The 2024 college football season continues to draw closer. Significant offseason checkpoints are passed each week. First came the conclusion of spring practice at the end of April. Second was the release of select game broadcast plans. Third was the start of the summer recruiting rush.
With almost three months until the 2024 season kicks off, more questions than answers remain about the state of the Big Ten landscape.
Related: Post-spring Big Ten football 2024 power rankings, starting quarterback rankings
National rankings are predictably high on Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State entering the year. But with divisions eliminated, the standard for leading the conference and making the Big Ten Championship is unclear.
Will the championship game berths always go to a 9-0 or 8-1 team in the challenging conference landscape, or will a 7-2 season sometimes be good enough? These are some of the questions that the 2024 season will begin to answer.
Related: Predicting the 2024 College Football Playoff 12-team field, bracket after spring practice
Now that we are out of spring practice, here are our updated game-by-game predictions for the season, including each team’s record and the conference’s final standings:
Nov 4, 2023; Chicago, Illinois; Northwestern Wildcats head coach David Braun looks on during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Wrigley Field. David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Record: 3-9 (1-8 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 8-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
at Washington
vs. Ohio State
at Michigan
Projected Wins: Miami (Ohio), Eastern Illinois, Indiana
Projected Losses: Duke, Washington, Wisconsin, Maryland, Iowa, Ohio State, Michigan, Illinois, Purdue
Nov. 18, 2023; Evanston, Illinois; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Ryan Walters watches his team play against the Northwestern Wildcats in the fourth quarter at Ryan Field. Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Record: 3-9 (2-7 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 4-8 (3-6 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Notre Dame
vs. Oregon
at Ohio State
Projected Wins: Indiana State, Illinois, Northwestern
Projected Losses: Notre Dame, Oregon State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Oregon, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State
Feb. 13, 2024; Los Angeles, California; UCLA Bruins athletic director Martin Jarmond, right, with new head football coach DeShaun Foster during a press conference at Pauley Pavilion. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Record: 4-8 (2-7 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 8-5 (4-5 Pac-12)
Most Notable Games
at LSU
vs. Oregon
at Penn State
Projected Wins: Hawaii, Nebraska, Iowa, Fresno State
Projected Losses: LSU, Oregon, Penn State, Minnesota, Washington, Indiana, USC, Rutgers
Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire
Oct. 21, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck watches a replay against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Record: 4-8 (2-7 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 6-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
at Michigan
vs. USC
vs. Penn State
Projected Wins: Rhode Island, Nevada, UCLA, Maryland
Projected Losses: North Carolina, Iowa, Michigan, USC, Illinois, Rutgers, Penn State, Wisconsin
Indiana’s newly announced head coach of football Curt Cignetti speaks to the media on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK
Projected Record: 5-7 (2-7 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 3-9 (1-8 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Washington
vs. Michigan
at Ohio State
Projected Wins: Florida International, Western Illinois, Charlotte, UCLA, Purdue
Projected Losses: Maryland, Northwestern, Nebraska, Washington, Michigan State, Michigan, Ohio State
Oct. 29, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema greets linebacker Tarique Barnes (8) on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Record: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
at Penn State
vs. Michigan
at Oregon
Projected Wins: Eastern Illinois, Central Michigan, Minnesota, Michigan State, Northwestern
Projected Losses: Kansas, Penn State, Purdue, Michigan, Oregon, Rutgers, Nebraska
Michigan State’s new football coach Jonathan Smith waves to the crowd during a timeout in the basketball game against Georgia Southern on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Nick King/Lansing State Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK
Projected Record: 6-6 (3-6 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 4-8 (2-7 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Ohio State
at Oregon
at Michigan
Projected Wins: Florida Atlantic, Louisiana, Boston College, Iowa, Indiana, Purdue
Projected Losses: Maryland, Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, Illinois, Rutgers
Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions on Spartans Wire
Nov. 11, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule during the third quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Memorial Stadium. Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Record: 7-5 (4-5 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
at Ohio State
at USC
at Iowa
Projected Wins: UTEP, Colorado, Northern Iowa, Purdue, Indiana, USC, Illinois
Projected Losses: Rutgers, Ohio State, UCLA, Wisconsin, Iowa
Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire
