The Big Ten enters 2025 riding high. After Michigan and Ohio State claimed the past two national championships, the league feels like the undisputed center of college football. Expansion to 18 teams has only amplified the intrigue, with Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA bringing West Coast flavor to a conference long defined by Midwestern and Eastern powers.
This season looks wide open at the top. Ohio State will try to defend its crown, Penn State may finally have its breakthrough, and Oregon lurks as a new heavyweight. But with a league this deep, storylines stretch well beyond the bluebloods.
The Favorites: Ohio State and Penn State
Ohio State reclaimed national glory last year, storming through the College Football Playoff after another bitter loss to Michigan. But Ryan Day’s roster has turned over. The Buckeyes enter 2025 with two new coordinators—Brian Hartline on offense and Matt Patricia on defense—and an unproven starter at quarterback in Julian Sayin. Even so, talent is not an issue. Receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs are among the best players in the country, and a wave of former blue-chippers is ready for larger roles. If the new staff clicks, Ohio State has the pieces to repeat.
Penn State looks like the team best positioned to stop them. James Franklin’s program has flirted with national contention for a decade but has struggled to clear the Ohio State hurdle. This year might be different. Quarterback Drew Allar is entering his prime, backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen form the Big Ten’s best rushing duo, and the line is veteran-heavy. Franklin brought in Jim Knowles—architect of top defenses at Ohio State and Oklahoma State—to coordinate a unit already stacked with talent like Dani Dennis-Sutton and Zane Durant. The question: can Penn State finally win the games it’s not supposed to?
Oregon and Michigan: The Next Tier
Oregon dominated its first Big Ten slate last year, beating Ohio State and Penn State along the way and reaching the CFP. Dan Lanning’s roster now faces the challenge of heavy turnover. The Ducks reloaded with Tulane transfer Makhi Hughes at running back, former UCLA five-star Dante Moore at quarterback, and portal standouts like safety Dillon Thieneman. Defensively, Oregon can still bully people with Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti and Bryce Boettcher up front, plus Bear Alexander inside. If Moore settles quickly, Oregon can challenge for the league title—and more.
Michigan, meanwhile, is in the early post-Jim Harbaugh era under coach Sherrone Moore. Last year’s Wolverines pulled off stunning wins over Ohio State and Alabama despite abysmal quarterback play. Now they’ll hand the reins to phenom freshman Bryce Underwood, hoping he elevates an offense that ranked near the bottom nationally in passing. The defense, as usual, should be rugged with Ernest Hausmann and Derrick Moore leading the charge. The schedule is manageable—Oklahoma early, Ohio State late—and Michigan avoids both Penn State and Oregon. If Underwood matures quickly, the Wolverines could be right back in Indianapolis.
West Coast CFP Chances
Can a West Coast Big Ten team go all the way? Short answer: yes—especially Oregon.
- Oregon is the most realistic path. Despite major turnover, projections still place the Ducks in the national top 10 with double-digit win potential. Their late-September trip to Penn State is a tone-setter; win there, manage the rest, and they’re a playoff team capable of winning two or three more in December/January.
- Washington is the true wild card. Demond Williams Jr. flashed electric play in limited action last year, and the Huskies fortified both lines through the portal while keeping Jonah Coleman and Denzel Boston. If Williams’ leap is real, Washington could flip the Big Ten race late.
- USC feels a year away. Jayden Maiava at QB and Makai Lemon in the slot give Lincoln Riley weapons, and the defense took a step forward, but the roster isn’t as complete as the 2026 class suggests it will be.
- UCLA has a high-ceiling quarterback in Nico Iamaleava, but the Bruins are undertaking near-total turnover. More spoiler than contender in 2025.
Mid-Tier Programs with Upside
- Illinois rode a dream 10-win season, but regression looms after a 5-1 mark in one-score games. Still, QB Luke Altmyer and edge Gabe Jacas keep the Illini dangerous.
- Indiana shocked the country with an 11-2 start to the Curt Cignetti era. Heavy portal reliance means some churn, but QB Fernando Mendoza (Cal) and WR Elijah Sarratt give IU a real punch.
- Iowa may finally have a quarterback. South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski upgrades the Hawkeyes’ offense, and both Penn State and Oregon visit Kinnick—never a comfortable trip.
- Nebraska ended its bowl drought and is building under Matt Rhule. Sophomore QB Dylan Raiola plus a retooled offense gives the Huskers an 8-win ceiling with room to surprise.
Coaches Feeling the Heat
- Luke Fickell, Wisconsin: A 5-7 season ended a 22-year bowl streak, and the schedule (including Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and Oregon) is brutal. The pivot to Jeff Grimes’ offense has to work.
- Mike Locksley, Maryland: Momentum stalled after a 4-8 year and heavy portal losses. Another step back would be ominous.
- Lincoln Riley, USC: The buyout likely keeps him safe, but another 6-6 season will turn up the volume in L.A.
Games to Watch (West Coast Tilt)
- Texas at Ohio State (Aug. 30): Not West Coast, but a top-five showdown that frames the season’s stakes.
- Oregon at Penn State (Sept. 27): The Ducks’ first major test in the league—and a de facto CFP elimination game.
- USC at Illinois (Sept. 27): A road barometer for the Trojans; if USC wins in Champaign, 2025 looks different.
- Michigan at USC (Oct. 11): Hollywood heavyweight clash—and maybe Riley’s best chance to quiet critics.
- USC at Notre Dame (Oct. 18): Blue-blood theater with a West Coast headliner.
- Penn State at Ohio State (Nov. 1): The likely national “Game of the Year,” even in a West-leaning preview.
- Oregon at Washington (Nov. 29): The rivalry reborn inside the Big Ten—now with playoff implications.
- Ohio State at Michigan (Nov. 29): Tradition demands it; the rivalry still frames the league’s pecking order.
Players to Watch (West Coast Bias)
- Dante Moore, QB, Oregon — former No. 2 overall recruit whose poise in Will Stein’s offense could decide the league.
- Makhi Hughes, RB, Oregon — Tulane transfer with 3,000+ scrimmage yards in two seasons; perfect Ducks bellcow.
- Demond Williams Jr., QB, Washington — tiny sample last year, huge upside; the Pac-Northwest X-factor.
- Makai Lemon, WR, USC — slot dynamo who averaged a whopping 3.0 yards per route; a chain-mover and game-breaker.
- Nico Iamaleava, QB, UCLA — the Bruins’ five-star hope to stabilize an overhaul year.
- Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon — disruptive closer who tilts protection plans.
- Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State — generational talent who will test every DB room, West and East.
- Nick Singleton & Kaytron Allen, RBs, Penn State — still the league’s most punishing tandem.
The Bottom Line
The Big Ten in 2025 feels like a four-team race: Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, and Michigan. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Nebraska all have the potential to swing the race with timely upsets, but the playoff slots probably come from that top tier.
And while the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions remain the safe picks, don’t sleep on Oregon. If the Ducks’ overhaul gels, they could hand the league a third straight national champion—this time from the West Coast.
Ben, Chief Editor and Business Consultant at WCSM, is also the Chief Creative Officer at two multi-million-dollar businesses, where he has driven growth and innovation. A summa cum laude graduate with degrees in Statistics and Business Computer Information Systems, Ben has helped small businesses double their revenue, launched YouTube channels with over 50K followers, and created websites for high-profile clients in TV and film. His expertise spans content creation, video production, advertising, analytics, web design, and data analysis. Ben is eager to bring his skills to WCSM, turning their vision into impactful realities while fostering sustainable growth.
