College Football Conference Previews 2025: Big Ten
- Om Brown
- 6 days ago
- 9 min read
August is slowly turning into September, fall camp is ending, and school is about to start. This can only mean one thing; football is back. While my work at the House mainly focuses on the NFL, this season, I'm diving back into the chaotic realm of college football. As talks of an expanded College Football Playoff pushes the sport further into uncharted waters, allow me to navigate you through the 2025 season.
As we start our journey to the 2026 National Championship Game, let’s break down what the Big Ten will look like as Ohio State looks to defend their title.
Cover Photo: Adam Cairns / Columbus Dispatch
18. Northwestern Wildcats (2024 Record: 4-8, 2-7 Big Ten)
Northwestern is coming off of a disappointing 2024 season, in which they finished 1-5 over their final six games. Taking the reins of the offense this year is former SMU QB Preston Stone. Stone was a big time signal-caller in 2023, but struggled early in ‘24 and got benched on their run to the CFP. The main focus for the ‘Cats this campaign will be on Stone. If they can get him back to his old self, they have a good shot to get out of the cellar of the conference.
2025 Record Projection: 2-10
17. Purdue Boilermakers (2024 Record: 1-11, 0-9 Big Ten)
Purdue had a rough ‘24 to say the least. They won their first game, only to lose their next 11 like the 2020 Jaguars. The Boilermakers added intriguing Arkansas transfer QB Malachi Singleton to the mix that includes sophomore QB Ryan Browne. Purdue’s only goal for 2025 should be not to finish at the absolute bottom of the Big Ten. The future is dark.
2025 Record Projection: 2-10
16. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2024 Record: 7-6, 4-5 Big Ten)
Rutgers did make a bowl last year, but lost to K-State. Their quest to get back to bowling this year will be very tough. They face 4 ranked teams, as well as a couple of squads ahead of them in my conference rankings. Coach Greg Schiano has a lot of work to do. In a deep conference like the Big Ten, leapfrogging teams is tough. The Scarlet Knights have a good chance to make another bowl if everything goes to plan, but that's a big "if"...
2025 Record Projection: 3-9
15. Maryland Terrapins (2024 Record: 4-8, 1-8 Big Ten)
The Terrapins lost their top two receivers in Tai Felton and Kaden Prather to the NFL. Considering they won just 4 games with them is concerning regarding their hopes in 2025. A positive for coach Mike Locksley is that Maryland's schedule isn’t as daunting as other bottom-tier squads. Maryland must replace Felton and Prather effectively if they want any chance to succeed in ‘25.
2025 Record Projection: 3-9
14. Minnesota Golden Gophers (2024 Record: 8-5, 5-4 Big Ten)
Minnesota had a nice year last season, but are tasked with replacing QB Max Brosmer after he was drafted by the Vikings this spring. The situation under center this year is not looking as good as last. Redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey is expected to start, which is a big change from the 6th year senior Brosmer. The Golden Gophers campaign this fall will likely come down to how well Lindsey will produce.
2025 Record Projection: 4-8
13. Wisconsin Badgers (2024 Record: 5-7, 3-6 Big Ten)
Coach Luke Fickell has a hard-nosed team that will play for him. However, in a season in which he needs to see improvement, the Badgers face a very tough schedule. It’ll be up to new starting QB, Maryland transfer Billy Edwards, to help facilitate that improvement. We will see if Wisconsin gets better, but their schedule might be the reason why their record doesn’t show that they did.
2025 Record Projection: 5-7
12. UCLA Bruins (2024 Record: 5-7, 3-6 Big Ten)
UCLA was in the middle of an NIL war with Tennessee, prying away former 5-star QB Nico Iamaleava from the Vols, and bringing him back home. However, Nico struggled against good teams, and the Bruins are by no means a better team than Tennessee. In fact, they are much worse offensively. It’s hard for me to see UCLA succeeding with Iamaleava in a worse environment this year.
2025 Record Projection: 5-7
11. Michigan State Spartans (2024 Record: 5-7, 3-6 Big Ten)
The Spartans have an exciting QB in Aiden Chiles, so there is some hope for coach Johnathan Smith and co. in East Lansing. Chiles, a 4-star transfer from two winters ago, has NFL traits, but has yet to put it all together on the field. WR Nick Marsh is back after a nice freshman season in which he had almost 700 total yards. MSU’s goal for 2025 is growth.
2025 Record Projection: 6-7 (Bowl Loss)
10. Washington Huskies (2024 Record: 6-7, 4-5 Big Ten)
Washington lost a bunch of talent and their head coach, Kalen DeBoer, after their trip to the National Championship Game two seasons ago. Last year, their first under new head man Jedd Fisch, they struggled. In 2025, they look to right the ship and get back on track to what they used to be. QB Demond Williams Jr was thrown into the fire last winter as a true freshman, and showed signs of being a quality starter. Fisch will look for him to lead a more positive campaign.
2025 Record Projection: 6-7 (Bowl Loss)
9. Iowa Hawkeyes (2024 Record: 8-5, 6-3 Big Ten)
The Hawkeyes leaned heavily on RB Kaleb Johnson, but he has departed for the league. The offense ran through Johnson, as the team had just 1,711 passing yards total. Their new QB is Mark Gronowski, a 2x National Champion, at FCS-level South Dakota State. Their season likely depends on his ability to transition into Power-4 play in what is his last year of college football.
