio State team that won the national title last season. For starters, the conversation surrounding James Franklin is that he cannot win the big games, similar to the heat Ryan Day took before last season’s epic Playoff run. Next, the Nittany Lions retained most of the talent from a 2024 squad that nearly got to the title game itself. Lastly, its defense should be one of the best in college football and will be led by the same guy who headed Ohio State’s defense last season, Jim Knowles.
These generalized points are unlikely to sway anyone who is still on the fence about James Franklin and Penn State in general, but I have bought into this team as one of if not the strongest on paper in college football. I not only expect the Nittany Lions to win the Big Ten, but to have a great shot at being perhaps the only team in the country to run the table in the regular season. And unlike the last Big Ten team to accomplish that feat, I don’t expect that Penn State will falter in the quarterfinals of the CFP.
Washington
Jedd Fisch took over the Washington program last season that had a relatively empty cupboard following its national runner-up performance but managed to guide the Huskies to a bowl game. More importantly, the blueprint for the future was clearly mapped out thanks to the revelation of Demond Williams, who as a true freshman took the reins of the offense and should be one of the most dynamic players in the Big Ten. Fisch added to that blueprint by hiring former Purdue head coach Ryan Walters as defensive coordinator. Walters had the chips stacked against him at his previous spot, but is a tremendous hire and will get the best out of what should be a much better Washington defense in 2025 thanks to upgraded personnel, particularly up front.
In his three seasons at Arizona, Fisch improved the team’s record every season. If that is an indication of what he is capable of doing at Washington, then the Huskies could be in the mix for the Big Ten title this season. They’ll have to prove it, facing Ohio State, Michigan, Illinois and Oregon in the regular season, but have the talent to hang with those teams.
Embed from Getty ImagesNot High On
Iowa
On paper this Iowa team looks as strong as the program has had in years. The defense returns a lot of the talent from last season’s solid unit. The replacement group for departed running back Kaleb Johnson is capable. The offensive line that group will run behind should be strong as usual. And for the first time in awhile, the Hawkeyes have a quarterback (Mark Gronowski) that has proven the ability to lead an offense down the field with his arm.
But my hot take about the quarterback situation in particular is that the offensive philosophy of this coaching staff is so ingrained into the program that it won’t actually mean as much as the fan base is hoping it will. Some of Iowa’s toughest games this season should be against squads that are potent offensively. The Iowa staff likely won’t be interested in engaging in a track meet with those teams. In the end, the addition of Gronowski may end up boiling down to being a glossier version of yet another 8-4 regular season.
Michigan
If not for two surprising upsets over blueblood programs to end the season, the 2024 campaign may have felt very underwhelming in Ann Arbor. The passing game was nearly nonexistent, with only the service academies averaging fewer passing yards per game last season. That aspect of the offense figures to improve at least marginally, with the class of 2025’s top recruit Bryce Underwood taking over at the quarterback position. But he’ll be thrown to the wolves early, with road tests against Oklahoma and Nebraska in September looming, and wide receivers will need to emerge for Underwood to trust.
It’s truly difficult for me to understand how a team that was so reliant on the defense last season and so one dimensional offensively was able to beat some of the teams that it did. Except for Underwood, the makeup of the 2025 team doesn’t appear to be all that different. Until the true freshman quarterback proves himself at this level, I’ll continue to have doubts about the Wolverines as a true Big Ten title and Playoff contender. There are simply too many opponents on the schedule that appear to be capable of preventing that.
Oregon
Dan Lanning has done a nice job at Oregon, never failing to win at least 10 games in his three previous seasons in Eugene and improving the win total each season. He had a tough task this offseason, needing to replace a lot of pieces from the squad that went unbeaten in the 2024 regular season. For the most part, he appears to have accomplished that, though with any team with a lot of fresh faces it may take some time for the pieces to gel together. Particularly important will be how the offensive line develops, as Oregon is also replacing Dillon Gabriel at quarterback. I liked Dante Moore during his freshman year at UCLA, but he needs to work on his accuracy and may not be as productive as Gabriel was last season.
The Ducks had a very favorable regular season schedule last season, facing just one team that ended with a winning record on the road. This season the path is much tougher, with dates at Penn State, Iowa and rival Washington. Even if the offense is as potent with Moore, which I am not sure will be the case, the schedule may prevent the Ducks from getting back to the Big Ten title game.
