1 Bold Prediction for All 18 Big Ten Teams Include Sticky Situations for Maryland and Wisconsin

by

With just under a month until the first college football game of the 2025 season, let’s focus on the Big Ten, which is potentially as strong top to bottom as we’ve ever seen it.

The Oregon Ducks won the conference title last season, defeating both the Ohio State Buckeyes and Penn State Nittany Lions on their way to it. The Buckeyes responded by defeating them in the College Football Playoff and running the table to a national title. The Indiana Hoosiers also came alive, making the program’s first appearance in the CFP.

Several other programs harbor firm hopes of contending for a Big Ten title, but we’ve seen before how quickly a season can go for the good and bad.

With that, let’s look at each Big Ten team, make one bold prediction, and explain why it may occur.

Dive into Try out PFSN’s FREE college football playoff predictor, where you can simulate every 2025-26 NFL season game and see who wins the National Championship!

Illinois Fighting Illini

Defense Cracks Top 10 in the Nation in Lowest Points Allowed

Coming off a season in which the defense finished 41st in scoring defense, allowing 23.5 points per game, the Fighting Illini return several key contributors and should be even better than above average come 2025.

Back is outside linebacker Gabe Jacas, who registered a team-high eight sacks last season and projects as a surefire NFL draft pick. First-team All-Big Ten cornerback Xavier Scott is in the same boat, as he led the team with four interceptions and six passes defended. The defensive line, which lost most of its production, retooled via the transfer portal.

Another key reason is Illinois’ schedule. Potentially, the only ranked game they play on the Big Ten schedule is against Ohio State, and that game is at home. Head coach Bret Bielema is gearing up for a big season, and it’ll come with a dominant defense as its catalyst.

Indiana Hoosiers

Hoosiers Return to College Football Playoff

A surprise run to the CFP in 2024 won’t make the 2025 season any easier for the Indiana Hoosiers, who will have a significant target on their backs the entire season. But head coach Curt Cignetti did what Curt Cignetti does, rebuilding a roster that saw as many as eight players advance to the NFL.

No addition was more prominent than quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who came over after two seasons with the Cal Bears. He’ll replace Kurtis Rourke, who had a big season under Cignetti.

Mendoza will look to do the same and have a solid duo of targets in wide receivers Elijah Saratt (957 yards, eight touchdowns a season ago) and Omar Cooper Jr. (594 yards, seven touchdowns).

Similar to Illinois, Indiana also has a favorable draw schedule-wise. Their two most challenging games come on the road against the Oregon Ducks and Penn State Nittany Lions, but if they win the rest of the games on their schedule, they’d finish 10-2 and likely qualify for the CFP. If they could pull off a road upset, they’d set themselves up for a high seed in the playoffs.

Iowa Hawkeyes

QB Mark Gronowski Will Lead an Above-Average Passing Attack

It’s been decades since the Iowa Hawkeyes fielded an excellent passing attack. Despite that, they’ve put together four double-digit season win totals in the last 10 years, primarily based on the strength of their defense. Quarterback play has been erratic and underwhelming, to say the least.

But come 2025, enter new QB Mark Gronowski, tasked with uplifting a dormant passing offense. The most prolific passer in South Dakota State Jackrabbits program history across four seasons, the 6’3″, 230-pounder already has an accomplished college football career.

With that experience and track record, as he’s thrown 93 touchdowns versus just 20 interceptions (plus 37 scores on the ground) in his career, the Hawkeyes are set to trot out one of the top signal-callers in the Big Ten. With one of the top half passing offenses in the conference, watch out for the Hawkeyes to make some noise come November and potentially into December.

Maryland Terrapins

Terrapins Go Winless in Big Ten Play

The Maryland Terrapins’ bottom fell out in 2024, with the now-departed QB Billy Edwards Jr., RB Roman Hemby, and top WRs Tai Felton and Kaden Prather. Their four wins were the lowest in a full season since 2019.

Despite several key additions through the transfer portal at the safety and tight end positions, there are question marks across the roster. Overall, they took a step back this offseason and appear headed for another drop in wins.

While they don’t face the Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State, and Oregon on their conference schedule, it’s hard to see the Terrapins being favored in any game. Reaching their 4-8 record from 2024 may be the ceiling, with the floor being a failure to come out on top in any Big Ten contest.

