Breaking down Big Ten football's record predictions after spring ball

USA Today

10-05-2025

Breaking down Big Ten football's record predictions after spring ball
The Big Ten and the SEC stand at the top of the college football world in today's landscape. The two conferences dominate revenue, television networks, and more often than not, they dominate the on-field play as well.
The 2025 season seems destined for the Big Ten to be a major player in the College Football Playoff, as there are more than a handful of teams with expectations to be in the playoff and a few that are looking to recreate Indiana's magical 2024 run to the postseason.
Without any more waiting, check out the Big Ten record predictions and who will be headed to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship game.
Record: 11-1
Wins: Western Illinois, Duke, Western Michigan, Indiana, USC, Purdue, Washington, Rutgers, Maryland, Wisconsin, Northwestern
Losses: Ohio State
The Illini are the 2025 underdog storyline. Quarterback Luke Altmyer has the chance to ascend to the top of the ranks in the Big Ten and the country when all is said and done. The Illini make serious noise in 2025.
Indiana Hoosiers
Record: 7-5
Wins: Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, Indiana State, UCLA, Maryland, Wisconsin, Purdue
Losses: Illinois, Iowa, Oregon, Michigan State, Penn State
Regression is an ugly word, but it is what the Hoosiers face this year. Lightning doesn't strike twice, and they take a step back this year while still remaining bowl-eligible.
Record: 8-4
Wins: UAlbany, UMass, Rutgers, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan State, Nebraska
Losses: Iowa State, Penn State, Oregon, USC
The Hawkeyes land a solid schedule, but it is what Iowa does. They beat who they should and have yet to prove they can take down the top of the conference. Pencil in another 8-4 year and a bowl trip for Kirk Ferentz like clockwork.
Maryland Terrapins
Record: 3-9
Wins: Florida Atlantic, Northern Illinois, Towson,
Losses: Wisconsin, Washington, Nebraska, UCLA, Indiana, Rutgers, Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State
The Terps could be in for a bit of a tough time in 2025. The quarterback situation remains somewhat murky, and the schedule doesn't give too many breaks. College Park should look forward tothe basketball season.
Michigan State Spartans
Record: 7-5
Wins: Western Michigan, Boston College, Youngstown State, UCLA, Indiana, Minnesota, Maryland
Losses: USC, Nebraska, Michigan, Penn State, Iowa
Michigan State is a quiet team in the Big Ten that could make some noise. With QB Aidan Chiles' talent, they are liable to knock off someone in a seismic upset. Regardless, Sparty is bowling.
Michigan Wolverines
Record: 9-3
Wins: New Mexico, Central Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Washington, Michigan State, Purdue, Northwestern, Maryland
Losses: Oklahoma, USC, Ohio State
Michigan rebounds after last year, but is still a step or two away from being back to national title contenders. They will run the ball well, play great defense, but struggle to keep up with high-powered offenses.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Record: 5-7
Wins: Buffalo, Northwestern State, Purdue, Northwestern, Wisconsin
Losses: California, Rutgers, Ohio State, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Oregon
Minnesota is going to be fighting for the bowl life the entire season. If they can steal an early season game before getting into the heavyweights of the Big Ten, the Gophers can find their way to a bowl.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Record: 8-4
Wins: Cincinnati, Akron, Houston Christian, Michigan State, Maryland, Minnesota, Northwestern, UCLA
Losses: Michigan, USC, Penn State, Iowa
Nebraska continues to build under head coach Matt Rhule. They aren't there quite yet, but there is a palpable sense that things are getting closer after an eight-win campaign.
Record: 5-7
Wins: Tulane, Western Illinois, UCLA, UL Monroe, Purdue
Losses: Oregon, Penn State, Nebraska, USC, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois
Northwestern is always a tricky team. They play hard, they are a tough out, but sometimes the talent of their opponents prevails. The Wildcats struggle against the best of the conference this year, but stay competitive.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Record: 11-1
Wins: Grambling, Ohio, Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers, Michigan
Losses: Texas
The Buckeyes are loaded with talent and are the defending champs. After a loss in the first game, the Buckeyes run the table to be in pole position entering the postseason.
Oregon Ducks
Record: 11-1
Wins: Montana State, Oklahoma State, Northwestern, Oregon State, Indiana, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, USC, Washington
Losses: Penn State
The Ducks rattle off 11 wins this year, and that is largely a byproduct of their schedule featuring one tough matchup against Penn State. Aside from that, Oregon should be favored in every other game.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Record: 11-1
Wins: Nevada, Florida International, Villanova, Oregon, UCLA, Northwestern, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan State, Nebraska, Rutgers
Losses: Ohio State
Penn State is there. They have the quarterback, the experience, and the schedule to do it. Their date with the Buckeyes is circled already and is going to be telling for the Nittany Lions.
Purdue Boilermakers
Record: 2-10
Wins: Ball State, Southern Illinois
Losses: USC, Notre Dame, Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern, Rutgers, Michigan, Ohio State, Washington, Indiana
Purdue once again is facing an uphill battle paired with a brutal schedule. At least the basketball program is one of the best in America.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Record: 7-5
Wins: Ohio, Miami (OH), Norfolk State, Minnesota, Washington, Purdue, Maryland
Losses: Iowa, Oregon, Illinois, Ohio State, Penn State
The Scarlet Knights aren't going to surprise anyone, but they are going to win games. They have an identity and some confidence as of lately and it once again earns them a bowl bid.
UCLA Bruins
Record: 4-8
Wins: UNLV, New Mexico, Maryland, Washington
Losses: Utah, Northwestern, Penn State, Michigan State, Indiana, Nebraska, Ohio State, USC
UCLA has been in the news with Nico Iamaleava, yet it feels like their schedule, paired with the change,s is going to result in a bumpy road. The Bruins get a rude awakening this year.
USC Trojans
Record: 8-4
Wins: Missouri State, Georgia Southern, Purdue, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Iowa, UCLA
Losses: Illinois, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon
USC wins a lot of games, but they don't win the big ones with Lincoln Riley. Most programs would take eight wins, but USC and Riley could see a split if this is the ceiling.
Washington Huskies
Record: 3-9
Wins: Colorado State, UC Davis, Purdue,
Losses: Washington State, Ohio State, Maryland, Rutgers, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, UCLA, Oregon
Another program, similar to Maryland with QB changes, Washington is still adjusting to life in the Big Ten. They seem to be burdened with the transition and it keeps hitting them this year.
Wisconsin Badgers
Record: 5-7
Wins: Miami (OH), Middle Tennessee, Maryland, Washington, Minnesota
Losses: Alabama, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, Illinois
The Badgers have arguably the hardest schedule in the Big Ten. Pair that with their identity crisis and the Luke Fickell era in Madison could be coming to an end.
Big Ten Championship
Big Ten Championship: Ohio State vs. Penn State
Big Ten Champion: Ohio State
With a logjam at the top, the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions meet in Indianapolis in a rematch of a game earlier in the year. Ohio State is the defending champs, and until that is taken from them, the Big Ten remains theirs to lose, given their talent-rich roster and explosive group of skill players that is among the best in the conference.