The Indiana Hoosiers entered the 2025 season as a surprise powerhouse, finishing 16‑0 to claim both the Big Ten championship and the national title. Their success was built on a veteran core of ten returning starters, a highly regarded head coach, and a schedule many considered manageable. Yet, as the new season approaches, the national conversation has shifted toward two other programs that dominate the preseason buzz.
Ohio State Buckeyes: A top‑two seed in the AP poll
Ohio State sits at No. 1 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25, sharing the top two spots with Oregon. The Buckeyes face a daunting conference slate, highlighted by a road game at Indiana on Oct. 17 and a home showdown with Oregon on Nov. 7. Both matchups will be pivotal in determining the Big Ten championship contenders and could influence College Football Playoff seeding.
Key to Ohio State’s outlook is a potent offensive unit. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is touted as the nation’s most productive pass‑catcher, while quarterback Julian Sayin has earned a reputation for precision passing. The offensive line is described as elite, providing a solid foundation for both the aerial and ground attacks. Defensively, the Buckeyes are integrating a wave of transfers to replace eight starters who departed for the NFL, aiming to maintain the high‑powered defense that defined their recent success.
Oregon Ducks: Seasoned talent and experienced leadership
Oregon, ranked No. 2, brings a veteran‑heavy roster to the table. Quarterback Dante Moore returns as one of six starters on offense, and the line features tackle A’Mauri Washington and edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei, both of whom anchored a defense that retained eight starters. The Ducks’ experience positions them as a formidable opponent in the Pac‑12‑Big Ten crossover games.
Coach Lincoln Riley, now in his fifth season at Southern California, has assembled a schedule that pits his team against both Ohio State and Indiana on the road, adding a layer of difficulty that could test the Ducks’ depth and resilience.
Other conference contenders
Michigan looks to revitalize its offense under new offensive coordinator Jason Beck, a former Utah assistant, with quarterback Bryce Underwood expected to improve after a modest freshman campaign. Penn State, under first‑year head coach Matt Campbell, brings 24 Iowa State transfers—including quarterback Rocco Becht—to a roster that avoids direct clashes with Ohio State, Oregon, or Indiana this season.
Washington’s season features the return of quarterback Demond Williams Jr. after a brief dispute over compensation, while the Huskies aim to rebuild a once‑dominant Big Ten defense under head coach Jedd Fisch. Iowa continues its streak of winning seasons, though it must decide between two inexperienced quarterbacks. Illinois adds veteran transfer Katin Houser as its fourth quarterback starter under Bret Bielema.
In the western side of the conference, Minnesota boasts a three‑year streak of beating ranked opponents and enters the season unbeaten in bowl games since 2018, led by quarterback Drake Lindsey and edge rusher Anthony Smith. Nebraska, guided by Matt Rhule, faces a challenging October‑November schedule, while Wisconsin relies on transfers like quarterback Colton Joseph and running back Abu Sama III to rejuvenate an offense hampered by injuries in recent years.
Key matchups and schedule highlights
Notable non‑conference games include Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame at Lambeau Field (Sept. 6), Ohio State at Texas (Sept. 12), and Oregon at USC (Sept. 26). Within the Big Ten, the Oct. 17 clash between Ohio State and Indiana and the Nov. 7 Ohio State‑Oregon showdown will likely shape the conference championship picture.
As the preseason unfolds, analysts will watch how the influx of transfers, the return of seasoned starters, and the strategic adjustments of new coaching staffs influence the race for another national title. While Indiana’s historic run set a high bar, the Buckeyes and Ducks appear poised to challenge that legacy and vie for the top spot in college football’s most competitive conference.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
