A 2025 Big 10 Preview

Alex Wilcox17 mins

The Standings Projection

Projected Order of FinishProjected Record
1. Penn State11-1 (8-1)
2. Ohio State11-1 (8-1)
3. Oregon10-2 (7-2)
4. Illinois8-4 (6-3)
5. USC 8-4 (6-3)
6. Michigan8-4 (6-3)
7. Iowa8-4 (6-3)
8. Nebraska 8-4 (5-4)
9. Washington8-4 (5-4)
10. Indiana8-4 (5-4)
11. Minnesota7-5 (4-5)
12. Michigan State6-6 (3-6)
13. Wisconsin5-7 (3-6)
14. UCLA5-7 (3-6)
15. Maryland5-7 (2-7)
16. Northwestern4-8 (2-7)
17. Rutgers4-8 (1-8)
18. Purdue3-9 (1-8)

The Team Breakdowns

Penn State Head Coach James Franklin (left) and QB Drew Allar (right) enter the 2025 season with the highest of expectations (Photo: AP File).

Penn State

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Drew Allar (Sr.)6’5, 236
RB Nick Singleton (Sr.)6’0, 220
WR Trebor Pena (Sr.)6’0, 184
TE Khalil Dinkins (Sr.)6’4, 243
LG Vega Ioane (Jr.)6’4, 2334
Defense
DE Dani Dennis-Sutton (Sr.)6’5, 265
DT Zane Durant (Sr.)6’1, 292
LB Dominic DeLuca (Sr.)6’1 ,235
LB Tony Rojas (Jr.)6’2, 227
S Zakee Wheatley (Sr.)6’2, 198

Coaches

HC: James Franklin (101-42), 12th Season

OC: Andy Kotelnicki

DC: Jim Knowles

Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1), 1st Big 10

Star OSU Safety Caleb Downs returns to Columbus for his junior season in 2025 (Photo: AP File).

Ohio State

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Julian Sayin (rFr.)6’1, 203
RB James Peoples (So.)5’10, 203
WR Jeremiah Smith (So.)6’3, 215
WR Carnell Tate (Jr.)6’3, 191
TE Max Klare (Sr.)6’4, 236
Defense
DE Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (Sr.)6’6, 258
LB Sonny Styles (Sr.)6’4, 235
CB Davison Igbinosun (Sr.)6’2, 193
NB Lorenzo Styles Jr. (Sr.)6’1, 195
FS Caleb Downs (Jr.)6’0, 205

Coaches

HC: Ryan Day (70-10), 7th Season

OC: Brian Hartline

DC: Matt Patricia

Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1), 2nd Big 10

Oregon HC Dan Lanning prepares to lead the Ducks out of the tunnel before a game against Colorado in 2023 (Photo: Chris Pietsch – USA TODAY Network).

Oregon

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Dante Moore (So.)6’3, 210
RB Makhi Hughes (Jr.)5’11, 210
WR Dakorien Moore (Fr.)5’11, 185
TE Kenyon Sadiq (Jr.)6’3 ,245
LT Isaiah World (Sr.)6’8, 310
Defense
DE Matayo Uiagalelei (Jr.)6’5, 270
LB Bryce Boettcher (Sr.)6’2, 230
LB Teitum Tuioti (Jr.)6’3, 255
CB Theran Johnson (Sr.)5’11, 185
S Dillon Thieneman (Jr.)6’0, 210

Coaches

HC: Dan Lanning (35-6), 4th Season

OC: Will Stein

DC: Tosh Lupoi

Projected Record: 10-2 (7-2), 3rd Big 10

Illinois QB Luke Altmyer returns to Champaign for his senior season in 2025 (Photo: University of Illinois Athletics).

Illinois

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Luke Altmyer (Sr.)6’2, 205
RB Aidan Laughery (Jr.)5’11, 200
WR Collin Dixon (So.)6’1, 210
TE Tanner Arkin (Sr.)6’4, 265
LT J.C. Davis (Sr.)6’5, 320
Defense
DE Gabe Jacas (Sr.)6’3, 275
LB Dylan Rosiek (Sr.)6’1, 235
NB Xavier Scott (Sr.)5’11, 190
S Miles Scott (Sr.)5’11, 210
S Matthew Bailey (Jr.)6’2, 215

Coaches

HC: Bret Bielema (28-22), 5th Season

OC: Barry Lunney Jr.

