It’s that time of the year! There is just over a month away from the kickoff of the college football season and the hot takes are running rampant. After a couple of crazy years, conference realignment has seemed to have calmed down and now makes this season very interesting, whether you like it or not. The Big Ten conference, which has had its hand in this most recent iteration of realignment, will now have 18 teams competing for a conference title. Here are our first Big Ten football power rankings with projected over/under win total from FanDuel.[tgdcta items=”1″ id=”170476″]
2024 Preseason B1G football power rankings
Bottom four
18. Purdue Boilermakers
The Purdue Boilermakers are coming off a rough first season under Ryan Walters. The Boilermakers bring back quarterback Hudson Card, running back Devin Mockobee, and safety Dillon Thieneman but lose wide receiver Deion Burks and defensive lineman Nic Scourton. Purdue will need to continue to improve offensively and defensively if it wants to have success in 2024. It will be tough with one of the more tougher schedules in the Big Ten.
Projected win total: 4.5
17. Indiana Hoosiers
It was quite a busy offseason for the Indiana Hoosiers. Out goes Tom Allen, in comes Curt Cignetti from James Madison. The Hoosiers benefited quite a bit from the transfer portal by landing multiple veteran players like Ohio quarterback Kurtis Rourke, James Madison wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, Kent State defensive lineman C.J. West and Wisconsin offensive lineman Trey Wedig. Overall, 30 total players transferred to Indiana over the offseason, however, there is so much unknown about where the Hoosiers will be in 2024.
Projected win total: 5.5
16. UCLA Bruins
Chip Kelly left Pasadena this offseason to take the Ohio State offensive coordinator job and he was replaced by former star UCLA running back DeShaun Foster. There is a lot of unknown about the Bruins in 2024 with many of last year’s talent left this offseason. Something to keep an eye on is how the offense looks with new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy calling plays. Despite that, it looks like a tough first year at the Big Ten conference for UCLA.
Projected win total: 4.5
15. Northwestern Wildcats
2023 was a heckuva year for the Northwestern Wildcats. After an eventful offseason, then interim head coach David Braun led the Wildcats to an improbable 8-5 season, including a win over the Utah Utes in the Las Vegas Bowl. Now, it might be difficult to replicate that much success this season. Northwestern’s defense should be good again in 2024, but the question will be on the offensive end.
Projected win total: 4.5
Fighting for bowl eligibility
14. Michigan State Spartans
There is a new headman in East Lansing. Former Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith takes over the Michigan State Spartans football program and brings new starting quarterback Aiden Chiles with him. The Spartans could turn some heads this season by making it to bowl eligibility. It could be difficult but it has a shot at winning a couple of close games towards the end of the season.
Projected win total: 4.5
13. Illinois Fighting Illini
A lot has changed for the Illinois Fighting Illini since their successful 2021 season. Most of the productions from that season are long gone, whether that was through the transfer portal or to the pros. The defense last season was the main letdown for the Fighting Illini allowing over 30 points per game. Now in 2024, Illinois’ success will come from improvement on the offensive end and it will be key to not allow over 30 points per game on defense. It might be difficult to do so, but the Fighting Illini should be fighting for bowl eligibility.
Projected win total: 5.5
12. Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers clawed its way to a 6-7 record last season, including a Quick Lane Bowl victory. 2024 will be a bit different as last year’s starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis transferred to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The Gophers replaced Kaliakmanis with FCS top passer Max Brosmer from Rhode Island. The key to making a bowl game in P.J. Fleck’s eight seasons in Minneapolis is to improve on the offensive end. If Brosmer can elevate the offense to more than 20 points per game on offense and the defense to continue what they do best, Minnesota should be able to manage to row the boat to six wins in 2024.
Projected win total: 5.5
11. Maryland Terrapins
It will be hard to replicate what quarterback Taulia Tagavailoa did for the Maryland Terrapins offense, which will make the season bumpy for the Terrapins. However, the defense should be able to keep Maryland above the water, with its promising defensive front. The Terrapins do avoid Ohio State and Michigan, but will have to go to Oregon and Penn State this season. Despite that, Maryland should get to bowl eligibility, if things go right.
Projected win total: 6.5
It could make some noise
10. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights completed its first winning season since 2014 last season and are returning multiple starters on both sides of the ball. Now with Athan Kaliakmanis as the starting quarterback, the question will be if Kaliakmanis can elevate the Scarlet Knights offense. If he can and the defense continues what they did last season, Rutgers will go bowling and could make some noise.
