The 2024 football season is upon us, and in a conference as chaotic as the Big Ten, there’s sure to be some surprises. Here are 10 bold predictions for the Big Ten this year:
The 2024 season might just be the most intriguing college football season we’ve seen in a long time. Mass conference realignments, the 12-team playoff, transfer portal and NIL have made things as chaotic as ever, which translates to some juicy offseason storylines and more marquee matchups in the regular season.
There’s no exception in the Big Ten, as four new schools enter the fray, threatening to turn the conference on its head. Nobody knows what’s going to happen on the field, but today, we’ll take a stab at some things that could happen in the Big Ten this year.
In preparation for the 2024 season, here’s 10 bold (maybe borderline crazy) predictions for the Big Ten this year:
Rutgers wins nine games
I said borderline crazy didn’t I? Coming off a 7-6 season in 2023, Greg Schiano and the Scarlet Knights are poised to take a step forward this year.
Rutgers doesn’t face that tough of a schedule in 2024, as its only ranked opponent right now is USC. It does have some tough matchups against Virginia Tech , Washington and Nebraska, but you could make the case for the Scarlet Knights to beat any opponent on their schedule. Reigning conference rushing leader Kyle Monangai is back, while new quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis should help elevate the offense.
Dylan Raiola will be the conference’s best freshman
While he might not start right out of the gate, Dylan Raiola will likely be seeing the field for Nebraska this year. Raiola, the son of former Detroit Lion and Nebraska great Dominic Raiola, is a former five-star quarterback that Matt Rhule and the Huskers badly needed. Now, he’ll have a chance to resurrect the Nebraska program.
He’ll have to overcome the pressure that’s on him, but if he’s able to settle in and lead a Nebraska team that’s better all-around and more experienced in 2024, it’ll be a big reason why it can re-establish itself in the conference.
Nebraska, Michigan State re-assert themselves
It’s not too long ago that Nebraska and Michigan State were powers of their own. Nebraska is a college football blue blood that played for a conference championship back in 2012. Meanwhile, Michigan State has been to the College Football Playoff, and won 11 games back in 2021.
While we shouldn’t expect some major returns to prominence, Matt Rhule and Jonathan Smith will get their programs back on the right tracks this season, setting them up to potentially return to the promised land in the future.
Northwestern becomes the new Maryland
Seemingly since its entered the Big Ten, Maryland has been the thorn in the sides of teams like Michigan and Ohio State . While the Terrapins haven’t pulled off any major upsets, they’ve come pretty close, like against Michigan in 2022 and Ohio State in 2018.
Now, with Maryland projected to take a step back without Taulia Tagovailoa, Northwestern is going to be the team in the conference causing problems for the big boys. Coming off an 8-5 season, David Braun’s Wildcats put the conference on notice in 2023. They’ll have a shot at playing spoiler in Week 13 in the Big House.
It’s Penn State’s year…kind of
With the 12-team playoff format now in place, 2024 will be the year Penn State makes it in. For a program that seems to always win nine or 10 games, the Nittany Lions have been right on the doorstep every year.
Even if a playoff berth is a result of playoff expansion, there’s a lot to like about Penn State in 2024. Quarterback Drew Allar should improve in his second season as a starter, while Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are both dynamite out of the backfield. Penn State should also have one of the nation’s best defenses once again led by Abdul Carter, while its relatively easy schedule should translate to 10 or 11 regular season wins.
Michigan beats Ohio State for the fourth straight year
Wouldn’t this be something? It seems like an “if not now, when?” type year for the Buckeyes. Ryan Day and Ohio State had one of the best offseasons in college football, bringing in a host of solid transfers and another great freshman class. Ohio State also returns several key contributors from a year ago to help try to get them over the hump.
All of that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll exorcise their maize and blue demons, though, as Michigan will still be a solid team in its own right. Perhaps the pressure will be too much. Perhaps Michigan can still ground and pound its way through the Buckeye defense. Regardless though, this game won’t be a cakewalk for Ohio State like many have made it out to be this offseason.
Four Big Ten teams make the College Football Playoff
If Michigan can beat Ohio State and Penn State has a solid season, the Big Ten would have an excellent shot at putting four teams in the College Football Playoff. Oregon and Ohio State figure to be near the top of the rankings all season, and both have real shots to win the National Championship. Penn State and Michigan, meanwhile, might be on the edge of the top-10, but should secure 10 or 11 regular season wins, which should be enough to make it in.
This won’t be the most from a single conference though, as the SEC could place five teams in the field.
Lincoln Riley leaves USC
I’ll remind you I did say borderline crazy. USC wasn’t one of those teams in the Big Ten I named that could make the playoff, which will contribute to Lincoln Riley’s departure. The pressure ratcheted up on Riley after last season, as the Trojans inexplicably went 7-5 in the regular season with Caleb Williams and one of the nation’s best offenses.
Defense has been a puzzle that Riley’s teams haven’t been able to figure out going all the way back to his teams at Oklahoma . The offense also figures to take a step back with an unproven Miller Moss at quarterback. A tough Big Ten schedule could only make matters worse. A seven- or eight-win season could be enough for USC to seek a new start or for Riley to finally try his hand in the NFL.
Dillon Gabriel wins the Heisman
The Big Ten hasn’t had a Heisman winner since Troy Smith in 2006, but this will be the year the drought ends. Dillon Gabriel is coming off the best season of his long college career, throwing for 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns, while also running for 373 yards and 12 touchdowns. Now, he’s in an even better situation at Oregon.
In 2024, Gabriel will have a chance to top those numbers, as he’ll be throwing to a talented trio of receivers in Evan Stewart, Tez Johnson and Traeshon Holden. He’ll also be playing for a team that will be one of the nation’s best all season. That’s a recipe Heisman voters love.
Oregon wins the Big Ten
Gabriel’s Heisman-worthy play will be a big reason why Oregon wins the Big Ten in its first season in the conference. Another reason for that will be the flood of transfers brought in on both sides of the ball, like receiver Evan Stewart, cornerback Jabbar Muhammad and defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell.
Dan Lanning has assembled a super team for just his third season in Eugene, setting the Ducks up for major success. They’ll face two big tests in the regular season against Ohio State and Michigan, while also playing Washington , but Oregon has everything it needs to make it through the year with 11 or 12 wins en route to a conference title, and possible national title.