Ohio State looks to be unstoppable. Oregon is a wrecking ball. Will Penn State Football finally put it all together? Will Michigan keep the train rolling?
Who will be the Big Ten sleeper?
Everything looks better on paper.
But, we all know that’s not the reality that occurs.
Power Rankings have no power over five turnovers in torrential rain, on the road. It’s why we LOVE college football.
Anything CAN and WILL happen. Here are Nittany Central’s Big Ten Power Rankings for the upcoming season.
2024 Big Ten Way Too Early Power Rankings
18. Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue returns Quarterback Hudson Card for a second season but big target WR Deion Burks is gone to Oklahoma. It’s a bruise for coach Ryan Walters for what he’s trying to build. Walters posted just four wins his first year, a stark contrast from the prior two years with Jeff Brohm. The expectation is a rebuild and not very many wins, especially in an expanded league.
17. Indiana Hoosiers
Curt Cignetti is a proven winner at every level with a 119-35 record.
He knows how to turn around programs — quickly.
That record isn’t a fluke, it’s a formula.
And now he’s ready to take that formula into the new look Big 10 and turn @IndianaFootball into a legit contender.… pic.twitter.com/kHuqee4tjc
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) May 22, 2024
With the Duke Blue Devils’ successful transition to the FBS level, overseen by Curt Cignetti, now the new Indiana head coach, also brought a bunch of talent with him to Bloomington helping him swiftly stabilize & establish the program. With the addition of talented Ohio quarterback Kurtis Rourke out of the portal, Cignetti should be well-prepared for the next task in program development. Although there are several obstacles in the first year, the new recruits may push Hoosier football to new heights in the future.
16. Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois led the country in scoring defense just two years ago, but this team is far from its 2022 image after a sharp fall to No. 96 in the previous campaign and the NFL trades of important tackles Keith Randolph Jr. and Johnny Newton. A challenge because the Illini’s offense was likewise unimpressive the previous season, and they now need to replace Isaiah Williams, their best pass-catcher. Even while this team still has some quality, it’s possible that Bret Bielema reached his peak at Illinois two years ago and that it will be too difficult to replicate that success in this new, expanded conference.
15. UCLA Bruins
Scholarship Earned🏈@Go_CCSFootball alum Kayne Clark (@clark_kanye) betted on himself, walked-on at @UCLAFootball & is now on full scholarship with the Bruins👏@CBSSacramento pic.twitter.com/a5qJiH7KCr
— Jake Gadon (@JakeGadon_TV) May 24, 2024
In addition to the hurdles of moving from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten, UCLA is currently going through a coaching change as DeShaun Foster takes over as head coach after Chip Kelly was fired.
Although Foster hit two coordinator runs with Eric Bieniemy and Ikaika Malloe on the offensive and defensive sides, respectively, and could spearhead a recruitment surge for the Bruins, the on-field performance in year one is expected to fall short of UCLA’s recent caliber. QB Ethan Grabers is exactly what you want to build around, and UCLA may eventually be a threat down the road, but with a bunch of the defense gone, things will be ugly for a while.
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14. Minnesota Golden Gophers
After leading Minnesota to a winning season in 2023, P.J. Fleck ended a run of success as a regular Big Ten West contender. This year is crucial for the direction of his program as a result. Show up, and the previous season should be forgotten. If Fleck is mediocre again, his tenure will continue on an unsettling trajectory.
Max Brosmer, a quarterback who portaled up from FCS team New Hampshire and has an solid record at the lower subdivision, is the main reason for any confidence in the Golden Gophers.
13. Northwestern Wildcats
One of the biggest surprises of the 2023 season was undoubtedly Northwestern, the predicted bottom-dweller in the Big Ten, which won seven games during the regular season.
In his interim season, second-year coach David Braun set the bar high and earned a full-time position. However, in the expanded Big Ten, things will likely get much harder from here on out. But when one of your potential starting QBs hits the transfer Portal last week, it’s a bit of wrench in the Wildcats’ offense and sets off a fresh competition for starting QB between Ryan Hilinski and a squad of inexperienced backups.
12. Maryland Terrapins
There’s always a chance for a tough season when the quarterback position on a team is the most uncertain position. It will be extremely difficult to replace seasoned starter Taulia Tagovailoa, and it is almost a given that Maryland will suffer at the position as a result.
The Terps do have talent in other places, so as long as MJ Morris or one of the returning backups plays well, this team should be middle of the road. Over the past few years, Mike Locksley has coached at his highest level, and this fall, he will face his biggest test so far.
11. Washington Huskies
Washington went undefeated in 2023. The only Pac-12 team to ever finish a regular season unbeaten. However, their first season in the Big Ten will be a considerably tougher task. 2023’s team has been decimated, so new head coach Jedd Fisch will not have much to work with come autum. Will Rogers, a portal transfer QB who joins the Huskies after a great run at Mississippi State, is a solid component to build around for the future.
10. Michigan State Spartans
A great illustration of how much the transfer portal may help in a rebuilding effort in the new era of college football is Michigan State.
Some of Oregon State’s best young players were brought by Jonathan Smith, most notably elite tight end Jack Velling and QB Aidan Chiles, who have the potential to be stars in the making and will be a threat from the start. With Smith leading the way and Michigan State rebuilding with an seasoned expert, the 2024 season will be a completely different situation than 2023. We may be seeing the beginnings of a Big Ten title run.
9. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Greg Schiano may find 2024 is his best season yet at Rutgers.
He’s one of only two coaches in the Rutgers history to record ten victories in a season. Schiano is no stranger to success here, and following a 7-6 year, things are once again on the upswing. Most starters from 2023’s outstanding defense, which finished a respectable 16th in the nation, are back for another season, and the outstanding running tandem of running back Kyle Monangai and quarterback Gavin Wimsatt will definitely cause issues for rival defenses.
Not sure how they did it, but Rutgers manages to miss playing the top four power teams in the conference: Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, and Oregon. The schedule leans their way & Schiano could surprise.
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska has been stuck in purgatory a long time.
Matt Rhule and Dylan Raiola might just be the coach-quarterback tandem to finally pull Nebraska out. Rhule worked some magic prying away the five-star quarterback from his Georgia commitment, and that addition is already paying dividends as Raiola shined in his debut spring game, completing 16-of-22 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. One-quarter of those yards came on a huge 64-yard completion. Explosiveness and reliability on offense have long stood between the Huskers and the upper half of the Big Ten, and it appears they may have finally checked that box.
7. Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa’s offense can only go one direction.
Anything is an improvement. New offensive coordinator Tim Lester just needs to find the end zone. The main challenge facing this program for the foreseeable future is the Big Ten West…it’s GONE. Iowa is no longer protected just playing the “weaker” side of the conference. Waiting so long to make a change on offense has put them way behind, at a time when more power is expanding in the conference.
Iowa will be limited in total wins just due to the improved competition. The Hawkeyes are always elite defensively, even with the loss of star defensive back Cooper DeJean, so the bottom will not drop out of this team.
6. Wisconsin Badgers
Expectations of Luke Fickell’s first year were too high.
These things take some time. He is a proven winner that will have Wiscy competing for Big Ten titles in the near future. They are deep at RB so Braelon Allen to the NFL doesn’t hurt so bad. Wiscy is currently trending a top 10 recruiting class for 2024 and Fickell will have them in a nice spot soon.
5. USC Trojans
Ah USC… what to make of them?
On paper, Lincoln Riley made the right decision when he reached this offseason’s crossroads. The defensive coordinator hire of D’Anton Lynn gives USC far greater upside as it enters the physical Big Ten given that Lynn turned UCLA into a defensive juggernaut during his tenure just a few miles away.
The Trojans still have enough top talent to compete with the conference’s big dogs, even if QB Miller Moss is not Caleb Williams, which may be an actual blessing. We should see more of a team-based squad not so dependent on one person, and I expect quick success for USC in their new conference home.
4. Michigan Wolverines
Lots of changes. Lots of exits, both players & staff. Jim Harbaughs legacy will be on show as Sherrone Moore tries to steer the National Title ship.
The big question mark is the QB bench.
Who will start? Can any of the squad come close to emulating JJ McCarthy’s production? Moore will still have the Wolverines stomping opponents, but there’s enough change & question marks, combined with new powerful opponents to limit Michigan’s total wins. This is a program still currently under two active NCAA investigations, so we have no idea what comes of that if anything. Michigan must beat Texas, Oregon and Ohio State. Two of those aren’t happening. Michigan will be solid, but limited.
3. Penn State Football
The Nittany Lions are back with a top rushing attack & top defense. But, It’s all about Drew Allar, and new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.
If this offense clicks and Allar starts showing what made him the No. 1 QB prospect in the 2022 class, then it’ll be an exciting run straight to the playoffs for James Franklin and Penn State Football.
They have and will hold their own vs the top conference juggernauts. Penn State Football will once again have a beast defense and with an improved offense, this may be the key to knocking Ohio State from the top of the conference ladder.
2. Oregon Ducks
Dan Lanning recruited so well, that the Oregon Ducks are steaming right into Big Ten play confident and strong. New QB Dillon Gabriel is the core of the offense, and with breakout stars at running back and wide receiver, plus an existing solid WR group, this will be a formidible offense.
That’s not even gauging the defense, which may be Lanning’s best and top five nationally.
Oregon has all the pieces, the momentum and Washington will not stand in their way. The slam dunk head coaching hire may win Oregon the Big Ten year one.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
No one owned the off-season portal like The Buckeyes. Ohio State is the biggest challenger to Georgia on a national level.
The absolutely loaded roster boasts a monstrous portal haul with instant playmakers at quarterback (Will Howard), running back (Quinshon Judkins) and safety (Caleb Downs), as well as top overall WR recruit Jeremiah Smith, who may impact as another star in the long line at that position for the Buckeyes.
Simply put, there are no visible weaknesses on this team, thus placing Ryan Day in the driver’s seat to Atlanta for CFB National Championship.
MORE: Why the Sky is the Limit for Drew Allar in 2024
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He has been recognized for his work as a photographer and has also contributed to various publications including PennLive and The Weather Channel.
Brad is an Air Force veteran, coach and competitive runner that grew up a Nittany Lions fan as his family is originally from the State College area.
His diverse skillset and experiences provide for interesting perspectives on the college football, and sports topics of the day.
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