The 2024 Big-10 Preview Capsule;
West coast expansion gives Big-10 edge in super-conference formation, reaching unprecedented 18 teams.
Jake McCreven
28 July 2024
Bigger is better was the philosophy for Big-Ten commissioner Tony Petitti, growing the ranks to eighteen teams over the off-season by adding Washington, Oregon, USC, and UCLA from the PAC-XII. Gone are divisions (and the notorious Big-Ten West), as the conference elected to go for a battle royale style free-for-all. The usual suspects sit atop the confernce; Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Iowa, with Oregon joining the race following an elite portal class.
1. Oregon, 12-0 (9-0)
Ducks at a Glance:
Behind a bevy of transfers and an elite recruiting class courtesy of Phil Knight’s deep NIL pockets, Oregon has pieced together one of the best rosters in program history. Headlined by Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel, the Ducks offense will be just as experienced in 2024 as it was in 2023, with weapons such as Tez Johnson, Traeshon Holden, Terrance Ferguson, and Patrick Herbert all returning to Eugene this fall. Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart is regarded as a top-five receiver nationally, and the offensive line is bookended by the top tackle duo Ajani Cornelius and Josh Conerly Jr.. The defense returns less production but is still anchored by stars at every level, including Jeffrey Bassa, Jordan Burch, and Mateo Uiagalelei up front and Jabbar Muhammed on the back end. The schedule avoids Penn State, Iowa, USC, and draws Ohio State at home. If the Ducks were ever set up to play for a title, 2024 is their best chance. Possessing one of the best on-paper rosters in the nation and drawing Ohio State at home (a game which I predict the Ducks to win) is a huge break for Dan Lanning, who opted to stay in Eugene after being pursued by Alabama this off-season.
QB Dillon Gabriel, RB Jordan James, WR Tez Johnson, WR Evan Stewart, W Traeshon Holden, TE Terrance Ferguson, T Josh Conerly Jr., T Ajani Cornelius, ED Jordan Burch, LB Jeffrey Bassa, LB Jestin Jacobs, CB Jabbar Muhammed, S Kobe Savage
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2. Ohio State, 11-1 (8-1)
Buckeyes at a Glance:
As Will Howard put it bluntly; it’s National Championship or bust in Columbus. On paper, the Buckeyes possess arguably the best roster in America, chalk full of talent at every position, with most of that talent returning from last year’s 11-2 squad. The defense returns eight starters, all of whom can be considered potential All-Americans, and add Caleb Downs (transfer from ALA), Ty Hamilton, and Cody Simon into the mix as the three new starters. Safe to say the defense will not only be one of the best in the conference, but also the country. On offense, the Buckeyes’ identity is cemented in their elite weaponry, which includes Emeka Egbuka, TreVeyon Henderson, Carnell Tate, and Brandon Inniss from last year’s team, and newcomers Jeremiah Smith at wideout and Quinshon Judkins in the backfield. The offensive line returns three experienced and elite starters, including All-American Donovan Jackson. The pressure lays mostly on the aforementioned Will Howard, who transfers from Kansas State to pilot an offense that underperformed in 2023 due to a lack of explosiveness. What Howard offers with his legs is something that now Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord could not; a dual threat presence. Ryan Day pursued Howard heavily in the portal, meaning there is a plan in place that centers around Howard not only as a passer but as a runner.
QB Will Howard, RB TreVeyon Henderson, RB Quinshon Judkins, WR Emeka Egbuka, WR Carnell Tate, WR Jeremiah Smith, T Josh Simmons, T Josh Fryar, G Donovan Jackson, C Seth McLaughlin, ED JT Tuimoloau, DT Tyliek Williams, ED Jack Sawyer, CB Denzel Burke, S Lathan Ransom, S Caleb Downs
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3. Iowa, 10-2 (8-1)
Hawkeyes at a Glance:
I am not quite at the level of sports writing to be able to characterize Iowa’s offense through words. I will instead list some statistics of one of the worst offenses in college football over the last 75 years. Iowa ranked 132nd in PPG last season (15.4), 133rd in YPG (235.4), 133rd in passer rating (91.4), 132nd in first downs (179), and had more total punting yards than offensive yards. For context, there are only 133 teams at the FBS level. To say things could get worse would actually be an incorrect statement, as the Hawkeyes, a traditionally defensive minded team, can only go up in most statistical categories. The defense, the heartbeat of the team, returns eight starters, including Yahya Black, Jay Higgins, Nick Jackson, Sebastian Castro, John Nestor, and Xavier Nwankpa. The unit will rank among the top in the conference, and will create opportunities for an offense now headed by returnee Cade McNamara and WR Kaleb Brown. The offensive line is experienced and deep, and the schedule is tremendously easy, avoiding Michigan, Penn State, Oregon, and USC.
