The 2024 college football season is fast approaching. There are only 12 days until Florida State and Georgia Tech officially open the season in Week 0.
The upcoming season will be unlike anything seen before, as conference realignment and an expanded College Football Playoff will reshape the entire structure of the sport. That means the upcoming season will offer a first glimpse of the future of the sport, and more is sure to change as the years go by.
Related: Ranking of all 18 Big Ten football teams in the championship classes at the start of the 2024 season
The Big Ten’s place in that future is secure. The 18-team conference sits at the forefront of the sport’s new landscape along with the SEC. The big question for 2024 is how those conferences compare and what the expanded playoffs will look like with so many of the country’s top contenders confined to those two top conferences.
The other important question for Wisconsin and Big Ten fans is how the conference will adjust to the new additions of USC, Oregon, UCLA and Washington, as well as the abolition of the East-West division model. Classic Big Ten contenders, including Wisconsin and Iowa, will have to find their place in the new conference landscape.
The preseason rankings are a good first indicator of the new pecking order in sports. We recently saw the full 1-134 rankings from CBS Sports and the US LBM Coaches’ preseason poll offers an early look. Today, there’s another addition to that list, and it comes from RJ Young of Fox Sports.
Here’s where Wisconsin and all Big Ten teams stand in its full 1-134 rankings as the battle for conference supremacy begins in the sport’s new landscape:
18
Indiana Hoosiers – No. 97 overall
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti looks on during the Indiana football team’s spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Photo credit: Bobby Goddin/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK
17
Purdue Boilermakers – No. 88 overall
October 28, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Ryan Walters reacts after a call during the second quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Badgers Wire Big Ten Power Rankings: No. 18
CBS Sports Rankings: No. 75
Preseason poll of US LBM coaches: Not rated
Full 2024 Purdue Boilermakers Team Preview
16
Illinois Fighting Illini – No. 87 overall
November 11, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema reacts to a call during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Badgers Wire Big Ten Power Rankings: No. 13
CBS Sports Rankings: No. 57
Preseason poll of US LBM coaches: Not rated
Complete Illinois Fighting Illini 2024 Team preview
15
Washington Huskies – No. 83 overall
July 25, 2024; Indianapolis, IN; Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch speaks to the media during Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Badgers Wire Big Ten Power Rankings: No. 9
CBS Sports Rankings: No. 40
Preseason poll of US LBM coaches: Receive votes
Full 2024 Washington Huskies Team Preview
For more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions, visit Huskies Wire
14
Michigan State Spartans – No. 82 overall
Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith leaves the file after the Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Nick King/Lansing State Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK
Badgers Wire Big Ten Power Rankings: No. 12
CBS Sports Rankings: No. 63
Preseason poll of US LBM coaches: Not rated
Full 2024 Michigan State Spartans Team Preview
For more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinion visit Spartans Wire
13
Northwestern Wildcats – No. 75 overall
September 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Northwestern Wildcats interim coach David Braun shakes hands with Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Jack Kennedy (1) before the game at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
12
UCLA Bruins – No. 74 overall
February 13, 2024; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins athletic director Martin Jarmond (right) with new head coach DeShaun Foster during a press conference at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Badgers Wire Big Ten Power Rankings: No. 16
CBS Sports Rankings: No. 52
Preseason poll of US LBM coaches: Not rated
Full UCLA Bruins 2024 Team preview
More (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Cable
11
Minnesota Golden Gophers – No. 72 overall
November 26, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach PJ Fleck stands on the field before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Badgers Wire Big Ten Power Rankings: No. 14
CBS Sports Rankings: No. 51
Preseason poll of US LBM coaches: Not rated
Full 2024 Minnesota Golden Gophers Team Preview
10
Rutgers Scarlet Knights – No. 36 overall
November 25, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano runs onto the field with his team before their game against the Maryland Terrapins at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Badgers Wire Big Ten Power Rankings: No. 11
CBS Sports Rankings: No. 45
Preseason poll of US LBM coaches: Not rated
Complete 2024 Rutgers Scarlet Knights Team preview
For more (Rutgers) news, analysis and opinion visit RutgersWire
9
Maryland Terrapins – No. 33 overall
October 28, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley (center) on the sidelines during the second half at Ryan Field. Mandatory Photo Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
8
Nebraska Cornhuskers – No. 31 overall
November 18, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule runs down the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Badgers Wire Big Ten Power Rankings: No. 6
CBS Sports Rankings: No. 34
Preseason poll of US LBM coaches: Receive votes
Complete Nebraska Cornhuskers 2024 Team preview
For more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinion visit Cornhuskers Wire
7
Wisconsin Badgers – No. 27 overall
October 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Badgers Wire Big Ten Power Rankings: No. 7
CBS Sports Rankings: No. 33
Preseason poll of US LBM coaches: Receive votes
Full 2024 Wisconsin Badgers Team Preview
6
Iowa Hawkeyes – No. 24 overall
October 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during warmups before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Badgers Wire Big Ten Power Rankings: No. 8
CBS Sports Rankings: No. 23
Preseason poll of US LBM coaches: No. 25
Full 2024 Iowa Hawkeyes Team Preview
For more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinion visit Hawkeyes Wire
5
USC Trojans – No. 17 overall
October 7, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches the game against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Badgers Wire Big Ten Power Rankings: No. 5
CBS Sports Rankings: No. 21
Preseason poll of US LBM coaches: No. 23
Full 2024 USC Trojans Team Preview
More (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojan Wire
4
Penn State Nittany Lions – No. 14 overall
November 24, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin leads his team onto the field before their game against Michigan State at Ford Field. Mandatory Photo Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Badgers Wire Big Ten Power Rankings: No. 3
CBS Sports Rankings: No. 7
Preseason poll of US LBM coaches: No. 9
Full 2024 Penn State Nittany Lions Team Preview
For more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinion visit Nittany Lions Wire
3
Michigan Wolverines – No. 8 overall
January 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore against the Washington Huskies during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Badgers Wire Big Ten Power Rankings: No. 4
CBS Sports Rankings: No. 9
Preseason poll of US LBM coaches: No. 8
Full 2024 Michigan Wolverines Team Preview
For more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinion visit Wolverines Wire
2
Oregon Ducks – No. 4 overall
January 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning talks with the referee on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Liberty Flames in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Badgers Wire Big Ten Power Rankings: No. 1
CBS Sports Rankings: No. 3
Preseason poll of US LBM coaches: No. 3
Full 2024 Oregon Ducks Team Preview
For more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions, visit Duck wire
1
Ohio State Buckeyes – No. 1 overall
December 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Lincoln Kienholz (12) talks with Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day in the third quarter against Missouri Tigers during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Badgers Wire Big Ten Power Rankings: No. 2
CBS Sports Rankings: No. 2
Preseason poll of US LBM coaches: No. 2
Full 2024 Ohio State Buckeyes Team Preview
For more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinion visit Buckeyes Wire
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