Michigan State Spartans

Jonathan Smith Will Be On the Hot Seat After the Season

Coming over from the Oregon State Beavers after the 2023 season, head coach Jonathan Smith was hired to erase the stink of the Mel Tucker era in East Lansing, which began with a pricey contract and ended in complete and utter failure.

Smith, who rebuilt the Beavers into a relevant top 25 team, had expectations of doing that right away with the Michigan State Spartans. To put it simply, that’s not what happened. The Spartans finished 5-7, missing a bowl game for the third consecutive season. The last time that happened was from 2004 to 2006.

The offseason wasn’t especially kind to Smith, as he lost his top tackler (Jordan Turner), top interceptor (Charles Brantley), and top two rushers, among other losses around the edges. QB Aidan Chiles was retained, who had a rough go in 2024 but has the talent to rebound.

Smith will need him to; another 5-7 — or worse — campaign and he’ll begin to feel the heat.

Michigan Wolverines

QB Position Remains Weak Despite Keene and Underwood

For a passing offense that finished 130th in 2024, it might not even be considered a bold prediction that it won’t take gigantic steps forward — regardless of who’s throwing the passes.

The quarterback position improved greatly this offseason. Former Fresno State Bulldog and UCF Knights starter Mikey Keene was added to the transfer portal. He brings four seasons of experience. Five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, a physical specimen with very high potential, was also added to the room.

On the surface, they’d have solved their issue through the air with two options that could excel. But let’s hit the brakes. For an offense to throw for just 129.1 yards per game, it has to be more than just atrocious QB play. Outside of standout tight end Colston Loveland, there wasn’t a pass catcher worth noting.

To ask two guys — regardless of talent level — to walk in and immediately undo a year of an awful passing attack is unrealistic. Expect the Wolverines to still struggle, perhaps mightily, through the air in 2025, again holding them back.

MORE: BRYCE UNDERWOOD COULD MAKE OR BREAK MICHIGAN’S CFP HOPES

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Darius Taylor Establishes Himself As a Day 1 NFL Prospect Despite Lack of Team Success

Because of injuries, Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Darius Taylor hasn’t received the recognition he deserves. But when healthy, he’s been one of the best pure backs in college football. In 2024, he rushed for 986 yards and 10 touchdowns, adding 54 catches (second-most on the team) for 350 yards and a pair of scores.

He can do it all, as the six-foot, 215-pounder has excellent contact balance and is decisive through the hole. Not necessarily known as a burner, Taylor is far from slow, as he ran away from defensive backs at times last season. He has sure hands and is dangerous in the open field. He has all the attributes that NFL teams covet in a first-round RB.

If he can stay healthy for the entire season, Taylor’s name should be among the top backs in the 2026 draft class — despite what may be a disappointing campaign for the Golden Gophers overall. Taylor will be a significant bright spot as the team’s workhorse.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Dylan Raiola Will Push for All-Conference Honors

The No. 2-rated QB in the 2024 class, per 247 Sports, expectations were high for Dylan Raiola heading into his true freshman season with the Nebraska Cornhuskers. While he started hot, helping lead the team to a 5-1 record, he faded down the stretch as the Cornhuskers lost five of six to end the regular season.

His final stats of 2,819 yards, completing 67.1% of his passes, and throwing for 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions don’t jump off the page at all. But his talent was evident. Thanks to his creativity and arm strength, he made plays that other passers simply can’t make.

Those attributes sometimes got him into trouble, but a full offseason of work should eliminate the negatives and accentuate the positives. Don’t be surprised if Raiola comes out firing and emerges as a dark-horse Heisman candidate early on, putting himself on a path of earning All-Big Ten honors.

Northwestern Wildcats

Wildcats Win 8 Games Led By Transfer QB Preston Stone

The Northwestern Wildcats have struggled mightily at the QB position in recent years. But in 2025, they have a real player in QB Preston Stone, who’s coming over after a season on the bench with the SMU Mustangs.

