2024 Big Ten Season Preview
Like its counterparts across the college football landscape, the Big Ten welcomes new additions. Four new programs enter the fray with varying degrees of success. The defending national champion also resides in this conference after a remarkable run in 2023. The road to the College Football Playoffs will run amok through the conference. There might not be enough spots for the powers, even in the new 12-team era. Blood rivals Oregon, and Washington has joined in remaking a new western corridor alongside USC and UCLA. The Ducks have made a splash entering their new home while the Huskies are rebuilding under new staff. Can the old guard of the storied conference hold off the new blood? Who can rise to the top of an elite conference?
The conference season preview articles will be linked below as they are completed:
Let’s take a look at the Big Ten!
Illinois (@IlliniFootball)
The Illini are entering their fourth season under Bret Bielema’s auspices, and they have a ton of talent to replace. Talents include both starting defensive tackles Jer’Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph and most of their offensive production. Offensive tackle Isaiah Adams and tight end turned Combine superstar Tip Reiman also need to be replaced. Illinois will attempt to replace that offensive output with star transfer receiver Zakhari Franklin (UTSA / Ole Miss) and incumbent Pat Bryant. QB Luke Altmeyer enters his second campaign with the Illini after transferring in from Ole Miss. Former Florida State DL Dennis Briggs will attempt to make up for the production lost by the pair, as mentioned above.
It might be a long 2024 for Bielema’s men as they retool around the returnees and face a tough schedule. They will need to get off to a fast start, as the middle stretch of the season is challenging, to say the least. Consecutive road games against Nebraska and Penn State must be split to compete for bowl eligibility. Can Bielema keep his job in Champaign after a likely rebuilding season?
Predicted Record: 4-8
Indiana (@IndianaFootball)
There’s a new head sheriff in Bloomington, and the serial winner Curt Cignetti comes over from James Madison after a successful tenure. He brought a gaggle of transfers from JMU with him, such as WR Elijah Surratt and OG Tyler Stephens. Defensively, nearly the entire starting lineup will likely have JMU transfers like DL James Carpenter, EDGE Mikail Kamara, LB Jailin Walker, LB Aiden Fisher, and CB D’Angelo Ponds. Cignetti’s first starting quarterback will likely be the ultra-productive Ohio transfer Kurtis Rourke. Indiana has the talent on this team to make a run at a bowl game in Cignetti’s first season.
Indiana will have to make some significant inroads during the early part of the season, as the back end isn’t as forgiving. Five consecutive dates against Nebraska, Washington, MSU, Michigan, and Ohio State will be challenging. September features only one tough game on the road against UCLA. Seeing how the Hoosiers do under a new coach will be interesting.
Predicted Record: 5-7
Iowa (@IowaFootball)
Hopefully, a modern passing offense can make its way to Iowa City, as the Hawkeyes have finally moved on from the Brian Ferentz error. New OC Tim Lester comes in with a solid Division 1 resume that features stops at Purdue, Syracuse, and Western Michigan (HC). If healthy, he’ll have a good passer in returnee Cade McNamara. Tight end Erick All will be missed, but Luke Lachey will look to replace him after missing all of 2023 due to a knee issue. The Iowa offensive line features a couple of prospects like Connor Colby and Logan Jones. Defensively, they continue the tradition of being a stout stop unit under Phil Parker. Again, They will have a cavalcade of great players like linebackers Nick Jackson and Jay Higgins. Cooper DeJean is plying his trade in Philadelphia, so Sebastian Castro and Xavier Nwankpa will take his place.
Iowa has the horses on defense to compete with anyone in the conference, but the offense must improve significantly. October will feature a gauntlet of teams, including a date in the Horseshoe against Ohio State and a home duel against Washington. November lightens up somewhat if they survive October without too many major scares. The Hawkeyes have all the traits to compete for the Big Ten crown, but the unproven offense might do them in.
Predicted Record: 9-3
Maryland (@TerpsFootball)
Mike Locksley enters his sixth season as the Terrapins head coach, coming off a productive eight-win campaign. Maryland must replace significant talent, including OT Delmar Glaze, S Beau Brade, and QB Taulia Tagovailoa. Coach Locksley recruited former NC State transfer M.J. Morris to helm the offense. He retains receivers Kaden Prather and Tai Felton as key contributors. The offensive line features several transfers, like Isaiah Wright (Buffalo/Rutgers), Josh Kaltenberger (Purdue), and Aliou Bah (Georgia). Defensively, they are a veteran unit led by all-star linebacker Ruben Hyppolite, EDGE Donnell Brown, and DT Jordan Phillips.
