Zachary Neel
May 20, 2024 5:27 am PT
The upcoming college football season is going to be an historic one for many different reasons. A couple of the most notable things that will make this season different than any other are the expanded College Football Playoff and the shifting landscape of the sport thanks to conference realignment.
For the Oregon Ducks, that means that we are spending the offseason focusing on the Big Ten Conference rather than the Pac-12 Conference. Earlier this year, we put out some early projections as to what the Big Ten might look like, but it feels like a good time to update those power rankings now that the spring season is behind us.
We know Oregon and the Ohio State Buckeyes are near the top while Michigan and Washington may struggle to overcome their litany of departures this offseason. But where does everyone else stand?
Here are our updated power rankings for the 2024 preseason in the Big Ten.
18
Purdue Boilermakers
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 18
2024 Preseason Ranking:Not Ranked
Analysis: I didn’t see anything from Purdue during the spring season to give me a reason to believe that they will not be the worst team in the Big Ten. Hudson Card could be solid at QB, but the loss of Deion Burks to Oklahoma really hurts. Maybe it can prove something early in the season, but until I see it, the Boilermakers are at the bottom for me.
17
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 15
2024 Preseason Ranking:Not Ranked
Analysis: There is some optimism around Football Championship Subdivision quarterback transfer Max Brosmer at Minnesota, but I’m not sure he will be good enough right away to level them up to the middle of the power rankings in the conference. We saw the Golden Gophers struggle in 2023, and I wouldn’t be surprised if PJ Fleck lands on the hot seat quickly in 2024.
16
Indiana Hoosiers
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 17
2024 Preseason Ranking:Not Ranked
Analysis: If this were a 2025 power ranking, I might have Indiana higher on the list because of the upside new head coach Curt Cignetti presents, but asking him to turn the program around in one year may be a bit much.
15
Illinois Fighting Illini
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 16
2024 Preseason Ranking:Not Ranked
Analysis: There are a few talented pieces on this Illinois roster, but it is nowhere near good enough to compete in the Big Ten, especially with the expansion west. Bret Bielema has shown in the past that he can put together a strong defense and hold his own, but a lot of his top players on that side of the ball are no longer with the program. I have a feeling this could be a tough year for the Fighting Illini.
14
Northwestern Wildcats
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 13
2024 Preseason Ranking:Not Ranked
Analysis: The Wildcats had an unexpected obstacle thrown at them this spring when potential starting QB Brendan Sullivan entered the transfer portal, leaving questions at the position. Northwestern was impressive a year ago under interim coach David Braun, but being consistently good in the Big Ten is a different animal.
13
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 14
2024 Preseason Ranking:Not Ranked
Analysis: Greg Schiano is doing a great job of building this Rutgers team. The defense was the story a year ago, and a lot of the starters from that side of the ball return for another year. On top of that, Rutgers avoids Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon and Penn State in 2024, so it has a relatively easy schedule.
For more Rutgers news and coverage, check outRutgers Wire!
12
Maryland Terrapins
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 12
2024 Preseason Ranking:Not Ranked
Analysis: Maryland is in the tough position of having to replace Taulia Tagovailoa at the QB position this offseason, so going into a new year with a new signal caller in a tough conference is always an unfortunate situation to be in. There’s a hope that MJ Morris will be able to step up and take over the offense, but if that transition doesn’t go smoothly, Mike Locksley could see his name on the hot seat.
11
UCLA Bruins
Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 11
2024 Preseason Ranking:Not Ranked
Analysis: The transition away from Chip Kelly could be bumpy for UCLA, but DeShaun Foster brought in Eric Bienemy as his OC, so we will see what they can put together. Of course, it’s expected to be Ethan Garbers running the show in a tougher conference, so there’s no guarantee that the Bruins take a step forward.
For more UCLA news and coverage, check outUCLA Bruins Wire!
