Just plain crazy... (2024 Big 10 preview thread)

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Southern California

The first preview segment for the Big 10 Conference: The USC Trojans

Last season: ...That above line just drives me crazy! USC in the freakin' Big 10. I know this is all about the money for USC and that they needed a new fancy home after the PAC-12 failed them, but this is just sad.
You know what else was sad? USC's defense in 2023. I mean, it held opponents to under 30 points a game only TWICE last year. That is GARBAGE! So much so that not even Caleb Williams could do anything to save it.

Good news: Well, at least USC's defense won't get any worse in 2024; it's got a new coordinator and a whole bunch of new guys (thanks to the portal). WR Zachariah Branch looks ready to break out as a star, and either Miller Moss or Jayden Maiava can lead the show at QB.

Bad news: Sadly, neither of those guys are Caleb Williams, who is now gone to try to save the Chicago Bears. Oh, and there are other problems on offense that needs to be fixed; the running game is a mystery and the O-line still looks a bit suspect.

Key games:
9/1 vs. LSU [in Las Vegas] (Wait a minute. USC is facing a team trying to fix their crappy defense... and is also missing a generational QB. This game may not be as one-sided as I feared!)
9/21 @ Michigan (I'm sure the casual fan will go ga-ga for this regular-season game. Me, I'll be waiting to see what USC's offense will do against that Michigan defense.)
10/12 vs. Penn State (Another regular-season game that casual fans will flock to their TV's to see.)
11/23 @ UCLA (At least the end of USC's schedule looks normal. The Trojans will look to get revenge against a UCLA team that basically shut them down last year...)
11/30 vs. Notre Dame (...before finishing things off with the hated Irish.)

Bottom line: In 2022, we were all excited when Lincoln Riley stepped onto the USC campus. But now? The boosters are grumbling that Lincoln doesn't go to meet them, or that Lincoln doesn't speak to people on campus. The move into the crowded Big 10 just makes things more complicated for USC. So how will Lincoln handle this? Can he get the defense to play a little bit better? Can he get a whole bunch of newbies to generate a proud offense?
Just know that the Vegas sharks has USC's preseason win total at 7.5 right now. If USC doesn't go over on that line, Lincoln Riley will be in BIG trouble come 2025.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Purdue

Preview segment: The Purdue Boilermakers

Last season: For USC, their situation is tense and complicated. But for Purdue, their situation is simple. They're just looking to do better after a rough 4-8 campaign in 2023.

Good news: Purdue has some good individual pieces; QB Hudson Card showed flashes of greatness last year, and RB Devin Mockobee can become a real workhorse. The secondary is led by sensational newcomer Dillion Thieneman.

Bad news: The O-line could stand to do better, and the pass-rush needs an upgrade. The kicking game was worse than awful for Purdue last year, so obviously that HAS to be fixed.

Key games:
9/14 vs. Notre Dame (Hudson Card vs. Riley Leonard. Sounds like a fun time in West Lafayette!)
9/28 vs. Nebraska (Purdue's Big 10 opener this year is against the Cornhuskers. Let's see if Purdue can stop Nebraska's wiz-kid QB Dylan Raiola.)
10/12 @ Illinois (Purdue was able to beat Illinois for the Purdue Cannon last year.)
10/19 vs. Oregon (This is a weird spot for the Boilermakers; not only do they have to go to Oregon State, they'll be hosting their rivals in the Ducks.)
11/30 @ Indiana (An in-state rivalry game on the road to end the year: Always a tough thing for a team to deal with.)

Bottom line: Poor Boilermakers. I mean, most of their press clippings suggest that they'll do better in Ryan Winters' 2nd year leading the team. But they got one of the toughest schedules in the Big 10, and they no longer have the comfort of being in the Big 10 West division. Unless they pull an upset somewhere, Purdue may be stuck near the bottom of the league in 2024.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Wisconsin

Preview segment: The Wisconsin Badgers

Last season: Okay, this was not what Badgers fans had in mind when they hired Luke Fickell. Some problems arose with their new offense, and the team cracked in certain situations. So the Badgers finished 7-6 (again), and now they're entering a critical season.

Good news: The defense should still be good, as the spring game demonstrated to us. The O-line should also remain strong.

Bad news: Luke Fickell has brought in 4 new coaches on the offensive front, and let's see if one of them can wake up the wide-receiver group. Tyler Van Dyke comes in as the new starting QB, but he was VERY inconsistent at Miami.

