Big Ten Power Rankings entering 2024

Congratulations Big Ten fans, we did it! We have finally reached the conclusion of another long offseason without college football.

While the 2024 season officially began in Week 0, Week 1 brings a full slate of B1G football and a season unlike anything we’ve seen before. The B1G now contains 18 teams fighting for a title while the College Football Playoff will include 12 teams playing for a national title for the first time.

As we prepare for the season ahead, let’s get things rolling with Tradition’s first version of our Big Ten Power Rankings for 2024.

18. Purdue

Last season: 4-8

Purdue was not the worst team in the Big Ten last season (that distinction belonged to Indiana). However, I don’t believe the Boilermakers did enough to improve the roster in the offseason, and a big reason is the team lost 2 of its top contributors to the transfer portal. Combine that with the fact Purdue has the toughest schedule in the B1G, and Ryan Walters could find himself in the cellar by the time December rolls around.

17. Indiana

Last season: 3-9

Indiana was the worst team in the B1G a season ago and was the only program in the conference without multiple league wins. It led to the removal of head coach Tom Allen and the eventual hiring of Curt Cignetti. And the new head man in Bloomington has the kind of brashness that will either breed confidence within the Hoosiers or simply devolve into hot wind throughout the season. I think Indiana will at least surprise a few B1G teams this year, but I cannot put Cignetti higher ahead of the season.

16. UCLA

Last season: 8-5 (Pac-12 member)

UCLA is the lowest team on these power rankings with a winning record from a season ago. But dig a little deeper and you’ll understand why. The Bruins have one of the toughest schedules in the country, complete with travel mileage that few college football teams have ever seen before. Combine that with the fact that DeShaun Foster was a late replacement after Chip Kelly’s departure and it could be an ugly B1G debut for UCLA.

15. Michigan State

Last season: 4-8

Michigan State was among the worst Power 5 teams in the country last season with dreadful numbers on both sides of the ball. The fact the Spartans were able to hire such an established program builder like Jonathan Smith in the offseason is a big win in itself. In fact, MSU makes it to No. 15 on these power rankings because Smith’s pedigree is better than the coaches at the 3 schools behind the Spartans. It will be a rough 2024, but there is hope for the future.

14. Illinois

Last season: 5-7

Can Bret Bielema find success at a program that has not reached back-to-back bowl games since 2010-11? Illinois fell flat after losing Tommy DeVito and Chase Brown following 2022. Unfortunately, the Illini lost more veteran pieces from the 2023 team ahead of this season. It’s possible Illinois takes a big step forward with more growth from quarterback Luke Altmyer and others, but I don’t think it will be a major improvement in the total record for Illinois.

13. Minnesota

Last season: 6-7

Minnesota did indeed win a bowl game last season, but that was only possible after backing into the postseason at 5-7. A lot is riding on transfer QB Max Brosmer. That’s not inherently a bad thing, though it feels shaky to pin the hopes of a B1G program on the arrival of a star FCS QB. PJ Fleck will probably win a game the Gophers are not expected to this season, but we also know he’ll drop a handful of games Minnesota has no business losing.

12. Northwestern

Last season: 8-5

Northwestern lands here on the strength of the 2023 performance. In reality, the Wildcats would be much lower if we based this purely on projections for the 2024 season. There’s no denying how special it was getting to 8 wins under David Braun a season ago, but there are plenty of concerns for what’s to come. Getting back to a bowl game would be a major win, but I don’t see it as likely.

11. Maryland

Last season: 8-5

Maryland has not been the flashiest team in recent seasons, but the Terrapins have come up with some positive moments while winning 3 straight bowl games. Now, it’s time to see what life is like without Taulia Tagovailoa under center. Expect some growing pains. But that doesn’t mean it will be all bad for Mike Locksley.

10. Nebraska

Last season: 5-7

I know, I know. It’s not fair to literally the rest of the B1G to project any improvements for Nebraska after what we have seen in recent history. Still, I cannot deny — on paper — the Cornhuskers should look vastly different this season while taking a major stride in Year 2 of Matt Rhule. Nebraska was a QB away from being solid in 2023. If they fix the position this fall, a winning record is likely.

