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The Big Ten is going into the 2025 season looking to solidify itself as the top conference in college football. This comes after two different Big Ten schools managed to win in consecutive seasons. In these latest rankings, ESPN used FPI to look at Big Ten teams. FPI is a predictive metric that ESPN uses. […]

The Big Ten is going into the 2025 season looking to solidify itself as the top conference in college football. This comes after two different Big Ten schools managed to win in consecutive seasons.

In these latest rankings, ESPN used FPI to look at Big Ten teams. FPI is a predictive metric that ESPN uses. It is meant to measure the strength of teams and become an indicator of performance moving forward in the season.

Along with their conference rankings, ESPN has also included the national rankings for each team. With all of that in mind, the Big Ten is among the top conferences in the country, and here is how ESPN is ranking those teams.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (4th nationally)

The Ohio State Buckeyes are the defending national champions, and now they’re clocking in atop the updated Big Ten football rankings. That’s despite the massive turnover suffered from last season’s roster, highlighted by 14 Buckeyes being selected in the draft. It’s also a credit to how well Ohio State has recruited that they can reload.

If there is a major question for Ohio State, it’s the quarterback position. Julian Sayin would win a lengthy quarterback competition. A former five-star recruit, he has the talent but lacks the experience. With a difficult schedule ahead, the Buckeyes are going to be interesting to watch.

2. Penn State Nittany Lions (5th nationally)

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (Photo: USA Today Sports)

The Penn State Nittany Lions enter 2025 with massive expectations. After coming up just short in the Big Ten Championship Game and falling in the semifinal of the College Football Playoff, the Nittany Lions returned their entire starting backfield. With plenty of talent, it’s easy to see why Penn State is a popular pick this year.

If there is one challenge to overcome, it’s the reputation that Penn State has developed for losing big games. On those larger stages, the Nittany Lions have struggled at times under head coach James Franklin. Now, they’ll need to get over the hump.

3. Oregon Ducks (7th nationally)

The Oregon Ducks are coming off a season where they took the Big Ten by storm, going unbeaten and winning the conference. Then, they lost in their first Playoff game. It was a frustrating end to the season, but that comes with a lot of hope for the future.

The big question at Oregon is how well Dante Moore transitions into leading the offense. He’s going to be in his third college season and his second with the Ducks. That comes after, at one point, being a five-star recruit. So, he should have the talent to get Oregon competitive again.

4. USC Trojans (14th nationally)

The USC Trojans are coming in at fourth on ESPN’s updated Big Ten football rankings. That’s despite coming off a difficult season in 2024, which saw the Trojans go just 7-6 overall and 4-5 in Big Ten play. Now, going into their second season in the conference, they’ll look to improve on that.

Head coach Lincoln Riley has seen his teams at USC consistently drop in their number of wins from the season before. That can’t keep happening. Offense has never been the problem for Riley. Instead, it’s on defense where USC needs to take strides forward.

5. Michigan Wolverines (15th nationally)

Michigan Wolverines football head coach Sherrone Moore during his team's win over Ohio State. (Photo by Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) — (Photo by Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The Michigan Wolverines can now put the NCAA investigation into the 2023 sign-stealing scandal behind them. Head coach Sherrone Moore will face an extra game suspension, but that won’t come until 2026, meaning he’ll just miss the initial two games from last season. That means he’ll be around for all but the two games the school already suspended him for.

Just two years removed from winning a national championship in 2023, Michigan will look to become competitive in the Big Ten once again. To do that, they’ll need improved quarterback play. That’s either going to come from Bryce Underwood or Mikey Keene.

6. Indiana Hoosiers (25th nationally)

Indiana was the surprise Big Ten team of the 2024 season. They’d make an excellent run and go to the College Football Playoff in what was arguably the best team in program history. Now, the question is whether or not they’re going to be able to repeat that.

The Hoosiers are going to need to reload with much of last year’s roster moving on. They’ve done that before, though. It’s just a challenge to consistently need to do so through the Transfer Portal.

7. Nebraska Cornhuskers (29th nationally)

The Nebraska Cornhuskers made their first bowl game since 2016 last year. Now, entering their third season under head coach Matt Rhule, the hope is that they can take another stride forward. To do that they’re going to need to get improved play from sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola.

Expectations are always going to be that Nebraska is one of the top programs in the Big Ten. Those might be difficult to live up to for the time being. However, it does seem like the program is trending in the right direction.

8. Iowa Hawkeyes (30th nationally)

The Iowa Hawkeyes have an identity. They play elite defense and special teams. At the same time, though, they’ve also developed a reputation for struggling on the offensive side of the ball. Finding a solution on offense could go a long way to making the Hawkeyes competitive in the Big Ten.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz looked to the Transfer Portal on offense. There, he found star FCS quarterback Mark Gronowski. If that move works out, then Iowa will likely be competing for a double-digit win season.

9. Washington Huskies (32nd nationally)

Two years ago, Washington played for a national championship. Since then, it’s become a very different program, though. The Huskies turned over their coaching staff and their roster following that CFP run. After that, they made the jump to the Big Ten.

Now, head coach Jedd Fisch is going into his second season with the program. The hope is he can build on a season where the Huskies went to a bowl game last year. Still, it’s likely going to be a long way until the Huskies are at the top of the Big Ten.

10. Illinois Fighting Illini (37th nationally)

Illinois slipped to 10th in ESPN’s updated Big Ten rankings. Coming off a 10-win season in 2024, it’s a little lower than Illinois thinks of itself in the Big Ten picture. Still, it shows that there’s plenty of work for head coach Brett Bielema to get done.

One thing Illinois does have next season is plenty of experience. If they can get to double-digit wins in the regular season, which doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibilities, there is a good chance they become one of the Big Ten teams looking at a CFP bid.