Oct. 28, 2023; Evanston, Illinois; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley (center) on the sidelines during the second half at Ryan Field. David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Record: 7-5 (4-5 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 8-5 (4-5 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. USC
at Oregon
at Penn State
Projected Wins: UConn, Michigan State, Virginia, Villanova, Indiana, Northwestern, Rutgers
Projected Losses: USC, Minnesota, Oregon, Iowa, Penn State
Sept. 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano before the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at SHI Stadium. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 7-6 (3-6 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Washington
vs. Wisconsin
at USC
Projected Wins: Howard, Akron, Nebraska, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan State, UCLA
Projected Losses: Virginia Tech, Washington, Wisconsin, USC, Maryland
Get more (Rutgers) news, analysis and opinions on Rutgers Wire
Oct. 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Record: 8-4 (5-4 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 10-4 (7-3 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
at Ohio State
vs. Washington
vs. Wisconsin
Projected Wins: Illinois State, Iowa State, Troy, Minnesota, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Maryland, Nebraska
Projected Losses: Ohio State, Washington, Michigan State, UCLA
Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire
Dec. 1, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada; Washington Huskies running back Dillon Johnson (7) rushes against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Record: 8-4 (6-3 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 14-1 (10-0 Pac-12)
Most Notable Games
vs. Michigan
at Iowa
at Penn State
Projected Wins: Weber State, Eastern Michigan, Northwestern, Rutgers, Iowa, Indiana, UCLA, Michigan
Projected Losses: USC, Penn State, Oregon, Washington State
Oct. 28, 2023; Berkeley, California; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts after a penalty during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Record: 8-4 (6-3 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 8-5 (5-4 Pac-12)
Most Notable Games
vs. LSU
at Michigan
vs. Notre Dame
Projected Wins: LSU, Utah State, Minnesota, Penn State, Maryland, Rutgers, Washington, UCLA
Projected Losses: Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Wisconsin
Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire
Oct. 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell leads the football team onto the field for warmups prior to the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Record: 8-4 (6-3 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 7-6 (5-4 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Alabama
vs. Penn State
vs. Oregon
Projected Wins: Western Michigan, South Dakota, Purdue, Rutgers, Northwestern, Nebraska, Minnesota, USC
Projected Losses: Alabama, Penn State, Iowa, Oregon
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches a play during the second half of the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK
Projected Record: 9-3 (7-2 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 15-0 (10-0 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Texas
vs. Oregon
at Ohio State
Projected Wins: Fresno State, Arkansas State, USC, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan State, Indiana, Northwestern, Oregon
Projected Losses: Texas, Ohio State, Washington
Dec. 30, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin on the sidelines against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Record: 10-2 (7-2 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 10-3 (7-2 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
vs. Ohio State
vs. Washington
at Wisconsin
Projected Wins: West Virginia, Bowling Green, Kent State, Illinois, UCLA, Wisconsin, Washington, Purdue, Minnesota, Maryland
Projected Losses: USC, Ohio State
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire
Dec. 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day walks off the field after losing 14-3 to Missouri Tigers in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 11-2 (8-1 Big Ten)
Most Notable Games
at Oregon
at Penn State
vs. Michigan
Projected Wins: Akron, Western Michigan, Marshall, Michigan State, Iowa, Nebraska, Penn State, Purdue, Northwestern, Indiana, Michigan
Projected Losses: Oregon
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire
Nov. 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning (center) leads quarterback Bo Nix (10) and Ty Thompson (13) onto the field for the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
Record in 2023: 12-2 (8-2 Pac 12)
Most Notable Games
vs. Ohio State
at Michigan
at Wisconsin
Projected Wins: Idaho, Boise State, Oregon State, UCLA, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue, Illinois, Maryland, Wisconsin, Washington
Projected Losses: Michigan
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on Ducks Wire
18: Northwestern (1-8)
T14: Purdue (2-7)
T14: UCLA (2-7)
T14: Minnesota (2-7)
T14: Indiana (2-7)
T12: Illinois (3-6)
T12: Michigan State (3-6)
T10: Nebraska (4-5)
T10: Maryland (4-5)
T8: Rutgers (5-4)
T8: Iowa (5-4)
T5: Washington (6-3)
T5: USC (6-3)
T5: Wisconsin (6-3)
T3: Michigan (7-2)
T3: Penn State (7-2)
T1: Ohio State (8-1)
T1: Oregon (8-1)
July 26, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks to the media during Big Ten football media days at Lucas Oil Stadium. Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Oregon over Ohio State
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