Key games:
9/14 vs. Alabama (After 2 games to work out the kinks, Wisconsin's new offense will get a monstrous task in facing Alabama. Oh, and we'll also see if the Badger defense can slow Jalen Milroe long enough to win.)
9/28 @ USC (For the casual fan, this game will be a treat to watch. For the 2 teams involved, it'll be serious business; both of them are coming off tough seasons.)
10/26 vs. Penn State (This game LOOKS great, but Wisconsin hasn't beaten Penn State since 2011.)
11/2 @ Iowa (The ineptitude of the Badgers offense in 2023 was on full display against rival Iowa, as the Hawkeyes beat them 15-6.)
11/16 vs. Oregon (Wisconsin will get a bye week to prep for this big battle.)
11/30 vs. Minnesota (Whoops, can't forget this one.)

Bottom line: After back-to-back 7-6 seasons, the pressure is on Wisconsin to get back into Big 10 contention. On paper, they got the talent to improve. But the schedule is REALLY tough (heck, I could have thrown in games with Rutgers and Nebraska on that "Key Games" list), so I'll wait to see how Year 2 of the Luke Fickell regime goes.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Minnesota

Preview segment: The Minnesota Golden Gophers

Last season: A little disappointing for Minnesota. Yes, they won a bowl game. But they went 5-7 in the regular season, so it was only because of their academic records that the Gophers got there. The reason why? That miserable offense, no doubt about it.

Good news: A veteran O-line and Darius Taylor running the ball should equal more yards for the Gophers in 2024. The D-line should be nasty once again, and QB Max Brosmer already looks like a better QB than Athan Kaliakmanis was (he certainly showed himself as a leader during spring ball).

Bad news: Brosmer comes in from FCS school New Hampshire, so we'll see if there is a learning curve for him. Daniel Jackson is the only WR I trust for the Gophers right now, and depth may be a problem in key areas like the secondary.

Key games:
8/31 vs. North Carolina (It's the big debut for Brosmer as the Gophers QB, and we'll see if he can pick on the rebuilding Tar Heel defense.)
9/21 vs. Iowa (Another installment of the "Floyd of Rosedale" rivalry, and for the first time in a LONG while Minnesota will be defending that bronze pig.)
9/28 @ Michigan (Trouble is, Minnesota will have to go visit the mighty Wolverines for the first time since 2017 one week later.)
11/2 @ Illinois (Illinois clipped the Gophers last year by one point.)
11/30 @ Wisconsin (For the last 6 meetings in this rivalry, it's been pretty much even between these two.)

Bottom line: 2023 was a regression year for the Gophers, so coach P.J. Fleck will have less patience for this season. Especially when his team will face people like USC and Penn State along with those 5 "Key Games" I mentioned. 14 returning starters is a good place to start, though, so let's see how far Minnesota will rebound.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Michigan

Preview segment: The Michigan Wolverines

Last season: Jim Harbaugh... He's done it! He and his team finally got that coveted national championship to Ann Arbor (Michigan's first since 1997). Not much else to say except it'll be a season that will go down as one of the greatest ever. But with Harbaugh finally going back to the NFL (with the Chargers), Sherrone Moore is being asked to lead the team now.

Bad news: The wide-receiver room is full of unknown dudes, and the QB room is a BIT muddled (more on that later). Plus, it wasn't just Harbaugh who left Ann Arbor in the winter. There was also Blake Corum, J.J. McCarthy, Cornelius Johnson, Kris Jenkins, the defensive coordinator... Jeez! Michigan lost a LOT from last year's team.

Good news: At least the defense still looks powerful, as big dogs will move up in the rotation. In particular, underestimate Michigan's D-line at your own risk.

2024 X-factor: Quarterback (And not just because McCarthy is gone. It's because FIVE guys are in the running for the starting job. Yes, FIVE dudes! Alex Orji and Jack Tuttle look to be the frontrunners, but don't be surprised if Michigan is still trying to figure it out at the beginning of the season.)

Key games:
9/7 vs. Texas (Uh oh. Michigan has Texas in Week 2 [in a game that either NBC or CBS will give the red-carpet treatment]? Hey, Sherrone! I think you're on the clock to find out who your starting QB is gonna be.)
9/21 vs. USC (See my USC preview.)
10/5 @ Washington (It's a rematch of last year's CFP title game! And here's a fun fact: This will be Michigan's 1st road game of the season.)
11/9 vs. Oregon (Okay, I think the schedule makers are giving Michigan a LITTLE too much time with all of the Big 10 newcomers. But at least this game will be big. No, I mean REALLY big.)
11/30 @ Ohio State (But of course, this game will ALWAYS be the biggest one to Michigan fans.)

