Inside NU’s 2025 Big Ten football preseason power rankings

Next up in our series of college football preview content is an overall Big Ten Power Rankings. With the conference’s season about to kick off with defending national champions Ohio State, Rutgers, Minnesota and Nebraska slated for games on Thursday, here’s how the Inside NU staff sees the Big Ten shaking up in 2025.

1. No. 3 Ohio State

Average Ranking: 1.20

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Highest Ranking: 1

Lowest Ranking: 2

Coming off a historic national championship season in which the Buckeyes beat four top-1o opponents to win the title (the new normal in the 12-team Playoff era), it will be a really tough road to get back as head coach Ryan Day and Co. seek back-to-back titles. Despite losing a program-leading 14 players to this year’s NFL Draft in April, Ohio State still returns plenty of talent. Leading the group on each side of the ball are wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs, who might be the two best players in the nation this season. It will still have to adjust to a coaching shakeup, having to replace both its offensive and defensive coordinator, but the Buckeyes still look in as good a position as any defending champ to repeat. -Miguel Muñoz

2. No. 2 Penn State

Average Ranking: 2

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Highest Ranking: 1

Lowest Ranking: 3

Slotting in right behind OSU are the Nittany Lions, who many college football experts are picking as their preseason No. 1 or national champion for this coming season. The reason why? Penn State returns just about all its production from last season, when it was a top-five team all season and made the CFP semifinals. Quarterback Drew Allar leads the offense, with arguably the best running back duo in the country behind him in Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton. On the outside, head coach James Franklin also added wideouts Trebor Peña, Devonte Ross and Kyron Hudson to bolster the passing attack. If there’s any year for PSU to make the leap to the upper echelon of college football, it’s this one. -Miguel Muñoz

3. No. 7 Oregon

Average Ranking: 2.80

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Highest Ranking: 2

Lowest Ranking: 3

The Big Ten’s defending champions return a revamped roster as they hope to accomplish two goals: replicating their conference success, and improve their playoff success. Despite a 13-1 record last season, the gap between the Ducks and Ohio State was clearly illustrated after a blowout playoff loss to the Buckeyes in last year’s Rose Bowl. As the school looks to draw closer to the nation’s best, it will field Dante Moore as quarterback, a 2023 UCLA transfer that spent last year learning under Dillion Gabriel. Oregon also welcomes Tulane transfer RB Makhi Hughes, who shows the most potential and appears poised to become a star this year. Coupled with linebacker Bryce Boettcher headlining an outstanding defense, the Ducks will once again be a team to fear this season. — Sai Trivedi

4. No. 14 Michigan

Average Ranking: 4.22

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Highest Ranking: 4

Lowest Ranking: 5

It was just under two years ago when the Wolverines were hoisting the National Championship Trophy, and this season will see a team that is looking to return to that playoff atmosphere. Coaching and quarterback disappearances led Michigan to a season far worse than its 2023 run. However, with the number one overall recruit in the Class of 2025, Bryce Underwood, joining the Wolverines at QB, this could be the start of a major bounceback season. While it’s unclear if Underwood will be the eventual starter, a much-improved offense that includes Alabama transfer Justice Haynes at running back will likely result in a better team than a year ago. The major question that remains to be seen is simply the unproven talent. Underwood has yet to play in a game with the stakes that Big Ten football will hold. Until then, Michigan has high hopes, but a lack of tangible backing stats at this level. -Gabe Shumway

5. No. 20 Indiana

Average Ranking: 5.33

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Highest Ranking: 4

Lowest Ranking: 7

What a story. Last season Indiana found itself at the bottom of our rankings here at InsideNU. Now, the Hoosiers are fifth and start the season ranked in the Top 25. Indiana made the College Football Playoffs in 2024 and is arguably a better team heading into 2025. Fernando Mendoza is the new signal caller after he was brought in from Cal, star wide receiver Elijah Sarratt is back and ready to put the nation on notice, Roman Hemby came in from Maryland to pair nicely with returner Kaelon Black, Mikail Kamara had 10 sacks a season ago and D’Angelo Ponds is one of the best defensive backs in the nation. Curt Cignetti has the Hoosiers in a prime position to flip the narrative of the past. Indiana is a football school now. -Charlie Jacobs

