2025 Big Ten Football Preview & Projections Title Contenders Odds & Outlook
Dive into the 2025 Big Ten season with SP+ projections team previews betting insights title odds schedule analysis and expert futures — featuring Ohio State Penn State Michigan Oregon Illinois & more .
As the 2025 college football season approaches the Big Ten remains a dominant force in the sport boasting back to back national champions With the introduction of a revamped playoff format and conference realignment expectations are high ESPN’s SP+ model and expert analyses forecast a dynamic season led by perennial powerhouse Ohio State Close contenders include Penn State Oregon Michigan and surprise challengers Illinois and Indiana .
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SP+ Projections & Preseason Rankings
ESPN’s SP+ forecast provides a clear picture of the power hierarchy in the Big Ten Here’s a snapshot of the top teams based on their SP+ scores offensive and defensive rankings and projected wins .
| Rank | Team | SP+ Score | Offense Rank | Defense Rank | Special Teams | Avg Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ohio State | 29.5 | 39.6 (7) | 10.1 (2) | 0.3 | 10.3 |
| 2 | Penn State | 27.7 | 40.6 (3) | 12.9 (6) | 0.1 | 10.4 |
| 3 | Oregon | 24.7 | 40.5 (4) | 15.8 (11) | 0.5 | 10.1 |
| 4 | Michigan | 21.5 | 31.8 (32) | 10.3 (3) | 0.2 | 9.8 |
| 5 | Illinois | 14.3 | 32.3 (28) | 18.0 (20) | 0.2 | 8.7 |
| 6 | Indiana | 12.2 | 32.1 (30) | 19.9 (25) | 0.2 | 8.1 |
Ohio State Penn State Oregon and Michigan are projected to average between 9.8 and 10.4 wins establishing themselves as favorites to claim the conference crown .
Title Competition & Championship Odds
Ohio State leads the Big Ten title odds at +190 followed closely by Penn State +230 and Oregon +330 SportsLine expert Thomas Casale considers Penn State the best value bet citing their experienced roster and scheme stability A New York Post survey confirms these projections with Oregon +260 and Penn State +275 hot on Ohio State’s heels The championship race promises to be fiercely competitive with all three teams poised for playoff contention .
Team Breakdowns
Ohio State
The reigning national champions return elite talent including dynamic freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith Their challenge will be filling eight defensive starter spots and adjusting to a new quarterback in Julian Sayin Despite these transitions their top ranked defense and potent offense keep them as front runners .
Penn State
With 14 starters back and senior quarterback Drew Allar at the helm Penn State brings stability and experience The addition of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles further solidifies their defense While missing tight end Tyler Warren poses a setback their balanced squad remains a strong contender for both the Big Ten and a playoff berth .
Oregon
Defending Big Ten champions Oregon feature an explosive offense led by quarterback Dante Moore Their SP+ projection ranks them third but depth and strategic adjustments will determine if they can sustain success throughout the season .
Michigan
Projected fourth in SP+ Michigan faces quarterback uncertainty between freshman Bryce Underwood and graduate transfer Keene Their defense is in a reload phase after multiple NFL departures making offensive improvements essential for maintaining competitiveness .
Illinois
Illinois is a rising force not to be overlooked Ranked 19th by SP+ they are projected for 8.7 wins topping the next tier of contenders Betting lines give them an intriguing chance at a playoff spot at +520 making them a team to watch .
Indiana
Under coach Curt Cignetti Indiana is building momentum following a strong 2024 campaign With an over/under win total set at 8.5 they appear poised for another successful season .
Schedules & Toughest Paths
Wisconsin faces the Big Ten’s toughest schedule with Penn State Northwestern Iowa and Rutgers also enduring challenging slates Penn State’s early season contests at Ohio State and UCLA will be pivotal in defining their championship hopes .
Betting Insights & Piggyback Picks
- Best futures value Penn State to win the Big Ten at +230 .
- Illinois offers enticing potential for a College Football Playoff berth at +520 .
- A sharp win total play is Indiana under 8.5 wins at –140 suggesting regression may impact their season outcome .
Outlook & Conclusion
The 2025 Big Ten season promises to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory Ohio State and Michigan aim to extend the conference’s playoff dynasty while Penn State loaded with talent and leadership is poised to challenge them strongly Oregon remains a formidable foe and dark horse teams like Illinois and Indiana have the potential to disrupt expectations and make deep runs Fans can expect an exhilarating and unpredictable Big Ten campaign this fall .