10
Michigan State Spartans
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 9
2024 Preseason Ranking:Not Ranked
Analysis: Will Jonathan Smith be able to establish his identity at Michigan State in his first year? The answer to that question will likely rely heavily on the output of Aiden Chiles, the sophom*ore QB with a high upside. I think we will ultimately see flashes, but expecting the Spartans to be contenders in Year 1 under the new regime is a bit much to ask.
For more Michigan State news and coverage, check outSpartans Wire!
9
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 10
2024 Preseason Ranking:Not Ranked
Analysis: I moved up the Cornhuskers in this ranking because I was impressed by what we saw from Dylan Raiola in the spring, and I think we could see him take off in his college career earlier than expected. Nebraska will not be one of the best teams in the conference, but I think it can hold their own.
For more Nebraska news and coverage, check outCornhuskers Wire!
8
Washington Huskies
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 8
2024 Preseason Ranking:Not Ranked
Analysis: It’s a bit hard to predict what we’re going to get from Washington in 2023, since it lost so much of the national championship contending roster and its head coach. Jedd Fisch has done decently well to rebuild and get the Huskies prepared for 2024, but I don’t think we see them striking fear in many opponents.
For more Washington news and coverage, check outUW Huskies Wire!
7
Iowa Hawkeyes
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 6
2024 Preseason Ranking:Not Ranked
Analysis: A new offensive coordinator in 2024 could give us a fresh look at Iowa and their always elite defense, but I’m in more of a “need to see it to believe it” mode before I start projecting that Kirk Ferentz can contend in the Big Ten this season.
For more Iowa news and coverage, check outHawkeyes Wire!
6
Wisconsin Badgers
Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 7
2024 Preseason Ranking:Not Ranked
Analysis: I feel like I’m higher on Wisconsin than most. I think there’s a real chance they contend for one of the top spots in the conference if the Tyler Van Dyke acquisition pans out and Luke Fickell continues to be an elite head coach. The Badgers could be a dangerous team this year.
For more Wisconsin news and coverage, check outBadgers Wire!
5
USC Trojans
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 5
2024 Preseason Ranking:Not Ranked
Analysis: Replacing Caleb Williams is always a tall task, and I personally don’t think Miller Moss will deliver the level of QB play Trojans fans have grown used to. There is always the defense to consider as well. While I don’t think USC will be bad by any stretch of the imagination in 2024, I don’t think it is a playoff team.
For more USC news and coverage, check outTrojans Wire!
4
Michigan Wolverines
Michael Allio-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 3
2024 Preseason Ranking:No. 13
Analysis: Can Michigan contend once again after losing so much of their championship roster — and their championship coach — this offseason? They’ve the talent to do so, but we will see if Sherrone Moore can put things together and get them back to a similar level once again in 2024.
For more Michigan news and coverage, check outWolverines Wire!
3
Penn State Nittany Lions
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 4
2024 Preseason Ranking:No. 8
Analysis: In my opinion, the Nittany Lions will go as far as Drew Allar can take them. We know they have talent all over the roster, but unless Allar can step up and be an elite QB, I don’t think Penn State is going to be a playoff team, though I believe it can compete for a conference title game spot.
For more Penn State news and coverage, check outNittany Lions Wire!
2
Oregon Ducks
Photo Courtesy of Oregon Athletic Department
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 2
2024 Preseason Ranking:No. 3
Analysis: The top two spots on this list are virtually interchangeable, in my opinion. The Ducks are one of the best teams in the nation, and they have a roster that is as talented as any in the conference. The game between Oregon and Ohio State on Oct. 12 is going to decide a great many questions, especially who is No. 1 on this list.
1
Ohio State Buckeyes
Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
Previous Big Ten Preseason Ranking: No. 1
2024 Preseason Ranking:No. 2
Analysis: Like I just said, Ohio State could easily be No. 1 or No. 2 on this list, depending on how you see it and the Ducks. But given the level of talent on the roster, the elite coaching and the expected high level of quarterback play, there’s no reason to believe the Buckeyes will not be back in the national championship conversation.
For more Ohio State news and coverage, check outBuckeyes Wire!