TE Luke Lachey, ED Deontae Craig, LB Jay Higgins, LB Nick Jackson, NB Sebastian Castro, S Xavier Nwankpa
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4. Michigan, 9-3 (7-2)
Wolverines at a Glance:
How could a team that averaged 15.4 PPG last season rank above the defending national champions? Considering a multitude of factors including strength of schedule, returning production, and coaching staff changes, this ranking does make some sense. Michigan has not lost a game since the last day of 2022 (TCU) and will ride a fifteen game win streak into 2024. Gone, however, is the entire offense aside from tight end Colston Loveland, as the Wolverines look to Alex Orji to command them in 2024. Receivers Tyler Morris, Semaj Morgan, and Fred Moore will be a “WR1 by committee,” and the offensive line returns zero experience. With all of that said, the Wolverines are still on top of the college football landscape. Returning stars include CB Will Johnson, DT Mason Graham, NT Kenneth Grant, S Makari Paige, and RB Donovan Edwards. It is not often that I bank on an inexperienced team to lean on a small group of stars to win, but when that “small group” includes potential top five picks and All-Americans, it is hard to doubt that Michigan will be at the forefront of the Big-Ten in 2024.
QB Alex Orji, RB Donovan Edwards, WR Semaj Morgan, TE Colston Loveland, ED Derrick Moore, ED Josiah Stewart, DT Mason Graham, DT Kenneth Grant, LB Jaishawn Barham, NB Zeke Berry, CB Will Johnson, S Makari Paige
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5. Wisconsin, 9-3 (7-2)
Badgers at a Glance:
In year three at Cincinnati, head coach Luke Fickell took the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff after two mediocre seasons. Now in year two as the Badgers head coach, Fickell will aim to raise the standard in Madison to what it was in the 2010s; win. Last season’s repeat 7-6 team was the worst since 2008 (also 7-6), and Fickell, a program builder, geared up in the portal to prevent that three-peat. Adding Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke at quarterback will help, as the former Canes starter slides into an offense complete will talent and experience, including dynamic receiver Will Pauling, veteran runningback Chez Mellusi, and stalwort tackle Jack Nelson. On defense, the Badgers will look to veterans James Thompson Jr. (ED), Jake Chaney (LB), Ricardo Hallman (CB), and Hunter Wohler (S) to improve on an already noble unit that ranked 38th nationally last season. The schedule is tough towards the end of the season, but with a pivotal bye week splitting the Iowa and Oregon games, Wisconsin may hold up and end the year strong despite games at USC and vs. PSU mid-season.
QB Tyler Van Dyke, RB Chez Mellusi, WR Will Pauling, WR Bryson Green, T Jack Nelson, C Jake Renfro, LB Jake Chaney, LB Darryl Peterson, S Hunter Wohler
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6. Penn State, 9-3 (6-3)
Nittany Lions at a Glance:
Bringing in a new offensive coordinator will hopefully aid an offense that seemingly never threw the ball downfield in 2023. Quarterback Drew Allar is under a microscope in 2024, as streaky play in 2023 derailed expectations for the former five star recruit. Weapons such as Julian Fleming, Tyler Warren, Liam Clifford, and injury-riddled Harrison Wallace III will help Allar. Oh, and there’s the best runningback duo in the country in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen out of the backfield. On defense, almost the entire front returns, spearheaded by all-world athlete Abdul Carter and dependable linebacker Kobe King. Both safeties return, including potential draft pick KJ Winston. Great expectations are again placed on the shoulders of head coach James Franklin, as the perennial “third team in the Big-Ten” narratives swirl even stronger after the conference adds both Oregon and Washington. The schedule is built for the Nittany Lions to go 11-1, but with tricky games @USC and @WISC directly preceding the Ohio State game, I can see PSU slipping up and dropping a game or two before the Buckeyes visit Happy Valley.
