The Big Ten in 2024
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With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams in 2024, all eyes will be on the Big Ten. Conceivably, we could see a third of the playoff field coming from this loaded conference. A boatload of collective experience returns across the board. Elite QB talent is littered throughout the Big Ten — namely on programs projected to compete for a conference crown. This comprehensive preview will dive into everything Big Ten-centric, from position group rankings to the teams we best feel will contend for a National Title.
Ranking the Big Ten Quarterback Rooms
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1. Oregon – Dillon Gabriel
2. Ohio State – Will Howard
3. USC – Miller Moss
Dillon Gabriel is a potential Heisman Trophy candidate. He should put up monster numbers under Will Stein and the high-flying Oregon offense. Waiting in the wings is former 5-star prospect Dante Moore. Ohio State has experienced ex-Kansas State QB Will Howard along with a host of very talented players behind him. Miller Moss is in a very quarterback-friendly offense. When factoring in USC’s skill position talent, Moss should be in line for a very nice year. Chomping at the bit behind him is former UNLV star QB Jayden Maiava. He was the Mountain West Freshman of the Year in 2023 before leaving for Los Angeles.
Ranking the Best Big Ten Running Backs
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1. Ohio State
2. Penn State
3. Wisconsin
The best RB room in the country resides with the Buckeyes. TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins create an exceptionally gifted duo. The Nittany Lions also offer a two-headed monster in the form of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. Allen notched 900 rushing yards and 6 TDs a year ago. Wisconsin’s Chez Mellusi is better than you think. He, along with Tawee Walker, will give the Badgers yet another potent rushing attack — something expected of the program on an annual basis.
Ranking the Big Ten Pass Catchers
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1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. UCLA
Ohio State brings back Emeka Egbuka and a plethora of exciting, elite talents. Even with Marvin Harrison Jr. in the NFL, this room is dripping with future professional athletes. Oregon is no slouch, either. Evan Stewart came over from Texas A&M to lead the group (more on him later). The Ducks also possess Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden, two guys who’d likely be WR1 for most of the teams in this conference. UCLA’s WR room is both deep and talented. J. Michael Sturdivant is a future NFL player. Logan Loya has proven to be very reliable, and Notre Dame transfer Rico Flores is drawing good reviews throughout the spring. Also, watch for UCF transfer Titus Mokiao-Atimalala. The Hawaii native is very dynamic with the football.
Ranking the Big Ten OL Groups
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1. Oregon
2. Ohio State
3. Minnesota
Dan Lanning has done a terrific job in rebuilding Oregon up front. LT Josh Conerly is a future high-round NFL Draft pick. RT Ajani Cornelius is a future pro as well, giving the Ducks an elite pair of bookend tackles. Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson is among the best in the country at his position along the interior of the Buckeyes’ offensive line. Tackles Josh Fryar and Josh Simmons are very talented in their rights. The Golden Gophers possess a deep and experienced group led by the team’s best player, LT Aireontae Ersery.
Ranking the Big Ten DL Groups
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1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. Michigan
Ohio State is LOADED up front. There’s a chance the Buckeyes could feature three future first-round picks amongst the group which features Jack Sawyer, Tyleik Williams, and JT Tuimoloau. The Mason Graham-Kenneth Grant duo immediately launches Michigan into a top-three standing. As for the Ducks, strong recruiting has resulted in a host of former 5-star prospects (Matayo Uiagalelei, Aydin Breland, Elijah Rushing) ready to contribute within the two-deep. However, the prowess of this unit starts with three former transfers Jamaree Caldwell, Derrick Harmon, and Jordan Burch.
Ranking The Big Ten LB Groups
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1. Iowa
2. Ohio State
3. UCLA
Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson make up the best LB duo in the conference. Iowa’s defense is always strong up the middle, and it’s no different this season. Ohio State’s CJ Hicks and Cody Simon are very capable players. UCLA has arguably the deepest group of linebackers in the entire conference. Kain Medrano and Femi Oladejo are both future NFL players. Behind them are former 5-star prospect Ale Kaho (Alabama transfer), rising sophomore Jalen Woods, and dual-sport thumper JonJon Vaughns.
Ranking the Big Ten Defensive Back Groups
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1. Iowa
2. Ohio State
3. Oregon
The Hawkeyes are loaded on the back end with experience and future professional talent. Ohio State’s addition of Caleb Downs was arguably the biggest storyline from the transfer portal. Oregon revamped its secondary with a fleet of transfers. If one were to rank these secondaries against the rest of the country, one could see all three programs featured on a top-10 list.
Ranking Special Teams Units
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1. USC
2. Michigan State
3. Minnesota
Michigan State’s Ryan Eckley is the best punter in the conference. Minnesota’s Dragen Kesich is widely considered to be the Big Ten’s top placekicker. Zachariah Branch — USC’s most talented player — already has proven to be the most dangerous returner in the entire country. His suddenness, quickness, and acceleration remind many of a young DeSean Jackson.
Ranking the Big Ten’s Best Offenses
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1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. Penn State
We’re splitting hairs with OSU and Oregon. Both have elite offensive talent across the board. You can make a case that the Ducks have the better quarterback. With that said, OSU has the best running back room in the country — along with an elite returning receiver. Penn State’s RB group isn’t too shabby, either. Drew Allar came into college with a ton of hype. Let’s see if he can put it together and take the next step as an all-conference talent.
Ranking the Big Ten’s Best Defenses
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1. Iowa
2. Ohio State
3. Oregon
Iowa’s defense is littered with all-conference types. Xavier Nwankpa, Sebastian Castro, Deontae Craig, Jay Higgins, Nick Jackson, Yahya Black, and Quinn Schulte are all fantastic competitors. Ohio State’s defensive line is ferocious, and the athleticism sprinkled throughout the two-deep is unparalleled in the conference. Oregon hit the transfer portal hard. Most notably, the front seven is big and physical. The secondary, led by former Oklahoma State/Washington corner Jabbar Muhammad, should be improved.
Ranking Big Ten Head Coaches
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1. Ryan Day (Ohio State)
2. Dan Lanning (Oregon)
3. James Franklin (Penn State)
Day’s career record (53-8) is hard to beat. Ohio State fans may quibble over his record versus Michigan. However, the man knows ball — particularly on the offensive side of things. Lanning is a star in the making. He’s recruiting at a very high level, and as such has Oregon looking like a perennial National Title contender as long as he’s in Eugene. Franklin’s body of work throughout his coaching career has been very good. The job he did at Vanderbilt was nothing short of remarkable, and he’s continued to build a strong program back home in his native Pennsylvania.
Best Impact Freshman
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1. QB Dylan Raiola (Nebraska)
2. WR Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State)
3. DL Kameryn Fountain (USC)
Raiola will be Nebraska’s starting quarterback this year. A prep prodigy originally from Arizona, he reneged on commitments to Ohio State and Georgia in favor of playing for his father’s alma mater. A fantastic talent, Matt Rhule’s playbook should open up as a result of Raiola’s presence. Smith is the nation’s best prep receiver from the class of 2024. All of the tools are there for him to be the next great Ohio State player. Fountain spurned multiple SEC programs in favor of signing with USC. The Trojans need help up front in the worst way, and as such Fountain should be given the freedom to play early.
Best Impact Transfer
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1. QB Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)
2. WR Evan Stewart (Oregon)
3. QB Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
You’ll be hearing “Gabriel to Stewart!” a ton this year. Gabriel has proven to be an elite quarterback dating back to stops at UCF and Oklahoma. In this offensive scheme, he’ll be throwing the ball all over the yard. Stewart — a former blue-chip prospect from Texas — immediately enters as the most talented receiver on a roster full of impact players. Judkins came over from Ole Miss to compete for a National Title. His skill set under Chip Kelly’s offense likely will result in tons of touches and production. Fellow OSU transfers Will Howard and Caleb Downs easily could feature within this list as well.
Best Player in the Big Ten
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1. DB Caleb Downs (Ohio State)
2. DL Mason Graham (Michigan)
3. DB Will Johnson (Michigan)
Downs is a special talent. Essentially a lock to be a high first-round draft choice when eligible, he’s the type of player NFL franchises build their secondaries around. He’s truly that dynamic. Graham left Southern California as a prep interior lineman and quickly became College Football’s best nose guard. Physical and aggressive, he’s nearly unmovable once Graham engages with offensive guards. Johnson is the best corner in the country. He’s the next in a long line of transcendent Michigan defensive backs. You could put these three names in a hat and any permutation rankings-wise would make sense.
Predicting Order of Finish in the Big Ten
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1. Oregon
2. Ohio State
3. Penn State
4. Wisconsin
5. Michigan
6. Iowa
7. Nebraska
8. UCLA
9. USC
10. Michigan State
11. Washington
12. Rutgers
13. Indiana
14. Maryland
15. Minnesota
16. Illinois
17. Purdue
18. Northwestern
