Big Ten football preseason 2025 rankings from Oregon to Purdue
Let’s rank every Big Ten football team for 2025 from worst to beat.
To say Big Ten football is in flux would be a little much, but in 2025 there’s a lot of unknowns about the conference. Veterans at important positions have moved on to the next level, and with the transfer portal wiping out rosters, trying to rank teams ahead of the season is a task more suited for fortune tellers.
Yet, here we are. Trying to do the impossible, because that’s what we do here. Let’s go through every Big Ten team and rank them ahead of the season.
18. Purdue Boilermakers
Look, when you already had one of the worst rosters in major college football and lose your top players in the portal, you’re going to have your work cut out for you. Head coach Barry Odom has the unenviable task of turning around the Boilermakers, who lost safety Dillon Thieneman, TE Max Klare and EDGE Will Heldt to the portal, among others. There’s no surefire QB on the roster and the skill position room got picked to bits as well. However, Odom successfully took most of his former UNLV players with him, including CB Tony Grimes and OT Jalen St. John. Yet, it’s just hard to believe in this team right now. We’ll come back in 2026 and do a status report.
17. Maryland Terrapins
Having to turn over both coordinators is never a good sign, but OC Pep Hamilton and DC Ted Monachino have experience at all levels of the sport. Getting former Oklahoma WR Jalil Farooq from the portal was a big win, as is TE Dorian Fleming. However, there’s no answer currently at the QB spot and Maryland lost a lot of bodies through the portal. Could be a rough season for the Terrapins.
16. Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern added some interesting names offensively through the portal in QB Preston Stone and WR Griffin Wilde. Stone was the starter for the SMU team that made the playoff before being benched, and Wilde put up big numbers at South Dakota State, so there’s some experience on that side of the ball. Defensively, they kept EDGE Anto Saka and DL Caleb Tiernan around and added to their defensive line. However, this team still has some big questions about consistent production offensively, and lost two defensive backs to the portal.
15. Minnesota Golden Gophers
On the good side, Minnesota retained RB Darius Taylor and nickel Koi Perich. Perich could be one of the most exciting players in college football next year, he’s going to play both ways for the Gophers. They might need him to because the defense lost their coordinator and both starting cornerbacks, and on offense they lose both tackles and top WR Daniel Jackson. New starting QB Drake Lindsey has his work cut out for him.
14. Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin goes back to their roots (sort of) with the hire of offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. The Air Raid was destined to fail in Madison, so Grimes could help get a more effective ground game going for Wisconsin. They portaled in QB Billy Edwards Jr, who started at Maryland and gives them P4 experience. The defense also retained most of their starters, while adding depth from smaller schools. How they’ll find a way to move the ball will be the biggest question.
13. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
QB Athan Kaliakmanis returns, and Rutgers portaled in a lot of G5 sack production in EDGE Eric O’Neill and Bradley Weaver. On top of that, the offense retained most guys up front. Transfer RB CJ Campbell steps into big shoes, however. He has to replace RB Kyle Monangai, who took his talents to the NFL. Oh yeah, and O’Neill and Weaver have to help reload a defense that lost eight starters and their defensive coordinator. Good luck.
12. Michigan State Spartans
This low down the list, you look for continuity at QB. Aidan Chiles is one of the most fascinating players in the country, capable of taking over a game with his arm or his legs. In addition, young receiver Nick Marsh also sticks around, giving the Spartans a nice QB-WR duo. Continuity might help them see improvement, but there are questions about a defense that got plundered in the portal.
11. UCLA Bruins
The good news for UCLA: they have one of the most physically talented QBs in the nation. QB Nico Iamaleava ended the highly covered dispute with Tennessee by transferring back home, and with him he brings sky-high potential. Tennessee’s offense (despite being Mickey Mouse) is incredibly QB-friendly, and if Iamaleava couldn’t operate that well, we might have issues. Outside of QB, the Bruins also added Cal RB Jaivian Thomas and WR Mikey Matthews, who could help boost the offense as well. The bad news for UCLA: the NFL Draft absolutely GUTTED the defense. The Bruins added some help through the portal, but this group will look incredibly different from last season. The Bruins’ season relies on if new OC Tino Sunseri can get the most out of his highly touted QB, and if the defense can come together quickly.
10. Iowa Hawkeyes
The Hawkeyes took one look at South Dakota State tape and decided they needed all of that in one offseason. They poached QB Mark Gronowski out of the portal from the Jackrabbits, making the jump to the FBS after a stellar career at SDSU. Wide receiver Sam Phillips was incredibly productive at Chattanooga, and retaining WR Jacob Gill is also very helpful. Iowa retained continuity on the defense despite losing many senior leaders to the NFL. S Xavier Nwankpa returns to Iowa City, and the Hawkeyes recruited Iose Epenesa to follow in big brother AJ’s steps. The biggest addition came off the field, however: analyst Warren Ruggiero makes the move from Wake Forest, where the slow mesh pissed off many defenses and fans alike. Could Iowa be opening up the offense? Tune in to find out.
9. Michigan Wolverines
On one hand, the Wolverines were massive winners of the offseason by signing QB Bryce Underwood. The uber-talented freshman could start right away for Michigan, and has all the potential in the world. The defense also retains some talent, specifically in EDGE Derrick Moore, LB Jaishawn Barham and safety Rod Moore. On top of that, head coach Sherrone Moore made the smart decision to move on from his offensive coordinator at the end of the season. On the other hand, Michigan loses two top-15 NFL Draft picks on the interior, their top two running backs, and best skill position player as well. There weren’t any splashy additions at receiver or tight end for Michigan, and they only added Alabama transfer Justice Haynes at RB. The Wolverines still have a lot of questions outside of QB they need to answer before the season kicks off.