DC: Aaron Henry

Projected Record: 8-4 (6-3), 4th Big 10

USC HC Lincoln Riley paces the sidelines against Notre Dame in 2024 (Photo: Gina Ferazzi – LA Times).

USC

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Jayden Maiava (Jr.)6’4, 225
WR Ja’Kobi Lane (Jr.)6’4, 195
WR Makai Lemon (Jr.)5’11, 195
TE Lake McRee (Sr.)6’4 ,249
LT Elijah Paige (So.)6’7, 320
Defense
DT Devan Thompkins (Jr.)6’5, 293
DT Keeshawn Silver (Sr.)6’4, 331
LB Eric Gentry (Sr.)6’6, 225
CB DJ Harvey (Sr.)5’10, 186
FS Kamari Ramsey (Jr.)6’0, 202

Coaches

HC: Lincoln Riley (26-14), 4th Season

OC: Luke Huard

DC: D’Anton Lynn

Projected Record: 8-4 (6-3), 5th Big 10

Five-Star True Freshman QB Bryce Underwood will start at QB for Michigan in 2025 (Photo: Junfu Han – USA TODAY Network).

Michigan

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Bryce Underwood (Fr.)6’4, 208
RB Justice Haynes (Jr.)5’11, 205
WR Semaj Morgan (Jr.)5’10, 174
WR Donaven McCulley (Sr.)6’5, 200
LG Giovanni El-Hadi (Sr.)6’5, 310
Defense
DE Derrick Moore (Sr.)6’3, 256
LB Ernest Hausmann (Sr.)6’2, 235
LB Jaishawn Barham (Sr.)6’3, 248
CB Jyaire Hill (Jr.)6’2, 185
FS Rod Moore (Sr.)6’0, 198

Coaches

HC: Sherrone Moore (9-5), 2nd Season

OC: Chip Lindsey

DC: Wink Martindale

Projected Record: 8-4 (6-3), 6th Big 10

South Dakota State transfer QB Mark Gronowski (11) will lead the Iowa offense in 2025 (Photo: Jim Slosiarek – The Gazette).

Iowa

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Mark Gronowski (Sr.)6’3, 230
RB Kamari Moulton (So.)5’9, 197
WR Reece Vander Zee (So.)6’4, 207
TE Addison Ostrenga (Sr.)6’4, 251
RT Gennings Dunker (Sr.)6’5, 316
Defense
DE Max Llewellyn (Sr.)6’5, 258
DT Aaron Graves (Sr.)6’4, 300
LB Karson Sharar (Sr.)6’2, 232
CB TJ Hall (Sr.)6’1, 187
FS Xavier Nwankpa (Sr.)6’2, 215

Coaches

HC: Kirk Ferentz (204-124), 27th Season

OC: Tim Lester

DC: Phil Parker

Projected Record: 8-4 (6-3), 7th Big 10

Nebraska sophomore QB Dylan Raiola returns in 2025 to power a Dana Holgorsen offense (Photo: Nebraska Athletics).

Nebraska

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Dylan Raiola (So.)6’3, 230
RB Emmett Johnson (Jr.)5’11, 200
WR Dane Key (Sr.)6’3, 210
TE Luke Lindenmeyer (Jr.)6’3, 250
RG Henry Lutovsky (Sr.)6’6, 320
Defense
NT Elijah Jeudy (Sr.)6’3, 285
LB Vincent Shavers Jr. (So.)6’1, 225
LB Javin Wright (Sr.)6’5, 215
CB Ceyair Wright (Sr.)6’0, 180
S Malcolm Hartzog (Sr.)5’9, 175

Coaches

HC: Matt Rhule (12-13), 3rd Season

OC: Dana Holgorsen

DC: John Butler

Projected Record: 8-4 (5-4), 8th Big 10

Washington QB Demond Williams returns for his sophomore campaign in 2025 (Photo: Lindsey Wasson – AP File).