QB Drew Allar, RB Nick Singleton, RB Kaytron Allen, WR Julian Fleming, TE Tyler Warren, ED Dani Dennis-Sutton, ED Abdul Carter, LB Kobe King, CB AJ Harris
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7. Nebraska, 9-3 (6-3)
Cornhuskers at a Glance:
Matt Rhule has built the program the way he has wanted to during his time in Lincoln, capitalized by five star-plus quarterback Dylan Raiola committing this spring. The Cornhuskers enter year eight of a drought which has seen zero winning seasons, including last year’s 5-3 start before a late slide dropped Big Red to 5-7. On offense, the Cornhuskers are built upon the run game, which is headed by an offensive line returning four starters as well as star runningback Emmett Johnson. The receiving room is unproven but talented, with Jaylen Lloyd leading the charge with just six catches in 2023. The Cornhuskers’ cadence remains its defense, a unit which ranked 11th nationally last season and returns seven starters. Behemoth Nash Hutmacher conducts a defensive line coveted as one of the conference’s best. Versatile safety Isaac Gifford is the commander on the back end, and Big Red sports one of the most experienced units nationally. The first half of the schedule is relatively easy, but November and December games @OSU, @USC, WISC, and @IOWA, Nebraska will need to carry early season momentum in order to break “the curse.”
QB Dylan Raiola, RB Emmett Johnson, T Bryce Benhart, ED Jimari Butler, NT Nash Hutchmacher, S Isaac Gifford
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8. Minnesota, 7-5 (5-4)
Golden Gophers at a Glance:
In what is truly a make or break season for PJ Fleck and the Gophers, the schedule did not do them many favors. Following an opener against Mack Brown and the Tar Heels, the Gophers welcome Iowa into town before visiting Michigan and hosting USC. Oh, and off the bye the Gophers draw Penn State and Wisconsin — in Madison. What returns in Minneapolis? One of the stronger offensive lines in the conference, lead by preseason All-American Aireontae Ersery, as well as top runningback Darius Taylor and receiver Daniel Jackson. Seven starters on the defense return, including green-dot commander Maverick Baranowski — the unit ranked 54th nationally in 2023. The true concern for the Gophers is indubitably the pass game, as an 123rd ranking for the unit in 2023 severed a dimension from the offense as a whole. New Hampshire transfer Max Brosmer looks to get the passing game off the mat, which averaged just 143 YPG last season. Look for the Gophers to open up the playbook a bit more and experiment with a more pro style offense.
QB Max Brosmer, RB Darrius Taylor, WR Daniel Jackson, T Aireontae Ersery, G Quinn Carroll, ED Jah Joyner, LB Cody Lindenberg, LB Maverick Baranowski
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9. USC, 6-6 (5-4)
Trojans at a Glance:
Year three under Lincoln Riley brings the most change to the program in a remarkably long time. A new conference (complete with just four games in the Trojans’ time zone), a new defensive coordinator, a new quarterback (that isn’t a reigning Heisman trophy winner), and only six total returning starters. There aren’t too many solidified pieces aside from potential first round pick Jonah Moheim at center and Zachariah Branch at wide out, which veers me to be more cautious with the Trojans in 2024. I believe it’ll be tough sledding to start, with an opener against LSU and early season games @Michigan and Wisconsin. After the Trojans hit their stride, they will more than likely pull off an “upset” in some way or shape, which I predict to be Penn State. Quarterback Miller Moss dismantled Louisville in his only start last season, but with the lack of an experienced offensive line and uncertainties remaining throughout the defense (especially in the secondary), I believe that USC’s first season in the Big-Ten will be a culture shock.
QB Miller Moss, RB Woody Marks, WR Zachariah Branch, WR Ja’Kobi Lane, C Jonah Moheim, CB Marcelles Williams
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10. Washington, 7-5 (4-5)
Huskies at a Glance:
There are two starters back from last season’s National Championship run in Seattle. Kalen DeBoer is gone, Ryan Grubb is gone, and Steve Belichick is in as defensive coordinator. The Huskies are one of four teams to migrate into the Big-Ten, and with little to no experience back, and a coaching overhaul, it may be a down year for Washington considering the lofty standards set by last year’s team. Quarterback Will Rogers transfers in from Mississippi State with the second most passing yards in SEC history. Jonah Coleman followed head coach Jedd Fisch from Arizona, and Giles Jackson is the only proven weapon in the receiver room. The offensive line is completely new, and will rely on four transfers to start. The two returning starters, Alphonzo Tuputala and Elijah Jackson are solid on defense, and safety Kamren Fabiculanan is a volatile player that will utilized all over the field for the Huskies. There are bright spots — I get it, but Washington will need to reboot after gutting over 80% of the roster from last season.
