Five Big Ten football storylines to watch

The Massive Ten is larger and higher than ever with 18 groups and a coast-to-coast footprint. With the convention’s media days within the books, the main target shifts to the season, which is stuffed with engaging storylines. 

Listed here are 5 to control because the season begins.

1. Will Ohio State get again on prime?

The Buckeyes ran the Massive Ten from 2014 to 2020, profitable 5 of seven convention titles. Nonetheless, the tide has turned. Michigan has received three straight championships and defeated its arch-rival all three years. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day wants a win over Michigan this 12 months and all indicators level to the Buckeyes reclaiming the throne. 

Day hit the switch portal laborious, employed former UCLA head coach Chip Kelly as his offensive coordinator and Jim Harbaugh departed Michigan for the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers. Oregon and Penn State may also problem for the title, however the Buckeyes are the clear preseason favourite.

2. Can Sherrone Moore hold it rolling in Ann Arbor?

New Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore took over for Harbaugh, however he is no stranger to main the Wolverines on the sidelines. The previous Michigan offensive coordinator served because the appearing head coach for 4 video games final season, together with wins over Penn State and Ohio State. 

It took Harbaugh seven years to get Michigan the place he wished, however since 2021, the Wolverines have received three Massive Ten titles, a nationwide championship and defeated Ohio State thrice. Moore is hoping to maintain the great instances rolling in Ann Arbor. He and the Wolverines are picked fourth within the Massive Ten preseason ballot.

3. Is Penn State lastly going to make the Faculty Soccer Playoff?

The Faculty Soccer Playoff has expanded to 12 groups this 12 months, which supplies groups like Penn State an opportunity to get in. The Nittany Lions have 5 double-digit-win seasons beneath James Franklin however are 4-16 in opposition to Michigan and Ohio State. That is left them on the surface wanting in for the CFP. 

Penn State is picked third within the Massive Ten preseason ballot this 12 months. The Nittany Lions host Ohio State on Nov. 2 and don’t face Michigan through the common season.

4. What concerning the 4 newcomers?

The Massive Ten added Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington, which provides some vital soccer pedigrees to an already stacked convention. 

Oregon figures to vie for the convention title after a 12-2 season in 2023 with each losses in opposition to Washington. The Huskies have a brand new head coach in Jedd Fisch, whereas UCLA turned to DeShaun Foster following Chip Kelly’s exit. Lincoln Riley and USC are turning the web page at quarterback after Caleb Williams was drafted first total by the Chicago Bears.

5. An even bigger league means a brand new scheduling format

Goodbye, divisions! The Massive Ten can lay the East-West dynamic to relaxation. That is an excellent factor for the convention because the East went 10-0 in opposition to the West within the Massive Ten Championship contests. Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan State had been all combating for one spot, however that modifications this 12 months as one of the best two groups within the standings will face off within the title recreation.