Although the B1G may not have the same top-to-bottom depth as the SEC, it has firmly cemented its status as a championship-producing powerhouse. The conference has claimed each of the past two national titles—Michigan in 2023 and Ohio State in 2024—and it nearly made it three straight had Ohio State held off Georgia in the 2022 Peach Bowl. The B1G also led all conferences with four teams in last season’s College Football Playoff, and with the amount of depth that’s becoming more present each year, there’s a chance that the conference could match that number in 2025. In this article, I will reveal the third wave of my B1G predictions and previews consisting of the following teams: Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, and Rutgers.

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Ohio State Buckeyes

8/30 – vs. Texas – Loss

9/6 – vs. Grambling State – Win

9/13 – vs. Ohio – Win

9/20 – BYE

9/27 – @ Washington – Win

10/4 – vs. Minnesota – Win

10/11 – @ Illinois – Win

10/18 – @ Wisconsin – Win

10/25 – BYE

11/1 – vs. Penn State – Win

11/8 – @ Purdue – Win

11/15 – vs. UCLA – Win

11/22 – vs. Rutgers – Win

11/29 – @ Michigan – Loss

Final Record: 10-2 (8-1)

Fresh off claiming the first national championship of the 12-team College Football Playoff era, Ohio State heads into 2025 with plenty of turnover—but no shortage of expectations. Seventh-year head coach Ryan Day must replace a star-studded roster that saw 14 players selected in the NFL Draft and two others sign free agent deals, including several key pieces on both sides of the ball.

The staff changes are just as notable. With Chip Kelly off to the NFL, wide receivers coach Brian Hartline has regained full play-calling duties. On defense, former NFL coordinator Matt Patricia takes over following Jim Knowles’ departure to Penn State. The Buckeyes will turn to redshirt freshman and former five-star Julian Sayin at quarterback as he steps into the spotlight. In the backfield, sophomore James Peoples and West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson form a new one-two punch, while the receiver room remains elite. Brandon Inniss takes over slot duties from Emeka Egbuka, joining rising junior Carnell Tate and sophomore phenom Jeremiah Smith—widely projected as the top wideout in college football. Tight end Max Klare arrives from Purdue to strengthen a position group needing depth, and Rice transfer Ethan Onianwa is expected to provide stability to an offensive line that returns just one starter.

On defense, the Buckeyes face an even steeper rebuild. All four starters from last year’s dominant defensive front are gone, but North Carolina edge rusher Beau Atkinson and five-star freshman Eddrick Houston bring promise to the trenches. At linebacker, Arvell Reese returns and will be joined by Sonny Styles, who moves down from safety to play in the box. The secondary takes a big hit with the losses of Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock, and Lathan Ransom, but Davison Igbinosun anchors the cornerback group alongside young talents Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Lorenzo Styles. Still, the headliner is Alabama transfer Caleb Downs—a dynamic playmaker expected to be the best defensive back in the country and a potential top-five NFL Draft pick.

They begin their season with a potential top-three matchup against Texas in Columbus, who they defeated in last year’s College Football Playoff semifinals at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, and although the schedule gets easier from there, they’ll still have another blockbuster home matchup against fellow College Football Playoff semifinalist Penn State and Jim Knowles. They also have a couple of difficult road games at Illinois and arch-rival Michigan, where they should win at least one of those games if not both.

Obviously, it’d be crazy to say the Buckeyes aren’t taking a step back with what they accomplished last year, and even though they’re listed as favorites to win the B1G title, they’ll fall short again and finish as runner-up. However, they are still good enough to get back in the College Football Playoff as they begin their quest of repeating as national champions.

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Oregon Ducks

8/30 – vs. Montana State – Win

9/6 – vs. Oklahoma State – Win

9/13 – @ Northwestern – Win

9/20 – vs. Oregon State – Win

9/27 – @ Penn State – Loss

10/4 – BYE

10/11 – vs. Indiana – Win

10/18 – @ Rutgers – Win

10/25 – vs. Wisconsin – Win

11/1 – BYE

11/8 – @ Iowa – Loss

11/14 – vs. Minnesota – Win

11/22 – vs. USC – Win

11/29 – @ Washington – Loss

Final Record: 9-3 (6-3)

The Oregon Ducks enter the 2025 season as the reigning Big Ten champions, but the sting of their only loss—coming in the Rose Bowl against national champion Ohio State—still lingers. Now in his fourth year at the helm, Dan Lanning leads a program that remains loaded with talent but must navigate the challenge of replacing key veterans who were instrumental in last year’s title run.