Washington

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Demond Williams (So.)5’11, 190
RB Jonah Coleman (Sr.)5’9, 225
WR Denzel Boston (Jr.)6’4, 207
WR Omari Evans (Sr.)6’0, 190
LT Carver Willis (Sr.)6’5, 291
Defense
DT Simote Pepa (Sr.)6’3, 350
LB Taariq Al-Uqdah (Jr.)6’0, 232
CB Tacario Davis (Sr.)6’4, 200
CB Ephesians Prysock (Sr.)6’4, 190
S CJ Christian (Sr.)6’1, 196

Coaches

HC: Jedd Fisch (6-7), 2nd Season

OC: Jimmie Dougherty

DC: Ryan Walters

Projected Record: 8-4 (5-4), 9th Big 10

Indiana HC Curt Cignetti looks to build off of last season’s success in 2025 (Photo: AP File).

Indiana

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Fernando Mendoza (Jr.)6’5, 225
RB Roman Hemby (Sr.)6’0, 208
WR Elijah Sarratt (Sr.)6’2, 209
WR Omar Cooper Jr. (Jr.)6’0, 201
LT Carter Smith (Jr.)6’5, 308
Defense
DE Mikail Kamara (Sr.)6’1 ,265
DT Hosea Wheeler (Sr.)6’3, 300
LB Aiden Fisher (Sr.)6’1, 233
CB D’Angelo Ponds (Jr.)5’9, 170
S Amare Ferrell (Jr.)6’2, 200

Coaches

HC: Curt Cignetti (11-2), 2nd Season

OC: Mike Shanahan

DC: Bryant Haines

Projected Record: 8-4 (5-4), 10th Big 10

Minnesota RB Darius Taylor waltzes to the end zone for a TD against Bowling Green in 2024 (Photo: Minnesota Athletics).

Minnesota

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Drake Lindsey (rFr.)6’5, 230
RB Darius Taylor (Jr.)6’0. 215
WR Le’Meke Brockington (Sr.)6’0, 195
TE Jameson Geers (Sr.)6’5, 255
LT Nathan Roy (Fr.)6’5, 305
Defense
DE Anthony Smith (Jr.)6’6, 285
DT Deven Eastern (Sr.)6’5, 310
LB Maverick Baranowski (Jr.)6’2, 230
CB Jaylen Bowden (Jr.)6’1, 170
S Koi Perich (So.)6’1, 200

Coaches

HC: P.J. Fleck (58-39), 9th Season

OC: Greg Harbaugh

DC: Danny Collins

Projected Record: 7-5 (4-5), 11th Big 10

MSU WR Nick Marsh elevates for a TD grab against Indiana in 2024 (Photo: Nick King – Lansing State Journal).

Michigan State

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Aidan Chiles (Jr.)6’3, 217
RB Brandon Tullis (So.)6’1, 225
WR Nick Marsh (So.)6’3, 201
TE Jack Velling (Sr.)6’5, 246
LT Stanton Ramil (So.)6’7 302
Defense
DT Alex VanSumeren (Jr.)6’3, 295
LB Jordan Hall (Jr.)6’3, 237
LB Darius Snow (Sr.)6’1, 228
CB Chance Rucker (So.)6’1, 180
S Malik Spencer (Sr.)6’1, 192

Coaches

HC: Jonathan Smith (5-7), 2nd Season

OC: Brian Lindgren

DC: Joe Rossi

Projected Record: 6-6 (3-6) ,12th Big 10

Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell enters his 3rd season in Madison in 2025 (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports).

Wisconsin

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Billy Edwards Jr. (Sr.)6’3, 228
RB Cade Yacamelli (Jr.)6’0, 215
WR Vinny Anthony II (Sr.)6’0, 190
TE Tucker Ashcraft (Jr.)6’5, 260
RT Riley Mahlman (So.)6’8, 320
Defense
NT Parker Petersen (Sr.)6’4, 315
DT Ben Barten (Sr.)6’5, 323
LB Christian Alliegro (Jr.)6’4, 245
CB Ricardo Hallman (Sr.)5’10, 190
SS Preston Zachman (Sr.)6’1, 212

Coaches

HC: Luke Fickell (13-13), 3rd Season

OC: Jeff Grimes

DC: Mike Tressel

Projected Record: 5-7 (3-6), 13th Big 10

New UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava (right) with UCLA HC Deshaun Foster (center) and Iamaleava’s father (right) (Photo: Keith Birmingham – Orange County Register).