QB Will Rogers, WR Jeremiah Hunter, LB Carson Bruener, LB Alphonzo Tuputala, S Kamren Fabiculanan
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11. Purdue, 6-6 (4-5)
Boilermakers at a Glance:
One of the more painfully average programs over the last ten years, Purdue football gears up for year two under Ryan Walters in what should be a better season than last. Senior quarterback Hudson Card is experienced and talented, heading an offense returning just four starters (three offensive linemen and Card himself). Runningback Devin Mockobee will do the heavy lifting for a Walters offense centered around running the ball, and wideouts CJ Smith and Kam Brown are both transfers from Georgia and UCLA, respectively. On defense, leader Dillon Thieneman is one of the nation’s best (as a sophomore) and cornerback Markevious Brown are the two playmakers for a unit returning four starters. Both sides of the ball ranked 70th and 67th nationally last season (Walters’ first year), and the team finished with a +0 T/O margin — truly a blank slate for Purdue. The schedule is tough, with games against ND, @WISC, ORE, @OSU, and PSU. Winning the games they are favored in will be the key to success for the Boilermakers in 2024.
QB Hudson Card, RB Devin Mockobee, C Gus Hartwig, CB Nylan Green, S Dillon Thieneman
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12. Rutgers, 5-7 (3-6)
Scarlet Knights at a Glance:
Greg Schiano’s 2025 class just recently fell out of the top ten nationally in recruiting rankings. If that doesn’t speak to what Schiano has done over his fifteen years at Rutgers, there isn’t much that will. The Scarlet Knights are a hardnosed, bar room brawl type of football team, leaning on the hardy legs of runningback Kyle Monangai to control tempo and break the backs of opposing defenses. The heartbeat of the team remains the defense, headlined by a stout defensive line and experienced linebacking core. Leaders Aaron Lewis, Malcolm Ray, and Mohamed Toure anchor one of the better front sevens in the conference, and on the backend, Robert Longerbeam had a breakout season in 2023 which he looks to build off of at corner. Even with a plethora of returning defensive production and a proven run game behind Monangai, the Scarlet Knights lack the firepower to break out in the passing game, an area that they ranked in the bottom ten nationally last season. Welcoming in a quarterback who threw for just 143 YPG last season will not help that number.
RB Kyle Monangai, WR Dymere Miller, ED Aaron Lewis, DT Malcolm Ray, DT Wesley Bailey, LB Mohamed Toure
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13. Maryland, 6-6 (3-6)
Terrapins at a Glance:
A decent amount of production returns to a Terrapins team looking to build off of an eight win 2023. Most of the offense’s weapons return, including runningback Roman Hemby and receiver Kaden Prather. MJ Morris transfers in from NC State to lead an offense which ranked 63rd nationally in 2023, and will work behind an offensive line returning just one starter in guard Kyle Long. On defense, the front seven runs the show as nose tackle Jordan Phillips and linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II are veteran leaders of a solid unit which ranked 30th nationally last season. The secondary is unproven and young, and the linebacking core experienced a lot of turnover in the offseason. I project the Terrapins to start hot and taper off, with the early season slate being relatively easy and the late season push being quite the opposite. This is a young Maryland team with time (years) to grow, and while coach Locksley may feel pressure to perform, the team is not quite in a window to contend at the top of the conference.
RB Roman Hemby, WR Kaden Prather, TE Preston Howard, NT Jordan Phillips, S Brandon Jacob
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14. Michigan State, 4-8 (2-7)
Spartans at a Glance:
Sparty enters a new era under head coach Jonathan Smith and a slew of Oregon State transfers which includes Aidan Chiles at quarterback. Michigan State, who weathered a disaster season last year, enters 2024 with a revamped and rejuvenated team, with its focus being set on establishing the run game, like previous Smith-led teams. The good news for the Spartans; runningback Nate Carter returns. The bad news for the Spartans; only one offensive linemen returns. The same goes on defense for MSU, with unproven players stepping into key roles on all three levels of the unit. Look for linebacker Cal Haladay and safety Malik Spencer to lead a unit returning under 40% production from 2023. Coach Smith is not expected to win the Big-Ten in year one, as establishing an identity and growing quarterback Aidan Chiles into the player he was scouted to be are Smith’s main concerns. The schedule is fairly challenging, with midseason pushes against Oregon, Ohio State, Iowa, and Michigan in consecutive fashion.
