Penn State football starts near the top in the week 1 Big Ten power rankings

The 2024 season officially got underway last week with a few games but this upcoming weekend is where things kick off. It will be interesting this season as the Big Ten welcomes four new teams and the expanded playoff gets underway with 12 teams. The former teams of the Big Ten West will no longer be able to hide in the new-look conference. Teams from the former Big Ten East not named Ohio State and Michigan may benefit from not having to play both those teams annually. Whereas the Penn State football team gets a chance to face multiple new faces this fall. Regardless, the conference slate for the Nittany Lions certainly looks more challenging overall but they still start near the top of the power rankings.

Let’s take a look at where all 18 teams rank heading into week 1 of the season in the Big Ten power rankings.

18. Purdue

Can the Boilermakers climb out of the Big Ten football basement? There is not too much further down to go after a 4-8 season a year ago. The Boilers open up against Indiana State but their conference slate is a doozy with home games against Oregon and Penn State plus a trip to Columbus. Purdue will start at the bottom of the power rankings.

17. Indiana

The Curt Cignetti era begins Saturday against Florida International. The Hoosiers could see an improvement from the team a year ago that went 3-9. Games against Michigan and Ohio State in November are sure to be losses but the Hoosiers will have a shot at getting to six wins and bowl eligibility.

16. Illinois

Illinois is coming off a lackluster 5-7 year but they do have 13 starters back from that team. The Illini open against FCS Eastern Illinois. Road trips to Penn State and Oregon loom large later in the season.

15. Minnesota

PJ Fleck seems to be sliding down after a good start to his career in Minneapolis. Can he right the ship? The Gophers open the season with a tough matchup at home against North Carolina.

14. UCLA

13. Northwestern

The Wildcats won’t surprise again like they did a year ago. Eight wins again will be a tough ask in the newly configured Big Ten. They open the season in their temporary Evanston home against Miami Ohio.

12. Michigan State

New head coach Jonathan Smith is tasked with getting Sparty back to a respectable standing after the Mel Tucker era ended in disaster on and off the field. The Spartans open the season against Florida Atlantic and will travel to Oregon later in the season.

11. Rutgers

There is some excitement surrounding Rutgers this season and the Scarlet Knights may be ready to take the next step forward after a 7-6 season and bowl victory over Miami a season ago. They open up against FCS Howard and avoid Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State football this season.

10. Nebraska

Can the Huskers finally break their bowl drought? True freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola flipped his commitment from Georgia to Nebraska and we’ll see how the five-star recruit handles his first season. The Huskers open with UTEP at home.

9. Maryland

Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is gone, a huge piece for the Terps to replace.  Maryland avoids Michigan and Ohio State but will face Oregon, USC, and Penn State football. They start the season against UConn and also start in the middle of the Big Ten power rankings.

8. Iowa

The Hawkeyes have a new offensive coordinator and perhaps the easiest schedule in the conference. Their toughest games are all at home besides a road trip to Columbus in early October. It is certainly possible Iowa could find itself with at least 10 wins by season’s end. They open against FCS Illinois State.

7. Washington

Nearly the entire two-deep is new for the national championship runner-up from a year ago. Still plenty of talent for new head coach Jedd Fisch to work with. The Huskies open against FCS Weber State.

6. Wisconsin

Luke Fickell’s second year in Madison should see the Badgers improve.  The schedule is challenging however with Alabama, USC, Penn State, and Oregon. The passing attack could see a leap forward with transfer Tyler Van Dyke taking over under center. The Badgers host Western Michigan to begin the season.

5. USC

No doubt there will be a drop-off at quarterback with Caleb Williams now in the pros. Lincoln Riley should still have a potent offense but he needs to figure out how to play defense, especially now playing in a conference known for great defenses. The Trojans have a tough opener against LSU.

4. Michigan

The defending national champions lost a ton of talent and Jim Harbaugh to the NFL, hence the drop in the rankings to start this season. However, Donovan Edwards is back in the Wolverine backfield. They will still be in contention for the playoffs but could certainly take a step back this season. Michigan opens against Fresno State.

3. Penn State

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New coordinators all around for James Franklin and the Penn State football team, but they will have a ton of talent and experience returning. This appears to be a make-or-break season for Franklin. The Lions have the talent to contend for the conference and the playoffs. Penn State opens in Morgantown against West Virginia and if they can knock off Ohio State in November they could find themselves at the top of the Big Ten power rankings.

2. Oregon

Head coach Dan Lanning returns for year three in Eugene and he secured the services of Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel to replace Bo Nix. The Ducks should contend for the conference crown in their first season. The Ducks open against FCS Idaho.

1. Ohio State

The Buckeyes are hands down the most talented team in the conference, thus they lead the power rankings. Can they gel and put it all together this year? If the Buckeyes are not in the conference title game and playoff at the end of the season, something will have gone wrong. Ohio State hosts Akron to open the season.