UCLA

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Nico Iamaleava (So.)6’6, 215
RB Jalen Berger (Sr.)6’1, 215
WR Mikey Matthews (Jr.)5’9, 180
WR Rico Flores Jr. (So.)6’2, 205
LT Courtland Ford (Sr.)6’6, 315
Defense
DE Nico Davillier (Sr.)6’4, 271
DT Siale Taupaki (Sr.)6’4, 310
LB JonJon Vaughns (Sr.)6’1, 220
CB Kanye Clark (So.)6’0, 175
S Key Lawrence (Sr.)6’0, 205

Coaches

HC: Deshaun Foster (5-7), 2nd Season

OC: Tino Sunseri

DC: Ikaika Malloe

Projected Record: 5-7 (3-6), 14th Big 10

Maryland freshman QB Malik Washington (7) at a recent practice (Photo: Neelay Sachdeva – The Diamondback).

Maryland

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Malik Washington (Fr.)6’4, 215
RB Nolan Ray (So.)5’11, 215
WR Octavian Smith (Sr.)5’11, 176
WR Jalil Farooq (Sr.)6’1, 208
TE Dorian Fleming (So.)6’3, 223
Defense
DE Daniel Owens (Jr.)6’2, 268
LB Trey Reddick (So.)6’3, 222
LB Neeo Avery (So.)6’4, 273
CB Jamare Glasker (Jr.)6’1, 185
S Jalen Huskey (Sr.)6’1, 196

Coaches

HC: Mike Locksley (33-41), 8th Season

OC: Pep Hamilton

DC: Ted Monachino, Aazaar Abdul-Rahim

Projected Record: 5-7 (2-7), 15th Big 10

Northwestern RB Cam Porter comes up just short of a TD against Purdue in 2024 (Photo: Michael Conroy – AP).

Northwestern

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Preston Stone (Sr.)6’1, 214
RB Cam Porter (Sr.)5’10, 213
WR Frank Covey IV (Fr.)6’1, 193
TE Alex Lines (Sr.)6’6, 250
LT Caleb Tiernan (Jr.)6’7, 329
Defense
DE Aidan Hubbard (Sr.)6’4, 252
DT Najee Story (Jr.)6’4, 288
LB Mac Uihlein (Jr.)6’1, 230
CB Josh Fussell (Fr.)6’0, 189
S Damon Walters (Fr.)6’1, 185

Coaches

HC: David Braun (12-13), 3rd Season

OC: Zach Lujan

DC: Tim McGarigle

Projected Record: 4-8 (2-7), 16th Big 10

Rutgers Head Coach Greg Schiano is entering his 17th overall season in 2 stints with the Scarlet Knights (Photo: Barry Reeger – AP Photo).

Rutgers

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Athan Kaliakmanis (Sr.)6’3, 215
RB CJ Campbell (Sr.)5’10, 205
WR Ian Strong (Jr.)6’3, 215
TE Kenny Fletcher (Sr.)6’3, 250
LT Tyler Needham (Sr.)6’4, 310
Defense
DE Eric O’Neill (Sr.)6’3, 255
DT Doug Blue-Eli (Sr.)6’3, 215
LB Dariel Djabome (Sr.)6’2, 235
CB Bo Mascoe (So.)5’11, 190
FS Kaj Sanders (So.)6’1, 195

Coaches

HC: Greg Schiano (94-101), 17th Season

OC: Kirk Ciarrocca

DC: Robb Smith, Zach Sparber

Projected Record: 4-8 (1-8), 17th Big 10

First year Purdue Head Coach Barry Odom (Photo: Chris Lyons – Purdue Athletics).

Purdue

Key Players

OffenseHeight/Weight
QB Ryan Browne (So.)6’4, 210
RB Devin Mockobee (Sr.)6’0, 207
WR Nitro Tuggle (So.)6’1, 190
WR E.J. Horton (Sr.)6’1, 186
LT Joey Tanona (Jr.)6’5, 310
Defense
DT TJ Lindsey (Fr.)6’3, 295
DE Breeon Ishmail (So.)6’3, 260
LB Mani Powell (Sr.)6’2, 230
CB Hudauri Hines (So.)6’1, 200
CB Tony Grimes (Sr.)6’2, 195

Coaches

HC: Barry Odom, 1st Season

OC: Josh Henson

DC: Mike Scherer

Projected Record: 3-9 (1-8), 18th Big 10

Big 10 Championship Game Prediction: Ohio State 27, Penn State 24

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