The Big Ten is looking about as formidable as the SEC and it won’t slow down anytime soon. The majority of the programs are centered around defensive success and quarterback play. However, the Big Ten East could easily triumph again unless the Big Ten West’s top four (Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois) gets their new quarterbacks up to speed and steals the title.

Michigan and Ohio State figure to battle it out again for the East division title and a spot in Indianapolis again. However, Penn State may have a say too. Maryland has the offensive firepower, but defensive assistance is needed. Michigan State might struggle offensively after Payton Thorne and Keon Coleman transferred. Rutgers and Indiana are left searching for answers.

The Big Ten West is wide open, and Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois are currently the top dogs battling for a spot at Indianapolis. Purdue and Nebraska may have too much newness to compete with the four above. Northwestern was riddled with injuries and so much off-the-field problems that I won’t explain. They must find new identity, but the process may take a long while.

BIG TEN EAST

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Jim Harbaugh and Michigan push for their third straight playoff appearance. They swam through their schedule with a couple of obstacles along the way before taking an early beating against TCU. The offense has enough returns for another run and adding transfers to the front lines further helps their cause. J.J. McCarthy leads the group along with healthy backs, Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. Pass catchers should emerge this season even with Ronnie Bell gone (49ers). Defense should be a dominant force yet again. Kris Jenkins, Junior Colson, and Rod Moore return to lead three levels of defense. After kicker Jake Moody left for the NFL, Harbaugh wasted no time bringing in James Turner (Louisville). Harbaugh sits out a couple of games or so, but the early schedule means nothing. However, he must prep for Nebraska. Lincoln, Nebraska was historically a difficult place to play for Michigan. Then their last five games (three on the road) could be turbulent, making their Big Ten title hopes pretty challenging to obtain again.

OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

It appears the Buckeyes have a small elephant in the room. No, it’s not the quarterback. No, it’s not the defense. It’s Michigan. The conversation about them is swirling and we haven’t witnessed this type of shift since Michigan’s run started in 1976. But let’s not paint this paragraph maize and blue. The Buckeyes announced Kyle McCord as the starting quarterback. He’ll be blessed with top receivers led by Marvin Harrison Jr. and depth in the backfield, but the offensive line must solidify themselves. Defense should be dangerous this season. Despite filling a few spots, this roster is poised for a breakout year. JT Tuimoloau, Mike Hall, Jack Sawyer, Steele Chambers, Tommy Eichenberg, Denzel Burke, Lathan Ransom, and Josh Proctor all return to Jim Knowles’ defense. His defenses in history usually improve steadily in Year 2 after players are familiar with his defensive schemes. Ohio State has no cakewalks between Notre Dame and Michigan. They will run into some traps and their season could be on the line sooner rather than later before Michigan. There’s little to no margin of error going forward. Defeating Michigan’s also a priority, so failure is not an option for coach Ryan Day.

PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

No team, not even the two above, should overlook Penn State. Apparently, they will be a threat and have every right to be because their only two losses were from those two. The offensive line should be good, running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen should be a deadly combination, and the receivers should step up this year with the addition of Dante Cephas (Kent State) to accompany the rest. The hype is around quarterback Drew Allar. He has high expectations with his cannon arm, but he also must execute and play complementary football. The Nittany Lion defense should be a problem this year, but hopefully they step up against Michigan and Ohio State. Outside of them and Purdue last season, they allowed 12.1 points per game against 10 other opponents. It all starts up front and defensive end Chop Robinson makes his starting debut alongside Adisa Issac and the rest. The back seven should command the area with five returning at linebacker and secondary. The whole defense was responsible for a +11-turnover ratio, 43 sacks, 14 interceptions, and 12 fumbles recoveries from 14 forced. Allar’s hype is real, but results must follow. If they can defeat the Big 2 of the East, they’re in the Big Ten title game competing for a playoff spot.

