Early Big Ten Football Predictions for 2024
by Steven Lassan, Athlon Sports
The Big Ten will look a lot different in the 2024 college football season thanks to the additions of USC, UCLA, Washington, and Oregon to create an 18-team conference. Although all four teams will be competitive right away, the way-too-early Big Ten predictions and power rankings feature a couple of familiar names atop the conference.
Despite a long list of departures coming to Michigan for '24, the Wolverines top the list at No. 1. However, Ohio State, Penn State and Oregon aren't far behind. The Big Ten has plenty of depth in '24, as Nebraska should continue to improve under second-year coach Matt Rhule, Wisconsin will be a tough out under Luke Fickell, and Iowa's defense will once again rank among the best in the nation.
It’s never too early to think about predictions or rankings for the 2024 college football season. With that in mind, Athlon provides its very early power rankings for the Big Ten for 2024:
1. Michigan
The Wolverines are going to lose several key pieces off this year's team that played for the national championship and plenty of uncertainty surrounds the future of head coach Jim Harbaugh. But for now, Michigan takes the top spot in the way-too-early Big Ten power rankings.
2. Ohio State
Coach Ryan Day's high-powered offense needs to improve up front and settle a quarterback battle featuring Kansas State transfer Will Howard and Devin Brown, but the Buckeyes will be in the mix to win it all once again in '24. Ohio State's defense should rank among the best in the nation with end Jack Sawyer back for another season in Columbus.
3. Oregon
Of the four newcomers to the Big Ten, the Ducks should have the best shot at winning the conference in '24. Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel is set to replace Bo Nix at quarterback and has a strong supporting cast in place. Oregon's offensive line is among the best in the nation and the skill talent is strong with running backs Noah Whittington and Jordan James and receivers Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden returning. coach Dan Lanning has a few holes to fill on defense, but the return of end Jordan Burch (instead of going to the NFL) was a key offseason win.
4. Penn State
For the Nittany Lions to challenge for the Big Ten title and a spot in the 12-team CFB Playoff, improvement on offense behind new coordinator (and former Kansas play-caller) Andy Kotelnicki is a must. Kotelnicki is tasked with getting more out of quarterback Drew Allar, but the Nittany Lions also return one of the top backfield duos in Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, while Ohio State transfer Julian Fleming is a big pickup at receiver. Former Indiana head coach Tom Allen takes over a defense that limited teams to 13.5 points a game in '23. The front and secondary need retooling, but Allen still has the pieces in place to have one of the nation's top defenses.
5. Washington
The Huskies will be in rebuild mode with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and a handful of other key cogs departing from this year's team that went to the national championship. However, don't count out coach Kalen DeBoer from reloading this roster to get back into contention for the Big Ten title. Mississippi State transfer Will Rogers should start at quarterback and the offensive line will be a strength once again. Can Washington take a step forward on defense despite losing a few key pieces?
6. USC
The Trojans had high expectations in '23 but fell way short with an 8-5 record. Getting back on track in '24 starts with an improved defense under new coordinator D'Anton Lynn. Coach Lincoln Riley's high-powered offense is also under construction with Miller Moss expected to take over at quarterback for Caleb Williams and turnover at the running back and receiver spots. Zachariah Branch returns after a dynamic freshman season at receiver (31 catches) and on special teams (two returns for touchdowns).
7. Iowa
Standout cornerback Cooper DeJean will be missed, but Iowa's defense remains one of the best in the nation with coordinator Phil Parker calling the plays. Will Iowa's offense take a step forward under a new play-caller? The Hawkeyes will get a boost with the return of quarterback Cade McNamara. However, this unit still has plenty to prove in '24.
8. Wisconsin
Will the Badgers take a step forward in coach Luke Fickell's second year? Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke was brought in to start at quarterback and former Oklahoma running back Tawee Walker will join Chez Mellusi as the top options to replace Braelon Allen in the backfield. A handful of portal commits will help replenish a defense that held opponents to just 20.2 points a game in '23.
9. Nebraska
The Cornhuskers are trending in the right direction under coach Matt Rhule after a 5-7 debut and five losses by one score. The progression of freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola is one of the Big Ten's top storylines to watch this offseason. The offensive line returns mostly intact, while the addition of transfers at running back Dante Dowdell (Oregon) and receiver Isaiah Neyor (Texas) help to bolster the supporting cast. Nebraska's defense held teams to 18.3 points a game in '23 and should be a strength once again behind coordinator Tony White.