Offensively, coordinator Will Stein is entering a new chapter. With quarterback Dillon Gabriel, star running back Jordan James, and leading receiver Tez Johnson all off to the NFL, the Ducks will rely on a younger core to keep the unit humming. Former five-star quarterback Dante Moore, now a redshirt sophomore, is set to take over under center and brings plenty of upside to the position. However, with receiver Evan Stewart sidelined for the year due to injury, Moore will lean on returning contributors Gary Bryant Jr. and Kyler Kasper, Florida State transfer Malik Benson, and last year’s top high school wideout, Dakorien Moore. In the backfield, Noah Whittington returns but is expected to play a supporting role behind Tulane transfer Makhi Hughes, who racked up over 1,400 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024. The tight end group also reloads with Louisville transfer Jamari Johnson joining Kenyon Sadiq to replace Terrance Ferguson. Up front, only one starter returns from last season’s offensive line, but the Ducks brought in a trio of experienced transfers—Nevada’s Isaiah World, Texas State’s Alex Harkey, and USC’s Emmanuel Pregnon—to maintain one of the nation’s most formidable fronts.

Defensively, Oregon will once again be led by fourth-year coordinator Tosh Lupoi, who’s tasked with reshaping a unit that sent five starters—including first-round pick Derrick Harmon—to the NFL. Despite those losses, the front seven still features elite talent, including disruptive end Matayo Uiagalelei, linebacker Bryce Boettcher, and hybrid pass rusher Teitum Tuioti, and they also add more size as well in former USC defensive tackle Bear Alexander. The secondary also receives a boost with the return of cornerback Jahlil Florence and the additions of two high-impact transfers—Northwestern corner Theran Johnson and Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman—each of whom brings next-level potential.

The Ducks’ schedule sets up favorably early, with manageable non-conference home games against Oklahoma State and rival Oregon State. However, an early-season road trip to Penn State for a White Out rematch of last year’s Big Ten title game could be one of the toughest environments Moore faces all year. After a midseason home game against Indiana, November brings two tricky road tests: one at always-resilient Iowa and another against bitter rival Washington, who would love nothing more than to spoil Oregon’s playoff hopes.

While the Ducks still boast one of the most talented rosters in the Big Ten, the lack of veteran leadership and a few late-season hurdles may keep them from repeating as conference champions. Look for Oregon to remain in the national spotlight, but a couple of well-timed upsets could leave them on the outside looking in when the College Football Playoff field is announced.

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Penn State Nittany Lions

8/30 – vs. Nevada – Win

9/6 – vs. FIU – Win

9/13 – vs. Villanova – Win

9/20 – BYE

9/27 – vs. Oregon – Win

10/4 – @ UCLA – Win

10/11 – vs. Northwestern – Win

10/18 – @ Iowa – Win

10/25 – BYE

11/1 – @ Ohio State – Loss

11/8 – vs. Indiana – Win

11/15 – @ Michigan State – Win

11/22 – vs. Nebraska – Win

11/29 – @ Rutgers – Win

Final Record: 11-1 (8-1)

After suffering a heartbreaking last-minute loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinals, Penn State enters 2025 with renewed energy and a roster brimming with returning talent. While the sting of coming up just short still lingers in Happy Valley, the Nittany Lions are positioned to build on last year’s success and make another serious run at a national title.

Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki returns for his second year in Happy Valley and takes the reins of what could be one of the most experienced and well-rounded offenses in the country. Leading the charge is senior quarterback Drew Allar, who chose to return for another season rather than enter the NFL Draft, providing much-needed continuity under center. The Nittany Lions also bring back their elite backfield duo of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen—two of the nation’s most productive rushers who surprisingly put off the pros to make another title run. Tight end Tyler Warren’s departure leaves a noticeable void, but Penn State is confident that either Khalil Dinkins or rising freshman Luke Reynolds can step in effectively. Despite losing top wideouts Harrison Wallace III and Omari Evans to the portal, the receiver room appears to have taken a step forward with the additions of Syracuse transfer Trebor Peña, USC’s Kyron Hudson, and Troy standout Devonte Ross. With four returning starters and reliable depth, the offensive line is built to anchor a unit that enters 2025 with high expectations and plenty of firepower.