QB Aidan Chiles, RB Nate Carter, TE Jack Velling, LB Cal Haladay
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15. Northwestern, 5-7 (2-7)
Wildcats at a Glance:
Northwestern tore down the entirety of its old stadium to pave the way for a multi-million dollar facility. For now, they will play by a river in front of 15,000 fans. Similar to most Big-Ten bottom dwellers, Northwestern struggles from a lack of offensive prowess but makes up for it with an excellent defense littered with stars. NU does return its starting runningback, two starting wide receivers, and two starters on the offensive line. Mike Wright is being handed the keys to the offense as a grad transfer with 14 career starts. On defense, the Wildcats are led by edge rusher Michael Kilbane and cornerback Theran Johnson, two savvy veterans. The schedule is ridiculously hard, with away games at; Washington, Iowa, Purdue, and Michigan, and home games against Wisconsin and Ohio State. There isn’t much to be excited for in 2024, with most players yet to develop and a low offensive ceiling.
RB Cam Porter, WR AJ Henning, T Caleb Tiernan, ED Michael Kilbane, CB Theran Johnson
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16. Indiana, 4-8 (1-8)
Hoosiers at a Glance:
Curt Cignetti was hired from James Madison and with him comes a deep transfer class that can provide sparks for the Hoosiers in 2024. It is, however, Cignetti’s first year at the Power-Four level, and the Hoosiers have not found success since Michael Penix Jr’s 2020 run. Kurtis Rourke, the MAC offensive player of the year, is in from Ohio, and with the job, Rourke now gets to throw to a bevy of weapons including Donaven McCulley and Elijah Sarratt. The offensive line returns one true starter but a load of starting experience, including center Mike Katic. Defensively, the Hoosiers were gut punched after losing ten starters this off-season. Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds was a good get from the portal, and linebacker Jailin Walker is a stud on the front seven. To predict a team to start 4-0 and lose eight consecutive games is borderline insane, but I whole heartedly believe that Indiana, despite glimmers of hope on both sides of the ball, is not prepared to win now in any way, shape, or fashion.
QB Kurtis Rourke, WR Donaven McCulley
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17. Illinois, 3-9 (1-8)
Fighting Illini at a Glance:
Coach Bielema enters 2024 with pressure to win with ten returning starters and a five win season behind him. The Illini, piloted by Luke Altmyer, were painfully average last season, ranking 60th in total offense with just under 400 YPG. With WR1 Pat Bryant returning and the offensive line being more experienced (and beefy), Illinois may actually have an improved offensive attack entering 2024. Defensively is where I draw my concerns with the Illini, as with no starters returning along the line, depth is a big issue. The linebacking core has been shored up, and the secondary, while experienced, has never played together. Cornerback Terrance Brooks is a coveted transfer-in who looks to stay with all opposing WR1s. Both sides of the ball remain unproven, and the Illini enter 2024 with nothing to truly lean on with a change in defensive schemes being sure to take time in Champaign. The schedule is daunting, especially for a recovering program.
QB Luke Altmyer, WR Pat Bryant, T JC Davis, LB Gabe Jacas, S Miles Scott
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18. UCLA, 2-10 (0-9)
Bruins at a Glance:
I am about as high on UCLA in the Big-Ten as I am with UVA in the ACC; at the floor. The Bruins said goodbye to most, if not all defensive production from 2023, their head coach, and most of the offensive weapons from last year’s 8-5 team. If DeShaun Foster’s Big-Ten presser is any indication of how this Bruins team will perform in 2024, the Bruins would be lucky to meet my 2-10 mark. The schedule is hard, the environments are tough, and the roster is inexperienced and questionably coached. The offensive line does return three starters and receiver J Michael Sturdivant is a talent out wide, but aside from that… there isn’t much to work with on the Bruin offense. Quarterback Ethan Garbers needs to take a massive step up in order to elevate the unit, with the defense, which ranked 10th nationally last year, losing over 65% production from 2023. Defensive tackle Jay Toia is a gap-clogging nose, but aside from that, the Bruins don’t offer much on the defensive side of the ball. Bookended wins are the most satisfying thing about this projection.
RB TJ Harden, WR J Michael Sturdivant LB Oluwafemi Oladejo
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