2025 Record Projection: 7-6 (Bowl Win)
8. USC Trojans (2024 Record: 7-6, 4-5 Big Ten)
USC surged out of the gate with a 3-1 start to last year, but a trio of losses in the middle of the year tanked their record. QB Jayden Maiava looks to build on his end of the season where he took over the starting role. He will have to fend off 5-star freshman Husan Longstreet, but I assume that coach Lincoln Riley will go with the experienced Maiava, especially in a season where he needs to produce more wins. The Trojans need to avoid the midseason collapse for a 3rd straight season.
2025 Record Projection: 8-5 (Bowl Loss)
7. #24 Indiana Hoosiers (2024 Record: 11-2, 8-1 Big Ten)
Indiana had a Cinderella run to the CFP last winter, but was embarrassed in their two games against good teams (Ohio State and Notre Dame). Coach Curt Cignetti is ready to prove it wasn’t a fluke. He went and got Cal QB Fernando Mendoza, an intriguing gunslinger with NFL talent, but one who hasn’t put it all together yet. He will be the X-factor for the Hoosiers. If Cignetti can maximize his talent like he did with Kurtis Roarke last season, then Indiana has a shot to get back into the Playoff.
2025 Record Projection: 8-5 (Bowl Loss)
6. Nebraska Cornhuskers (2024 Record: 7-6, 3-6 Big Ten)
Coach Matt Rhule was active in the transfer portal, adding one of the nation's top receivers in former Kentucky Wildcat Dane Key. He will be one of former 5-star QB Dylan Raiola’s favorite targets this year. Raiola, a Patrick Mahomes super-fan, showed flashes of brilliance in his freshman season, but looks to be more consistent this year. I think he will be much better, so I am all in on the Huskers in 2025.
2025 Record Projection: 8-5 (Bowl Win)
5. #13 Illinois Fighting Illini (2024 Record: 10-3, 6-3 Big Ten)
The Illini quietly won double-digit games on the backs of QB Luke Altmyer and coach Bret Bielema. The duo is back in 2025 and looking to make some noise in the Big Ten. Despite losing his top target, Pat Bryant, to the draft, Altmyer is ready to build on 2024 in what will be his senior year. Illinois is a sneaky CFP contender this season if Altmyer can continue his success.
2025 Record Projection: 9-4 (Bowl Win)
4. #19 Michigan Wolverines (2024 Record: 8-5, 5-4 Big Ten)
Michigan failed to defend their title, but managed 8 wins in coach Sherrone Moore’s first season, despite not having a viable option at QB. That will change in 2025 with #1 recruit Bryce Underwood on campus. Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene is competing for the job, but no matter what happens, Underwood will see the field in 2025. No matter who the guy is for the Wolverines, it will be up to them to elevate the team.
2025 Record Projection: 9-4 (Bowl Loss)
3. #6 Penn State Nittany Lions (2024 Record: 13-3, 8-1 Big Ten, Big Ten Runner-Up)
I have been very critical of coach James Franklin’s inability to win big games, and will continue to be until he proves me wrong. The Nittany Lions lost two top stars in EDGE Abdul Carter and TE Tyler Warren to the NFL, but returned their duo in the backfield of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, which might be the best in the country. However, their season will depend on QB Drew Allar’s ability to make big passes, which he struggled to do in ‘24, even with Warren. They’ll go as far as he takes them.
2025 Record Projection: 11-3 (10-2 Regular Season, Quarterfinals Loss)
2. #4 Oregon Ducks (2024 Record: 13-1, 9-0 Big Ten, Big Ten Champions)
The Ducks were undefeated until they were thrashed by Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Off to the NFL are QB Dillon Gabriel and top receiver Tez Johnson. To reload, coach Dan Lanning brought in the best high school receiver, 5-star Dakorien Moore. He will have to step up early, as star wideout Evan Stewart is set to miss a huge part of the season due to a torn patellar tendon. To throw the ball, former 5-star Dante Moore looks to take control of the high powered offense. Once again, Oregon looks to be a major title threat.
2025 Record Projection: 12-2 (12-0 Regular Season, Big Ten Runner-Up, Quarterfinals Loss)
1. #2 Ohio State Buckeyes (2024 Record: 14-2, 7-2 Big Ten, National Champions)
OSU faced tons of adversity, fighting through another loss to the Team up North on their way to reaching the top of the college football mountain. They lost loads of talent to the NFL, but they return All-American S Caleb Downs, as well as Heisman-favorite WR Jeremiah Smith. Their new QB will be former 5-star Julian Sayin who transferred from Alabama before last season. Sayin has the ability to make every throw on the field. Coach Ryan Day has one of the deepest and most talented teams in the country, and now has a true game-changer under center in Sayin. Will the Buckeyes go back-to-back? I think they can.
2025 Record Projection: 14-2 (10-2 Regular Season, Big Ten Champions, National Champions)
Final Thoughts:
Like 2024, I believe that 2025 will see more of the same dominance from Ohio State, Oregon, and to an extent, Penn State. Michigan and Illinois could make some noise in the conference, but for now, the Big Ten 100% is Ohio State’s to lose. They don’t play Oregon in the regular season this year, but I think a matchup vs. the Ducks in the Conference Championship Game would be electric. Hopefully, we do get to see that game happen. Stay on the lookout for my previews for the other 3 power conferences, as well as a full prediction for what will happen this winter in the Playoff!
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