MARYLAND TERRAPINS

Maryland should be competitive again with quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa back for one more run. Outside of Jeshaun Jones and tight end Corey Dyches, the receiver room expanded with transfer Kaden Prather (West Virginia) and Tyrese Chambers (FIU). If the offensive line improves to protect their QB, they could keep up with just about any team in the conference. The Terps’ defense needs more production in numerous categories like sacks and turnovers. They’re playing good football, but not forcing the issue can still cost them against Big Ten offenses. They return linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, and defensive backs Tarheeb Still, Dante Trader Jr., and Beau Brade, but they need help from the front four. In comes Tennessee transfer Jordan Phillips to help disrupt the backfield. Their ceiling is 8 to 9 wins, but if the trenches improve, there’s an upset or two on the way.

MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

Michigan State’s on the fence this season. Players that entered the portal hurt their offense and it’ll come into questioning this season. Noah Kim starts for the very first time. He played three total games last season and threw 19 balls for three touchdowns. He’ll be relieved to have running back Jalen Berger running the ball plenty with depth behind him. However, the receiving room and offensive line will be the biggest questions. Defense was bombarded with injuries that left them limited against Big Ten competition. They return Simeon Barrow up front and linebackers Cal Haladay and Jacoby Windham. However, the front must improve, and the secondary must find answers with no returning starters. Michigan State’s in a dilemma with players leaving and being hit with injuries last season. Hope would come from the run game and three returning offensive linemen. Otherwise, their schedule between Washington and Penn State could punish the Spartans.

RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS

For a few seasons under coach Greg Schiano, Rutgers legitimately has defense and special teams. Rutgers returns the majority of their positions in those areas, and yet they can’t field a consistent offense, let alone perform consistently. In comes offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca from Minnesota. His mindset is a run-first offense, which Rutgers should prosper at since they have Samuel Brown V if he stays healthy. This also relieves pressure from quarterback Gavin Wimsatt and could also boosts his confidence. The schedule doesn’t look promising, but if the offense adapts to Kirk’s scheme, between 5 to 6 wins seems plausible for the Scarlet Knights.

INDIANA HOOSIERS

Indiana could struggle mightily unless they solve nearly every position on their roster. They return only five starters from a four-win team, but they added much needed transfers like quarterback Tayven Jackson (Tennessee), defensive end Andre Carter (Western Michigan), Jamier Johnson (Texas) and Nic Toomer (Stanford). Their production from both sides must improve to turn a few close losses into wins. Playing in the Big Ten East isn’t fun, but one of the sides must improve to give the other side some time to progress. Four wins is their ceiling unless they progress enough to pull off an upset or two.

BIG TEN WEST

WISCONSIN BADGERS

The Badgers could find their way back to prominence and the Big Ten title game. Last season was middling with their offense struggling last season. Coach Luke Fickell arrives from Cincinnati along with offensive coordinator Phil Longo and transfer quarterback Tanner Mordecai. Mordecai arrives at the perfect time because he’ll play alongside two duo backs in Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi. The pass catching group might look more dangerous than people will expect. Chimere Dike will be complemented by a group of talented transfers. Wisconsin’s defense adjusts to a more pass covering unit in the 3-3-5 scheme. They’re also undergoing changes across the roster, but they still retain experience like linebacker CJ Goetz and cornerback Ricardo Hallman. I never expected to say this, but Wisconsin’s offense could make some noise while defense retools. The early games against Washington State and Purdue will provide us answers on what the Badgers will look like in Fickell’s first year before October.

IOWA HAWKEYES

Iowa suffered a bit from the gambling scandal, but it may have cost them their most important player on defense. Noah Shannon’s currently suspended from the team during the investigation, but he’s awaiting his appeal. The loss is big, but Iowa might afford it knowing they have one of the best defenses in the country. Other leaders like defensive linemen Logan Lee and Joe Evans, transfer linebacker Nick Jackson (Virginia), and cornerback/all-purpose player Cooper DeJean will step up for him. Defense and special teams represent the Hawkeyes once again. However, the nation’s waiting for the offense’s resurgence. Albeit they bring in Michigan transfer quarterback Cade McNamara, the run game must bounce back. Last season was their worst performance in years, and someone (or two) must stand out to help this offense get the motor running again. If the offense finds a solution, Iowa will go from underdogs in most matchups to toss-ups as the weeks progress.