Bottom line: The defense should still remain strong, and they have 8 home games in 2024, so I think Michigan will still be in the national title discussion. However, the offense HAS to get sorted out... ESPECIALLY at quarterback. That will be the only way that the Wolverines will beat Ohio State again and make noise in the expanded CFP.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Nebraska

Preview segment: The Nebraska Cornhuskers

Last season: What a horrible break for the Huskers. I initially didn't think too much about the 4-game losing streak that ended Nebraska's 2023 campaign (and kept them out of a bowl). But then I saw the games, and those losses came thanks to some tough mistakes.
But at least Matt Rhule made the Huskers more competitive in his 1st year in Lincoln. That was Part 1 of his rebuilding plan; let's see him finish Part 2 and FINALLY get the Huskers back into a bowl.

Good news: Remember those vicious O-lines and D-lines Nebraska had during their heyday in the 90's? They're slowly getting back to that, as the line play in 2024 should be brilliant for the Huskers. Depth at WR and tight-end is better, and Dylan Raiola could be the best QB prospect the Huskers have had in a LONG time.

Bad news: Nebraska needs to replace a couple of linebackers, the kicking game is still being worked on, and Issac Gifford is the only trustworthy guy in the secondary right now. Plus, don't forget that Raiola is a true freshmen; some growing pains should be expected for him.

Key games:
9/7 vs. Colorado (Well, at least Nebraska will have a better chance of beating Deion and Colorado this time around.)
10/26 @ Ohio State (The early part of the Huskers schedule is a bit easy, but going to Columbus to face Ohio State is NEVER, EVER easy. I would LOVE to see how Raiola handles this type of environment.)
11/16 @ USC (This one looks winnable to me for Nebraska. Because one, USC's defense is still rebuilding. And two, Nebraska's trip to USC won't be as long as the ones some of their colleagues will have to make in 2024.)
11/23 vs. Wisconsin (How cool would it be for the Huskers if they can stop their Big 10 nemesis on Senior Day in Lincoln?)
11/29 @ Iowa (Don't forget, Nebraska did beat Iowa the last time they went to Iowa City.)

Bottom line: Okay, THIS year I'm sure of it. With the promise of a more efficient offense and their line-play now up to snuff, THIS is the season where Nebraska stops their postseason drought! This HAS to be the year! But if the Huskers want more in 2024, they better protect their new wiz-kid at QB the best they can.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Michigan State

Preview segment: The Michigan State Spartans

Last season: Michigan State once had a 0-11 season (1994). And they might not have gone winless in 2023, but last season is now up there with the '94 campaign in terms of it being an disaster. They fired Mel Tucker 3 games into the season, then went 3-9 while the offense and turnover margin fell into the shitter.
Now Jonathon Smith (from Oregon State) has been brought in to get MSU back on track.

Good news: The CFB magazines have called the hiring of Smith a perfect fit in East Lansing, and Smith will have some budding stars at QB (Aidan Chiles) and RB (Nate Carter) to help him out on offense. Watch for the defensive back position to have a real breakout year.

Bad news: There's no true #1 WR for MSU right now, and line play may be an issue on BOTH sides of the ball. That's especially true on the O-line, where a blah unit from last year is replacing 3 starters.

Key games:
9/7 @ Maryland (This game doesn't look sexy, but the Spartans don't care. They want to beat Maryland and start Big 10 play on the right foot.)
9/21 @ Boston College (Just a simple ACC vs. Big 10 matchup between two middling teams. But this one could be more important for the Spartans...)
9/28 vs. Ohio State (...because a week later, they'll be hosting those damn Buckeyes.)
10/26 @ Michigan (No, I didn't forget Michigan's big game with Michigan State during their preview yesterday! I just, I... Man, I must really not like Michigan State's chances in this one.)
11/30 vs. Rutgers (At least the month of November will be much quieter for the Spartans. Could this game decide a bowl berth for them?)

Bottom line: Before I forget, MSU also has dates with Oregon and Iowa this year. Jeez, that is brutal. Thank goodness that expectations for 2024 was already low for the Spartans... even before they hired Jonathon Smith as coach. Please don't expect anything big from Michigan State this year, as the new coaching staff will be too busy laying down the foundation for the climb-up.
At least with Aidan Chiles here, MSU won't finish last in the Big 10.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Maryland

Preview segment: The Maryland Terrapins

Last season: Just know that the Terrapins have now won 3 straight bowl games, which is a first for the football program. That's what happens when you have a good defense and QB Taulia Tagovailoa slinging the ball around.
So now Maryland has become truly competitive in the Big 10. Can they keep it up even with Taulia gone?

Good news: Maryland has gotten better in terms of overall depth, and you should see that in the powerful front-7 they'll employ on defense. The running-back and wide-receiver rooms are chockful of playmakers, there to help out Maryland's new ace QB.

Bad news: ...Wait, what's that? We don't know who Taulia's replacement as the starting QB will be? Well, THAT'S certainly a cause for concern! Just as concerning for the Terps is their O-line, which is largely unproven.

