Power ranking Big Ten football, post-spring practice

Throw a blanket over the top three. They each have their strengths and question marks.

Ohio State has the best three-headed monster in football in Jeremiah Smith, accurate quarterback Julian Sayin and 1000-yard rusher Bo Jackson (no relation) but a few questions on the offensive line and a new coordinator in Arthur Smith.

The Buckeye talent pipeline is unquestionable, and there's an intriguing new receiver in 6-5, five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr.. The defense loses three first-round draft picks to the NFL in Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles but defensive coordinator Matt Patricia is back.

Cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. and edge Kenyatta Jackson Jr. form the heart of what still should be another stingy unit.

Several post-spring polls have the Buckeyes at No. 1 but another challenge is the schedule. It features a road game to Texas in Week 2. They visit Iowa, Indiana and USC in October, host Oregon November 7, Michigan on November 28. In all they'll play at least five Top 25 teams and all the projected contenders in the conference.

Oddly, the over/under at FanDuel has them at 9.5 wins, yet makes them the favorite to win the national championship at +550.

Indiana starts over with a new transfer quarterback in Josh Hoover, who threw 13 picks last season at TCU. He's no match for Mendoza at 6-2 200, a 65 percent completion percentage and a net 4 yards rushing in 55 attempts.

The Hoosiers rely on the trustworthy strengths of culture, continuity and preparation. Both coordinators return in Bryant Haines and Mike Shanahan.

Head coach Curt Cignetti grinds film like few in the game, and he has a shrewd eye for identifying production and work habits-- his transfer success at getting the right guys for key roles is undeniable.

FanDuel pegs the Hoosiers at 10.5 wins, tied with Texas for the third-best odds to win the national title, which would make them the first repeat winner since Georgia in 2021 and 2022.

Oregon oozes talent, but they're replacing both coordinators, three starters on the offensive line and defensive tackle machines Bryce Boettcher and Dillon Thieneman, Thieneman a first-round draft pick.

The offense is loaded at the skill positions with returning starter Dante Moore at quarterback, sophomore running backs Dierre Hill and Jordon Davison, who blasted opposing defenses for 8.75 and 5.9 yards a carry last year (656 and 667 yards,) the nation's best returning tight end in Jamari Johnson, plus a deep corps of wide receivers that includes Evan Stewart, Dakorien Moore and Jeremiah McClellan, all game-breakers.

For the Ducks, it all hinges on the offensive line and finding a capable replacement for Colts' fourth round pick Bryce Boettcher in the middle of the defense. Jerry Mixon brings his lunch pail at one inside linebacker spot. In his fourth year in the program, the senior picked off two passes last season and returned one for a touchdown, 57 tackles and four tackles for loss.

That won't get it done in Boettcher's absence, and he needs a capable running mate to stiffen the sometimes-squishy middle. It helps that the Ducks return the nation's best defensive line with four future NFL players electing to return for their senior years, A'Mauri Washington, Matayo Uiagalelei, Bear Alexander and Teitum Tuioti. Dan Lanning hired ex-NFL assistant Rip Rowan to improve their sack numbers.

FanDuel places the Ducks at 10.5 wins, +800 to win the national championship, just behind the Hoosiers and ahead of Georgia.

Big separation remains between the big three and the rest of the league

In the next tier in the last Big Ten Conference chase (AFCA coaches want to do away with conference title games in order to expand the playoffs) are USC, Washington and Michigan. Kyle Whittingham brings a new Harbaugh-like toughness to the Wolverines, and his emphasis on productive tight ends, a strong running game and defense should bring out the best in Bryce Underwood.

SC boasts the No. 1 incoming recruiting class, an explosive running back in King Miller (972 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025 and a fourth-year starter at quarterback in Jayden Maiava, who transferred in 2024 from UNLV.

Maiava led the Big Ten in passing yards last season at 286 yards per game and 9.2 yards per attempt, but his production tilted toward big mistakes, 24 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, sacked 14 times.

Washington is a riddle wrapped in an enigma. The Huskies successfully chained Demond Williams to one goal post at Husky Stadium after he attempted to bolt for LSU but his supporting cast is a work in progress. It includes running back Jayden Limar, transferred from Oregon where he was fourth on the depth chart.

Third-year coach Dedd Fisch loses twin offensive playmakers Jonah Coleman and Denzel Boston and cover guys Ephesians Prysock and Tacario Davis on defense. FanDuel slots the Dawgs at 7.5 wins, with a -800 chance to make the College Football Playoff.

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