Ohio State isn't No. 1 in latest preseason Big Ten power rankings; where did they land?

USA Today

22-07-2025

The Ohio State Buckeyes are not the No. 1 team in USAToday's preseason Big Ten power rankings. Where did the Buckeyes land?
USAToday came out with its newest Big Ten power rankings on Tuesday, and like many would expect, Ohio State is one of the top two teams in the conference, a cut above the rest. The Buckeyes are not No. 1, however. That honor goes to Penn State.
Honestly, it's not a particularly aggressive position to take. Other preseason rankings also have the Nittany Lions ahead of the Buckeyes. The article didn't go into complete detail about why the choices are made, but all of their broad points are pretty fair. It lists that Penn State go the top spot "based on an edge in experience at key positions such as quarterback, an improved collection of skill talent, maybe the best offensive line of the James Franklin era." And, well, it's hard to argue with that. Penn State does have more experience at more positions, as the Buckeyes are losing most of their starters from last year's National Championship-winning team.
Of course, especially in this era of college football, being a slightly less experienced team doesn't mean as much as it used to. And with the expanded playoffs, teams have far more leeway to learn and improve as the season goes on. Maybe it makes sense that the Buckeyes will start out behind Penn State at the beginning of the year. The far more important issue, obviously, is where these teams are at the end of it.
USAToday has Oregon and Michigan as third and fourth, respectively, arguing that both are College Football Playoff contenders. Following them are Illinois (a dark horse Playoff contender) and Nebraska. Indiana, which made the College Football Playoff last year, slots in at the ninth spot.