On defense, the Nittany Lions made one of the splashiest coaching hires of the offseason by bringing in former Ohio State coordinator Jim Knowles, who helped lead the Buckeyes to a national title in 2024. Replacing Tom Allen, Knowles inherits a defense with plenty of upside—though it will need to compensate for the departure of All-American edge rusher Abdul Carter, the top defensive player taken in the most recent NFL Draft. Fortunately, star defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton returns to anchor the pass rush, and Zane Durant is back to fortify the interior. The linebacker corps should be even deeper this fall with Tony Rojas and Dominic DeLuca returning, joined by North Carolina transfer Amare Campbell, who steps in for the departed Kobe King. The secondary does lose veteran safeties Kevin Winston Jr. and Jaylen Reed, but Zakee Wheatley is ready to take on a bigger role, and the cornerback group—featuring AJ Harris, Zion Tracy, and Elliot Washington II—offers both athleticism and experience.

The Nittany Lions open with a soft non-conference slate and will host Oregon in a highly anticipated early-season White Out showdown. After a tricky midseason road trip to Iowa, the schedule stiffens significantly in November with a return to Columbus for Knowles against his former team and crucial home matchups against Indiana and Nebraska to close the regular season.

If there were ever a moment for Penn State to reclaim its place atop the college football landscape—a spot it hasn’t occupied since the glory days under Joe Paterno in the 1980s—it’s now. With a veteran quarterback, an elite run game, and a revitalized defense, this team has the pieces to win the Big Ten, return to the Playoff, and make a legitimate push for a national championship.

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Purdue Boilermakers

8/30 – vs. Ball State – Win

9/6 – vs. Southern Illinois – Win

9/13 – vs. USC – Loss

9/20 – @ Notre Dame – Loss

9/27 – BYE

10/4 – vs. Illinois – Loss

10/11 – @ Minnesota – Loss

10/18 – @ Northwestern – Loss

10/25 – vs. Rutgers – Loss

11/1 – @ Michigan – Loss

11/8 – vs. Ohio State – Loss

11/15 – @ Washington – Loss

11/22 – BYE

11/28 – vs. Indiana – Loss

Final Record: 2-10 (0-9)

After enduring one of the roughest seasons in program history, Purdue hit the reset button and handed the reins to former UNLV head coach Barry Odom. He inherits a major rebuilding project in West Lafayette, and he won’t be alone in trying to jumpstart the Boilermakers—former USC offensive coordinator Josh Henson joins the staff to lead the offense, while defensive coordinator Mike Scherer follows Odom from Las Vegas to take over on the other side of the ball.

The roster overhaul is nothing short of dramatic. Purdue is expected to field a starting offense that features transfers at nearly every position. The only projected returning starters are running back Devin Mockobee, one of the lone bright spots from last season, and slot receiver De’Nylon Morrissette. At quarterback, Ryan Browne is the early favorite to take over for Hudson Card, but he’ll be pushed by Arkansas transfer Malachi Singleton in what could be a closely contested battle. The rest of the passing game has been rebuilt around Georgia transfer Nitro Tuggle, USC’s Charles Ross, and UNLV tight end Christian Moore, who reunites with Odom in West Lafayette. Up front, all five projected offensive line starters are incoming transfers, giving this group a completely new look entering 2025.

Defensively, the challenge is just as steep. Not a single starter returns from last season’s unit, and while 22 defensive transfers have joined the program, nine are expected to step into starting roles immediately. The defensive line is the only area retaining any continuity, with edge rusher CJ Madden and nose tackle Jamarrion Harkless both returning. They’ll be joined by Akron transfer CJ Nunnally IV, who’s expected to replace Clemson-bound Will Heldt. At linebacker, Odom has brought in UNLV transfer Mani Powell and will rotate Arkansas’s Alex Sanford Jr., Tennessee State’s Sanders Ellis, and former Rebel Charles Correa alongside him. The secondary, despite the loss of star safety Dillon Thieneman to Oregon, might be the most talented position group on the team, thanks to the arrival of former BYU safety Crew Wakley and and a trio of experienced corners in UNLV’s Tony Grimes, Boston College’s Ryan Turner, and Memphis’s Tahj Ra-El.