Embed from Getty ImagesPlayers To Watch
Mikail Kamara, Indiana defensive end
The senior Kamara turned down the NFL to run it back with the Hoosiers after an excellent 2024 season where he led the team in sacks and quarterback hurries. In Curt Cignetti’s aggressive defensive structure, Kamara effectively has one job, and that is to make the quarterback’s life difficult.
He will be a focal point for opposing offensive coordinators, but that doesn’t mean that his production this season will necessarily fall off any compared to 2024. Indiana will need to replace a number of pieces on its defensive front, so not only will Kamara serve as a leader with his play, but he’ll also be one of the guys turned to for vocal leadership as well.
Darius Taylor, Minnesota running back
A feature back typically emerges in PJ Fleck’s offense, and this year it will be Darius Taylor, who has been a contributor since his true freshman season in Minneapolis. The 215 pound Taylor should eclipse the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career if he stays healthy, especially with Minnesota’s line looking like it will be improved compared with last season.
Additionally, Taylor may be leaned on especially early in the season, as the quarterback situation is somewhat unclear and the wide receivers are unproven as well. The first four games of Minnesota’s season could easily resemble old-school Big Ten football, which is an environment where Taylor would shine.
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State wide receiver
Typically it is a bold and hotly contested take to claim someone as the best player in college football, but in the case of Jeremiah Smith it feels like there is far more consensus about that than usual. Smith is a physical freak, and took it upon himself to get even more physically intimidating in the offseason (sorry, opposing defensive backs). But he is also mentally on a different level than most guys his age. That combination makes him the most difficult player in the country to stop in one-on-one situations.
It has been mentioned that if Smith were to have been eligible for this past spring’s NFL Draft, he would have been the best player available. College football fans are therefore spoiled to get to enjoy Smith at this level for not just this season, but next season as well.
Caleb Downs, Ohio State safety
Downs was the steal of the transfer portal prior to the 2024 season when he came up from Alabama to join the Buckeyes. As a true freshman, he led the Crimson Tide in tackles and so the expectations for him were very high in Columbus. He delivered in style, serving as a leader of the defense that was instrumental in Ohio State’s national title run and contributing in a multitude of ways (third in tackles, TFL, PBU and tied for first in interceptions).
The junior is viewed as another coach on the field, quickly recognizing what opposing offenses are trying to do and helping the rest of the defense adjust to it accordingly. Ohio State fans can feel comfortable that the defense will be just fine despite the losses with Downs on the field, and based on preseason chatter it seems that the coaching staff feels similarly.
Nicholas Singleton & Kaytron Allen, Penn State running backs
It would have been a disservice to leave either of these studs out of this section, considering how important they both are to the Penn State offense as well as to each other’s success. Allen is the thunder to Singleton’s lighting, providing the Nittany Lions with multiple ways to break through the defense on the ground. Singleton has also emerged as a capable threat in the receiving game, which may be on display more this season as Penn State works through replacing a lot of its production in that area.
Both running backs could have left Happy Valley for the NFL but chose to come back to take care of “unfinished business.” I said it earlier and I’ll say it again – Penn State’s attitude from the players’ side feels very “2024 Ohio State” to me.
Demond Williams, Washington quarterback
The Huskies were without a lot of long-term answers following their national title loss in 2024, but found one midway through last season with the emergence of Williams at quarterback. The dual threat option starred in games against Oregon and Louisville to end the year, displaying excellent poise in the pocket and pure raw ability to make things happen with his legs.
With a strong stable of running backs and a better offensive line, Washington is going to give opposing defenses a lot more to think about than Williams alone. Expect Williams to be one of the better quarterbacks in the Big Ten this season, and perhaps become a household name nationally if the Huskies surprise as a team as I think they will.
Embed from Getty ImagesGames to Watch (Conference)
Southern Cal at Illinois (September 27)
These two teams figure to have contrasting styles of play, but there is a lot to like about each squad coming into the season. It is fair to assert that this will be a “show me” game for both, but certainly so for the Trojans.
Oregon at Penn State (September 27)
Both teams will likely come into this matchup having been lightly tested, but things will ramp up quickly in the annual White Out game at Beaver Stadium. Could the rematch of last season’s Big Ten title game also be an appetizer for what’s to come at the end of the 2025 regular season?