The schedule is easily manageable in September, featuring two conference opponents amidst three winnable nonconference games. Unfortunately, the meat of the schedule will be a grind, with dates against USC, Oregon, Iowa, and Penn State. They should go bowling if they can manage an unbeaten run early on and split some tough ones. November is particularly brutal, with four consecutive opponents that could result in losses.
Predicted Record: 5-7
Michigan (@UMichFootball)
The reigning national champions have a new head coach after Jim Harbaugh left for the LA Chargers. Former OC/OL coach Sherrone Moore was promoted after an audition last season while Harbaugh was suspended due to NCAA improprieties. However, the specter of Conor Stalion’s spying scandal looms as it is alleged by the NCAA that Moore knew and deleted texts concerning it. On the field, they have A LOT to replace. Talents like J.J. McCarthy, Mike Sanistril, Junior Colson, Roman Wilson, Blake Corum, most of their OL, and Jaylen Harrell. Alex Orji gets the first shot at replacing first-rounder McCarthy. Donovan Edwards returns as one of the most dynamic runners and CFB 25 cover athletes.
Defensively, they are still loaded with likely first-round talents. Players like DT Mason Graham and CB Will Johnson are among the best at their positions. They will be surrounded by great depth like EDGE Josaiah Stewart, CB Ricky Johnson (UNLV), CB Jyaire Hill, and S Makari Page, to name a few.
Michigan did something to anger the scheduling gods, as they have to play Texas and USC in a span of three weeks to begin their title defense. October lessens somewhat before November is bookended by a date against Oregon and a trip to the ‘Shoe for The Game. They have the talent to contend for a conference crown, but the schedule might not be as kind. Also, the allegations against the program may linger and cause unwanted adversity.
Predicted Record: 8-4
Michigan State (@MSU_Football)
Michigan State enters a new era under acclaimed head coach Jonathan Smith, who takes over for the fired Mel Tucker for off-field conduct. Smith is a renowned builder who rescued Oregon State from the doldrums of the former Pac-12 into a respectable program. Former five-star QB Aiden Chiles elected to join Mr. Smith in East Lansing. The offensive line also got a makeover, with Tanner Miller (Oregon State) and Luke Newman (Holy Cross) joining the ranks. MSU also has several receivers waiting to break out, like Antonio Gates, Jr, Montorie Foster, Jr, and Jaron Glover. Sparty’s defense retooled with several transfers like D’Quan Douse (GT), Wayne Matthews III (ODU), Jordan Turner (Wisconsin), and Quinndarius Dunnigan (MTSU).
The Spartans’ schedule starts innocuously enough, but there’s a brutal stretch of four games featuring the Big Ten powers. Away dates against Oregon and Michigan loom large. Having a winning November will be crucial for their bowl chances.
Predicted Record: 6-6
Minnesota (@GopherFootball)
The Golden Gophers are struggling to keep up with all the changes in the college football world. P.J. Fleck was once a popular name du jour on the coaching carousel. His star has dimmed somewhat after a couple of lackluster seasons. New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer will lead Minnesota’s offense. Returnee Darius Taylor paces the running back group, but Ohio transfer Sieh Bangura will bolster him. They have several talents to replace, such as safety Tyler Nubin, receiver Chris Autman-Bell, and tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford. Fleck must do a remarkable coaching job that once defined his career to compete with the conference’s big boys.
Minnesota’s schedule is competitively imbalanced as they face a gauntlet to end September and begin October. Alternating home and away games against Iowa, Michigan, USC, and UCLA will be a tall task. Ending the 2024 season against Penn State and Wisconsin is another stern test they must fight through to get to bowl eligibility.
Predicted Record: 5-7
Nebraska (@HuskerFootball)
Matt Rhule begins another campaign to revive the sleeping giant that used to be Husker football. He’s recruiting relatively well and scored a major coup over powerhouse Georgia in the past cycle. Five-star freshman Dylan Raiola turned down the Bulldogs for the legacy program. The offensive line is solid and returns a majority of the talent from last season. They received a boost in the receiver room with Isaiah Neyor (Wyoming/Texas) and Jahmal Banks (Wake Forest). While the 2024 version won’t remind anyone of the famed Blackshirts’ defenses of yesteryear, they are built to be good. Cornerback Tommi Hill leads a group that features Javin Wright, John Bullock, Stefan Thompson, and Isaac Gifford.
The Huskers will need to load up early on the schedule, as it’s seriously tough for them in the last five contests. Road contests in Columbus, Los Angeles, and Iowa City will be complicated affairs. While Wisconsin may be stuttering right now, games at Camp Randall aren’t easy for opposing teams. Rhule’s charges will take another step in the right direction and compete for a bowl game.
