There are less than two weeks until the start of the 2024 season for the Big Ten Conference’s top teams, and it’s clear that expectations are high. In fact, the Big Ten has four teams in the preseason AP Top 25 poll – Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State and Michigan. While all four teams are expected to compete for the championship, it’s also very realistic that all four will miss out on the conference championship and the newly expanded College Football Playoff.
Here’s a look at the realistic nightmare scenarios for the top teams in the Big Ten Conference.
Losses: at Oregon, at Penn State, Michigan
Ohio State enters the 2024 season as one of the early favorites to win the national championship. After another disappointing season in 2023, Ryan Day entered the transfer portal and brought in key players at quarterback, running back and in the secondary. Day also brought in the best player in the 2024 class in WR Jeremiah Smith, a guy who is expected to be a big contributor as a true freshman. There’s no doubt that expectations are high for the Buckeyes in 2024, but there’s also a realistic scenario that results in three regular season losses for Ohio State. Those three losses would not only prevent the Buckeyes from playing for a Big Ten championship, but would also eliminate Ohio State from the College Football Playoff.
Losses: Ohio State, at Michigan, at Oregon State/at Wisconsin/Washington
Many analysts believe Oregon will finish top of the standings and win the Big Ten championship in its first year in the conference, which would be an incredible – and historic – accomplishment. But it won’t be easy, especially with games against Ohio State and Michigan on the schedule. Add in a road game against Wisconsin and the season finale against Washington, and it wouldn’t be too surprising to see Oregon finish last with three regular-season losses. As mentioned above with Ohio State, three regular-season losses would keep the Ducks out of the conference championship and the CFP.
Losses: at West Virginia, at USC, at Wisconsin, Ohio State, Washington
Penn State is one of those teams that always seems to come up short when it matters most. Although the Nittany Lions don’t have to play Michigan and Oregon, they do have to navigate a brutal four-game series that includes games at USC, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Washington. It seems unlikely that Penn State loses all four games, especially since two of those games are in Happy Valley, but it’s definitely a realistic possibility.
Losses: Texas, USC, Washington, Oregon, Ohio State
The reigning national champions will be largely overlooked in 2024 as the Wolverines replace a ton of talent and break in a new head coach. While the cupboard in Ann Arbor is far from empty, Michigan’s brutal schedule could certainly lead to a painful season. In many ways, Week 2’s game against Texas in Ann Arbor could serve as a fork in the road for Michigan’s season. A win sets the tone for what could While there could be another shot at the championship, a defeat could mean the start of a very long season.
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