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Projected Big Ten football standings for the 2024 season

The college football season is upon us, so here is a full projection of how the 2024 season will finish in the Big Ten.

By Rees Woodcock

The logo of the Big Ten Conference is seen on a yard marker during Iowa Hawkeyes football Kids Day at Kinnick open practice, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. 210814 Ia Fb Kids Day 109 Jpg
The logo of the Big Ten Conference is seen on a yard marker during Iowa Hawkeyes football Kids Day at Kinnick open practice, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. 210814 Ia Fb Kids Day 109 Jpg / Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen via Imagn Content Services, LLC
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5. USC Trojans 8-4 (7-2 Big Ten)

The quality of play instantly increased with the four new additions to the Big Ten. USC is a high-profile program that should be able to win games in this conference.

  • Biggest Wins: @ #9 Michigan, #8 Penn State

I think USC is going to start its time in the Big Ten with a bang. I see an instant, “Hello, world!” moment for this program. Traveling to Michigan and taking down a ranked Wolverines program is very possible.

Just a few weeks later, it wouldn’t shock me to see another big win against Penn State. This game could be a matchup of top 15 opponents. The Nittany Lions head to USC, so that time change could be brutal.

  • Biggest Losses: #13 LSU, UCLA

I have USC dropping four games this season, which is crazy with how I have them starting. The first game of the season is against No. 13 LSU. This is a tone-setter game. A win here would be massive, but I just don’t see it.

The Trojans drop the Nebraska game, but even with that loss, USC is still in the College Football Playoff. However, the following game against UCLA is where things go off the rails. A loss at UCLA would end a CFP run and put USC in a standard bowl game. That is why I think UCLA is one of the biggest losses.

  • Biggest Threats: #13 LSU, #8 Penn State, Nebraska, UCLA, #7 Notre Dame

The four losses I have for USC this season are LSU, Nebraska, UCLA, and Notre Dame. That is three-straight losses to finish the 2024 season.

I think Penn State is a big-time threat too. Despite my projection of the Trojans winning that game, the Nittany Lions are a good team. USC is going to have a fight on October 12 when Penn State comes to town.

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