Predicted Record: 7-5
Northwestern (@NUFBFamily)
Northwestern’s 2023 season was interesting as former coach Pat Fitzgerald was fired due to hazing allegations. The Wildcats promoted DC David Braun, who did enough to merit the permanent job. Braun’s stop unit carried the day while the offense scuffled. They will be led by Vanderbilt transfer Mike Wright calling the shots. Their offensive line brought in a pair of transfers in center Jack Bailey (Colorado) and tackle Matt Keeler (Texas Tech). On the defensive side, they lost a lot to the portal, including most of the secondary, so depth pieces from last season need to step up. They’re also joining the facility arms race by tearing down Ryan Field and building a new one. Seeing how they play on a practice field and elsewhere will be interesting.
The Wildcats are in a pickle regarding their schedule and talent level. 2024 will be an interesting quirk as they will play four of seven home games at their practice facility. They will play games against Illinois and Ohio State at the venerated Wrigley Field. There’s enough talent to compete for a bowl game.
Predicted Record: 5-7
Ohio State (@OhioStateFB)
The Buckeyes enter the 2024 season as prohibitive favorites to win the conference and advance to the playoffs. Ryan Day has restocked his depth chart with elite talents to replace the litany of players who go to the draft annually. They have to replace the likes of MHJ, Steele Chambers, Tommy Eichenberg, Cade Stover, and Josh Proctor. Their wide receiver room could be the most talented in the country, from top to bottom. Athletes like Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, and freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith will look to make their marks. The offensive line should be much improved with prospects all over the place like Josh Simmons, Seth McLaughlin (Alabama), and Josh Fryar. Returnee TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins lead the running back room. Helming the all-star offense will be Kansas State transfer Will Howard.
It appears that iconic defensive line coach Larry Johnson, Sr., has another fearsome pass rush duo with JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer ready for the draft. Tyleik Williams, who takes over for the departed Michael Hall, is a name to watch. After scuffling for a bit, the secondary looks improved, with the addition of the best safety in the country, transfer Caleb Downs (Alabama). The cornerback room is loaded down with several draft-ready prospects, including Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun, and Jordan Hancock.
Ohio State’s schedule is feasible, with the possibility of going unbeaten. October will determine a lot of things, with trips lined up to Oregon and Penn State, along with a home game against a stout Iowa team. The Buckeyes have lost three consecutive times against their hated rivals to the north. Ryan Day’s job security may enter shaky ground if he makes it a fourth time.
Predicted Record: 10-2
Oregon (@oregonfootball)
Oregon enters the Big Ten with its typical flash well entrenched, but Dan Lanning’s men have an air of brute strength about them. The Ducks will be hungry to avow themselves and return to college football’s creme de la creme after losing out on a playoff bid in 2023. Coach Lanning has the talent in spades to make it happen.
Duck legend Bo Nix leaves for the travails of being a Denver Bronco in Elway and Peyton Manning’s shadow. In his stead comes another prolific passer, Oklahoma/UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel, who is calling the shots. Oregon has a loaded offense returning, with receivers Evan Stewart, Traeshon Holden, and Tez Johnson all vying for WR1 duties. Gary Bryant, Jr lurks in the background as a reliable veteran. Noah Whittington and Jordan James will pace the running back room. The offensive line should be great, with potential early-round selections, such as Ajani Cornelius and Josh Conerly, Jr anchoring the bookends. Losing center Jackson Powers-Johnson will take some time to get used to.
Defensively, they have the horses up front to cause any offensive line headaches. Jordan Burch, Matayo Uiagalelei, and Jeffery Bassa get the publicity but look for Derrick Harmon (Michigan State) and Jamaree Caldwell (Houston) to make noise. The secondary remains a powerful unit (Lanning’s specialty), with transfers like Jabbar Muhammad (Washington), Kam Alexander (UTSA), and Kobe Savage (Kansas State) patrolling the back end. Returnees Tysheem Johnson, Dontae Manning, and Nikko Reed will have roles to play.
Schedule
The opening half of the schedule is relatively manageable, but the high-stakes showdown with Ohio State at Autzen beckons. Oregon has a tough November to navigate as road trips to Madtown and The Big House await in a three-week span. Even if Washington is rebuilding with wholesale changes, ending the regular season with a hated rival won’t be easy. Expectations for the Ducks will be high. Can they meet them on the road to the playoffs?