However, he performed admirably well in 2023, when he tossed 28 touchdown passes as the starter. On the outside, he’ll have former South Dakota State WR Griffin Wilde as his top target after catching 71 passes for 1,154 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

Although the defense took some hits in the transfer portal, and the Wildcats are coming off a four-win campaign, there’s optimism that solid quarterback play could lift the rest of the roster. Eight wins are a real possibility for this team if it falls their way.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Jeremiah Smith Fails to Match 2024 Production

To finish last season, an argument could be made that true freshman WR Jeremiah Smith was already the best player in all of college football — at just 19 years old. Still 19 until November 29, he’s projected to have a monster sophomore season after catching 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns last season in 16 games.

But I’d argue he won’t reach any of those totals for two reasons. First, he’s going to see defensive attention in ways that we may not have seen before. It’d be foolish to leave him one-on-one with any cornerback; heck, even if it’s one-on-one with a safety roaming over the top, Smith can still make plays. He may see as many as three to four defenders with him as their primary focus.

The second reason is the Buckeyes’ quarterback situation. The battle is between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz, two talented yet inexperienced college passers with a combined 15 career completions.

The bar is very high for Smith, and his stats may take a hit with these unfortunate circumstances. But make no mistake, he’ll still be one of, if not the best player in the sport.

Oregon Ducks

Matayo Uiagalelei Leads the Nation in Sacks

Standing 6’5″ and 270 pounds, Oregon Ducks EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei is as imposing a figure as it gets. Along with physicality, he’s also a skillful pass rusher, leading the team in sacks last season with 10.5 and earning All-Big Ten First-Team honors.

Now entering his junior season, he could be in store for a giant leap. Topping 15 sacks is far from out of the equation. With space-eating defensive tackle Bear Alexander commanding attention in the middle of the defensive line, it may be tough for offenses to put a ton of attention on Uiagalelei.

For reference, last year’s sack leader was Marshall’s Mike Green, who registered 17.0 sacks. While that’s a high bar, Uiagalelei has all the tools to reach a similar mark.

Penn State Nittany Lions

Nittany Lions Beat Oregon and Ohio State, Win Conference Title

After making it to the CFP semifinals last season, the Nittany Lions may be even more well-equipped to make a run this season. Each piece of their backfield trio — QB Drew Allar and RBs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen — is returning for their senior season, along with transfer receiver Trebor Pena, who raises the ceiling of the passing game.

Defensively, although they endured the loss of Abdul Carter, they added former North Carolina Tar Heel EDGE Amare Campbell, who registered 76 total tackles and 6.5 sacks last season. Penn State also plucked former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from the Buckeyes. He’s arguably the best coordinator — on either side of the ball — in college football.

In 2025, the Nittany Lions have the experience, talent, and belief that they can go far. They reached the conference title in 2024 but fell to the Ducks. They’ll look to avenge that loss in the conference opener at home before heading to Ohio State on November 1. They could take both games, go undefeated in the conference, and win the Big Ten title.

Purdue Boilermakers

Boilermakers Double Their Win Total From 2024

The caveat with this is that the Purdue Boilermakers won a single football game last season. One. My bold prediction doesn’t sound as positive when it implies they’ll win exactly two games in 2025.

But that is a serious possibility. They lost three of their best players this offseason — TE Max Klare (Ohio State), safety Dillon Thieneman (Oregon), and DE Will Heldt (Clemson) — and are welcoming in a new head coach in Barry Odom, who previously coached the UNLV Rebels. There are significant questions across the roster.

Peeking at the schedule, the two predicted wins should come promptly in Weeks 1 and 2, against Ball State and Southern Illinois, respectively. From there, they play 10 Big Ten games and could be double-digit underdogs in each one.

It will be a long season in West Lafayette.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Scarlet Knight Surprise, Push for Double-Digit Wins

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are far from a household name in college football, but look out in the 2025 season. Much like the Indiana Hoosiers, who made a surprise run to the CFP, Rutgers is a dark horse to do the same in my eyes.

They have a team, led by returning QB Athan Kaliakmanis, that returned key production and added two pass-rushers in Eric O’Neill (13 sacks last season at James Madison) and Bradley Weaver (8.5 sacks at Ohio) to the defense. They replaced RB Kyle Monangai with C.J. Campbell Jr., who rushed for 844 yards and 11 touchdowns a season ago at FAU.

