2024 Big Ten Football Predictions
by Steven Lassan, Athlon Sports
The Big Ten is college football's biggest conference as the league will expand by four teams from the West Coast - USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington - to become an 18-team setup in 2024. The larger footprint isn't the only thing different about the Big Ten this fall, as the league ditched divisions and six new full-time coaches are on the job.
Despite all of the changes in the Big Ten and in college football, predictions for the conference still run through a couple of traditional powers: Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State. Oregon is the newcomer with the best chance to win the league title, while USC, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Rutgers headline the second tier.
Maryland, Washington, Minnesota, and Michigan State should be in the mix for a bowl this fall. UCLA, Illinois, Northwestern, Indiana, and Purdue round out the final projections and predictions for the '24 season.
How does Athlon Sports project the Big Ten for 2024? Steven Lassan predicts and ranks all 18 teams in Big Ten for this fall:
Big Ten Championship Game Prediction
Ohio State over Oregon
Big Ten Projected Standings
1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. Michigan
4. Penn State
5. USC
6. Iowa
7. Nebraska
8. Wisconsin
9. Rutgers
10. Washington
11. Maryland
12. Minnesota
13. Michigan State
14. UCLA
15. Illinois
16. Northwestern
17. Indiana
18. Purdue
7. Nebraska
Nebraska seems poised for a breakout season under coach Matt Rhule. Despite losing 31 turnovers and a minus-17 turnover margin, the Cornhuskers nearly went bowling (5-7) last year in Rhule's debut. After a season of bad luck with lost turnovers and close losses (five by one score), the bounces are likely to fall more in Nebraska's favor this fall.
Freshman (and five-star recruit) quarterback Dylan Raiola is slated to take control of the offense, and Rhule added impact transfers in the form of running back Dante Dowdell (Oregon) and receiver Jahmal Banks (Wake Forest). The Cornhuskers have made progress in developing the offensive line in recent years, and this unit should be a strength with three starters back, along with the arrival of transfer Micah Mazzccua from Florida.
Tony White's defense held teams to 18.3 points a game last fall and could be even better in '24. Just how good was this group last year? Only two teams -- Michigan and Colorado -- scored more than 24 points on Nebraska. Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher are back to anchor the front, while Tommi Hill and defensive back Isaac Gifford lead a secondary that finished fifth in the Big Ten in pass efficiency defense last year.
