Big Ten football 2025 win-loss record predictions for each team after spring practice

USA Today

09-05-2025

Big Ten football 2025 win-loss record predictions for each team after spring practice
While the spring football season recently came to a close at the college level, an optimist will tell you that this just means the regular season is inching closer. With the start of May, spring practice sessions and transfer portal movement are mostly complete. The summer recruiting rush is just around the corner, which directly precedes fall training camp.
It should be another thrilling year in the Big Ten. While the Oregon Ducks won the conference in their first year as members in 2024, it was the Ohio State Buckeyes who were left standing in the end, beating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the national championship game. Going into the new season, the Penn State Nittany Lions are projected to be among the best in the conference with all of their returning stars, while both Oregon and Ohio State are not far behind them. Then you also have the likes of Michigan, USC, Illinois, and Iowa flirting for contention.
While those teams have much of the attention at the top, there are also some intriguing storylines throughout the conference. Will UCLA be able to take a step forward with Nico Iamaleava Jr. at the helm? Can Wisconsin get things going at long last this year under Luke Fickell? Will anyone step up and be this year's version of 2024 Indiana?
All of those questions will be answered in months. For now, after spring practice and the recent transfer portal window, it's time for updated win-loss projections for every team.
Purdue Boilermakers
Projected Record: 2-10 (0-9 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 1-11 (0-9 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. USC
at Notre Dame
vs. Ohio State
Projected Wins: Ball State, Southern Illinois
Projected Losses: USC, Notre Dame, Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern, Rutgers, Michigan, Ohio State, Washington, Indiana
Despite bringing in Barry Odom as the new head coach, I don't think it will be a very successful year yet again for Purdue. They can pick up a couple of early non-conference wins, but I don't see a quick turnaround coming any time soon.
Maryland Terrapins
Projected Record: 4-8 (1-8 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 4-8 (1-8 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
at Illinois
vs. Michigan
at Michigan State
Projected Wins: FAU, Northern Illinois, Towson, Rutgers
Projected Losses: Wisconsin, Washington, Nebraska, UCLA, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State
Will this be the year that a below-average season leads Mike Locksley to the exit? You'd have to think that would be the case after winning just 33 of his last 75 games for the Terrapins. There are a few easy non-conference games on the schedule, but I don't see any reason to believe that Maryland will make a leap in the Big Ten this year. At some point, it's time to cut ties.
Projected Record: 3-9 (1-8 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 4-8 (2-7 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Oregon
at Penn State
vs. Michigan
Projected Wins: Western Illinois, Louisiana-Monroe, Purdue
Projected Losses: Tulane, Oregon, UCLA, Penn State, Nebraska, USC, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois
The Wildcats were a nice story a couple of years ago with David Braun as the interim coach, but they regressed back to the mean last season and will probably stay there in 2025 as well. A season-opener against Tulane could prove tough, and the Big Ten schedule doesn't set up very nicely with games against Oregon, Penn State, USC, and Illinois down the stretch.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Projected Record: 5-7 (2-7 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 7-6 (4-5 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Oregon
at Ohio State
vs. Penn State
Projected Wins: Ohio, Miami (OH), Norfolk State, Purdue, Rutgers
Projected Losses: Iowa, Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Ohio State, Penn State
Rutgers may be able to surprise a few people this year, with Kaliakmanis still under center, but I don't think they will be contending for a conference title any time soon. Unfortunately, the Scarlet Knights draw the big three in the conference, with Oregon, Ohio State, and Penn State all on the schedule.
