Way-too-early power rankings for the new Big Ten Conference in 2024
The 2023 college football season has come and gone, and now there is much anticipation for what is to come in 2024.
In 2024, fans will watch the new look Big Ten Conference, as the conference adds former Pac-12 powerhouses Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington. In addition, the new 12-team College Football Playoff will debut next season, and the Big Ten has more than a few teams expected to end up in the mix there.
The new look Big Ten will bring numerous new matchups and interesting conversations when conference play unfolds, but let’s start the conversation with way-too-early power rankings:
Purdue Boilermakers
2023 Record: 4-8 (3-6 Big Ten)
Analysis: Ryan Walters heads into Year 2 at the helm of the Purdue program in 2024. While I’m not sure Purdue will be awful, I don’t think it will have the talent to rise up to its incredibly difficult schedule.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
2023 Record: 7-6 (3-6)
Analysis: This may come as a small shock, considering Rutgers made, and won, a bowl game in 2023. Rutgers benefited from a great deal of luck in the 2023 season, and 2024 looks like a very tough road for New Jersey’s Big Ten school.
Illinois Fighting Illini
2023 Record: 5-7 (3-6)
Analysis: There are a number of question marks for this Illini roster heading into 2024, starting at the QB position with Luke Altmyer. Bret Bielema usually has his teams well coached and ready to go, but is there enough talent in Champaign?
Minnesota Golden Gophers
2023 Record: 6-7 (3-6)
Analysis: This may be the first shocker on this list considering Minnesota has made a bowl game the past three seasons. But the Golden Gophers earned a bowl berth with a 5-7 record last year. Now they can’t hide behind a Big Ten West schedule. They also lost a number of key pieces this offseason, including defensive coordinator Joe Rossi who is now in East Lansing.
Maryland Terrapins
2023 Record: 8-5 (4-5)
Analysis: Maryland lost its program QB this offseason when Taulia Tagovailoa declared for the NFL draft. While it is bringing in NC State transfer MJ Morris, I’m not sure that will be enough to make up for the loss.
Indiana Hoosiers
2023 Record: 3-9 (1-7)
Analysis: Indiana being this high may be a surprise, but the program hit a home run when it hired James Madison head coach Curt Cignetti this offseason. Cignetti is a proven winner and will field a competitive team in 2024.
Northwestern Wildcats
2023 Record: 8-5 (5-4)
Analysis: Northwestern was a really fun Cinderella story in 2023 with then interim head coach David Braun leading the Wildcats to eight wins and a bowl victory. A semi-favorable 2024 schedule could have the Wildcats in the same position again.
UCLA Bruins
2023 Record: 8-5 (4-5 Pac-12)
Analysis: I am not sold that Chip Kelly will have UCLA in an elite position in 2024, especially after losing Dante Moore. The Bruins have enough talent, though, to stay in the middle of the pack.
Washington Huskies
Nebraska Cornhuskers
2023 Record: 5-7 (3-6)
Analysis: If Matt Rhule is the coach he is advertised to be, Nebraska will take a huge step forward in Year 2, and I think they do.
Michigan State Spartans
2023 Record: 4-8 (2-7)
Analysis: Some may say this is a touch overzealous, but the Spartans have a great deal of talent on their roster, and added transfer star Aidan Chiles at QB. Jonathan Smith and his staff should be a huge upgrade over Mel Tucker and company. That alone should result in the Spartans taking a big step forward.
Iowa Hawkeyes
2023 Record: 10-4 (7-2)
Analysis: Iowa continues to defy the odds year after year, despite a horrid offense. There is no arguing 10-win seasons, and the Hawkeyes keep producing them. Cade McNamara will be back with a new offensive coordinator in 2024, and Iowa will stay in the top half of the Big Ten.
Wisconsin Badgers
2023 Record: 7-6 (5-4)
Analysis: Luke Fickell is heading into Year 2 and has abundant talent to work with in Madison. The Badgers should continue their improvement in 2024.
Penn State Nittany Lions
2023 Record: 10-3 (7-2)
Analysis: Penn State is always solid, and Drew Allar will be more seasoned in 2024. It will fall short of a Big Ten title once again, but it will be one of the best teams in the conference.
USC Trojans
2023 Record: 8-5 (5-4 Pac-12)
Analysis: While 2023 was massively disappointing for USC, Lincoln Riley revamped his defensive staff with coaching studs. The Trojans have a ton of talent and will be much improved in 2024.
Michigan Wolverines
2023 Record: 15-0 (9-0)
Analysis: There are a number of questions surrounding the defending national champions, who are losing a substantial amount of talent and potentially their head coach, Jim Harbaugh. Even with the losses, as of now, there is no way you can rank them outside of the top three.
Oregon Ducks
2023 Record: 12-2 (8-1 Pac-12)
Analysis: Dan Lanning has it rolling in Eugene, and the team picked up Dillon Gabriel to replace Bo Nix. Oregon should continue its winning ways in 2024, with a wealth of talent across the roster.
Ohio State Buckeyes
2023 Record: 11-2 (8-1)
Analysis: Despite some major losses in Columbus, the shock of the offseason was the amount of talent announcing it was returning in 2024. This may finally be the year Ryan Day wins another Big Ten championship. The Buckeyes are my favorite going into the season.