10. UCLA
The Bruins enter the Big Ten with question marks on both sides of the ball and about the overall direction of the program under coach Chip Kelly. The defense is under the direction of a new coordinator (Ikaika Malloe) and key edge rushers Grayson Murphy, Gabriel Murphy, and Laiatu Latu are off to the NFL. With Dante Moore departing for Oregon, the quarterback job should be Ethan Garbers' to lose. But will this offense find more consistency after averaging only 26.5 points a game in '23?
11. Maryland
The Terrapins are coming off a third consecutive winning season for the first time since 2001-03. For coach Mike Locksley's squad to build off that stretch, a clear winner needs to emerge from a quarterback battle featuring NC State transfer MJ Morris, Cameron Edge, and Billy Edwards. Also, a revamped offensive line will be a concern this offseason. Getting linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II for another year is huge for the defense. However, coordinator Brian Williams lost linebacker Jaishawn Barham to the transfer portal and defensive backs Beau Brade and Tarheeb Still to the NFL.
12. Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights posted their best record (7-6) since coach Greg Schiano's return to the program in 2020. Rutgers will have a chance to exceed that seven-win mark in '24 thanks to a standout defense (21.2 points a game allowed in '23). Also, the staff brought in former Minnesota signal-caller Athan Kaliakmanis to push Gavin Wimsatt (47.8 completion rate and 1,735 passing yards) and boost the overall offensive production. Running back Kyle Monangai (1,262 yards) is one of the Big Ten's most underrated players.
13. Michigan State
The Spartans get high marks (A+) for the hire of Jonathan Smith as the program's new head coach. However, it may take the former Oregon State coach a year to turn things around in East Lansing. Landing Aidan Chiles from the transfer portal ensures Smith has his quarterback in place. Convincing tackle Simeon Barrow to withdrawal from the portal and return to Michigan State was also a big win for a defense that has room to improve (28.3 points a game).
14. Minnesota
The Golden Gophers closed out the '23 season with a bowl victory over Bowling Green but still finished with the program's first losing mark (outside of the abbreviated '20 campaign) since '17. Pushing for a finish in the top half of the Big Ten will require New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer to settle in quickly at quarterback. Running back Darius Taylor returns after a promising freshman season (799 yards), and No. 1 receiver Daniel Jackson (59 catches) is also back for an extra year. The defense lost coordinator Joe Rossi to Michigan State, while standout safety Tyler Nubin is off to the NFL.
15. Northwestern
Northwestern was arguably the biggest surprise in the Big Ten in '23. After the summer dismissal of coach Pat Fitzgerald and just four combined wins from 2021-22, David Braun guided the program to an 8-5 finish and earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors. Braun was promoted from the interim to full-time role after the successful run in '23 but matching last year's success could be difficult with several key players departing.
16. Illinois
After possessing one of the nation's top defenses in '22, a step back on this side of the ball was a big reason why the Fighting Illini went from 8-5 to 5-7. Illinois held opponents to 12.8 points a game in '22 but surrendered 29.4 last fall. The task of getting this group back to the top of the Big Ten won't be easy with linemen Jer'Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph Jr. off to the NFL. Quarterback Luke Altmyer needs to take a step forward in his second year as the team's starter. Also, All-Big Ten receiver Isaiah Williams (82 catches) will be missed.
17. Purdue
As expected with a handful of key players departing from the '22 squad, Ryan Walters' debut at Purdue was a struggle (4-8). The Boilermakers hit the portal hard for help and need to significantly improve up front on both lines of scrimmage to push for a bowl in '24. Quarterback Hudson Card (235.5 total yards a game) and running back Devin Mockobee (811 yards) headline the key returns on offense. Safety Dillon Thieneman (106 tackles) is back on defense after a standout freshman season.
18. Indiana
The Hoosiers are having a strong offseason thanks to an A-plus hire in coach Curt Cignetti (James Madison) and a standout haul of transfers. Included in the newcomers are former Ohio quarterback Kurtis Rourke and receiver Elijah Sarratt (82 catches at James Madison in '23). Getting receiver Donaven McCulley to withdraw from the portal to return to Bloomington was also a big win for the new staff. Linebacker Aaron Casey is a big loss from a defense that allowed nearly 30 points a game in '23 (29.9).