Wisconsin Badgers
Projected Record: 4-8 (2-7 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
at Alabama
vs. Ohio State
at Oregon
Projected Wins: Miami (OH), Middle Tennessee, Maryland, Minnesota
Projected Losses: Alabama, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, Oregon, Washington, Indiana, Illinois
If Luke Fickell is going to make his mark at Wisconsin, he needs to do it this year. While the Badgers draw tough games against Ohio State, Oregon, and Illinois, they could compete with the rest of the Big Ten teams on the docket.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Projected Record: 6-6 (4-5 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 8-5 (6-3 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Penn State
vs. Oregon
at Nebraska
Projected Wins: Albany, UMass, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska
Projected Losses: Iowa State, Indiana, Penn State, Oregon, USC, Michigan State
Much to the dismay of Hawkeyes fans, I foresee another ho-hum year for Iowa, where they struggle to contend with the top teams in the conference but can manage their way through the middle. Games against Penn State and Oregon will be tough, and an early non-conference clash with Iowa State won't be easy, but outside of that, the Hawkeyes should be able to win a few.
UCLA Bruins
Projected Record: 4-6 (2-7 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Penn State
vs. Washington
at USC
Projected Wins: UNLV, New Mexico State, Northwestern, Maryland,
Projected Losses: Utah, Penn State, Michigan State, Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio State, Washington, USC
How good will Nico Iamaleava Jr. be in his first year with the Bruins? The real question is how good will the Bruins be outside of Iamaleava to allow for overall team success? I see UCLA winning a few games, but as far as being a name to know in the Big Ten, I think we might need another year.
Michigan State Spartans
Projected Record: 6-6 (3-6 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
at USC
vs. Michigan
vs. Penn State
Projected Wins: Western Michigan, Boston College, Youngstown State, UCLA, Iowa, Maryland
Projected Losses: USC, Nebraska, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Penn State
In year two under Jonathan Smith, it's not hard to imagine that the Michigan State Spartans take a bit of a step forward. They have the talent to be, at the very least, solid in the Big Ten, assuming that quarterback Aiden Chiles continues to improve and can cut down on his turnover numbers. The schedule sets up pretty favorably as well, with no games against Oregon or Ohio State on the schedule.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Projected Record: 7-5 (4-5 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 8-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
at Ohio State
at Oregon
vs. Wisconsin
Projected Wins: Buffalo, Northwestern State, Rutgers, Purdue, Michigan State, Northwestern, Wisconsin
Projected Losses: Cal, Ohio State, Nebraska, Iowa, Oregon
We know that PJ Fleck is a solid coach, and with the right pieces, he can make some noise in the conference. I'm not sure that we see Minnesota taking a big jump this year, considering they are a bit unproven at the QB position, but they can certainly compete with some other middle-of-the-road teams in the Big Ten.
Michigan Wolverines
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 8-5 (4-5 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
at Oklahoma
at Nebraska
vs. Ohio State
Projected Wins: New Mexico State, Central Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Purdue, Northwestern, Maryland
Projected Losses: Oklahoma, Nebraska, USC, Washington, Ohio State
How good is Bryce Underwood going to be as a freshman? The answer to that question likely determines how good the Wolverines can be in 2025. They are talented on both sides of the ball, and if the true freshman QB can get over the learning curve quickly, they can play at the upper-middle tier of the conference. No games against Oregon or Penn State also help the projections.
Indiana Hoosiers
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 11-2 (8-1 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
at Oregon
at Iowa
at Penn State
Projected Wins: Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, Indiana State, Iowa, Michigan State, UCLA, Maryland, Wisconsin, Purdue
Projected Losses: Illinois, Oregon, Penn State
Indiana was the story of the Big Ten last year, thanks to some elite coaching from Curt Cignetti and great quarterback play from Kurtis Rourke. They were also beneficiaries of a favorable schedule. Will their success continue in 2025? It will depend on Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza, who has the talent necessary to get the Hoosiers back into contention for the Big Ten title. The Hoosiers do have to play both Oregon and Penn State on the road, though, which is tough.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 7-6 (3-6 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Michigan
vs. USC
at Penn State
Projected Wins: Cincinnati, Akron, Houston Christian, Michigan, Michigan State, Maryland, Minnesota, Northwestern, UCLA
Projected Losses: USC, Penn State, Iowa
If Dylan Raiola is as good as we were led to believe that he is, then this is when we should start to see it. I think that Nebraska is talented enough to compete at a high level in the Big Ten, and their schedule sets up for it this year, with no Ohio State or Oregon on the docket. Games against USC, Penn State, and Iowa will act as big tests, but this team could surprise some people when all is said and done.
