By Mark Pszonak
With the college football season less than a month away, it is time to make some projections. Every team has high expectations in July, but the reality of it will be much different for many. Here is a projection of which team will be the biggest surprise, and which will be the biggest disappointment in the Big Ten during the 2025 season.
Biggest Surprise
Washington
The skinny: It’s hard to nitpick one way or another regarding the Huskies’ No. 10 ranking in the preseason Big Ten poll, but they have the pieces to do much better. They also have a quarterback who will give opposing defenses fits throughout the season. Demond Williams Jr. isn’t a household name outside of the Pacific Northwest, but the 5-foot-11, 190-pound dual-threat playmaker has the potential to become one by the conclusion of the season. But Williams won’t be relied upon to carry the offense, with top running back Jonah Coleman returning, underrated Denzel Boston back at receiver and up-and-coming tight end Decker DeGraaf poised for a breakout season. There are some question marks though, mainly on the offensive line and on a defense that tried to reload the line and linebacker group through the transfer portal. Will that reload work? Only time will tell. Overall, though, this could be a sneaky good Huskies’ team in 2025. The out-of-conference schedule is very manageable, they have winnable conference games against Purdue, Maryland, UCLA, Wisconsin and Rutgers, and they host their three toughest opponents: Ohio State, Oregon and Illinois.
Biggest Disappointment
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Michigan
The skinny: Michigan didn’t do too much of anything last season to warrant their No. 5 ranking in the preseason Big Ten poll. And now they will be starting a true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood to try and regain their 2023 season form. Underwood will be throwing to an unproven wide receiver group, so expect the running back duo of Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall to be used early and often. But what will happen to the offense when defenses stack the box? Everyone will find out, because that is exactly what will happen. On defense, the Wolverines must replace veterans Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Josaiah Stewart and Will Johnson from a unit that often carried the team last season. There is talent there so don’t expect the defense to flounder, but it may take some time for everything to click. And that is something the Wolverines don’t have, as two of their first four games of the season are on the road against Oklahoma and Nebraska. If the Wolverines start 2-2, how will Michigan fans react to the possibility of another middling season?
