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Big Ten power rankings have new look with college football spring practice kicking off
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- Big Ten power rankings have new look with college football spring practice kicking off
Ohio State carries the flag for the Big Ten after an epic run to capture the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff national championship.
But the Buckeyes don't top our pre-spring power rankings for the conference, which again has the overall depth and wealth of top-end playoff contenders to be the best in the Power Four.
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The current favorite — and it's only March, so things can change — is Penn State, last seen losing a heartbreaker to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. The Nittany Lions lose star edge rusher Abdul Carter , among a few others, but will bring back quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen .
Ohio State isn't far behind. Likewise with Oregon and Michigan. Where the Big Ten looks even better in 2025 is in the teams just behind this top four, a group that includes Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota and more.
Here's how the Big Ten ranks heading into spring practices:
1. Penn State
There's talent, coaching and plenty of motivation after coming close to an appearance against OSU in the championship game. Can the Nittany Lions use that pain to reach new heights under James Franklin? Look for the offense to be the best of his tenure while the defense still has several all-conference or even All-America performers.
Penn State running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs for a short gain in the first half against Southern California at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
2. Ohio State
The Buckeyes could run the table and win the whole thing again, obviously. But they are down multiple skill players on offense, including quarterback Will Howard, and will need to rebuild the defensive line without several multiple-year standouts. There's also the fact that Ohio State will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball.
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3. Oregon
Whether the Ducks can protect new quarterback Dante Moore is one of the bigger offseason questions in the Big Ten. If so, Oregon will hand Moore the supporting pieces to keep this offense near the top of the conference. Look for transfers to play a big role, including former Tulane running back Makhi Hughes.
4. Michigan
A seemingly lost season was salvaged with wins against Ohio State and Alabama. Now hopes are high that Michigan is set to reclaim a place in the playoff debate. The deciding factor: Will the offense take a big step forward under new coordinator Chip Lindsey? And will transfer quarterback Mikey Keene fend off five-star transfer Bryce Underwood?
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5. Illinois
Illinois is a veteran team led by a steady hand in veteran coach Bret Bielema. In other words, the Illini shouldn't beat themselves. A relatively easy schedule by Big Ten standards ensures Illinois will play a role in determining the playoff, especially with quarterback Luke Altmyer returning to guide the offense.
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) drops back to throw against Penn State during their game at Beaver Stadium.
6. Nebraska
The Cornhuskers are ready to take another step forward under third-year coach Matt Rhule. Additions such as Kentucky receiver transfer Dane Key will help sophomore Dylan Raiola continue his development. Don't forget that Nebraska will have a full offseason to get on the same page with offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen.
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7. Iowa
The Hawkeyes search for consistent quarterback play turns to Championship Subdivision transfer Mark Gronowski , a former national champion at South Dakota State. If he hits, Iowa will climb the Big Ten ladder and make a playoff run. The should - again - have a strong defensive foundation to work from.
8. Southern California
It's become harder and harder to have faith in Lincoln Riley and USC. One thing to believe in is D'Anton Lynn's defense after his immediate turnaround in 2024. The Trojans are in worrisome shape on the offensive line, unfortunately, which could hamper quarterback Jayden Maiava's development as the full-time starter.
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9. Indiana
On one hand, you have second-year coach Curt Cignetti's winning ways, seen most clearly in last season's utterly unexpected at-large playoff berth. That alone says Indiana isn't going anywhere. On the other, you have the need for another overhaul of the roster after losing so many key pieces behind last year's success. This makes the Hoosiers a very difficult team to project heading into the spring.
10. Minnesota
The Golden Gophers could be a sneaky contender should redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey take to the starting job and longtime P.J. Fleck assistant Danny Collins succeed in the promotion to defensive coordinator. There are some holes to address, though, including on the offensive line.
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11. Rutgers
Rutgers is probably never going to make a home in the Top 25 during coach Greg Schiano's second turn with the program. But the Scarlet Knights are a proven bowl team with the capacity for more should Schiano and his staff form a stronger offensive line and improve last year's run defense, which might've been the worst in the Big Ten.
12. Washington
Whether Washington gets back into the eight-win range depends on how far the defense goes under new coordinator Ryan Walters. That side of the ball will be helped by the transfer portal. There's some impressive skill talent to help quarterback Demond Williams Jr. acclimate to the permanent job.
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13. Michigan State
Fixing the two biggest issues from last year — sketchy pass protection and a sieve-like defense — will take more than a single offseason. But coach Jonathan Smith's track record and talented returning contributors such as quarterback Aidan Chiles should have Michigan State in a bowl game.
14. UCLA
Four wins in six games to end the year could yield a hot start to 2025 that gets the Bruins into the postseason under second-year coach DeShaun Foster. The offense has to make dramatic improvements under new coordinator Tino Sunseri after finishing 16th in the league in scoring and managing just 23 touchdowns in 12 games.
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15. Wisconsin
These are some troubling times in Madison. The Badgers have quickly gone from one of the most consistent programs in the Power Four to one of the biggest question marks in the Big Ten. Getting back to a bowl game is possible given how the offense will be jumpstarted by new coordinator Jeff Grimes and Maryland quarterback transfer Billy Edwards Jr.
16. Maryland
There's not a whole lot to like. The defense is in shambles. The offense lost Edwards and top receiver Tai Felton. The offensive line has to be redone. After falling short of a bowl game last year, the Terrapins could be one of the worst teams in the Big Ten.
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17. Northwestern
Northwestern will again have very little room for error in the quest for six wins. There will be a new quarterback in SMU transfer Preston Stone, who has the ability to widen the Wildcats' passing tree and expand the offense. But the defense is in flux after losing multiple contributors, especially in the back seven.
18. Purdue
The task of bringing Purdue back to a level of respectability falls on former UNLV coach Barry Odom. He's a great fit for the Boilermakers given his Power Four experience and recent work turning the Rebels into a playoff contender. But this is going to take time.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big Ten college football power rankings with spring practice at hand