The one hole to poke is the schedule, which includes a trip to Ohio State and hosting both Oregon and Penn State. But if the Scarlet Knights can play up to their peak level, remain undefeated throughout the rest of their schedule, and take down one of those three, they will be this year’s Hoosiers.

MORE: RUTGERS LOSES TOP SAFETY COMMIT

UCLA Bruins

Nico Iamaleava Experience Fails, Bruins Miss Bowl Game For Second Consecutive Season

The UCLA Bruins performed perhaps the heist of the college football offseason when they pulled off a de facto QB swap with Joey Aguilar and Nico Iamaleava. Iamaleava was the crown jewel, as the two swapped places in Tennessee and UCLA, with the Bruins landing the former Volunteer.

Iamaleava is talented, but the entire saga revealed a crack in his reputation. Financial issues and desires caused the breakup in Tennessee. Now he’s with the Bruins, who are coming off a 5-7 campaign and 3-6 conference record.

The 2025 roster is markedly different — in good ways and bad. The good is Iamaleava and RB Jaivian Thomas, who excelled at Cal last season. The bad is the lack of depth around nearly the entire roster, which will limit Iamaleava’s ability to win games.

And at the end of the day, he’s getting paid money to win football games. That will not happen to the standard UCLA is setting for competing for a Big Ten title.

USC Trojans

Trojans Make the Big Ten Title Game

The USC Trojans’ first season in the Big Ten was rocky. They began conference play 2-5 before rebounding and winning their final two games and becoming bowl eligible. The final two games of the season were also promising with then-backup QB Jayden Maiava in the mix. They hung tough with No. 5 Notre Fighting Irish before falling and came back from a 10-point deficit in the Las Vegas Bowl to defeat the Texas A&M Aggies in thrilling fashion.

Maiava is back, as are top pass-catchers Makai Lemon (764 yards, three touchdowns) and Ja’Kobi Lane (525 yards, 12 touchdowns). The defense, which took significant steps forward in 2024 under defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, should be even better with a strong front seven.

USC’s schedule also plays a part, as its most challenging games are against Michigan (at home) and on the road against Oregon. It’s viable that they win every other conference game on the schedule, and if they can beat one or both of the Wolverines or Ducks, they could have a good chance of making a trip to Indianapolis for the Big Ten title game in December.

Washington Huskies

Demond Williams Jr. Disappoints, Toes Line of Being Benched

Starting the final two games for the Washington Huskies in 2024, Demond Williams Jr. impressed greatly. His 5’11”, 190-pound frame didn’t hold him back next to an elite sense of space in the pocket and unique creativity to make plays. He finished with 944 yards and eight touchdowns versus just one interception throughout 13 appearances and two starts.

His final game, against the Louisville Cardinals in the Sun Bowl, was imposing: 26 of 32 passing for 374 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception with 48 yards and another score on the ground. Williams is the unquestioned quarterback for the future of the Huskies.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves; Williams started just a pair of games. His game film was not scrutinized like that of other starters, and his strengths and weaknesses were largely unknown. But now, the cat is out of the bag. Teams will have a full offseason to scheme against Williams, which will likely include keeping him in the pocket.

That’ll be tough for the sub-six-footer. His finish to last season is nearly impossible to keep up with. With expectations sky-high, Williams will fall back to Earth this season. He may not get benched outright, but the young passer will surely face growing pains next season.

Wisconsin Badgers

Start 2-0 and Don’t Win Again

The Wisconsin Badgers’ schedule is a challenge starting with Week 3. They begin the season with — what should be — cupcake games against Miami (OH) and Middle Tennessee before a trip to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. I’m pretty sure we can pencil that in as a loss.

That is the end of their non-conference slate, and their conference opener may be their best shot to notch a win when they face off against Maryland. From there, it’s possible they don’t win again.

The offense was decimated due to the transfer portal, losing top rusher Tawee Walker, who left for the Cincinnati Bearcats. Former Terrapins passer Edwards will presumably step in as the starter, but he was nothing special a season ago. The defense has many of the same pieces, but was mediocre last season.

The Badgers will not win many football games next season, possibly losing their final 10 games.

Leave a Comment