Oregon and Ohio State are the class of the B10; Expect both to make the 12 team playoffs….

The Big Ten has two elite teams in 2024, six good teams, and ten teams that will play out the season.  Two teams in the playoffs.

Big Ten

1. Oregon:  The Ducks have the best quarterback in the league with Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel and that gives them the inside tract to win the conference. They are solid in both offense and defense and are worthy of a top ranking in the B10.  With Ohio State coming to Eugene the Ducks have the inside track to win that game.  A trip to Michigan and the final home game with Washington are the other two tough games.  Look for Oregon in the title game and in the playoffs.  12-0 for a perfect regular season.

2. Ohio State:  The Buckeyes have to go to Penn State and Oregon but host Michigan.  One loss but I have them in the B10 title game.  Ohio State will have issues with quarterbacking but the defense will be good.  Ohio State is looking at a 11-1 regular season and a replay with Oregon in Indianapolis.  

3. Penn State: Third in the conference but an unexpected loss will keep them out of the playoffs.   Do not overlook West Virginia in game one and USC at home will be another trip up contest.  Penn State 9-3 will two or three conferences loses.  

4. Michigan:  Like Penn State, a three loss conference season plus another defeat at home with Texas puts the defending National Champs out of the playoffs.  8-4.

5. USC:  The Trojans could challenge for the 3rd in the B10 but not this year.  The non-conference schedule will lend itself to two loses (LSU and Notre Dame) and Michigan, Penn State and Washington will not be easy.  7-5 and and 6-3 for the Men of Troy.

6. Washington:  An easy early schedule will give the Huskies the wins needed to have a good year.  Good is not good enough.  New coach or not, they have players.  Three loses in conference and 8-4.

7. Iowa:  another winning season but the Hawkeyes are only good on defense.  9-3 with all three loses in conference.

8. Nebraska:  Easy schedule and avoiding upsets could win the first 7 then get blasted by Ohio State in Columbus.  8-4 and four conference loses.

9. Wisconsin:6-6 and four conference L’s.

10. Rutgers:  6-6 and four conference L’s

11. Maryland  5-7 and five conference L’s

12. UCLA:  4-8  and six conference L’s

13. Minnesota  5-7 and six conference L’s

14. Illinois:  5-7 and six conference L’s

15. Indiana:  4-8 and 8 conference L’s

16. Northwestern:  4-8 and 7 conference L’s

17. Michigan State:  4-8 and 7 conference L’s

18. Purdue:  2-9 and  8 conference L’s