9. Wisconsin

Last season: 7-6

Wisconsin was stuck in the middle of the road during Luke Fickell’s first season, though it’s worth acknowledging some key offensive injuries set the Badgers back a bit. Some similar concerns from last year impact the outlook this season, but it’s worth pointing out transfer QB Tyler Van Dyke has the potential to elevate the offense. Don’t look for the Badgers to suddenly get back to double-digit wins over night, but things in Madison will look better this fall.

8. Washington

Last season: 14-1 (Pac-12 member, national title runner-up)

Washington had a chance to make a splash upon entering the B1G this fall. The Huskies still have that chance, but it’s admittedly going to be tougher with new head coach Jedd Fisch replacing the outgoing Kalen DeBoer. The preseason B1G poll was decidedly split on Washington and for good reason. But I think there’s enough talent and potential to keep the Huskies afloat near the middle of the conference.

7. Rutgers

Last season: 7-6

After years dwelling near the bottom of the B1G, Rutgers has been slowly on the rise since Greg Schiano’s return. That rise took another step with a bowl victory last season, and expectations for the Scarlet Knights are even higher this season. If the program can finish the season in the upper half of the new B1G, that’s a major win and step to further build upon entering 2025.

6. USC

Last season: 8-5 (Pac-12 member)

Lincoln Riley has been the focus of a negative spotlight throughout the offseason after USC was unable to capitalize on 2 years of Caleb Williams under center. Miller Moss is definitely a step back under center, but that doesn’t mean the Trojans are devoid of potential. The defense can improve this fall (it better), and Riley still knows how to dial up an offense with the best of the best. I think those aspects keep USC afloat with a solid performance this fall.

5. Iowa

Last season: 10-4

Iowa cannot be mentioned in a power rankings list without touching on the offense. Only this time, the discussion is centered around the fact that the unit should at least be marginally better with Tim Lester calling the shots. Don’t get it twisted. The Hawkeyes are unlikely to be in Indy for the B1G Championship game any time soon without divisions in play, but they’re still among the most stable programs in the conference.

4. Penn State

Last season: 10-3

Can Penn State climb from being 3rd or 4th-fiddle in the new B1G? It’s unlikely to happen in 2024, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. As long as the Nittany Lions tread water in the conference’s pecking order (and pull off a signature win or two), they should be in the conversation for a Playoff spot all season long. Once in the expanded Playoff, all bets are off in a win-or-go-home tournament.

3. Oregon

Last season: 12-2 (Pac-12 member)

That sound you hear is the collective quacking of all Eugene at these rankings. So let me clarify my stance. Oregon is among the favorites to win the conference per the latest Big Ten Championship odds from DraftKings. I don’t believe the Ducks finish the season 3rd in the B1G. But these are preseason power rankings that are designed to change over the course of the season. All I’m asking is for Oregon to earn the right to be higher on these power rankings, and I fully expect Dan Lanning’s group to do so.

2. Ohio State

Last season: 11-2

Ohio State is the preseason favorite to win the B1G, but forgive me if I’ve heard that tune a time or two already. The Buckeyes should find themselves in Indy at the end of the regular season, and it will be a disaster if Ryan Day somehow misses out on the B1G title game. Ohio State can end 2024 in the No. 1 spot here. But they’ve got to show it to me first.

1. Michigan

Last season: 15-0 (B1G title and national championship)

I know plenty of people will have issues with the way these power rankings are designed. That’s fine, but I will defend putting Michigan No. 1 for the time being. Remember: To be the man, you have to beat the man. And for 3 seasons straight, no one in the B1G has been able to keep the Wolverines from hosting the title. Oh, they’re also the reigning national champs. I understand the cloud brought on by the sign-stealing investigation of last season, and anyone who wants to discredit the results is welcome to do so. But no one in Ann Arbor is going to listen to that, and the 15-0 season is still an official record. (For the time being, at least.)