The Big Ten placed six teams in the top 25 of both the preseason AP Poll and CBS Sports 136, including Illinois, Indiana and Michigan in the upper tier. Others are lurking, as Iowa, Nebraska and USC could challenge the SEC's depth if they exceed expectations in 2025.

The USC Trojans are ranked No. 4 in ESPN’s updated Big Ten Football Power Index rankings. The three teams ahead of them are the Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State

According to Thamel, the new model proposed by the Big Ten suggests eliminating conference title games and awarding more auto bids for the four power conferences. In a 28-team playoff, the Big Ten and SEC would receive seven auto bids each, while the ACC and Big 12 would get five auto bids each, per Thamel.

If the Big Ten and SEC can't agree on a CFP format, it stays at 12 teams for at least the 2026 season, and Rich Clark is fine with that.

After winning the last two national championships, the Big Ten can credibly lay claim to being the most dominant conference in college football, seeming to take

Rhett Lashlee isn’t hiding what he thinks is ESPN favoritism to the Big Ten and SEC. The SMU coach is calling it out again. Back in June, ESPN released its Football Power Index rankings. It is aimed to offer “measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season.