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI

Illinois won eight games last season, but they’re not done yet. Coach Bret Bielema turned this “down on their luck” program into a physical force that nobody wants to play. They even put Michigan on the brink of defeat if it weren’t for Jake Moody’s heroism with four made field goals. The Illini returns enough players to potentially compete for the West title after coming within striking distance last season. They return three offensive linemen, most of their receiving room, and should have enough faith in their new starting running back. Luke Altmyer (Ole Miss) arrives from the portal and could make an instant impact. John Paddock also arrives from Ball State as a good backup. Defense should have no problem playing at a high level again, despite losing Devon Witherspoon, Quan Martin, and Kendall Smith to the NFL. Illinois fields enough defensive players at each level to impose their will against any Big Ten offense. Illinois seems overlooked by five Big Ten teams. That could be a mistake knowing what Bret’s team is capable of. His familiarity with the Big Ten could work in his favor to compete for the West division title.

MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS

The Gophers might be a work in progress. Although, their defense should still be as good as last year’s. However, overall depth could be a problem. Defensive tackle Kyler Baugh, linebackers Cody Lindenberg and Ryan Selig (Western Michigan), and defensive backs Justin Walley, Tyler Nubin, Jack Henderson (S.E. Louisiana), and Tre’Von Jones (Elon) will lead during their depth’s development. The offense could be under some new management. They go through new quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, and he has a future. The offensive line returns only two players. The backfield receives Western Michigan transfer Sean Tyler while the receiving room increased with transfer Corey Crooms Jr. from Western Michigan too. Defense figures to keep plenty of games close, but if it turns into a war of attrition, it won’t be in their favor, especially with a very challenging schedule starting in October.

PURDUE BOILERMAKERS

The program goes through changes at coaching and quarterback. The roster still has plenty of talent and good transfers to compete, but they must be bought in. The team retains Devin Mockobee, T.J. Sheffield, most of their offensive line, O.C. Brothers, Kydran Jenkins, Cam Allen, Sanoussi Kane, Jamari Brown, and kicker Jack Ansell. They brought in potential starters Hudson Card (Texas), Preston Nichols (UNLV), Jalen Grant (Bowling Green), Malik Langham (Vanderbilt), Isaiah Nichols (Arkansas), Markevious Brown (Ole Miss), and Marquis Wilson (Penn State). Again, this roster could compete, but their schedule says otherwise and winning six games will be a challenge.

NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS

The Huskers undergo another change at coaching and culture. However, Matt Rhule might be a win for Nebraska, and the program and community must learn to be patient. Forget about the Panthers, Rhule turned around Temple and Baylor during his first stint in college. This is his biggest challenge yet knowing what he knew about their recent history since Nebraska joined the Big Ten, but that challenge to him is accepted. The offense will retool under Georgia Tech transfer Jeff Sims and the offensive line will assist after acquiring Ben Scott from Arizona State. Running back Anthony Grant could reach 1,000 yards if the offensive line follows through. Receiver Billy Kemp IV arrives from Virginia to help his ACC cohort QB and the rest of the receiving room. Defense might be better this year under new defensive coordinator Tony White (Syracuse). The unit up front must make strides to stifle the run game and rush the backfield to help out their secondary. So much must be done for Nebraska to get back to their old ways, but Matt will ensure that the Huskers have a bright future. If they can compete consistently against tough competition, that’s enough progress to see what they’re capable of in 2024.

NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS

Pat Fitzgerald’s firing was huge news across the Chicago area and the college football world. Whether it was the hazing scandal or the Wildcats’ struggles in the past two seasons, his job was in jeopardy. The offensive stats lately are an eye sore. Since 2015, the offensive stats were wildly inconsistent. A lot was put on the defense, the offensive line, and the run game to keep this program competitive. It’s definitely the fresh start and recovery the program needs. Unfortunately, their season isn’t expected to go well, and things become more challenging once UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington arrive next season.