Predicted Record: 10-2
Penn State (@PennStateFBall)
Penn State is another annual contender for the Big Ten crown that just can’t get over the hump for whatever reason. James Franklin needs a conference title to add to his solid coaching resume, and he avoids Oregon and Michigan this season. There are significant holes to patch with talent like Olu Fashanu, Chop Robinson, and Adisa Isaac off to the pros. Tight end Theo Johnson and center Hunter Nourzad must be replaced as well. Tyler Warren gets the first chance to replace Johnson. They return quarterback Drew Allar, who must get far more consistent as a passer. The running back room should be back for more fireworks as both Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen return to action. Much heralded five-star receiver Julian Fleming comes in from Ohio State in order to get more playing time. Wisconsin transfer Nolan Rucci joins up to man the right side of the line.
Both of the aforementioned Robinson and Isaac are gone, but they return the uber-talented pass rush extraordinaire Abdul Carter on one side. Dani Dennis-Sutton will likely start on the other side. PSU’s secondary will need retooling as Kalen King and Johnny Dixon are out of eligibility. As a result, they brought in A.J. Harris (Georgia) and Jalen Kimber (Florida/Georgia) to help bolster the ranks. Penn State seemingly puts out a very talented pass rusher in every draft class. Carter may be the best one yet and resembles the fabled Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons.
The early part of the schedule is conducive to a hot start, but the middle is diabolical. Consecutive away dates to USC and Wisconsin will be tough. The date with Ohio State looms large on the horizon as a potential championship berth decider. PSU should contend for the conference championship.
Predicted Record: 9-3
Purdue (@BoilerFootball)
The Boilermakers struggled to a 4-8 record in year one of Ryan Walters’ tenure. Quarterback Hudson Card returns for another season, and this time, he has reinforcements. Star running back Reggie Love III transfers in to form a solid backfield with incumbent Devin Mockobee. Purdue also brought in unheralded receivers like C.J. Smith (Georgia), Kam Brown (UCLA), and De’Nylon Morrissette (Georgia). The offensive line has some potential if they can figure out the best five. The Boilers imported a pair of Georgia defenders in EDGE CJ Madden and star cornerback in the making Nyland Green. The duo will assist linebacker Yanni Karlaftis and CB Kyndrich Breedlove (Colorado/Ole Miss).
Well, the Boilermakers won’t be able to ease into their 2024 campaign with three superior opponents in September. October doesn’t get much better, but they can catch Oregon sleeping after the Ducks come off an emotional game against Ohio State the week prior. November gets even tougher with three consecutive dates against Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan State. There might be enough wins on the schedule to compete for a bowl game.
Predicted Record: 6-6
Rutgers (@RFootball)
Greg Schiano leads another tough and resilient bunch in Piscataway. They likely won’t compete for a conference title but will make everyone they face work for it. After successful recruiting and development under his watch, there’s talent scattered about the roster. Running back Kyle Monangai leads the offense as one of the best runners in the country. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis comes in after struggling at Minnesota last season. Receiver Dymere Miller transferred from Monmouth to bolster a receiver room featuring Christian Dremel. On defense, their main weapons are in the front seven, namely EDGE Aaron Lewis and linebacker Mohamed Toure. Defensive tackle transfer Malcolm Ray (Florida State) will help them.
The schedule is favorable for a bowl run, but they could potentially add more wins if they can manage the early part of the season. October will provide a stern test with above-average teams like the LA schools and Wisconsin. November will be easier to wade through as they face teams lower in the conference tiers.
Predicted Record: 6-6
UCLA (@UCLAFootball)
UCLA is under new management. Chip Kelly ended his long-running feud with the fanbase and AD by being hired by Ohio State as OC. The Bruins hired the former star UCLA running back and relatively new assistant DeShaun Foster to the top job. He’ll have to rely on an aging veteran passer in the form of Ethan Garbers as five-star freshman Dante Moore transferred to Oregon. J. Michael Sturdivant returns as the leading receiver, and Notre Dame transfer Rico Flores, Jr comes into the program. The running back room was upgraded as Michigan State transfer Jalen Berger signed onto the group.
Defensively, they have significant talent to replace as Laiatu Latu and the Murphy brothers, along with Darius Muasau, left for the NFL. Cornerback Jaylin Davies anchors a rebuilt secondary featuring transfers like Ramon Henderson (Notre Dame) and K.J. Wallace II (GT/ND). UCLA brought in a pair of transfer defensive ends as well.
Foster might not have the most ideal debut campaign. The schedule is brutally tough, with three consecutive games against LSU, Oregon, and Penn State in the middle. November isn’t a cakewalk either, with games against Iowa, Washington, and USC to finish up. The Bruins will have to be content fighting for bowl eligibility.
