7. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Last season: 7-6 (3-6 Big Ten)
Nebraska was highly touted as a dark horse Big Ten contender last season, and find themselves in a similar position this season. However, a 3-6 Big Ten record and a 1-5 finish to the season may have caused many to pump the brakes on the Cornhuskers.
There's still plenty to be optimistic about. Nebraska has one of the easiest schedules in the conference, with their only extremely tough matchup being against Penn State in Happy Valley. Quarterback Dylan Raiola and coach Matt Rhule will do their best Patrick Mahomes-Andy Reid impression, and the supporting cast looks to be solid, as well.
Expect this year to be a high-floor season for the Cornhuskers, with the possibility of a high ceiling depending on if Raiola can live up to his potential.
8. Washington Huskies
Last season: 6-7 (4-5 Big Ten)
With this being a Husky fan site, readers might be upset that Washington isn't higher on the list. Truthfully, my bias was screaming at me to put them in the top-five, and perhaps I'm guarding against my bias too much by putting them behind teams like Nebraska and USC. Whichever is the case, eight feels just right considering I've seen some outlets rank the Huskies as low as No. 13, and as high as No. 4.
Demond Williams, Jonah Coleman, and Denzel Boston returning as a quarterback-running back- wide receiver trio is what most love about the Huskies going into this season. The secondary also projects to be elite, and the offensive line is supposedly much improved. Washington also has a much easier schedule this season than last, with their toughest matchups occurring at home in Husky Stadium -- where they have the second-longest winning streak in college football.
That being said, we need to realize how much Washington and Jedd Fisch need to actually improve upon from last season -- which was the first losing season for the Huskies since 2021, and only the third since 2008. For now, the product on the actual field needs to be seen before jumping the gun with ranking Washington higher based only on the positives on paper.
9. Indiana Hoosiers
Last season: 11-2 (8-1 Big Ten)
Indiana was the darling of the Big Ten last season, surprising everybody by putting together an 11-1 regular season and making it into the College Football Playoff. Head coach Curt Cignetti truly impressed in his first season with the program, and was compensated for it nicely.
However, the road gets a lot tougher for Indiana in 2025. The Hoosiers had arguably the easiest Power Four schedule last season, but one of the most difficult in the Big Ten this season. Notably, they play against both Penn State and Oregon on the road.
Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza could be an upgrade at quarterback, and the defense may sneakily be one of the best in the conference, but Indiana will once again need to prove they belong with the upper echelon of the Big Ten.