College Football Rankings: ESPN ranks the offseason of every Big Ten team

ESPN ranked the offseason for every Big Ten team ahead of the 2025 season based on coaching staff and player movement. Portal additions and departures, recruiting and staff retainment and departures were the biggest factors.

Near the top of the Big Ten are College Football Playoff contenders, but a certain team might be a little lower than you expect. Of course, these rankings are necessarily indicative of how the season will go.

But, moves you make now could determine what happens in the fall. Let’s dive into ESPN’s Big Ten offseason rankings.

1. Penn State

The Nittany Lions top the Big Ten in terms of the offseason rankings. They added Trebo Pena and Devonte Ross in the wide receiver room while also adding linebacker Amare Campbell.

Losing Abdul Carter and Tyler Warren to the NFL Draft hurts. But, Penn State seemingly brings back enough, including QB Drew Allar, to compete for a national title. The biggest change might be DC Jim Knowles coming in, replacing Tom Allen.

2. Oregon

Oregon won the Big Ten and earned the No. 1 seed in last year’s CFP. They’ll be back in contention this year after adding Isaiah World (OT), Dillon Thieneman (S) and Makhi Hughes (RB).

The biggest question might be if Dante Moore can develop as a quality starting quarterback, following a year of sitting behind Gillon Gabriel. There was a lot to replace based on what they lost from last year, including Gabriel and studs Josh Conerly (OT), Derrick Harmon (DT) and Tez Johnson (WR). But if anyone can do it, it’s Dan Lanning.

3. Illinois

Perhaps the biggest offseason move for Illinois was retaining QB Luke Altmyer, who was rumored to enter the portal. With him back in the fold, along with wide receiver additions Hudson Clement and Justin Bowick, this could be a potent offense in the Big Ten.

However, RB Josh McCray transferred to Georgia, so that’s a big loss. Bret Bielema pretty much retained everyone else and this team could be a sleeper in conference.

4. Indiana

Indiana surprised everyone by nearly stunning the entire Big Ten. The Hoosiers made the CFP and look to run it back, adding QB Fernando Mendoza from Cal. 

It’s a logical replacement for QB Kurtis Rourke and Curt Cignetti retained his primary coordinators on both sides of the ball. This team is transfer heavy again, considering the instant success of Year 1, so they’ll have to rely on them again while developing top recruits like Byron Baldwin (S), LeBron Bond (WR) and Triston Abram (DE).

5. Ohio State

Oh yeah, the Big Ten does have the defending national champions. Ohio State ranks in the top five of the offseason after adding Max Klare (TE), Beau Atkinson (DE) and Ethan Onianwa (OT). The team lost WR Emeka Egbuka, DT Tyleik Williams and OL Donovan Jackson. 

So, how does Ryan Day replace production? Start at QB with the battle to replace QB Will Howard. It’s likely Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kineholz, rather than true freshman Tavien St. Clair, but the latter can be special. The biggest move might be how Matt Patricia fits as the new DC, replacing Jim Knowles who went to Penn State.

6. Nebraska

How will Matt Rhule fare in Year 2? Seems like ESPN liked their offseason compared to most of the Big Ten. They added two offensive line pieces in Elijah Pritchett and Rocco Spindler to fill some holes. 

Rhule also promoted from within, making John Butler the new defensive coordinator. The defense was a top 20 unit last year, so it’ll be hard to replicate. The biggest question will be if now-sophomore QB Dylan Raiola takes the next step in his development under Dana Holgorsen.

7. USC 

Lincoln Riley and USC didn’t have the best season in 2024, their debut in the Big Ten. But they added RB Eli Sanders, CB DJ Harvey and S Bishop Fitzgerald, key pieces that could lead to a turnaround in 2025.

It stinks to lose WR Zachariah Branch to Georgia, one of the more electric and quickest playmakers you’ll find. Riley made sure to really hone in on high school recruiting and development rather than strictly the transfer portal. USC is middle of the pack in terms of their moves. How the defense performs will be the measuring stick again.

8. Michigan

Michigan can return to the top of the Big Ten right? Well, Sherrone Moore is suspended for two games, games of his choosing, and the Wolverines lost big time players to the NFL. That included Mason Graham, Colston Loveland and Will Johnson, among others.

QB Bryce Underwood is here on a huge NIL deal, but is competing with transfer Mikey Keene for the starting spot. The offense was lackluster last season, so Moore will lean on Phil Lindsey as a playcaller and developer. It might be another year before Michgian competes for the conference crown, but we can rule out sneaking into the playoff if everything breaks right.