Key games:
9/7 vs. Michigan State (Another sign of Maryland's growth in the Big 10: They have a winning streak against Michigan State for the first time in program history.)
9/14 @ Virginia (This is a rivalry game on the road, Terrapins. Do NOT take this game lightly.)
10/19 vs. USC (Aw, man! USC and Maryland in the same damn conference- Wait, what's that? This will be the 1st-ever meeting between the Trojans and the Terps? All right, I'll watch it.)
11/23 vs. Iowa (This should be a fun, low-scoring game. First to 17 wins?)
11/30 @ Penn State (Hmm... Can the Terrapins ruin Penn State's chances at a playoff berth here?)

Bottom line: So Maryland is in a unique spot now. They want to keep climbing up the Big 10 standings (and has the defense to do it), but they don't have Taulia anymore. And even when they DO figure out his replacement at QB, they gotta make sure the O-line doesn't ruin everything. They should finish in the middle of the Big 10 in 2024.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Illinois

Preview segment: The Illinois Fighting Illini

Last season: The last 2 games of the 2023 season was SO BRUTAL for the Illini; they had 2 chances (against Iowa and Northwestern) to clinch a bowl berth. And they lost both games... each by a margin of TWO POINTS. So how will the people of Champaign recover in 2024?

Good news: QB Luke Altmyer looked a lot more composed during spring ball; if he keeps that confidence up in game action, I think the Illini offense will be solid. The O-line found some good reinforcements (like J.C. Davis), and the linebackers look good.

Bad news: Overall team depth may be an issue; around a dozen scholarship players transferred out. The kicking game needs to be fixed, and the running game will be a question unless Kaden Feagin proves me otherwise.

Key games:
9/7 vs. Kansas (Kansas took a win from Illinois 34-23 in Lawrence. Can Illinois return the favor in Champaign?)
9/21 @ Nebraska (The Big 10 opener for the Illini. I wanna see how Altmyer attacks the Cornhusker defense here.)
10/19 vs. Michigan (Can Illinois crack open the famed Wolverine defense? They freaking better, because they'll have to go to Oregon after this.)
11/2 vs. Minnesota (A winnable Big 10 game for Illinois.)
11/30 vs. Northwestern [in Chicago] (As I said earlier, only 2 points separated these rivals last year. Recruits from all over the state of Illinois will be watching this one.)

Bottom line: An improved offense will help the Illini out a lot, but the depth problems that are developing may slow them down. All I'll say is, if Illinois doesn't reach a bowl game this year, all of the momentum that they got from the 2022 season will be LONG gone.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Ohio State

Preview segment: The Ohio State Buckeyes

Last season: 2023 was YET ANOTHER example of how sick it is for the Ohio State football program. Now you can start the season 11-0, have a superstar QB (Kyle McCord) and WR (Marvin Harrison Jr.) at your disposal, and people will STILL call your season a failure. That's what happened to Ryan Day after he lost once again to Michigan.
And then Ohio State got a triple dose of bad news: Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse (to get away from all of the nutso Buckeye fans), the team lost to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl, and Michigan took home the national championship. Guess how much pressure Ryan Day is under now?

Good news: Ryan needed a great offseason to watch away all of that bad news, and he got it! RB Quinshon Judkins left Ole Miss to join the Buckeyes, as well as FS Caleb Downs leaving the Alabama defense to lead the OSU secondary. They even got Chip Kelly to leave UCLA and be their new offensive coordinator! With Chip around, the young WR's they have should hang around with anybody.

Bad news: The O-line for Ohio State can stand to do better, and the kicking game is a bit unproven. Will Howard is filling in at the QB position, but he struggled a little bit in spring ball, so don't be surprised if Ohio State tries out someone else later in the year.

Key games:
10/5 vs. Iowa (Wait. Ohio State has an easy September schedule? Dang it. Well, at least they'll be confident entering this game against rugged Iowa, which should be their first major test in 2024.)
10/12 @ Oregon (In the words of the late, great wrestling announcer Gorilla Monsoon, "This is a main event in any arena in the world". This may be the first of 2 meetings between the Ducks and the Buckeyes this year.)
10/26 vs. Nebraska (Nebraska may be a tough out this season, but Ohio State will have a bye week to prep for this.)
11/2 @ Penn State (I swear, one of these years Penn State is gonna take out Ohio State and split the Buckeye defense wide open.)
11/30 vs. Michigan (On social media, Ohio State fans is telling Ryan Day "Do NOT lose to the Wolverines AGAIN!!!". And they underlined the word "NOT" at least 4 times in their posts.)