6. No. 12 Illinois

Average Ranking: 5.90

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Highest Ranking: 5

Lowest Ranking: 7

Unlike many teams, Illinois’s roster will look mostly similar to 2024, with 16 out of 22 starters returning. Not having to deal with major roster turnover is a unique advantage for the Fighting Illini as they hope to garner their first CFP appearance in school history and consecutive 10-win campaigns. Illinois brings back starting quarterback Luke Altmyer, who showed promise last season as a dual-threat asset. It also return all three running backs in Aidan Laughery, Ca’Lil Valentine and Kaden Feagin, while the defense faces some new transfers on the line but a mostly retained secondary. Concerns have been raised about the offense’s explosiveness and last year’s 10-3 record being inflated due to a 5-1 record in one-score games, but Illinois has the talent and chemistry to defy those views and once again be a force in the conference. — Sai Trivedi

7. USC

Average Ranking: 7.50

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Highest Ranking: 6

Lowest Ranking: 8

USC is in a fascinating spot as it stands. Just a few short years ago, it was Caleb Williams’ world, but now USC is left to figure out its offensive production without him. Last season saw its fair share of struggles with underperformance and a midseason QB replacement. While there are still plenty of position battles taking place for the Trojans, there is largely expected to be a step forward in a few regards. One of the biggest points of contention last season was the defense, which saw major early-season struggles despite flashes of strength in limiting third-down conversions. For this team to reach a top-half finish in the Big Ten, as projected by the Inside NU staff, it will be due to a defensive step up, which is very possible after an addition like Kentucky transfer Keeshawn Silver. -Gabe Shumway

8. Iowa

Average Ranking: 8.10

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Highest Ranking: 6

Lowest Ranking: 11

Iowa will enter 2025 with significant change at quarterback and in the secondary, but the program’s identity remains the same: physical defense and disciplined football. The Hawkeyes will lean on new signal-caller Mark Gronowski, a transfer with a track record of production and leadership, to steady the offense. Iowa will have a decent one-two punch in the backfield with Kamari Moulton and Jaziun Patterson, giving the team balance and reliability in the run game. On defense, the front seven should again be the strength, even as the secondary adjusts to new faces after key departures. The schedule is challenging in a deeper Big Ten, but with the program’s trademark consistency, Iowa has the foundation to contend for another winning campaign and remain in the mix in the conference race. — Ascher Levin

9. Washington

Average Ranking: 9.10

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Highest Ranking: 7

Lowest Ranking: 11

Washington’s 2025 football team features a promising mix of experience and youth, led by sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who brings a combination of mobility and developing arm talent. The Huskies boast a deep and physically imposing offensive line highlighted by seniors Geirean Hatchett, Maximus McCree and Carver Willis, providing a solid foundation to protect the quarterback and establish the run game. The backfield includes veteran running back Jonah Coleman supported by younger players ready to contribute. Defensively, under coordinator Ryan Walters, Washington employs a multiple-front scheme that frequently uses five-man defensive fronts to apply pressure and create confusion, relying on a strong and experienced front seven to control the line of scrimmage. The secondary blends returning starters with promising newcomers aiming to improve consistency. The Huskies will aim to leverage their balanced roster and defensive versatility to push for a winning season. — Ascher Levin

10. Nebraska

Average Ranking: 10.11

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Highest Ranking: 9

Lowest Ranking: 11

Nebraska enters 2025 with growing belief in Matt Rhule’s fourth season, guided by sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola, whose arm talent and leadership provide stability at the most important position. The offense returns an experienced line and a reliable running option in Emmett Johnson, giving the Huskers balance as Raiola continues to develop. On defense, new coordinator John Butler brings his background in secondary play to a unit that already proved physical up front. The front seven should remain the strength, while the secondary aims to take another step under Butler’s direction. The Big Ten schedule will be demanding, but with improved quarterback play and a defense capable of setting the tone, Nebraska has an opportunity to move closer to contention in the conference race. — Ascher Levin