8. USC Trojans
The Trojans are in a weird spot entering 2025. The steam around USC and head coach Lincoln Riley has died down drastically since he took the job, and a big year is definitely needed to keep pace in the Big Ten. The loss of QB Miller Moss is tough to swallow, but losing WR Zachariah Branch and RBs Quinten Joyner and Woody Marks to the portal/draft might hurt a lot worse. QB Jayden Maiava has potential, but parts of his starts looked pretty rough. However, retaining WRs Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon are big wins for the staff, as well as safety Kamari Ramsey and linebacker Eric Gentry. Lincoln Riley teams always sink or swim based on QB play, so there’s no doubt the biggest question is if Maiava can bring the magic he showed at UNLV with him to Los Angeles.
7. Washington Huskies
Maybe I’m just a big fan of QB Demond Williams, but the Huskies could be on track to surprise this season. Williams had some really impressive moments last season when handed the keys, and now he gets a full season as a starter with RB Jonah Coleman and WR Denzel Boston to work with on offense. The offensive line is a bit unproven, but HC Jedd Fisch believes in the talent up front. Defensively, losing coordinator Steve Belichick to UNC is a bummer, but Ryan Walters can call the heck out of a defense and they add LB Jacob Manu and CB Tacario Davis from Fisch’s last stop in Arizona. Losing both coordinators in one season is rough, but Washington has some promising top end talent.
6. Nebraska Cornhuskers
This might be a bit high for the Huskers, but there’s a lot of potential here. Losing DC Tony White sucks, but they promoted from within for a top-20 defense last season. Retaining the services of QB Dylan Raiola was a big win, but he also has to improve on some horrendous numbers on late downs. Bringing in Kentucky WR Dane Key will help in that area, though; Key had zero drops last season and will bring some consistency to the room. Adding two former starters at Notre Dame and Alabama to the offensive line will definitely help, as well. Defensively, losing James Williams and Jimari Butler in the portal is rough—the pass rush might take a dip this season. Ultimately, the biggest question will be if OC Dana Holgorsen can get the most out of Raiola. If he can, watch out.
5. Indiana Hoosiers
The Hoosiers once again hit on a lot of solid players in the transfer portal to reload on a magical season. QB Fernando Mendoza can make a serious case to be the best signal caller in the country, and he’ll be throwing to returning receiver Elijah Sarratt. Adding RB Roman Hemby from Maryland should help out on the ground as well. Defensively, keeping Mikhail Kamara, Aiden Fisher and D’Angelo Ponds for another year gives them stability, on top of retaining both of their coordinators. How quickly the new offensive line gels might make or break their season, though. Lots of transfers in big spots.
4. Illinois Fighting Illini
I’m a big fan of what Bret Bielema has built in Champaign, and I think this time might finally be able to legitimately challenge for the Big Ten crown in 2025. They bring back a lot of starters from a great defense last year, including EDGE Gabe Jacas and safety Xavier Scott. All five offensive line starters return as well, to block for QB Luke Altmeyer, who flirted with the NFL (and Tennessee) before returning. Having a veteran at QB and a rock solid offensive line might help ease some of the questions about who Altmeyer is throwing to, with both of his top targets in the NFL now. In this era, continuity is king, and Illinois keeping most of their roster together is a good sign for bigger things to come in 2025.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
On paper, the Buckeye look like they’ll once again be a very talented team. Arguably the best player in the country on each side of the ball suits up for them (WR Jeremiah Smith and S Caleb Downs). In addition, the stellar recruiting keeps the defensive line room stocked with talent. They also dipped into the portal for EDGE Beau Atkinson from UNC and Max Klare from Purdue, who will both play major roles this season. The QB spot is obviously the biggest question. Is QB Julian Sayin ready for the spotlight? Will incoming freshman Tavien St. Clair make a push to start? There’s still much unknown about who will be under center for the Buckeyes, and on top of that they’re replacing both of their top RBs and their starting left tackle, guard and center. I’m also worried about the coordinator hires—does Matt Patricia work at the college level on defense? Is Ryan Day going back to taking over playcalling? This team is talented enough to outplay the 3 spot, but for now they rest here.
2. Penn State Nittany Lions
This might be the year for Penn State. They were able to keep QB Drew Allar, RBs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen and poach DC Jim Knowles from Ohio State in what feels like a major play for not only the Big Ten title, but much more. Having Knowles gives the defense a major boost; he’s the best defensive coordinator in the country and just helped guide Ohio State to a national title. The question is who will be rushing the passer for Penn State? With EDGE Abdul Carter gone, Dani Dennis-Sutton will taken on a much larger role, but need others to step up outside of him. Look for EDGE Amare Campbell to be the guy next to Dennis-Sutton. On the offensive side of the ball, Allar will need to take the next step—but he’ll have to do it without TE Tyler Warren. The receiver room is talented, having brought in Trebor Pena from Syracuse and Kyron Hudson from USC, but they’ll need to step up in a big way.
1 . Oregon Ducks
The Ducks lost a lot of production with QB Dillon Gabriel, OT Josh Conerly Jr and DTs Derrick Harmon and Jamaree Caldwell now in the NFL, but I’m still a fan of the depth that they had behind those guys and the promising starters filling in roles. Keeping WR Evan Stewart around is a big plus, as is bringing in star freshman Dakorien Moore. EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei might be one of the best pass rushers in the country next season as well. Ultimately, I think this season relies on two things: new QB Dante Moore and the gelling together of the offensive line. Moore got to sit behind Gabriel last season, but the last time he started there were many ups and downs. On top of that, three transfers come in at left tackle, right tackle and left guard, so the new group will have to gel quickly so they can get going.