“2025 Big Ten Showdown: ESPN’s Bold Prediction Reveals an Unexpected Champion!”

As we head into the unpredictable waters of college football in 2025, one can’t help but ponder: is the Big Ten finally dethroning the SEC? After all, the Big Ten has claimed the past two national championships, leaving fans buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Ohio State’s triumph over formidable foes like Tennessee and Notre Dame in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff is still fresh in our minds, and let’s not forget Michigan’s epic victory against Alabama the previous year! But with key players departing and fresh talent poised to take the field, which team will emerge as king of this powerhouse conference in the coming season? ESPN’s SP+ model recently weighed in, and while some fans have high hopes for Penn State, it seems Ohio State is still in the running for the top spot. Buckle up, football enthusiasts—it’s shaping up to be a thrilling ride! Want to dive deeper into this brewing rivalry? LEARN MORE.

Meet The Wife Of Kirk Herbstreit (1:13)

The Big Ten was perhaps the best conference in college football in 2024.

The SEC has long held the title of the best conference in the country. However, the Big Ten has now won the past two national championships. Ohio State won the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024, taking down Tennessee, Oregon, Texas and Notre Dame. Back in 2023, Michigan took home the national championship, beating Alabama and Washington.

It’s not just Ohio State and Michigan standing out, either. Oregon was the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff this past year. Penn State and Indiana also made the field, along with the champion Buckeyes.

But who will end up being on top of the conference in 2025? Ohio State lost a lot of talent, including quarterback Will Howard, running back TreVeyon Henderson and a ton of defensive players. Oregon, meanwhile, is losing quarterback Dillon Gabriel, while Penn State returns much of its talent.

ESPN’s model, the SP+, has revealed its predictions for the upcoming season.

CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 25: ESPN College Gameday host Kirk Herbstreit listens to the conversation prior to a college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Wisconsin Badgers on September 25th, 2021 at Solider Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The SP+, which weighs three different categories – returning production, recent recruiting and recent history – has made its pick for the Big Ten’s No. 1 team in 2025.

It’s the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Big Ten has three total teams in the top 10 of the rankings, including No. 1 Ohio State, No. 3 Penn State and No. 6 Oregon. Penn State is a popular pick to win the conference – and the national title – with Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt being high on James Franklin’s squad. Klatt has Penn State at No. 1 in his rankings.

“Penn State has gotten better every single year for the past 3 or 4 years and James Franklin, their team, man, they had every opportunity to win that game against Notre Dame,” Klatt said. “They are knocking on the door of a national championship and now they’re bringing all of those key pieces back to their team.”

“… Are they head and shoulders the best roster in college football like maybe Ohio State was last year? No. Not quite. And I do think that this is going to be a grind because you could talk me into Penn State at 6.”

But while Klatt is high on the Nittany Lions, ESPN’s model is going with Ohio State as the Big Ten’s top team for 2025.