Ohio State keeps producing blockbusters. The Buckeyes — like their top-tier counterparts — spend big to have the best talent, directors, etc. And when award season rolls around, these top four will likely be in the mix. That includes Jeremiah Smith (pictured), who could be the best player in the country. He already has the Heisman hype and could be the top pick in the 2027 NFL draft. These teams will be on a lot of TVs all season.
Tribune News Service
Iowa tight end DJ Vonnahme is a useful weapon for any offense and a tough matchup for opposing defenses. The kind of player you want in November in the Big Ten. These upper-level teams have the pieces and schedules to shine in crunch time. You'll be seeing a lot of them around the Top 25.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Bryce Underwood and Michigan will be in the spotlight — as the Wolverines and quarterbacks always are. But there was a lot of off-the-field noise, and play on it has fallen since an impressive buzzworthy run. When a program spends big and loses more than expected, that's a box office disappointment.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
Minnesota's Anthony Smith was the preseason Big Ten defensive player of the year. Yet the Gophers still find themselves as budget breakevens — like most of the Big Ten. There are critics of these teams in the middle, but there are good players and moments, too. The sum adds up to nothing too high or too low.
Tribune News Service
Aidan Chiles, last year at Michigan State and now at Northwestern, has big-play ability. But the quarterback's team (current and former) finds itself in the horror flick category. There will be points where viewers want to close their eyes this season. In a horror movie, that's good. For a football team, that's bad. Some of it will be a tough schedule, some will be new schemes and lack of depth.
Ohio State keeps producing blockbusters. The Buckeyes — like their top-tier counterparts — spend big to have the best talent, directors, etc. And when award season rolls around, these top four will likely be in the mix. That includes Jeremiah Smith (pictured), who could be the best player in the country. He already has the Heisman hype and could be the top pick in the 2027 NFL draft. These teams will be on a lot of TVs all season.
Iowa tight end DJ Vonnahme is a useful weapon for any offense and a tough matchup for opposing defenses. The kind of player you want in November in the Big Ten. These upper-level teams have the pieces and schedules to shine in crunch time. You'll be seeing a lot of them around the Top 25.
Bryce Underwood and Michigan will be in the spotlight — as the Wolverines and quarterbacks always are. But there was a lot of off-the-field noise, and play on it has fallen since an impressive buzzworthy run. When a program spends big and loses more than expected, that's a box office disappointment.
Minnesota's Anthony Smith was the preseason Big Ten defensive player of the year. Yet the Gophers still find themselves as budget breakevens — like most of the Big Ten. There are critics of these teams in the middle, but there are good players and moments, too. The sum adds up to nothing too high or too low.
Aidan Chiles, last year at Michigan State and now at Northwestern, has big-play ability. But the quarterback's team (current and former) finds itself in the horror flick category. There will be points where viewers want to close their eyes this season. In a horror movie, that's good. For a football team, that's bad. Some of it will be a tough schedule, some will be new schemes and lack of depth.
