CBS Sports updated their Big Ten football rankings ahead of the 2025 college football season and it’s going to be one heck of a race. There are a few national title contenders coming out of this loaded league. Ohio State and Michigan have won the last two national championships but there might be another Big […]
CBS Sports updated their Big Ten football rankings ahead of the 2025 college football season and it’s going to be one heck of a race. There are a few national title contenders coming out of this loaded league.
Ohio State and Michigan have won the last two national championships but there might be another Big Ten team that has a better shot this season. Don’t forget about last year’s conference champs Oregon either!
Let’s dive into CBS Sports’ Big Ten rankings, starting at the top. The rankings in parentheses reflect the national ranking among CBS’ list.
1. Penn State (2)
Penn State ranks right at the top of CBS’ Big Ten rankings going into the season. We’re just a few weeks away so it’s easy to say that this is a national title contender.
Drew Allar, a loaded backfield, Dani Dennis-Sutton and more return this year to “run it back.” Perhaps the biggest addition was defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. They’ll have challenges at the top of the conference, but this team could have an argument for being the best in the country.
2. Ohio State (3)
The Buckeyes come in second in the Big Ten but still top three in the country per CBS Sports. Ohio State is the defending national champion, but seem to be on the second tier for 2025 contenders for the title.
Still, the team has elite stars in WR Jeremiah Smith and DB Caleb Downs. Ryan Day is a QB whisperer, so Julian Sayin should blend seamlessly into this loaded offense.
3. Oregon (7)
The Ducks won the Big Ten last season but fell in the CFP quarterfinals. CBS still likes Oregon within the top 10 teams in college football though.
New QB Dante Moore takes over as Dan Lanning looks to continue on the upward trajectory. The head coach has improved the team year to year, so he hopes 2025 is no different.
4. Illinois (13)
Illinois is coming off a 10-win season in 2024, including the postseason, and they’re considered a Big Ten dark horse this season. Bret Bielema is certainly pushing all of the right buttons.
Luke Altmyer is back at quarterback, so that’ll help that offense this fall. Contending with the top three in CBS’ rankings will be a challenge, but perhaps Illinois has enough juice to surprise more people.
5. Michigan (15)
The expectations are back up high for Michigan going into this season. Sherrone Moore had some positives and negatives in Year 1, but contending for the Big Ten might be more realistic this year than last.
Bryce Underwood could very well start at QB as a true freshman, giving the Wolverines a much better option under center than 2024. The offense and defense has experience and naturally, a second year of a head coaching tenure could very well be better than the first. Michigan is also top 15 nationally, per CBS.
6. Indiana (23)
Curt Cignetti wins, google him! Well, he won 11 games and lost two last year, including one to Ohio State and the other to Notre Dame in the CFP. Still, it was hard to top that first year in the Big Ten.
The Hoosiers landed Cal QB Fernando Mendoza in the portal, so they’ll be solid at the most important position. Indiana brought back a lot on both sides of the ball and attacked the portal. They’re firmly solidified in CBS’ top 25 overall.
7. USC (29)
USC might have the potential, but the Big Ten wasn’t kind to the Trojans last season. Lincoln Riley isn’t necessarily on the hot seat, but USC has to start winning very soon.
It’s been a downward trend since his debut season out west and all signs point towards 2026 being the better team. For 2025, doing better than seven wins in the regular season would bode well. For now, they’re just above the middle of the conference.
8. Iowa (30)
The Hawkeyes round out CBS’ top 30 and are still in the top half of the outlet’s Big Ten rankings. Kirk Ferentz keeps a steady ship over in Iowa City, but it’s a matter of if they’ll break through to the next tier this time around.
The good news is, Mark Gronowski seems like their best QB option in quite some time. The run game and defense should be stout, so it’s matter of if this Iowa team will be your typical, tough, eight-win squad or a team that’ll surprise some and win 10 games en route to a possible CFP berth.
9. Nebraska (35)
Year 3 under Matt Rhule will be a monumental season for Nebraska. Can they win the Big Ten? The likelihood isn’t as high as the top four or five teams on the CBS’ rankings, but they could have a successful season.
A lot depends on QB Dylan Raiola taking the next step as a sophomore quarterback. Rhule is a program builder and vibes are high in Lincoln.
10. Minnesota (38)
The Gophers are ready to row the boats with PJ Fleck once again. He did just land a big contract extension. But, a Big Ten title still lacks from his resume.
The Gophers will have some young stars take on some big roles, like RS-Fr. QB Drake Lindsey. New offensive and defensive starts via the transfer portal will be key, like DBs Jaylen Bowden and John Nestor for instance.
CBS Sports updates Big Ten Football rankings
11. Washington (40)
12. UCLA (49)
13. Wisconsin (51)
14. Michigan State (62)
15. Rutgers (63)
16. Maryland (67)
17. Northwestern (77)
18. Purdue (92)
Category: General Sports