Predicted Record: 6-6
USC (@uscfb)
Is this year that Lincoln Riley finally puts it all together and leads the Trojans to its former glory? He’ll have to do it with a new quarterback as superstar Heisman winner Caleb Williams is off to the NFL and Hard Knocks stardom. Miller Moss took over the reins in last season’s bowl game and looked great in pinch-hit duty. How will he fare in the spotlight as one of the historically demanding positions in college football, the starting USC quarterback? USC has several weapons to help him along the way, like electric receiver Zachariah Branch and running back Woody Marks (Mississippi State). Those two assets must replace several offensive stars like Brendan Rice, Tahj Washington, and Marshawn Lloyd.
Defensively, the biggest change was stealing defensive mastermind D’Anton Lynn from crosstown rival UCLA. They landed several impact transfers, like former Oregon State star linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and his brother, safety Akili Arnold. A pair of Lynn proteges, John Humphrey and Kamari Ramsey, also switched schools. DT Bear Alexander and EDGE Jamil Muhammad led the returnees on that side of the ball.
The schedule is unrelenting. They start with LSU in Las Vegas and open Big Ten play with back-to-back games against Michigan and Wisconsin. Penn State and Notre Dame must travel to Los Angeles, so the Men of Troy need every little bit of an advantage. November will be tough with sneaky tough road games against Washington and bitter rival UCLA. USC should be able to compete for a conference title, but the schedule is unfavorable.
Predicted Record: 8-4
Washington (@UW_Football)
The Huskies are facing uncertain times as they are breaking in a new coach, essentially a new team, and a new conference simultaneously. Jedd Fisch takes over for the departed Kalen DeBoer, who is taking on the mountainous task of replacing Nick Saban. Fisch has some work to do, as nearly all of the starters from the national runners-up are gone. The backfield will be led by QB Will Rogers (Mississippi State) and RB Jonah Coleman (Arizona). Rogers has the unenviable task of replacing surprise early first-round selection Michael Penix.
There’s a new lead dog in the receiver group, with Cal transfer Jeremiah Hunter attempting to replace Rome Odunze (another first-round selection). Jalen McMillan and Ja’Lynn Polk are also gone from the WR room. Washington brought in four new starters on the offensive line to replace their great tackle duo of Roger Rosengarten and Troy Fautanu. Tackles Maximus McCree (Maryland) and Drew Azzopardi (San Diego State) are the replacement bookends. Defensively, the rebuild isn’t as excessive as the offense. They have lost ZTF, Bralen Trice, and Edefuan Olofoshio. A pair of Sacramento State transfers came in with EDGE Deshawn Lynch and DB Cameron Broussard. Oklahoma transfer Justin Harrington and Ephesians Prysock join up from Oklahoma and Arizona, respectively.
The Huskies will have to load up on the wins early as the back end of the schedule is loaded down. Washington has to travel to Iowa City, State College, and Eugene this season while hosting Michigan and USC in titanic battles. Fisch should have them competing for a conference crown but will likely fall short in year one.
Predicted Record: 9-3
Wisconsin (@BadgerFootball)
Gone are the days of classic ground-and-pound Wisconsin football. Luke Fickell enters his second season as head coach and introduces the Air Raid offense. Hopefully, the complete sea change will be more successful than Nebraska’s failed attempt to transition away from the triple option. There’s a new quarterback in town in the form of embattled Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke. The offensive line features two great bookend tackles, Jack Nelson and Riley Mahlman. Running back is well stocked even after losing veteran Braelon Allen to the NFL. Chez Mellusi returns alongside Tawee Walker (Oklahoma), so running the ball won’t be an issue. On the defensive side of the ball, the Badgers upgraded the linebacker room via the portal. John Pius comes in from William & Mary, while Tackett Smith transfers in from USC, and Jaheim Thomas (Arkansas) is a solid addition.
Fickell’s schedule will be taxing as they face Alabama, USC, Penn State, Iowa, and Oregon. The one silver lining is that Alabama, PSU, and Oregon have to come to Camp Randall. Getting to bowl eligibility will be a hard challenge, but if they can pull off a couple of upsets, they can get there.
Predicted Record: 7-5
Conference Championship: Ohio State vs. Oregon
Winner: Ohio State
Joseph is a veteran writer of many publications past and present. He is a long-time Tennessee Titans fan and draft scout/analyst, along with writing about the league is a passion project. Mr. Yun has been credentialed to the Senior Bowl multiple times. Readers will find he brings the juice with a scout’s eye and analytical mind. Follow me on Twitter @2Yoon2ZeroBlitz for more good stuff!