9. UCLA

UCLA might’ve made the biggest offseason move in the Big Ten. QB Nico Iamaleava comes in from Tennessee in a much talked about transfer amid an NIL negotiation. If he can play at a high level like’s been projected to, the Bruins will be an interesting team to say the least.

Losing defenders like Carson Schwesinger, Olu Oladejo and Jay Toia was tough. DeShaun Foster only retained two assistants in his first full offseason. There were a lot of moving parts but change was probably necessary to get this thing right. Time will tell.

10. Washington

Jedd Fisch lost both coordinators after Year 1 in the Big Ten. Former Purdue head coach Ryan Walters is the new defensive coordinator as the Huskies look for a shot in the arm.

Washington added two key defensive backs in Tacario Davis and Alex McLaughlin. On the other side, Jimmie Dougherty was promoted to OC and he’ll be key for QB Demond Williams Jr., who took over the gig late last season. The offense is a bit uncertain but the defense should keep them in games this season.

11. Rutgers

Greg Schiano led Rutgers to another bowl game but 2024 was a season of missed opportunities with a veteran squad. They’ll have to scratch and claw to stay in the middle of the Big Ten this coming season. QB Athan Kaliakmanis is back, which is huge for consistency under OC Kirk Ciarrocca.

However, DC Joe Harasymiak left to be the head coach of UMass and Rutgers lost defenders Robert Longerbeam and Wesley Bailey. Not only that, LB Mohamed Toure transferred to Miami for his final season. And OT Ja’Elyne Matthews, an early enrollee, transferred to Florida State after just a few months. If Schiano can keep the defense afloat like he knows how to, Rutgers might at least play in a bowl game for the third straight year.

12. Michigan State

Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith retained most of his staff after a 5-7 season. That’s the good news. However, they lost key players Luke Newman (G), Charles Brantley (CB) and Jordan Turner (LB).

However, QB Aidan Chiles is back, so it gives the Spartans a reliable option under center and they added safety Nikai Martinez and linebacker Darius Snow. Michigan State will be more experienced next season but climbing the Big Ten mountain will prove difficult.

13. Iowa

Iowa made a bit of a splash by adding QB Mark Gronowski from South Dakota and there might finally be a 21st century offense for the Hawkeyes! They also added WR Sam Phillips and DT Jonah Pace.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz is the longest tenured coach in the Big Ten. He maintained staff continuity by keeping DC Phil Parker and others. Ferentz has been a model coach and getting the most out of even his less talented squads. Can he do it again?

14. Northwestern

Northwestern’s offense was practically non-existent last year, finishing 128th nationally in scoring and 130th in yards. However, David Braun elected to keep OC Zach Lujan. QB Preston Stone comes in, along with WR Griffin Wilde to aid the offense.

Braun will have to turn things around in Year 3 following a Jekyll and Hyde start to his tenure with the Wildcats. Maybe he’ll have make something out of nothing to compete in the Big Ten.

15. Minnesota

PJ Fleck named Danny Collins his new DC, promoting him from within. He’s been working for Fleck for the last 13 years. Minnesota also retained nickel back Koi Perich and running back Darius Taylor.

Speaking of the offense though, losing OTs Aierontae Ersery and Phillip Daniels stings the other side of the ball. New QB Drake Lindsey will look to elevate the offense but it’s the fourth QB in four years. Minnesota could be scraping for the middle of the Big Ten.

16. Wisconsin

Wisconsin was a steady Big Ten power but they haven’t quite gotten back there under Luke Fickell just yet. Over the offseason, they added QB Billy Edwards Jr., LB Mason Reiger and DL Charles Perkins. Not only that, QB recruit Carter Smith is on campus, so the future is bright.

Fickell will go away from the air raid and back to basics. It’s just about stabilizing the offense this year. The defense, with new faces, could end up being the strength of this team.

17. Maryland

The Terrapins added CB Dontay Joyner, TE Dorian Fleming and OT Rahtrel Perry, all key additions. But losing guys like WR Tai Felton, LB Caleb Wheatland and RB Roman Hemby hurt.

Mike Locksley wants his team to contend in the Big Ten, not finish 4-8 regularly. So he made changes to the staff which included Pep Hamilton as the new OC and Ted Monachino as the DC. A new staff might breathe life into Maryland, but losing a lot via the portal in the spring could be the biggest reason for lack of progress this year.

18. Purdue

Purdue is at the bottom of the Big Ten following a disastrous two years under Ryan Walters. The Boilermakers turned to UNLV head coach Barry Odom as their new leader, signaling the biggest change to the program this offseason.

Purdue couldn’t land top tier transfers but added CB Tony Grimes, DE CJ Nunnally IV and OT Jalen St. John. Odom and crew have been aggressive in the portal to fill the necessary holes but the development is going to take some time long term.