The Big Ten, a powerhouse in college football, has been making waves with its recent national championship wins. But the question remains: who's the best program in the conference? While Indiana claims the title of defending national champion, Ohio State takes the crown as the top program in the nation's best overall conference. In this article, I'll delve into the rankings, explore the strengths and weaknesses of each program, and offer my own insights and commentary.
The Top Contenders
Ohio State: The Bowl Subdivision Gold Standard
Ohio State has been a force to be reckoned with since 2012, boasting an impressive 165-21 record. The Buckeyes' consistent success is remarkable, with at least 10 wins in every full season but one since 2005. Ryan Day's leadership has been instrumental, as he became the third full-time coach in a row to win a national championship in 2024. Ohio State's dominance is undeniable, and it's no wonder they're the envy of every program in the country.
Indiana: The Unbeaten Champions
Indiana's 2024 national title run was a surprise to many, but it's hard to argue with their 27 wins in two seasons. The Hoosiers' unbeaten record and out-of-nowhere championship put them ahead of Oregon in the rankings. While Indiana's long-term history is shorter than Oregon's, their recent success is impressive and poised for another playoff run.
Oregon: The Undefeated Ducks
Oregon, with a 46-8 record under coach Dan Lanning, is a force to be reckoned with. The Ducks' seamless integration into the Big Ten is notable, with an unbeaten run to the conference title in their first year and an 8-1 record in 2025. Oregon's recent history is impressive, but they've yet to claim a national championship. Despite this, they're a top contender in the Bowl Subdivision.
The Middle of the Pack
Michigan: The Tumultuous Champs
Michigan's 2023 national championship run was a tumultuous two-year journey under former coach Sherrone Moore. Despite a 17-9 record and a win over rival Ohio State, the Wolverines' future under Kyle Whittingham remains to be seen. Michigan's recent downturn under Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke has been a challenge, but the program has shown resilience and a commitment to winning.
Penn State: Resetting Under Matt Campbell
Penn State's journey to the elite of college football has been a challenging one, with NCAA sanctions and a crisis following the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Bill O'Brien laid the foundation, and James Franklin built upon it. Now, with Matt Campbell at the helm, the Nittany Lions are poised for a reset. A heavy influx of Iowa State transfers could make Penn State a difficult team to predict, but a friendly schedule might yield around seven to nine wins.
Iowa: Consistency in the Ferentz Era
Iowa has been a model of consistency since the end of the last century, with Kirk Ferentz at the helm. The Hawkeyes have just one losing season since 2006 and have qualified for bowl games in the last 24 of his 25 seasons. Iowa's current run is the best of the Ferentz era, with at least seven wins in every year since 2013 and two Big Ten crowns since 2021.
The Bottom of the Pack
Southern California: Climbing the Rungs
USC's journey to the top of the Big Ten has been a challenging one. Despite a nine-win 2025 season and a top-ranked signing class, the Trojans haven't played for a national title in two decades and haven't qualified for the College Football Playoff. They have several rungs to climb before reaching the top of the conference.
Washington: Getting Back in Stride
Washington's 2025 season marked a return to form with nine wins after a challenging 2024. The Huskies have made a bowl in every non-COVID season but one since 2010 and posted double-digit wins five times. Jedd Fisch's leadership should continue this success as he enters his third season.
Illinois: Making Moves Under Bret Bielema
Illinois has been making moves under coach Bret Bielema, with a focus on raising the floor to six or so wins in a given season. The Illini's personnel issues and general unknowns surrounding this year's team could temporarily pause their progress, but Bielema's scheme has shown promise.
The Struggling Programs
Minnesota: Yet to Capitalize
Minnesota has yet to capitalize on an 11-win campaign in 2019, P.J. Fleck's third season. While the Gophers have been steady, posting at least eight wins in four of the past five years, they haven't reached the heights they once seemed poised for.
Nebraska: A Turnaround in Progress
Nebraska hasn't been a national factor in well over 20 years, with the exception of 2009. The Cornhuskers have made recent progress with two bowl berths in a row, but noted turnaround artist Matt Rhule has yet to win more than seven games.
Wisconsin: Dropping Out of the Top Tier
Wisconsin, once a consistent Big Ten contender, has dropped out of the top tier. The Badgers' poor results under embattled coach Luke Fickell have led to a decline in their fortunes, dropping them into the bottom half of the league.
The Struggling Bottom Feeders
Michigan State: A Brief High and a Descent
Michigan State was a dominant Big Ten program in the 2010s, winning at least a share of three conference titles and making the College Football Playoff under Mark Dantonio. However, the Spartans' fortunes have waned, with a brief high under Mel Tucker followed by a descent.
Northwestern: Slipping to the Bottom
Northwestern slipped to the bottom of the conference in Fitzgerald's final two seasons but has made two bowl games in three years under David Braun. While there's always very little room for error, the Wildcats have moved onto more secure footing.
UCLA: Unfulfilled Potential
UCLA has tremendous potential but has largely been unfulfilled in this century with just three seasons of double-digit wins. The hope is that Bob Chesney can install an explosive offense and deliver multiple winning seasons in a row, but the Bruins have yet to reach their full potential.
Rutgers: Consistently an Uphill Fight
Rutgers has posted just two winning seasons since 2014 and just three since joining the Big Ten. While Greg Schiano's second go-round has yielded three bowl bids, the Scarlet Knights have continued to be one of the league's easiest marks, consistently facing uphill fights against better-resourced teams.
Maryland: A Young Team with a Ceiling
Maryland made three bowl games in a row under coach Mike Locksley but was unable to capitalize, following that run with back-to-back disappointing seasons. A very young team in 2025 might bounce back this season, but there's a ceiling on how far this program can go.
Purdue: Rebuilding Under Barry Odom
Purdue's recent success under Jeff Brohm was remarkable, with four postseason berths in five non-COVID seasons. However, since Brohm's departure, Purdue has gone 7-29 overall and 3-24 in league play. Barry Odom is a good fit to try and rebuild things, but it will take time.
In conclusion, the Big Ten is a conference of contrasts, with programs at various stages of success and struggle. While Ohio State and Indiana lead the pack, the conference's depth and consistency are impressive. As for the best program, it's a matter of perspective and interpretation. Personally, I think the Big Ten's recent national championship wins and consistent success make it a top contender in college football. What makes this particularly fascinating is the conference's ability to produce champions while also facing challenges and struggles. In my opinion, the Big Ten's future looks bright, with programs rising and falling, and a constant pursuit of excellence.