11. Minnesota

Average Ranking: 11.30

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Highest Ranking: 9

Lowest Ranking: 14

There is quite a bit of parity in Minnesota’s projections, with some predicting the Golden Gophers as a top-half team and others as a potential bottom-dweller. And this parity is practically the definition for a team that played so many one-possession games a year ago, accounting for four of their five losses. The uncertainty continues with new quarterback Drake Lindsey at the helm, who redshirted his freshman season. The real sure thing comes from running back Darius Taylor, who had an incredible season in 2024, but outside of him, Minnesota is a bit of a mystery. -Gabe Shumway

12. UCLA

Average Ranking: 11.60

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Highest Ranking: 9

Lowest Ranking: 15

UCLA brought in quarterback Nico Iamaleava from Tennessee after he left there to look for more NIL money. He will have a lot on his shoulders after an alright 2024 season with the Volunteers, especially considering how the Bruins don’t have the strongest roster around him. If Iamaleava plays like he was expected to as a recruit, UCLA could be competitive in all its games. If not, it could be another long season in Los Angeles. -Charlie Jacobs

13. Wisconsin

Average Ranking: 12.56

Highest Ranking: 12

Lowest Ranking: 13

Hopes are not very high in Madison after the Badgers practically hit rock bottom last year, suffering through their first losing season since 2001. Now in the third year of the Luck Fickell era, it is becoming more and more do-or-die for Wisconsin faithful, who are looking to get back to the days of competing in the Big Ten again. Coach Fickell brings in the 14th-best transfer portal class, headlined by quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. from Maryland, but a gauntlet of a schedule that includes six ranked opponents still leaves Wisconsin just hoping for bowl eligibility. -Miguel Muñoz

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14. Michigan State

Average Ranking: 14.20

Highest Ranking: 12

Lowest Ranking: 16

Head coach Jonathan Smith has made it clear he expects the Spartans to reach a bowl game in Year 2 of his tenure, and they may just have the weapons to do so. Starting quarterback Aidan Chiles has had his moments, but he’s also been very inconsistent and turnover-prone throughout his collegiate tenure. If Chiles can find that steadiness, Michigan State should be in good shape for a bowl berth, although it may still finish near the bottom of the competitive Big Ten. -Calvin Kaplan

15. Northwestern

Average Ranking: 14.80

Highest Ranking: 14

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Lowest Ranking: 16

Northwestern is expected to be where it was last season — not quite at the bottom of the barrel but close enough. Now part of that was because of inconsistent (and quite frankly sub-par) quarterback play which should see an upgrade with the addition of Preston Stone, but whether he will have enough offensive weapons or transition well into a Big Ten starter is the big question. -Yanyan Li

16. Rutgers

Average Ranking: 15.40

Highest Ranking: 14

Lowest Ranking: 16

Athan Kaliakmanis is back for the Scarlet Knights, and that stability at quarterback should give them a decent shot at a bowl game this year. The offense will need to bounce back from the loss of star running back Kyle Monongai, but wide receivers Ian Strong and DT Sheffield (a Washington State transfer) should give it enough juice to operate decently. Linebacker Dariel Djabome leads this team on defense, and while the unit doesn’t jump off the page, Rutgers does have a few solid playmakers on the line and secondary as well. -Calvin Kaplan

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17. Maryland

Average Ranking: 17.40

Highest Ranking: 17

Lowest Ranking: 18

Also receiving a share of last-place votes is Maryland, which is coming off a sub-par 4-8 season which included just one win in the Big Ten. The Terrapins have a bit of a lucky break with its conference schedule this season, avoiding matchups against Oregon, Penn State and Ohio State. However, that and their rebuilding team were not enough for the Inside NU staff to be high on them. -Yanyan Li

18. Purdue

Average Ranking: 17.60

Highest Ranking: 17

Lowest Ranking: 18

After finishing 0-9 in conference play last season and suffering a mass transfer portal exodus in the offseason, it’s safe to say there’s not much optimism for Purdue in 2025. First-year head coach Barry Odom is going to have a lot on his plate. -Yanyan Li

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Full Inside NU Staff Ballot: