Big Ten power rankings have new look with college football spring practice kicking off

[MisterGopher]

Ohio State carries the flag for the Big Ten after an epic run to capture the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff national championship.

But the Buckeyes don’t top our pre-spring power rankings for the conference, which again has the overall depth and wealth of top-end playoff contenders to be the best in the Power Four.

The current favorite — and it’s only March, so things can change — is Penn State, last seen losing a heartbreaker to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. The Nittany Lions lose star edge rusher Abdul Carter, among a few others, but will bring back quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

Ohio State isn’t far behind. Likewise with Oregon and Michigan. Where the Big Ten looks even better in 2025 is in the teams just behind this top four, a group that includes Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota and more.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...college-football-spring-practice/80314476007/
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10. Minnesota​

The Golden Gophers could be a sneaky contender should redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey take to the starting job and longtime P.J. Fleck assistant Danny Collins succeed in the promotion to defensive coordinator. There are some holes to address, though, including on the offensive line.

 

[mngg11]

With our schedule, 10th should be the baseline. Collins will pick up where Hetherman left off. Like last year, success hinges on how well Drake acclimates to being the starter assuming he gets the nod.

 

[Some guy]

Anyone picking the gophers between 7 and 12 is fair
If you picked gophers top 6 they aren’t really jumping anyone way better
If you pick them 13 or lower you’re a hater

10 is fair

 

[Schnauzer]

Nebraska #6 and the Gophers at #10 sounds just right for February/March. By June, look for the Gophers to sink to the 14-16 range while Nebraska should be really encouraged landing around #4.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Anyone picking the gophers between 7 and 12 is fair
If you picked gophers top 6 they aren’t really jumping anyone way better
If you pick them 13 or lower you’re a hater

10 is fair

Yep, we are right in that mix of teams where the range of outcomes could go a number of different ways so being picked around the middle of the conference makes complete sense.

Not surprised to see Nebraska picked up near the top group as that is a yearly tradition. Sconnie all the way down at 15 can't sit well with their fans.

Of course in the end it is all just guess work right now, especially for any team that will have a new QB in 2025 because so much will hinge on how that QB plays.

 

[fmlizard]

Minnesota has finished no worse than T6 in the Big Ten using conference record with overall record as a tiebreaker for 4 of the last 5 full seasons.

Only 2023 was not top 6, and even that was a bowl game season.

I bet 90% of preseason predictions had the Gophers at 7th or worse through those seasons.

 

[TNGophfan]

Speaking of spring football, when do Gophers start?

 

[restovich]

Nebraska always has a *great* off-season.

 

[Some guy]

Yep, we are right in that mix of teams where the range of outcomes could go a number of different ways so being picked around the middle of the conference makes complete sense.

Not surprised to see Nebraska picked up near the top group as that is a yearly tradition. Sconnie all the way down at 15 can't sit well with their fans.

Of course in the end it is all just guess work right now, especially for any team that will have a new QB in 2025 because so much will hinge on how that QB plays.

I suspect 5-10 plays will be the difference between 5th (illinois) and 12th (nebraska) against next year like it was last year