IceBoxGopher
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Regarding the Gophers:
43. Minnesota
Quarterback Max Brosmer departs, but coach PJ Fleck’s team returns one of the Big Ten's top running backs in Darius Taylor. The Golden Gophers need to restock the receiving corps and offensive line this spring.
Here's where the rest of the Big Ten was ranked -
2. Ohio State
The Buckeyes have holes to fill, so a repeat national championship won’t be easy. However, quarterback Julian Sayin is a breakout candidate, and coach Ryan Day’s squad still has two of the nation’s best players in receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs.
3. Penn State
All of the pieces are in place for the Nittany Lions to challenge Ohio State for the Big Ten title and contend for a national championship. A revamped receiving corps is under the spotlight this spring.
7. Oregon
The Ducks have personnel questions to address on both sides of the ball, but coach Dan Lanning’s team also has plenty of young and promising talent to ensure a quick reload.
16. Michigan
Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood’s development is one of the biggest spring storylines to watch in college football.
17. Illinois
The Fighting Illini surprised the Big Ten with a 10-win season in ’24. A manageable schedule, along with the return of quarterback Luke Altmyer, should allow coach Bret Bielema’s team to push for a playoff spot.
20. Indiana
Replicating last year’s run to the College Football Playoff won’t be easy. However, coach Curt Cignetti’s squad still has a solid foundation of talent. Transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza (California) is a strong fit for this offense.
29. Nebraska
The combination of coordinator Dana Holgorsen and quarterback Dylan Raiola should lead to a much improved offense in '25. The Cornhuskers have a major overhaul ahead on the defensive front.
33. Iowa
The Hawkeyes must replace a couple of defensive stalwarts - linebackers Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson and cornerback Jermari Harris - but there’s optimism on offense with the arrival of South Dakota State transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski.
34. Washington
The Huskies had to navigate major personnel turnover in coach Jedd Fisch's debut last fall, yet still found a way to reach a bowl game. New quarterback Demond Williams is a breakout candidate, but the defense must replace 10 of its top 12 tacklers from '24.
35. USC
Coach Lincoln Riley’s team has question marks at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. But if quarterback Jayden Maiava settles in as the full-time starter to go with a solid group of receivers, the Trojans could push for a finish in the top 25.
47. Michigan State
The Spartans are on the right track under coach Jonathan Smith and could be poised for a jump in the standings if quarterback Aidan Chiles takes a big step forward in his development.
48. Rutgers
Running back Kyle Monangai (1,279 rushing yards in '24) is a big loss, but coach Greg Schiano's squad returns quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and a couple of promising running backs in Antwan Raymond and Florida Atlantic transfer CJ Campbell. The Scarlet Knights allowed 25.4 points a game last season but need to get tougher (16th in the Big Ten) versus the run.
49. Wisconsin
Coach Luke Fickell is on the hot seat after a 13-13 start to his tenure at Wisconsin. An offensive overhaul led by new coordinator Jeff Grimes and Maryland transfer quarterback Billy Edwards likely holds the key to how successful the Badgers will be in '25.
68. UCLA
The Bruins improved as the ’24 season progressed but enter spring practice with major concerns on both sides of the ball. Expect several transfers to compete for starting jobs in ’25.
70. Northwestern
SMU transfer quarterback Preston Stone should help Northwestern’s offense improve after averaging only 17.8 points a game in ’24.
71. Maryland
Sorting out the quarterback battle between UCLA transfer Justyn Martin and true freshman Malik Washington tops the list of spring priorities for coach Mike Locksley. It's a crucial offseason for the program after last year's disappointing 4-8 record.
98. Purdue
New coach Barry Odom has a major rebuild ahead after last year’s one-win team returns only one starter.
43. Minnesota
Quarterback Max Brosmer departs, but coach PJ Fleck’s team returns one of the Big Ten's top running backs in Darius Taylor. The Golden Gophers need to restock the receiving corps and offensive line this spring.
Here's where the rest of the Big Ten was ranked -
2. Ohio State
The Buckeyes have holes to fill, so a repeat national championship won’t be easy. However, quarterback Julian Sayin is a breakout candidate, and coach Ryan Day’s squad still has two of the nation’s best players in receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs.
3. Penn State
All of the pieces are in place for the Nittany Lions to challenge Ohio State for the Big Ten title and contend for a national championship. A revamped receiving corps is under the spotlight this spring.
7. Oregon
The Ducks have personnel questions to address on both sides of the ball, but coach Dan Lanning’s team also has plenty of young and promising talent to ensure a quick reload.
16. Michigan
Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood’s development is one of the biggest spring storylines to watch in college football.
17. Illinois
The Fighting Illini surprised the Big Ten with a 10-win season in ’24. A manageable schedule, along with the return of quarterback Luke Altmyer, should allow coach Bret Bielema’s team to push for a playoff spot.
20. Indiana
Replicating last year’s run to the College Football Playoff won’t be easy. However, coach Curt Cignetti’s squad still has a solid foundation of talent. Transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza (California) is a strong fit for this offense.
29. Nebraska
The combination of coordinator Dana Holgorsen and quarterback Dylan Raiola should lead to a much improved offense in '25. The Cornhuskers have a major overhaul ahead on the defensive front.
33. Iowa
The Hawkeyes must replace a couple of defensive stalwarts - linebackers Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson and cornerback Jermari Harris - but there’s optimism on offense with the arrival of South Dakota State transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski.
34. Washington
The Huskies had to navigate major personnel turnover in coach Jedd Fisch's debut last fall, yet still found a way to reach a bowl game. New quarterback Demond Williams is a breakout candidate, but the defense must replace 10 of its top 12 tacklers from '24.
35. USC
Coach Lincoln Riley’s team has question marks at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. But if quarterback Jayden Maiava settles in as the full-time starter to go with a solid group of receivers, the Trojans could push for a finish in the top 25.
47. Michigan State
The Spartans are on the right track under coach Jonathan Smith and could be poised for a jump in the standings if quarterback Aidan Chiles takes a big step forward in his development.
48. Rutgers
Running back Kyle Monangai (1,279 rushing yards in '24) is a big loss, but coach Greg Schiano's squad returns quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and a couple of promising running backs in Antwan Raymond and Florida Atlantic transfer CJ Campbell. The Scarlet Knights allowed 25.4 points a game last season but need to get tougher (16th in the Big Ten) versus the run.
49. Wisconsin
Coach Luke Fickell is on the hot seat after a 13-13 start to his tenure at Wisconsin. An offensive overhaul led by new coordinator Jeff Grimes and Maryland transfer quarterback Billy Edwards likely holds the key to how successful the Badgers will be in '25.
68. UCLA
The Bruins improved as the ’24 season progressed but enter spring practice with major concerns on both sides of the ball. Expect several transfers to compete for starting jobs in ’25.
70. Northwestern
SMU transfer quarterback Preston Stone should help Northwestern’s offense improve after averaging only 17.8 points a game in ’24.
71. Maryland
Sorting out the quarterback battle between UCLA transfer Justyn Martin and true freshman Malik Washington tops the list of spring priorities for coach Mike Locksley. It's a crucial offseason for the program after last year's disappointing 4-8 record.
98. Purdue
New coach Barry Odom has a major rebuild ahead after last year’s one-win team returns only one starter.
