Penn State football: Reviewing the 2024 Big Ten spring football power rankings

Spring is here and the Penn State football team and the rest of the Big Ten are amid their spring practices. Most will end their spring practice seasons with games or scrimmages. This year’s Big Ten will have a new look with the addition of four West Coast schools from the Pac-12. Being an old-school college football fan, it will not feel the same. However, it will be interesting to see the Nittany Lions play in different matchups and stadiums. With the additional four teams, where does the conference stack top to bottom? Let’s take a look at the power rankings.

18. Purdue

It was a tough first year for coach Ryan Walters as the Boilermakers ended the 2023 season with a 4-8 record. Things are looking up with a 2024 recruiting class ranked inside the top 30 according to the 247 Composite. Quarterback Hudson Card is back for his final year of eligibility after an up-and-down season a year ago. Making Purdue fall to the bottom of the power rankings.

17. Indiana

Indiana posted a 3-9 record a year ago which landed the Hoosiers in the Big Ten standings basement. Hope springs eternal though as Tom Allen was fired and Curt Cignetti was hired from JMU as his replacement. Cignetti has his work cut out for him but he was a home run hire. Things could turn around quickly in Bloomington.

16. Illinois

The Illini took a step back last season in Bret Bielema’s third season, finishing 5-7. There is talent here but a lot of question marks. With the Big Ten West no more, it will be harder for Illinois and several of those teams to compete. However, the Illini do luck out this season and they only face one newcomer in Oregon.

15. Minnesota

PJ Fleck is entering his eighth season in Minneapolis. The Gophers are coming off a 6-7 season with a bowl victory though. There are a lot of questions surrounding the team. One of the top objectives will be to get New Hampshire transfer quarterback Max Brosmer up to speed.

14. UCLA

The first newcomer on this list, the Bruins are coming off an 8-5 season a year ago. Chip Kelly is now gone as he took the offensive coordinator role at Ohio State, replaced with first-year coach DeShaun Foster who was the Bruins running back coach the last seven seasons. This will be a tough transition for the Bruins and they will likely struggle in their first year in the conference.

13. Northwestern

The surprise of the conference a year ago, coach David Braun returns with the interim title removed. Braun has remade the coaching staff to his liking and his specialty is defense. The Wildcats allowed 22.5 points a year ago, an improvement after allowing over 28 points per game in 2022. Northwestern won’t surprise anyone this season but with a favorable schedule, they could win another eight games this year.

12. Michigan State

The Mel Tucker era ended early last season but the hangover effects were felt the entire season. With Jonathan Smith hired from Oregon State, the Spartans look to leap up in the conference standings in 2024. There is talent here, including transfer quarterback Aidan Chiles.

11. Rutgers

Last season the Scarlet Knights enjoyed the best season in Greg Schiano’s second stint as head coach with a 7-6 record culminating with a victory in the Pinstripe Bowl. The defense was the focal point a year ago, allowing just 21.2 points per game. With eight starters back, the unit could be even better. If Schiano can get more consistency out of his offense, this team may win more games than they did a year ago.

10. Nebraska

The Cornhuskers look to take a jump ahead in Matt Rhule’s second year in Lincoln. The optimism is being fueled by the Huskers signing of top-10 recruit Dylan Raiola at quarterback. The defense quietly held teams to 18 points per game a year ago and brings back seven starters. Is this the year Nebraska finally gets back to a bowl game?

9. Maryland

Maryland’s ranking is pretty favorable considering the talent they lost, namely quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa. A three-year starter who broke multiple school records is not easily replaceable. The trend line is pointing up with the Terps but with their question marks and tough schedule, they could find themselves taking a step back this year. So, keeping the Terps in the middle of the power rankings feels fair.

8. Iowa

The Hawkeyes will likely be the same type of team we have seen under Kirk Ferentz. Great defense. Mediocre to downright bad on offense. The problem for Iowa is there is no more Big Ten West division to prop up their win total. Will new offensive coordinator Tim Lester be able to work a miracle turnaround? Not likely but any semblance of a competent and consistent offense will be an improvement.

7. Washington

The national runner-ups a year ago, the Huskies return very little of one of the best teams in program history. Most of the skill positions and the entire offensive line have to be replaced. There are zero returning starters on offense. This is a complete overhaul in Jedd Fisch’s first season in Seattle. You just cannot ignore their last two seasons so this ranking seems justified for now. Can the Huskies surge to the top of the power rankings?

6. Wisconsin

The Badgers look to improve in Luke Fickell’s second year in Madison. This spring should help Miami transfer quarterback Tyler Van Dyke get used to the system. They only return five starters on defense and the schedule is loaded with challenging contests. Fickell is building something though and the Badgers could be a surprise this season.

5. USC

There will be a drop-off at quarterback with Caleb Williams off to the NFL. Lincoln Riley has been recruiting well but not at an elite level yet. The defense, led by new defensive coordinator and former Penn State cornerback D’Anton Lynn, will have to improve the most for the Trojans to compete at the highest level in the new Big Ten.

4. Michigan

Probably going to take some heat for this one, thankfully Penn State football avoids the Wolverines in 2024. The defending national champions land at number four. When your head coach, some of the staff, and a lot of talented players all leave, you’re going to lose a few spots. Michigan is not going to have a tremendous drop-off this year unless disaster strikes. But would be very surprised to see them repeat as national champions or even conference champions for that matter.

3. Penn State

Right now the Penn State football team stands to gain the most with conference realignment and the expanded College Football Playoff. The schedule will still be tough, but 10 wins can certainly get them in the playoff discussion most seasons. This year they will have a new look offense under offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. The defense has some gaps to fill at all levels but should still be quite good for new defensive coordinator Tom Allen.

2. Oregon

The Ducks have a great foundation and were able to retain the services of head coach Dan Lanning. They brought in Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel to replace Bo Nix. There are some holes to fill on defense but the recruiting in Eugene has been outstanding. Oregon is the one newcomer that can play Big Ten football right away no questions asked. A team that Penn State football will void in 2024.

1. Ohio State

The Buckeyes are extremely talented. Between their highly rated recruiting classes to what they are bringing in from the transfer portal, Ohio State looks to be a force this upcoming season. The main question is finding who will be the starting quarterback. The spring may provide some clarity but the competition won’t be sorted out until fall camp. Regardless Ohio State is the favorite and at the top of the power rankings in the conference more than four months out from the start of the season. Is this the year Penn State football can pull off an upset and jump to the top of the power rankings?

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