Bottom line: Okay, I had some fun with these guys. But for Ohio State, 2024 will be VERY serious. They've had a great offseason, plus they no longer have to deal with Jim Harbaugh coaching Michigan. For this season, Buckeye fans will not accept anything less than the Big 10 title or a national championship... or maybe both.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Indiana

Preview segment: The Indiana Hoosiers

Last season: A rough 3-9 campaign. Now Kevin Wilson is out, and former James Madison coach Curt Cignetti has stepped in.

Good news: The receiver group has the chance to do some amazing things (just ask Donaven McCulley), and Kurtis Rourke should stabilize the QB spot for the year. Curt also brought in at least 10 big studs from his old school.

Bad news: Turns out Indiana is gonna NEED those 10 guys; the portal took away at least 14 guys from last year's team. And most of them came from the defense, which has literally NO starters now on the back-7.

Key games:
9/14 @ UCLA (Illinois should be 2-0 by the time they reach their Big 10 opener. And it'll be in the Rose Bowl against UCLA... Well, it should be interesting.)
9/28 vs. Maryland (This Big 10 game looks winnable.)
10/26 vs. Washington (No, I won't complain about Indiana's trip to UCLA. Because later in the year, Washington will be forced to come to Bloomington, so it all evens out.)
11/2 @ Michigan State (Another winnable Big 10 game.)
11/30 vs. Purdue (Take heart, Hoosiers! You only lost to Purdue by 4 last year, so I'm sure you can take them out at home this year.)

Bottom line: Curt Cignetti has won at every school he has coached, so Indiana should be in good hands with him around. Just don't expect him to win right away, as depth problems could doom the Hoosiers to a last-place finish in the Big 10 in 2024.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Iowa

Preview segment: The Iowa Hawkeyes

Last season: Again, an Iowa season was either great or frustrating depending on how you look at things. If you were a "glass half-full" person, you liked the fact that Iowa got a 10-win season and a berth in the Big 10 title game in 2023. But if you were a "glass half-empty" person, you hated Iowa's continued offensive ineptitude. I mean, 130th overall?! What would have happened to Iowa if they didn't have that awesome defense of theirs?

Good news: YET AGAIN, Iowa has a strong defense we can drool over. In particular, the linebackers look like absolute terrors. And as for that offense? Well, at least Brian Ferentz got the boot and he got replaced by Tim Lester, who is trying to make Iowa's attack less predictable.

Bad news: Blah blah blah, "How much better will the Iowa offense really be", yadda yadda yadda. Uh, anything else to worry about? Well, there WERE some injury problems last year for Iowa, so let's hope they have better luck with that.

Key games:
9/7 vs. Iowa State (Another game in the "Cy-Hawk Trophy" series. Can QB Cade McNamara lead Iowa to victory again against the Cyclones?)
9/21 @ Minnesota (Wait. P.J. Fleck and Minnesota actually has the bronze pig now? Iowa needs to get it back quickly.)
10/5 @ Ohio State (The good news: Iowa will have a bye week to prepare for this trip. The bad news: Their offense will actually have to DO something if they wanna win in Columbus.)
11/2 vs. Wisconsin (Here's another fight with an old rival. Iowa has beaten the Badgers 3 out of the last 4 times they've met.)
11/29 vs. Nebraska (NOW this rivalry is getting good. Iowa won a close fight with Nebraska last year, and the Huskers won the last time they went to Iowa City.)

Bottom line: So where does Iowa stand in 2024? Well, their defense is still f---ing amazing. And if you take away the game in Columbus, their schedule is very manageable. Heck, Iowa might get 8 or 9 more wins this year! But you know the drill: Iowa won't do anything amazing unless their offense gets SOME form of excitement in it.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Northwestern

Preview segment: The Northwestern Wildcats

Last season: Let's put the work of interim Northwestern coach David Braun into proper context. At this time last year, the Wildcats were going through a brutal hazing scandal and had just fired coach Pat Fitzgerald. Things were a mess in Evanston, and Braun was asked only to hold down the fort in 2023 while everyone prepared for a last-place finish.
Now look at Northwestern now! David Braun is the reigning Big 10 Coach of the Year, and the Wildcats are coming off a 8-5 season (including upsetting Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl). That is one of the best interim showing EVER!

Good news: The momentum of that season should carry over in 2024, as the team has experience and talent in a lot of places. Watch for the defense to be great, as you can find playmakers in all 3 main areas. Tight-end and wide-receiver are places of strength on the offense.

Bad news: But the offense DO have places of worry, as the O-line has a true depth problem. And the quarterback spot is a BIG question mark, as Brendan Sullivan transferred away in the spring. Let's just say that the new coordinator [Zach Lujan] has some work to do.

