We are now less than a week from the real start of the college football season, and the Big Ten could get a shake-up from the Illinois football program.
The Illini managed 10 wins last season, but can they get back to the top and stay there with the talent they have returning? I believe the first game of the Big Ten season starts with Nebraska on Thursday, and then all chaos breaks loose for the next few months.
Here are the Week 1 Big Ten Power Rankings
1. Penn State Nittany Lions
You have to give love to Penn State for what they are bringing back in 2025. They won 13 games and advanced through multiple rounds of the College Football Playoff last season. The Nittany Lions return their starting quarterback and both of their 1,000-yard rushers. They will be really good.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Julian Sayin takes the reins of the Buckeyes from Will Howard. This program won the national championship last season, but they lost their starting quarterback. Sayin will take a minute to adapt, but purely based on talent from top to bottom, you have to put Ohio State up there at the top of the Big Ten.
3. Illinois Fighting Illini
Some people might call me a homer for this, and honestly, I would agree. I have Illinois as the No. 3 team in the Big Ten entering the 2025 season. We are one of the few programs in the conference to return our starting quarterback. Along with Luke Altmyer returning, Illinois has 16 out of 22 starters back after 10 wins and a Citrus Bowl victory last season.
4. Oregon Ducks
I would understand if people have Oregon ahead of Illinois, but I am not confident in their quarterback play. After losing Dillion Gabriel, the Ducks are going to have to rely on Dante Moore. The last time we saw him in a starter role was in 2023 with UCLA. He threw for 1,610 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while having a 53.5% completion rate.
5. Iowa Hawkeyes
It is impressive how Iowa is consistently winning football games despite never having a quarterback. They notched eight wins last season, but they did some work in the transfer portal and landed Mark Gronkowski from South Dakota State. He threw for 2,721 yards, 23 touchdowns, and seven interceptions last season. We finally get to see Iowa with a quality quarterback, and I think they will be toward the top of the conference once again.
6. Indiana Hoosiers
The darling of the college football world last season was Indiana. Their starting quarterback is now gone, so it will take them a minute to adjust. Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza will be good for this program, but I expect a step backward after the best season in program history.
7. Michigan Wolverines
There is so much muck around the Michigan program right now. With that being said, they will have enough talent to keep them in every game. Bryce Underwood is going to be really good, but he will have to adjust to the college game. Michigan should be decent, but I have them more in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten.
8. USC Trojans
I can’t buy into the Lincoln Riley hype. When he doesn’t have Caleb Williams, he is literally an average coach. Even in Williams’ final season with USC, the program finished 8-5. Even with a talented quarterback like Jayden Maiava behind center, I still don’t trust of Riley-led program.
9. Minnesota Golden Gophers
PJ Fleck is always pesky, and he always has Minnesota ready to play. With that being said, I think Minnesota takes a slight step back in 2025. Max Brosmer is gone, and he is likely to be replaced by Drake Lindsey. He threw five passes last season for the Golden Gophers. There is a lack of experience behind center, and that never bodes well in college.
10. Washington Huskies
Washington was up and down last season. They think they found a spark in Demond Williams Jr., but there was limited action in 2024. I think he will be a good quarterback, but I am hesitant on the other pieces around him. Washington snuck into a bowl with six wins last season, and that is probably where they will be in 2025.
11. Nebraska Cornhuskers
A team that could be top three in the Big Ten or toward the bottom of the conference is Nebraska. They showed flashes of talent throughout last season, but they couldn’t put it together. They managed seven wins but only notched three Big Ten victories. This will be a big season for Matt Rhule.
12. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers will always be between five and seven wins with Greg Schiano. He has limited resources, but he does a good job with what he has. They have Athan Kaliakmanis back for his fourth year, and while he isn’t a great quarterback, that is invaluable experience.
13. UCLA Bruins
I think UCLA is a sleeping giant, but they can’t manage to put things together. Nico Iamaleava is now their quarterback. He put up solid numbers at Tennessee last season, going for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions. UCLA doesn’t have the horse that Tennessee does, so it will be tough to see what Nico can be in this offense. I am skeptical on UCLA in 2025.
14. Michigan State Spartans
I don’t have much faith in the Spartans this season. Aidan Chiles is back under center after a lackluster year. He threw for 2,415 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He is about as average as you can get, and that doesn’t bode well for Michigan State. I have them toward the bottom of the Big Ten.
15. Wisconsin Badgers
When you rely on a failed Maryland quarterback to lead your program, then you are bound to fail as well. Wisconsin lost both of their quarterbacks from last season, and they will now rely on Billy Edwards Jr., a transfer from the Terrapins. Wisconsin was fourth-to-last in the Big Ten last season, and that is where they will be in 2025 as well.
16. Northwestern Wildcats
I believe Northwestern will be improved from last year, but they will still be at the bottom of the Big Ten. They upgrade the quarterback position with Preston Stone, but they don’t have much else on the roster. Look for Northwestern to struggle and not have answers this season.
17. Purdue Boilermakers
While Purdue was at the bottom of the Big Ten in 2024, I think they will jump up a spot in 2025. Barry Odom knows the college game, and he will help Purdue get things back on track in some form or fashion. With over 50 transfer portal departures and newcomers, it is going to take a minute for them to be a scary team.
18. Maryland Terrapins
The worst team in the Big Ten could easily be Maryland. They lost their starting quarterback, and there hasn’t been a replacement named. There are three potential starters, none with meaningful experience. Maryland was awful last season, and they should be even worse in 2025.