Heading into the 2025 college football season, Big Ten football predictions are hard to make. Several teams could compete for the conference championship.
The Oregon Ducks are the defending conference champions, defeating Penn State in the Big Ten championship game. However, there are expected to be several big contenders this year, including both Oregon and Penn State, as well as Ohio State and Michigan. Here is a look at the teams most likely to contend for the Big Ten championship this year.
Big Ten Teams’ percentage chances of making the playoffs, according to PFF Power Rankings
For reference, Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State all have top 5 percentages to make the playoffs compared to the rest of the PFF Power Rankings. pic.twitter.com/zjKnBWxU5x
— The Big Ten Huddle 🎙️ (@TheBigTenHuddle) August 3, 2025
Big Ten Football Predictions: Top Championship Contenders This Season
Here are four teams that could contend for the Big Ten championship this season.
#1 Penn State
Head coach James Franklin and the Penn State Nittany Lions came up short last season, losing to Oregon in the Big Ten championship game. However, the team went on a deep run in the College Football playoff, reaching the semifinal. Entering this year, they have an established star starting QB in Drew Allar, a strong running game led by Nicholas Singleton, and a talented defense.
ESPN had Penn State at the top of its preseason Big Ten power rankings and had a blunt opening statement about the team.
“If not this year, then when for the Nittany Lions?”
#2 Ohio State
Ohio State was the No. 2-ranked team in ESPN’s Big Ten power rankings. Part of the reason they fell out of the No. 1 slot was because of how many players started their NFL careers. ESPN wrote:
“The defending national champions lost a record-tying 14 players to the NFL and must fill significant holes at quarterback and along both the offensive and defensive lines.”
What stands out about head coach Ryan Day’s squad is that it has two of the best players in the nation: wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs. With them leading the way, the Buckeyes should be contenders again.
#3 Oregon
Oregon went undefeated in the regular season last year, but with Dillon Gabriel gone, they are turning to an unproven quarterback in Dante Moore. If he can perform, Dan Lanning’s squad still has the other pieces to be a top contender.
#4 Michigan
Head coach Sherrone Moore’s Michigan squad is still unproven. However, with No. 1-ranked recruit QB Bryce Underwood joining the team, the sky is the limit. If Underwood can live up to the hype, there is a chance the Wolverines could far exceed expectations this season.
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