Washington Huskies
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 6-7 (4-5 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Ohio State
at Michigan
vs. Oregon
Projected Wins: Colorado State, UC Davis, Washington State, Maryland, Rutgers, Michigan, Wisconsin, Purdue, UCLA
Projected Losses: Ohio State, Illinois, Oregon
Nobody likes to discredit Washington more than Oregon fans, but even I have to admit that they could be pretty good this year. With Demond Williams under center and Jedd Fisch calling things, the Huskies' schedule is set up pretty favorably. Games against Ohio State, Illinois, and Oregon will all be tough, but they are at home in Seattle for all of them.
USC Trojans
Projected Record: 9-3 (7-2 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 7-6 (4-5 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Michigan
at Notre Dame
at Oregon
Projected Wins: Missouri State, Georgia Southern, Purdue, Michigan State, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Iowa, UCLA
Projected Losses: Illinois, Notre Dame, Oregon
Assuming that Lincoln Riley can get some above-average quarterback play this year, USC could finally get out of the middle of the pack in the Big Ten and make a little bit of noise once November rolls around. They get to miss both Penn State and Ohio State on the schedule, but the yearly non-conference game against Notre Dame and a trip up to Eugene against the Ducks in November will be tough to handle.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Projected Record: 10-2 (7-2 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 13-3 (8-1 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 10-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Ohio State
vs. USC
at Wisconsin
Projected Wins: Western Illinois, Western Michigan, Indiana, USC, Purdue, Washington, Rutgers, Maryland, Wisconsin, Northwestern
Projected Losses: Duke, Ohio State
Many people are pegging Illinois to be this year's version of Indiana in the Big Ten this year, seeing as they return a lot of players, particularly on offense, and have a favorable schedule. Should the Illini get past Duke early in the season, it could be pretty smooth sailing until they face Ohio State at home midway through the year. This could certainly be a team that is hanging around near the top of the standings late in the year.
Oregon Ducks
Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 13-1 (9-0 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
at Penn State
vs. Iowa
vs. USC
Projected Wins: Montana State, Oklahoma State, Northwestern, Oregon State, Indiana, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, USC, Washington
Projected Losses: Penn State
There is one game on the schedule that could be really tough for the Ducks — at Penn State in Happy Valley — but other than that, this is a manageable schedule that could lead to a lot of wins. You don't have Ohio State or Michigan, and you get USC at home. While Oregon will have to head up to Seattle for the rivalry against Washington, they should be able to handle this slate just fine.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Projected Record: 11-1 (9-0 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 14-2 (7-2 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Texas
vs. Penn State
at Michigan
Projected Wins: Grambling State, Ohio, Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers, Michigan
Projected Losses: Texas
It looks like Ohio State could be up for another impressive run in the Big Ten this year. I currently have them winning all of their conference games, meaning that they beat Penn State in Happy Valley, which will be a big test. The only game I see the Buckeyes losing comes in Week 1 against the Texas Longhorns. They certainly have the talent to win that game, but considering that it will be Julian Sayin's first career start, I went with a loss.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
Record in 2024: 13-3 (8-1 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Oregon
at Ohio State
at Iowa
Projected Wins: Nevada, Florida International, Villanova, Oregon, UCLA, Northwestern, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan State, Nebraska, Rutgers
Projected Losses: Ohio State
Penn State is getting a lot of preseason respect, being ranked well inside the top five almost unanimously across the board, and being named the No. 1 team by ESPN. It makes sense, seeing as they return a lot of starters from last year's College Football Playoff team. As always, The question remains whether they can win the big games. Oregon and Ohio State come to Happy Valley in 2025. Can James Franklin get it done? I say he goes 1-1.