Key games:
8/31 vs. Miami-Ohio (According to the magazines, Jack Lausch is the projected starter for Northwestern right now. So let's see if he's got the goods when NW hosts the defending MAC champs.)
9/21 @ Washington (The Wildcats will be there in Seattle when Washington begins their Big 10 journey. But I'll bet that Wildcat defense can stand tall here.)
10/19 vs. Wisconsin (Northwestern surprised the Badgers last year in Madison, but it won't be a surprise if the Wildcats beat them this time.)
10/26 @ Iowa (NW was very close to beating Iowa last year, only losing thanks to a last-second play by the Hawkeyes. Oh, what could have been had the Wildcats held on...)
11/30 vs. Illinois [in Chicago] (The end of NW's schedule is pretty rough: Ohio State, Michigan, and then their bitter in-state rivals.)

Bottom line: Well, the Cinderella story of 2023 is over. Now let's see David Braun turn Northwestern into a team that'll be viable year after year. With Zach Lujan calling the shots on offense, and playmakers on both sides of the ball, the Wildcats should easily find another bowl game. It'll be hard, though, without the friendly confines of the Big 10 West.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

UCLA

Preview segment: The UCLA Bruins

Last season: Kind of a middling season for the Bruins in 2023, as they went 8-5 with an LA Bowl win. But who cares about 2023? That shit's done! UCLA has some bills to pay in the new-look Big 10, and MAN it's gonna be a bumpy ride!

2024 X-factor: New head coach DeShaun Foster (Of course, the big shocker for UCLA came in mid-February when Chip Kelly up and left his post. No, seriously! He wasn't fired, he just up and left to be a highly-paid offensive coordinator at Ohio State! And in their shock, UCLA hired their running-backs coach DeShaun Foster to guide them through what could be a messy 2024. As always, we'll see how it goes.)

Bad news: Chip Kelly wasn't the only guy who left UCLA in the offseason; QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (or DTR for short) is now with the Cleveland Browns, and the defense lost players who combined for 33 sacks last year. Oh, the O-line DOES return mostly intact, but it REALLY needs to do better.

Good news: At least UCLA nailed down their new starting QB (Ethan Garbers) and has a good chance of having another good running attack (led by T.J. Harden).

Key games:
9/14 vs. Indiana ( Well, here we are. This will be UCLA's big opener in the Big 10 as they host the Hoosiers. But I don't think it'll be hard for UCLA to win this.)
9/21 @ LSU (THIS game, however, WILL be a tough one to navigate. I sure hope the Bruins offense is ready to deal with an SEC crowd.)
9/28 vs. Oregon (Oooo! This could be a double-edged sword for the Bruins. On one hand, they'll be happy to see a familiar face. However, Oregon is seeking a national title this year. Well, at least the early schedule can't get any worse for UCLA!)
10/5 @ Penn State (...Oh, for F--K'S SAKE!!)
11/23 vs. USC (You know what would easily cheer up UCLA? Beating their arch-rivals USC again.)

Bottom line: During the winter months, I was already thinking up ways of mocking UCLA leaving their west-coast buddies for the money of the Big 10. Then Chip Kelly left the team. Now, I may end up feeling sorry for the Bruins after the 2024 season ends. A brutal schedule, plus lackluster recruiting results from years past and a coaching staff still figuring things out, could equal a VERY rough season for the Bruins.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Rutgers

Preview segment: The Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Last season: Just know that Rutgers got their first winning season since their first foray in the Big 10 in 2014. And that they got it by upsetting Miami in the Pinstripe Bowl (their first time EVER beating Miami). So after a couple of rocky years, it looks like Greg Schiano has Rutgers on solid ground again.

Good news: The running game should still be very good, what with Kyle Monangai coming back and Sam Lewis being a great backup. The defense returns 8 starters from a killer unit last year, including DE Aaron Lewis and LB Tyreem Powell.

Bad news: The O-line still has a couple of question marks, but the biggest worry is at the passing game; it ranked 124th overall last year. Athan Kaliakmanis has transferred in to be the starting QB, but he was a BIT inconsistent at Minnesota.

Key games:
9/21 @ Virginia Tech (Rutgers was able to beat Virginia Tech last year. Can they possibly do it again, this time at Lane Stadium?)
9/28 vs. Washington (The Knights will be the ones to welcome Washington into the Big 10. But here's some good news for the Knights: Remember that great 2023 Huskies team? It's literally all gone.)
10/12 vs. Wisconsin (Rutgers has never beaten Wisconsin, but they'll have a great chance to do it this year.)
10/26 @ USC (Here's a real oddity for you! Rutgers has never faced UCLA [who they'll host before this road game] and USC throughout their entire history. And now they'll face them BOTH in 2024! That is UNREAL.)
11/9 vs. Minnesota (Same scenario as the Wisconsin game; Minnesota has never lost to the Knights.)

