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ESPN updates placement for several B1G teams in new way-too-early top 25

Spenser Davis

By Spenser Davis

Published:

ESPN published an updated version of its way-too-early top 25 on Tuesday.

The updated ranking takes into account all of the transfer portal and coaching carousel activity that has taken place since the national championship game.

Here’s how every Big Ten team ranks in the new top-25:

  • No. 2 Ohio State (Previously No. 5)
  • No. 3 Oregon (Previously No. 3)
  • No. 8 Penn State (Previously No. 12)
  • No. 13 Michigan (Previously No. 6)

Ohio State made a big jump within the top 5 after securing high-profile transfers such as Caleb Downs, Quinshon Judkins and Will Howard. Here’s some analysis on the Buckeyes from ESPN’s Mark Schlabach:

How do you respond when your bitter rival beats you for a third straight time and then wins a national championship? By going all-in on the transfer portal and hiring a former head coach and dynamic playcaller to revamp the offense. Quarterback Will Howard (Kansas State), tailback Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss) and safety Caleb Downs (Alabama) were coveted players in the transfer portal who ended up in Columbus. Former UCLA coach Chip Kelly will be out to prove that he hasn’t lost his fastball, overseeing better talent as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator. Keeping receiver Emeka Egbuka, tailback TreVeyon Henderson, defensive ends JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer and cornerback Denzel Burke around for another season was equally important. Coach Ryan Day won’t have any excuses if the Buckeyes aren’t a top CFP contender.

Oregon stayed put at No. 3 while Penn State moved into the top 10. Both of those programs are expected to contend for a post in the expanded College Football Playoff next season.

Michigan fell 7 spots in ESPN’s rankings after losing coach Jim Harbaugh (and several assistants) to the NFL. The Wolverines are also set to lose numerous key players, including quarterback JJ McCarthy, to the 2024 NFL Draft.

Despite having 3 teams in the top 8, the Big is scarcely represented further down the list. Washington (previously No. 11) and Iowa (previously No. 25) both dropped out of the top-25. USC and Wisconsin were also named as teams who “just missed” the cut for this version of the rankings.

Spenser Davis

Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.