Coming off back-to-back national championships (Michigan and Ohio State), the first time the conference since 1940-42 (Minnesota twice and Ohio State), the Big Ten is making a strong case to be the best conference in college football.
Ohio State, the reigning national champion, lost a significant amount of talent to the NFL, including star receiver Emeka Egbuka and defensive standout Tyleik Williams. Despite losing so much production, the Buckeyes are still expected to field an elite offense, led by young superstar Jeremiah Smith. Speaking of young superstars, the Michigan Wolverines landed the nation’s No. 1 quarterback, Bryce Underwood. The true freshman is expected to take the reins for Michigan and attempt to lead the Wolverines back to the national championship.
My All-Big Ten Preseason First Team
Offense
QB: Drew Allar, Penn State
RB: Nick Singleton, Penn State
RB: Jonah Coleman, Washington
WR: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
WR: Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
TE: Max Klare, Ohio State
OT: Gennings Dunker, Iowa
OT: J.C. Davis, Illinois
OG: Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
OG: Eugene Brooks, UCLA
C: Marcellus Marshall, Minnesota
Defense
DL: Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
DL: Gabe Jacas, Illinois
DL: Bear Alexander, Oregon
DL: Williams Nwaneri, Nebraska
LB: Aiden Fisher, Indiana
LB: Dasan McCollough, Nebraska
LB: Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
DB: Xavier Scott, Illinois
DB: D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
DB: Koi Perich, Minnesota
DB: Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Special Teams
K: Dominic Zvada, Michigan
P: Rhys Dakin, Iowa
RS: Koi Perich, Minnesota
Selections by Team: N=3: Indiana, Illinois, Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State; N=2: Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska; N=1: Michigan, UCLA, and Washington; None: Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers, USC, and Wisconsin
2025 QB Rankings
Drew Allar, Penn State
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
Dante Moore, Oregon
Dylan Raiola, Nebraska
Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
Aiden Chiles, Michigan State
Luke Altmyer, Illinois
Jayden Maiava, USC
Bryce Underwood, Michigan
Preston Stone, Northwestern
Demond Williams Jr., Washington
Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers
Malachi Singleton, Purdue
Mark Gronowski, Iowa
Billy Edwards Jr., Wisconsin
Justyn Martin, Maryland
Drake Lindsey, Minnesota
Projected Final Standings
11-1: Penn State and Oregon
10-2: Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, and Ohio State
9-3: Michigan
8-4: Minnesota
7-5: Iowa, UCLA, and Washington
6-6: None
5-7: Northwestern
4-8: USC, Maryland, and Rutgers
3-9: Purdue, Wisconsin, Michigan State
Final Thoughts
Penn State returns a dangerous amount of talent. Experience is especially valuable in college sports, and the Nittany Lions have plenty of it. Quarterback Drew Allar is one of the best returning players in the nation and still has untapped potential. Edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton is an elite defensive presence and just one of many NFL-ready players on this roster.
Right now, Penn State appears to be a couple of strides ahead of the rest of the Big Ten. The question is: Who can catch them? Illinois boasts a strong returning core led by quarterback Luke Altmyer, and Oregon remains stout defensively thanks to edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei.
Big Ten Championship Prediction: Penn State 35, Oregon 24