Projected win total: 6.5
9. Washington Huskies
The Dogs will be much different in 2024. After a fantastic 2023 season just falling short in the National Championship game, head coach Kalen Deboer left Seattle to take on the challenge of taking Nick Saban’s seat at Alabama. Washington replaced him with former Arizona head coach Jedd Fischer, who rebuilt the Wildcats and led them to a 10-3 season, including a victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Alamo Bowl. All of the Huskies’ best players are gone and Washington had to replace pretty much every player on the offensive and defensive line. Former Mississippi State quarterback Will Rogers will be the starter this season and could help Washington make a little bit of noise in the new Big Ten.
Projected win total: 6.5
8. Wisconsin Badgers
Former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke takes over for Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers for 2024. Van Dyke has the intangibles to help the Badgers offense to improve but has some losses on the offensive and defensive line. Wisconsin will also have to replicate running back Braelon Allen’s production in the backfield. The Badgers could be higher on this list but with a very difficult schedule, including hosting the Alabama Crimson Tide, it could be another tough year for Wisconsin.
Projected win total: 6.5
7. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Despite entering November 5-3, the Nebraska Cornhuskers ended the season on a four-game losing streak, missing a bowl game once again. Despite that, the Huskers managed to land a top-20 recruiting class, including the No. 1 quarterback Dylan Raiola. Nebraska had the No. 11 total defense in 2023 and returns over 70% of production on both sides of the ball from 2023. With that and the addition of Raiola, Matt Rhule and the Huskers should go bowling in 2024 for the first time since 2016 and could turn some heads.
Projected win total: 7.5
6. Iowa Hawkeyes
Will the Iowa Hawkeyes get over their offensive demons in 2024? After an abysmal few seasons on offense, the Hawkeyes finally moved on from Brian Ferentz and replaced him with Tim Lester. Iowa should have a strong defense despite losing Cooper DeJean to the NFL. With a generally easy schedule (other than playing Ohio State), as long as the offense improves at all, the Hawkeyes will make some noise in the Big Ten.
Projected win total: 8.5
5. USC Trojans
The USC Trojans will have to replace Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams in 2024 with most likely Miller Moss, who started in the Holiday Bowl last season. The Trojans should be improved on defense after replacing Alex Grinch with D’Anton Lynn and head coach Lincoln Riley’s quarterback magic should allow USC to make some noise in 2024. It will be interesting how the Trojans will adjust to the Big Ten though. It will be something to watch later in the season.
Projected win total: 7.5
Contenders
4. Michigan Wolverines
Despite being reigning champions, the Michigan Wolverines will look much different in 2024. Jim Harbaugh took the Los Angeles Chargers head coaching opening and he was replaced by Sherron Moore, who led Michigan through Harbaugh’s suspension last season. The defense should be very good this season but the question marks will be on the offensive side of the ball. Running back Donovan Edwards is back for another season but the main question mark is at quarterback. Despite the question marks, Michigan projects to be a contender in the Big Ten this season.
Projected win total: 8.5
3. Penn State Nittany Lions
It’s time for James Franklin and the Penn State Nittany Lions to make the College Football Playoff. In the last five years, the Nittany Lions have been close to making it but just run into issues against Michigan and Ohio State. Penn State returns most of its top-five defense along with both top rushers and quarterback Drew Allar. If the Nittany Lions can manage to win at least 10 games, they should contend for the Big Ten and make the college football playoffs. However, anything short of that, it could be interesting to see what happens next.
Projected win total: 9.5
2. Oregon Ducks
Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks are not only a major contender for the Big Ten but for a National Championship. The Ducks returned many starters from last season and reloaded the defense through the transfer portal. They also will have the preseason Heisman Trophy favorite quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Oregon gets to host Ohio State but will have to travel to Ann Arbor to face Michigan and Madison to face Wisconsin. Despite that, the Ducks should win at least 10-11 games this season, if things go right.
Projected win total: 10.5
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes will be the team to beat this year in the Big Ten. They will have one of the best rosters that the Buckeyes have had in a while and the offense should take a step up with new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Ohio State brought multiple game-changers through the transfer portal. Those being Alabama safety Caleb Downs, Kansas State quarterback Will Howard and Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins. The Buckeyes will have to get over their demons and end their three-game losing streak to the Wolverines but there should be no doubt that Ohio State will be competing for a national championship at the end of the season.
Projected win total: 10.5
Main Image: © Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Disp / USA TODAY NETWORK