Bottom line: Don't be fooled, folks. 2023 was a great breakthrough year for the Scarlet Knights, and now they got the talent and the coach to do more damage. Plus, Rutgers will benefit from the Big 10 getting rid of divisions; no more playing Ohio State and Michigan on a yearly basis!
Rutgers might not be a big challenger for the conference title, but DO NOT underestimate them in 2024. If you do that, they'll kick your smug @$$ Jersey-style.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Penn State

Preview segment: The Penn State Nittany Lions

Last season: To the casual fan, 2023 was another very fine year for Penn State; they got 10 wins and a berth in the Peach Bowl. But to the hardcore Nittany Lion fans, it was another frustrating season of falling short against elite teams. Against teams that finished in the Top 15 (Ohio State, Michigan, and Ole Miss), Penn State went 0-3. So with the new 12-team playoff now underway, can Penn State finally get over the hump?

Good news: Coach James Franklin hired 2 new coordinators in the offseason; the last time he did that, Penn State won the Big 10 title (2016). And despite only returning 5 starters, the defense should still be the pillar for the Lions. QB Drew Allar should take another step forward in his development, and RB Nick Singleton should be a force on the ground again.

Bad news: The O-line lost 3 starters to the NFL, so that unit needs to be fixed quick. And wide-receiver is still a BIG question mark... especially since PSU lost their top pass-catcher to Auburn.

Key games:
8/31 @ West Virginia (Last year, Penn State had a pretty easy time with the Mountaineers in State College. But this year? This year, the Lions will have their hands full with a fired-up, rejuvenated West Virginia squad.)
10/12 @ USC (See my USC preview.)
10/26 @ Wisconsin (The Nittany Lions will have a bye week to prep for their trip to Madison.)
11/2 vs. Ohio State (Penn State doesn't have to face Michigan this season, but they STILL have the mighty Buckeyes to shoot for. Can their offense FINALLY crack the Buckeyes?)
11/23 @ Minnesota (This could be a trap game for the Lions.)

Bottom line: Over the last several years, Penn State has been great under James Franklin's coaching. As for the frustration around the campus? Maybe the fans are just hungry for that breakthrough "elite season" where they can compete for the national title. If the offense and Drew Allar can find that 2nd gear, maybe Penn State can get into the expanded CFP in 2024 and go for that elite season they've been hungry for.

 

[navamind]

Michigan

Preview segment: The Michigan Wolverines

Last season: Jim Harbaugh... He's done it! He and his team finally got that coveted national championship to Ann Arbor (Michigan's first since 1997). Not much else to say except it'll be a season that will go down as one of the greatest ever. But with Harbaugh finally going back to the NFL (with the Chargers), Sherrone Moore is being asked to lead the team now.

Bad news: The wide-receiver room is full of unknown dudes, and the QB room is a BIT muddled (more on that later). Plus, it wasn't just Harbaugh who left Ann Arbor in the winter. There was also Blake Corum, J.J. McCarthy, Cornelius Johnson, Kris Jenkins, the defensive coordinator... Jeez! Michigan lost a LOT from last year's team.

Good news: At least the defense still looks powerful, as big dogs will move up in the rotation. In particular, underestimate Michigan's D-line at your own risk.

2024 X-factor: Quarterback (And not just because McCarthy is gone. It's because FIVE guys are in the running for the starting job. Yes, FIVE dudes! Alex Orji and Jack Tuttle look to be the frontrunners, but don't be surprised if Michigan is still trying to figure it out at the beginning of the season.)

Key games:
9/7 vs. Texas (Uh oh. Michigan has Texas in Week 2 [in a game that either NBC or CBS will give the red-carpet treatment]? Hey, Sherrone! I think you're on the clock to find out who your starting QB is gonna be.)
9/21 vs. USC (See my USC preview.)
10/5 @ Washington (It's a rematch of last year's CFP title game! And here's a fun fact: This will be Michigan's 1st road game of the season.)
11/9 vs. Oregon (Okay, I think the schedule makers are giving Michigan a LITTLE too much time with all of the Big 10 newcomers. But at least this game will be big. No, I mean REALLY big.)
11/30 @ Ohio State (But of course, this game will ALWAYS be the biggest one to Michigan fans.)

Bottom line: The defense should still remain strong, and they have 8 home games in 2024, so I think Michigan will still be in the national title discussion. However, the offense HAS to get sorted out... ESPECIALLY at quarterback. That will be the only way that the Wolverines will beat Ohio State again and make noise in the expanded CFP.