On top of building a team of almost all transfers and returning inexperience, they have one of the B1G’s toughest schedules when they travel to Notre Dame very early in the year. Their conference slate isn’t any easier, with home games against USC, Illinois, Ohio State, and rival Indiana all on the docket and another hostile road matchup at Michigan.

Given the complete roster turnover and limited continuity, expectations should remain measured. There’s certainly more talent on this year’s team than the group that went 1-11 in 2024, but with so little returning experience and a daunting schedule, it’s hard to envision a dramatic jump in the win column just yet.

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Rutgers Scarlet Knights

8/28 – vs. Ohio – Win

9/6 – vs. Miami (OH) – Win

9/13 – vs. Norfolk State – Win

9/19 – vs. Iowa – Loss

9/27 – @ Minnesota – Loss

10/4 – BYE

10/10 – @ Washington – Loss

10/18 – vs. Oregon – Loss

10/25 – @ Purdue – Win

11/1 – @ Illinois – Loss

11/8 – vs. Maryland – Win

11/15 – BYE

11/22 – @ Ohio State – Loss

11/29 – vs. Penn State – Loss

Final Record: 5-7 (2-7)

Before Greg Schiano’s second stint at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights had made one bowl appearance since their 2014 move to the B1G. Since his hiring in 2020, he has led them to three bowls and two straight winning records, slowly turning his football team into a program to keep an eye on yearly.

Athan Kaliakmanis returns to lead the Rutgers offense for another year under the guidance of offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca, aiming to build on a unit that showed flashes of promise in 2024. While the loss of workhorse running back Kyle Monangai is significant, the addition of FAU transfer CJ Campbell Jr. should help ease the blow. Campbell not only rushed for 844 yards and 11 touchdowns last season but also proved to be a dynamic pass-catching threat with 40 receptions for 466 yards and three scores. The receiver room may have lost top target Dymere Miller, but it appears to be in good hands with the arrival of North Texas transfer DT Sheffield, who will join returning contributors Ian Strong and KJ Duff to give Kaliakmanis more reliable weapons on the perimeter. He’ll also be supported by four returning starters along the offensive line, plus a pair of capable tight ends in veteran Kenny Fletcher Jr. and Charlotte transfer Colin Weber, giving Rutgers a solid foundation to keep improving offensively.

Former defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak is off to UMass to take over the head coaching position, but the defense, which struggled significantly last season, hired Zach Sparber from James Madison and Penn State analyst Robb Smith to split coordinating duties. The portal will play a big role in the defense’s new foundation, especially up front as all four linemen come from different schools, most notably James Madison star defensive end, Eric O’Neill, who reunites with Sparber after finishing 2024 as the Sun Belt’s sack leader with 13. He’ll be joined by former teammate Darold DeNgohe, who will stuff the run with USF transfer Doug Blue-Eli, and Ohio transfer Bradley Weaver also knows how to pressure the quarterback. Leading tackler Dariel Djabome is back at linebacker, but he’ll need another linebacker stepping up to make his life a lot easier this season. Cornerback Flip Dixon and safety duo Shaquan Loyal and Desmond Igbinosun are gone, but the secondary returned corner Bo Mascoe and added corners Cam Miller from Penn State and Jacobie Henderson from Marshall as well as safety Jett Elad from UNLV, who joins sophomore Kaj Sanders.

While there’s no glaring concerns in their opening three games, they might have the toughest conference slate in the B1G. They play home games against Iowa and Oregon and travel to Washington and Illinois in October, but the biggest tests won’t be in front of them until the last two weeks of the season with back-to-back contests in Columbus against Ohio State and then at home for Senior Day against Penn State.

That, alone, will give them fits, and while they would only need three conference wins to become bowl eligible, I’m not sure if they’ll be able to achieve that, ultimately preventing a third consecutive bowl appearance for Rutgers.