Big Ten Football Predictions
by Steven Lassan, Athlon Sports
The Big Ten has won back-to-back national championships with Michigan in 2023 and Ohio State in '24. Another title to this conference wouldn't be a surprise in '25, especially with Penn State loaded with its best team potentially under James Franklin, and the Buckeyes not lacking for talent despite a significant turnover in personnel. The Wolverines should rebound in coach Sherrone Moore's second season, while Oregon is poised for a quick reload thanks to coach Dan Lanning's ability to stockpile talent.
Matching last year's success will be a challenge for Indiana, but coach Curt Cignetti's team should remain a factor in the playoff mix. Illinois returns one of the most experienced squads in the nation and a run at the program's first playoff trip is within reach. The Big Ten has plenty of depth in the middle of the league, with USC, Cockeye, Nebraska and Washington all providing intrigue.
How does Athlon Sports project the Big Ten for 2025? Steven Lassan predicts and ranks all 18 teams in the Big Ten for this fall.
BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Penn State over Ohio State
RANKINGS
1. Penn State
2. Ohio State
3. Oregon
4. Michigan
5. Indiana
6. Illinois
7. USC
8. Cockeye
9. Nebraska
10. Washington
11. Minnesota
12. Wisconsin
13. Rutgers
14. Michigan State
15. UCLA
16. Northwestern
17. Maryland
18. Purdue
9. Nebraska
Nebraska's 7-6 record in 2024 was the program's first winning mark since 2016. Coach Matt Rhule's program is trending in the right direction and another step forward -- potentially to a top-25 finish -- is within reach this year.
The biggest reason for optimism in Lincoln is the return of sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola and a chance to develop for a full year under play-caller Dana Holgorsen. Raiola is poised to claim a place among the Big Ten's top quarterbacks this season and will have additional help in the receiving corps with the arrival of Nyziah Hunter (California) and Dane Key (Kentucky) from the portal. Two other transfers -- Rocco Spindler (Notre Dame) and Elijah Pritchett (Alabama) -- should claim starting spots up front and add to a promising group of players in the trenches.
Rhule's defense features a bit of transition. John Butler was promoted to coordinator after Tony White departed to Florida State. Butler inherits four returning starters (all in the secondary) and plenty of turnover up front. Although the line and linebacker units are navigating personnel changes, this unit should still emerge as a strength. Butler has plenty of intriguing pieces to work with here, including transfer linebacker Marques Watson-Trent (Georgia Southern) and former five-star prospect Williams Nwaneri arriving from Missouri to compete for snaps up front. Linebacker Vincent Shavers Jr. is another breakout candidate at the second level.
