Big Ten preview: Can anyone stop the Buckeyes?
From playoffs to power rankings, here's everything you need to know about the remade 18-team, coast-to-coast Big Ten.
Big Ten College Football Preview: Top Teams, Players, Games
by ESPN Staff
The Big Ten is now the big 18. In a watershed moment for the league, traditional West Coast powers Oregon, Washington, USC and UCLA will make their debuts in the Big Ten after bolting from the Pac-12.
Their mettle will be put to the test.
Michigan defeated the Huskies to win the national championship last season. Penn State could field its most talented squad in years. Ohio State is as loaded as any team in college football.
Others, including Iowa, with a revamped offense; Nebraska, under second-year head coach Matt Rhule; and Rutgers, Wisconsin and Maryland; have reason for optimism.
Rhule said during Big Ten media days that the league deserves to get four invites to the College Football Playoff every year. This season especially, he could be right.
ESPN reporters Adam Rittenberg and Jake Trotter predict and preview what's to come in 2024's bigger Big Ten.
CFP Outlook
Should Be In
Ohio State
Oregon
In the Running
Penn State
Michigan
USC
Long Shots
Wisconsin
Iowa
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Top Transfers
Caleb Downs, Ohio State (S)
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon (QB)
Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State (RB)
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Impact Freshmen
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State (WR)
Dylan Raiola, Nebraska (QB)
Nick Marsh, Michigan State (WR)
Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola: It is rare to be such a definitive choice as QB1 as an incoming freshman before you've even taken a snap in training camp, but that seems to be the case with Raiola. He is uber talented and clearly more talented than the rest of the QB room, and many think he could lead Nebraska to a 7-0 start considering their schedule. We are going to tap the brakes a bit as there will be bright spots, but also bumps in the road. It's a big jump from high school to Big Ten football.
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Our Favorite Players
Zachariah Branch, USC (WR/RET)
Kenneth Grant, Michigan (DT)
Sebastian Castro, Iowa (S)
Tez Johnson, Oregon (WR)
Abdul Carter, Penn State (DE)
Nash Hutmacher, Nebraska (DT): He has a superhero name and will play an important role for a Nebraska defense that returns almost completely intact after finishing 11th nationally last season. Hutmacher set career highs in tackles (40), tackles for loss (8) and sacks (4.5) in 2023, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. The 330-pound Hutmacher also shed about 40 pounds in a little over a month to compete for Nebraska's wrestling team in the winter, before getting back to football playing weight for the spring.
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Must-See Games
Texas at Michigan (Sept. 7)
USC at Michigan (Sept. 21)
Ohio State at Oregon (Oct. 12)
Ohio State at Penn State (Nov. 2)
Nebraska at Iowa (Nov. 29)
Washington at Oregon (Nov. 30)
Michigan at Ohio State (Nov. 30)
Nebraska at Iowa (Nov. 29): If the Big Ten title race is to be upended, it might be because of one of these two programs. The Cornhuskers figure to be stout again defensively. If Raiola lives up to the hype, Nebraska could become a factor. The Hawkeyes are always stout on defense. If new offensive coordinator Tim Lester can drum up more big plays -- the Hawkeyes were last among Power 5 offenses last year in plays of 20 yards or more -- Iowa won't be an easy out, either. Could this regular-season finale hold Big Ten title game implications? It's not completely unthinkable.
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Numbers to Know
7: Straight seasons that either Michigan or Ohio State has won the conference
13: Starts needed from Dillon Gabriel to surpass his successor -- Bo Nix -- for most starts by a QB in FBS history (Gabriel is at 49, Nix has 61)
3-17: James Franklin's record vs. AP Top 10 teams while at Penn State
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On the Hot Seat
Rittenberg: Nobody
Recent coaching turnover, secure contracts and realignment leave the Big Ten with no obvious hot-seat candidate for 2024. The expanded CFP might be the biggest factor, especially if coaches such as Day and Franklin don't make the field of 12. Purdue might struggle again but Ryan Walters deserves at least three years there. Iowa's Kirk Ferentz turned 69 last week and will be an annual retirement candidate until he decides to step down.
Trotter: Ohio State
Howard declared during the Manning Passing Academy recently that this season is "natty or bust" for the Buckeyes. Anything short of a win over Michigan, a Big Ten title and the school's first national championship in a decade would feel like a disappointment. That might seem unreasonable. But those will be the expectations Ohio State faces. Defensive end Jack Sawyer admitted as much during Big Ten Media Days: "We know what's at stake."
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Teams on the Rise
Rittenbuerg: Rutgers
Greg Schiano has been building toward this season, as Rutgers boasts its deepest and most talented roster since joining the Big Ten. Rutgers returns starters at all three levels of its defense, including disruptive linebacker Mohamed Toure, as well as 2023 Big Ten rushing leader Kyle Monangai. "We've got a bunch of guys that have come of age," Schiano told me last month. The Scarlet Knights also finally catch a schedule break: They don't play Ohio State, Michigan or Penn State, as well as top West Coast addition Oregon.
Trotter: Nebraska
The Cornhuskers haven't had a winning season since 2016, when Mike Riley went 9-3 before losing to Tennessee in the Music City Bowl. But Nebraska showed signs of life in Rhule's first season last year despite the 5-7 finish, as four of those defeats came by just a field goal. The defensive front should be formidable again, led by Hutmacher. If Dylan Raiola proves to be for real, the Huskers could be back in a bowl for the first time in eight years.
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Power Rankings
1. Ohio State
Loaded Buckeyes seek to end Michigan, CFP title droughts
2. Oregon
Ducks enter Big Ten with championship-ready roster
3. Penn State
Offensive reboot could shape Lions' quest for first CFP appearance
4. Michigan
QB question looms for Moore in title defense
5. Iowa
New playcaller Lester hopes to revive dormant offense
6. USC
Will revamped defensive staff make the difference for Riley?
7. Wisconsin
Fickell seeks Year 2 breakthrough as home showdowns loom.
8. Nebraska
The Huskers are playing defense again.
9. Rutgers
Favorable schedule and returning stars send expectations soaring.
10. Washington
National runner-up begins total reboot under Fisch
11. Minnesota
Quarterback transfer Max Brosmer arrives to complement veteran Gopher defense
12. Maryland
Favorable early schedule could help Terrapins generate confidence.
13. Illinois
Illini must improve turnover margin (-8) after ranking 123rd in 2023
14. Northwestern
Popup stadium off Lake Michigan could be a unique home-field advantage
15. UCLA
Bruins must travel 22,062 miles, second-most of any FBS team in 2024
16. Indiana
Coach Curt Cignetti brings brash attitude to Bloomington
17. Michigan State
Much rests on Oregon State transfer QB Aidan Chiles
18. Purdue
Boilermakers face unforgiving schedule, which includes Notre Dame