I'll be at the Oregon game.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Washington

Preview segment: The Washington Huskies

Last season: A big cheer for the Washington Huskies! In 2023, they had their best season in 32 years as they rode Michael Penix Jr. to a CFP championship berth. They also defeated Oregon to become the last-ever PAC-12 champions. And the way they got to that CFP title game! It was drama-filled from start to finish! I mean, they had 10 straight games where they either were in trouble and/or it came down to 1 score... and the Huskies won them ALL!
...But all of that is done. Washington is now stuck in the Big 10, and in a strange new world for 2024.

Bad news: It's not just the new conference that could throw Washington off. There's the tiny, small matter of only having 3 starters from last year coming back. That's right, ONLY THREE STARTERS! Michael Penix Jr., an award-winning O-line, coach Kalen DeBoer (who's now at Alabama), all their WR's... it's gone! All GONE!

Good news: ...But at least new head coach Jedd Fisch is doing his best to construct a working roster. He has former Mississippi State QB Will Rogers to help out, plus some new guys (like Jordan Shaw) and some veterans that can help reconstruct the defense.

Key games:
9/14 vs. Washington State [from Luman Field in Seattle] (The Huskies have 2 games to sort out all of their new starters [against Weber State and Eastern Michigan] before they all go and visit their old friends from Pullman. The Cougars will be united, so let's hope Washington will be the same.)
9/21 vs. Northwestern (Washington's debut game as a member of the Big 10.)
10/5 vs. Michigan (A rematch of last year's CFP title game, where Michigan took home the grand prize.)
11/2 vs. USC (Ah! Despite the new conference, a Washington/USC game will always draw a crowd over on the West Coast.)
11/30 @ Oregon (A big part of that drama-filled 2023 season for Washington was 2 wins over the rival Ducks. Oregon doesn't like that. Not one bit.)

Bottom line: Washington is the ultimate wild-card of the 2024 season, no doubt about it. Will Rogers is ready for a fresh new start, and coach Jedd Fisch knows what he's doing (just ask Arizona). But literally NO ONE from last year's marvelous season is in Seattle right now. The Huskies DO have talent left over though...
Screw it, I'll just quote the Lindy's magazine: "How many wins [for Washington]? Who knows."

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Oregon

The last preview segment for the Big 10: The Oregon Ducks

Last season: It was another brilliant year for the Ducks from Eugene. They used the #2-ranked offense in the country to grab a 12-2 mark and a dominant win in the Fiesta Bowl. And they were only 6 points away from going undefeated! However, those 2 losses came to rival Washington... both by a margin of 3 points.
But while Washington will be rebuilding in 2024, Oregon still has the talent to challenge for the national title.

Good news: The portal was good to Oregon in the offseason; they upgraded their secondary and reloaded their wide-receiver group. The O-line has two superstars in Josh Conerly Jr. and Ajani Cornelius. And while Bo Nix may be gone, new QB Dillon Gabriel should thrive in his new home at Eugene.

Bad news: Of course, expect some growing pains with all of these new people coming in. You may see that more on the D-line (it's filled with youngsters) and at running-back.

Key games:
9/14 @ Oregon State (Oregon is smart. They know DAMN well that they can't forget about their bitter in-state rivals from Corvallis.)
9/28 @ UCLA (Oregon's 1st game as a member of the Big 10 is against... UCLA? I mean, I'll watch it, but that's not really the introduction to rugged Big 10 play we've been expecting.)
10/12 vs. Ohio State (Now THAT'S more like it! This should be a classic! Don't forget, the last time Oregon played Ohio State the Ducks actually won in Columbus.)
11/2 @ Michigan (The Ducks inside "The Big House" in Ann Arbor. Enough said.)
11/30 vs. Washington (Did I mention that Washington was the only team to beat Oregon in 2023 already?)

Bottom line: In terms of talent, the Ducks are still a national title contender. As for the quarterback, I have all the faith in the world that Dillon Gabriel will fill the shoes of Bo Nix. But how will the Ducks handle the grind of Big 10 play week after week? That will be the million-dollar question for Oregon as they begin their chase for the Big 10 title and a national championship.

 

[Dolgevillefootballfan]

Big 10 Predictions

Now it's time to do the one thing I've dreaded since I started this thread. And that's accurately predict where every team in the Big 10 will finish in 2024. Okay, let's get this over with:

1. Ohio State (Conference champs)
2. Oregon (Playoff team)
3. Michigan (Maybe playoff team)
4. Penn State (Maybe playoff team)
5. Iowa
6. USC
7. Nebraska
8. Wisconsin
9. Rutgers
10. Washington
11. Maryland
12. Northwestern
13. Minnesota
14. Michigan State
15. Illinois
16. Indiana
17. UCLA
18. Purdue

There's only one more conference to go for me... and that's the new-look, ultra-hard SEC! Stay tuned...