By Patrick Weider
The 2024 Big Ten race shaped up between Oregon and Ohio State, but once the Buckeyes lost to Michigan, unexpectedly, Penn State then went to the Big Ten Championship game where they were defeated by the Ducks. Indiana was also the surprise team, finishing 11-1 on the year.
Next year’s race seems wide open since Oregon and Ohio State both lost a ton of players. So, for this article, I outline four teams that could take a step back next year.
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No. 1: Indiana Hooisers
Indiana is a prime example of a team that overachieved last year, playing a softer schedule to go 11-1 and advanced to the College Football Playoff.
Head coach Curt Cignetti did a great job in his first season, but benefited from that soft schedule to have one of the best seasons in Indiana History. The Hooisers only faced one of the top teams in the Big Ten and they were defeated by Ohio State. Other than that, they beat up on a soft Big Ten schedule and played FIU, Western Illinois and Charlotte in the nonconference. Not necessarily a murderer’s row of out-of-conference opponents. In 2025, they will face a much tougher schedule as they face Illinois and Wisconsin at home. Then they will go on the road to Oregon, Penn State and Iowa.
I expect Indiana will slide back and fall back to the 7-to-9-win range after facing a tougher schedule. I still think Cignetti is a good football coach, but a slight step back is not out of the question.
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No. 2: Oregon Ducks
Dan Lanning has done a great job building Oregon into a legit college football program. Last year, they started 13-0 and won the Big Ten Championship.
I do not think Oregon will fall off a cliff, but the Ducks will probably lose a game or two in the Big Ten. For example, Oregon’s away schedule in the Big Ten is tough in 2025 as they play Penn State, Iowa and Washington. None of those road games will be easy for Oregon to win. The Ducks also lost a veteran team, especially at quarterback with the departure of Dillon Gabriel.
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No. 3: Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State is coming off an impressive CFP run, where they won a National Championship. Ryan Day’s program is one of the elites in the country, but they also lost two Big Ten games last year. I could see them possibly losing multiple games next year as well.
Ohio State will also lose most of their team, especially on defense, where they will have to replace eight starters. The Buckeyes must visit Illinois and Wisconsin in back-to-back weeks, which could be tricky. They also have a home game against Texas in the nonconference and against Big Ten foe Penn State. Finally, they must visit Michigan, a game they have lost four straight times to. A 9-3 season would not be an unexpected result for the 2025 Buckeyes.
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No. 4: Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa has been a consistent program under Kirk Ferentz and last year they went 6-3 last year. Playing a schedule that only featured playing Ohio State as the top Big Ten team, Iowa was able to have a winning record in the conference.
Next year, they will play a much tougher schedule. They have home games against Penn State and Oregon. Plus, they have to travel to Wisconsin, USC and Nebraska.