Ohio State at Illinois (October 11)
I thought I was going to be unique for circling this game on Ohio State’s schedule, but that is appearing to look less and less like the case. Plenty of people recognize how talented and experienced this Illini squad is, and it would not be surprising at all if this were a battle of undefeated teams.
Michigan at Southern Cal (October 11)
This will be the second straight Saturday that Michigan plays a team off a bye week. Interestingly, the Wolverines only traveled to the West Coast once last season and lost to Washington. A contrast of styles will ensue but may resemble classic Rose Bowl battles near the end of the game.
Penn State at Ohio State (November 1)
The Nittany Lions are desperate to get over the hump against the Buckeyes, a team Penn State has beaten just once since 2012. In some ways, the victory seems as elusive as the national title for James Franklin. This year’s squad has all the tools to get the job done, even in a hostile Columbus environment, but the last thing the defending champs will do is make it easy.
Oregon at Washington (November 29)
The final regular season matchup for both teams is a Pac-12 (10?) throwback. While the first edition as a Big Ten contest wasn’t all that competitive, chances seem good that the 2025 version will be contested more like the pair of excellent 2023 battles than last year’s blowout.
Embed from Getty ImagesGames to Watch (Non-Conference)
Texas at Ohio State (August 30)
For the first time in history, the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the preseason Coaches Poll will face off in Week 1. Expectations for Arch Manning are sky high and there is uncertainty regarding the quarterback position at Ohio State, but the talent around the signal-callers on both sides should result in this being an even, entertaining contest throughout.
Iowa at Iowa State (September 6)
The battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy routinely ranks as one of the most underrated games on the college football slate each year, but Around The Corn will perpetually sing its praises (naturally). It isn’t always the prettiest product to watch, but it is rarely over before the clock hits zeroes in the fourth quarter.
Southern Cal at Notre Dame (November 18)
Notre Dame’s schedule is filled with landmines throughout the year, but the Fighting Irish get to stay in South Bend the entire month of October. This is the last game of that homestretch, and on paper the toughest test for Marcus Freeman’s squad the back half of the regular season.
Embed from Getty ImagesAw, Shuck It (3 Bets to Place)
*odds via DraftKings at time of publication. Around The Corn is not responsible for lost bets!
Illinois Makes College Football Playoff (+500)
It feels like several Big Ten teams could make the CFP this season, and even if you lock in Ohio State and Penn State, there’s still at least one more spot likely up for grabs. Why not the Illini, with their experienced squad, solid coaching and favorable schedule?
This isn’t taking a flier – this is a serious vote of confidence for the team from Champaign.
Penn State Over 10.5 (-105)
With this number basically saying that the Nittany Lions cannot lose a regular season game, it is a bit of a roll of the dice. The game in Columbus against the Buckeyes will be particularly tough, and Penn State has Oregon from last season to look to as a reminder that an unbeaten regular season campaign might not be the recipe for a favorable Playoff draw.
However, I believe the Nittany Lions are the most complete team in the country and one of the few I can realistically see running the table this season.
Jeremiah Smith Wins Biletnikoff Award (+160)
This might be underselling Smith a bit, as he’s not only one of the best wideouts in the country, but perhaps the best player in the country, period.
That being said, he is the favorite for this award for many reasons and if you’re looking for a solid piece to a bigger parlay, this is a good option to consider.
Embed from Getty ImagesPredictions
- Penn State (12-0, [8-0])
- Illinois (10-2, [7-2])
- Ohio State (10-2, [7-2])
- Southern Cal (9-3, [7-2])
- Michigan (8-4, [6-3])
- Washington (9-3, [6-3])
- Oregon (9-3, [6-3])
- Iowa (8-4, [6-3])
- Indiana (8-4, [5-4])
- Minnesota (8-4, [5-4])
- Nebraska (7-5, [4-5])
- Michigan State (6-6, [3-6])
- UCLA (5-7, [3-6])
- Wisconsin (5-7, [3-6])
- Rutgers (5-7, [2-7])
- Northwestern (4-8, [2-7])
- Maryland (3-9, [0-9])
- Purdue (2-10, [0-9])
Conference Title Game
Illinois vs. Penn State (game in Indianapolis)
Champion: Penn State
