2024 Big Ten Football Preview

Big Ten Championship Game Prediction: Ohio State over Oregon

Big Ten CFB Playoff Teams: Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, Penn State

Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year: Will Johnson, Michigan

Big Ten Coach of the Year: Ryan Day, Ohio State

Conference Notes

Ohio State is back in a familiar position this season. The Buckeyes have been unable to defeat Michigan over the last three years. That has denied Ohio State a chance to compete in the Big Ten Championship and ultimately the CFB Playoff, outside of 2022. Now, the Buckeyes are ranked No. 2 in the AP Preseason Poll and one favorite to win the National Championship. Will Howard came in to replace Kyle McCord under center and has a large array of skill positions to work with. Quinshon Judkins joins TreVeyon Henderson to make up the best RB duo in the nation.

Oregon leads newcomers in the Big Ten. This is the first season of expansion in the conference with four West Coast teams coming over. The Ducks lead the way as one of the top teams in the nation. Dillon Gabriel transferred to Oregon and gives the offense a Heisman candidate to work with. Dan Lanning did not take the Alabama job and decided to stay in Eugene. Oregon is a top-five team heading into the season and has a chance to compete for a Big Ten Championship.

What are fair expectations for Michigan? The reigning National Champions enter the season with a new head coach in Sherrone Moore, a new quarterback, and backlash from Jim Harbaugh’s scandal from 2023. It feels as though the Wolverines will take a step back after three consecutive Big Ten titles. Moore has experience on the sideline during Harbaugh’s suspension last season. It is unknown if there will be further action taken. On the field, Michigan will have some work to do to return to the top.

Dylan Raiola and Matt Rhule are expected to return Nebraska to prominence. It has been quite some time since the Huskers were making noise in college football. A once historic program has fallen down many pegs but the rise could be on. It began last year when Rhule was hired and now the quarterback has arrived. Raiola flipped his commitment from Georgia to Nebraska. The five-star recruit is expected to have immediate success and bring Nebraska back to the top half of the Big Ten.

Is Rutgers a CFB Playoff dark-horse? Kirk Herbstreit made comments that Rutgers could make some noise nationally this season. The Scarlet Knights return 10 starters defensively, five across the offensive line, and the Big Ten’s leading rusher from 2023 in Kyle Monangai. Greg Schiano brought in Minnesota transfer Athan Kaliakmanis to take over as the starting quarterback. If the passing game improves, Rutgers could take a big step forward the season.

Iowa has a new offensive coordinator but it could take time to gel. The Hawkeyes finally moved on from Brian Ferentz and brought in Tim Lester. He is expected to add a new style of offense into the mix, including move pre-snap motion. As of now, it is hard to imagine the offense improving in a big way. Iowa will be able to run the ball effectively but the passing game leaves much to be desired.

There is a log jam in the middle of the Big Ten and this could make for great entertainment. The Big Ten is one of the best conferences in the nation and is only getting better. For those who were not in favor of expansion, just wait for the action this season. The middle of the Big Ten will feature many teams volleying for position. This includes newcomer USC, along with Wisconsin, Rutgers, Nebraska, and Washington. As the conference schedule goes on, there will be plenty to watch.

2024 Big Ten Football Standings Prediction

1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. Michigan
4. Penn State
5. Iowa
6. USC
7. Nebraska
8. Wisconsin
9. Rutgers
10. Washington
11. Michigan State
12. Minnesota
13. Maryland
14. Illinois
15. Northwestern
16. UCLA
17. Indiana
18. Purdue