The spring season is over for college football teams across the country. That means one main thing for the offseason coverage of the sport: it’s time for the post-spring preseason top 25 rankings.
We’ve been tracking those lists as they’re released, already with one from Joel Klatt and one from The Athletic. The two are in lockstep with most of the ranking, and neither sees Wisconsin as a top-25 team entering the season.
Related: Post-spring Big Ten football 2024 power rankings
The omission of Wisconsin makes sense. The program is off a 7-6 2023 season and hasn’t won double-digit games since 2019. It is also reshaping its offensive and defensive systems under Phil Longo and Mike Tressel respectively. The 2023 Badgers got the benefit of the doubt thanks to the program’s history and Luke Fickell’s pedigree as a coach. The 2024 team doesn’t appear to be receiving the same praise.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, we’ve already ranked all 18 programs in the Big Ten, ranked the 18 starting quarterbacks, ranked all 18 head coaches, predicted each Big Ten team’s 2024 record, looked at the early College Football Playoff tiers, made bold predictions for the season and checked in on the Las Vegas win totals for each team in the conference.
Now, USA TODAY Sports has joined other outlets in releasing its way-too-early preseason top 25 ranking.
Here’s that ranking — which, like The Athletic and Joel Klatt, has one notable omission. It’s safe to say that national publications aren’t firm believers in a resurgent season in Madison:
1
Georgia Bulldogs
Apr 13, 2024; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart on the field during the G-Day Game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 13-1
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 1
Other Rankings:
2
Texas Longhorns
Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian greets wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) while warming up for the Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff semifinals game against the Washington Huskies at the Caesars Superdome on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Credit: Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Record: 12-2
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 4
Other Rankings:
3
Ohio State Buckeyes
Oct 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running backs coach Tony Alford, head coach Ryan Day and offensive line coach Justin Frye signal from the sideline during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium.
2023 Record: 11-2
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 2
Other Rankings:
4
Oregon Ducks
Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning (center) leads quarterback Bo Nix (10) and Ty Thompson (13) onto the field for the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 12-2
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 3
Other Rankings:
5
Alabama Crimson Tide
Jan 13, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; The University of Alabama introduced new head football coach Kalen DeBoer with a press conference at Bryant-Denny Stadium. DeBoer speaks during the press conference. Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Record: 12-2
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 6
Other Rankings:
6
Ole Miss Rebels
Nov 6, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA;Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin talks with a referee after a call during the second half against the Liberty Flames at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 11-2
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 8
Other Rankings:
7
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman celebrates at the 90th annual Sun Bowl game against Oregon State on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at El Paso, Texas. Credit: GABY VELASQUEZ/ EL PASO TIMES-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Record: 10-3
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 9
Other Rankings:
8
Oklahoma Sooners
Dec 28, 2023; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables looks on in the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 10-3
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 14
Other Rankings:
9
Missouri Tigers
Nov 24, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz during the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Missouri won 48-14. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 11-2
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 11
Other Rankings:
10
Clemson Tigers
Sep 30, 2023; Syracuse, New York, USA; Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts in the fourth quarter against Syracuse at JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 9-4
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 16
Other Rankings:
11
Michigan Wolverines
Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) scores a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 15-0
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 5
Other Rankings:
12
Utah Utes
Apr 23, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham looks on during the second half of the Utah Spring Football Game at Rice–Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 8-5
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 17
Other Rankings:
13
LSU Tigers
Jan 1, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) talk on the podium after the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Reliaquest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 10-3
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 10
Other Rankings:
14
NC State Wolfpack
Dec 28, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren looks on from the sidelines during the Pop-Tarts bowl against Kansas State Wildcats in the fourth quarter at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 9-4
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 28
Other Rankings:
15
Florida State Seminoles
Sep 23, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell on the sideline in the first half against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 13-1
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 12
Other Rankings:
16
Penn State Nittany Lions
Dec 30, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin on the sidelines against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 10-3
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 7
Other Rankings:
17
Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel during preseason football practice held on UT’s campus on Monday, August 7, 2023. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Record: 9-4
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 15
Other Rankings:
18
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Sep 16, 2023; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy takes the field before an NCAA football game between Oklahoma State and South Alabama at Boone Pickens Stadium. South Alabama won 33-7. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Terry-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 10-4
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 20
Other Rankings:
19
Kansas Jayhawks
Sep 17, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold on the sideline during the first quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 9-4
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 35
Other Rankings:
20
Arizona Wildcats
Dec 28, 2023; San Antonio, TX, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back DJ Williams (8) celebrates a touchdown with tight end Tanner McLachlan (84) in the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 10-3
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 19
Other Rankings:
21
Kansas State Wildcats
Dec 28, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman celebrates after beating the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the Pop-Tarts bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 9-4
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 18
Other Rankings:
22
USC Trojans
USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) talks with USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley during the first half of the game against No. 6 Oregon Ducks on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. Credit: Abigail Dollins-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Record: 8-5
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 23
Other Rankings:
23
Virginia Tech Hokies
Dec 27, 2023; Annapolis, MD, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Brent Pry walks onto the field during the first half against the Tulane Green Wave at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 7-6
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 30
Other Rankings:
24
Iowa Hawkeyes
Oct 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Record: 10-4
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 26
Other Rankings:
25
Memphis Tigers
Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield watches his players get ready for a drill during the first University of Memphis football practice at the Billy J. Murphy Athletic Complex on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Credit: Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal-USA TODAY NETWORK
2023 Record: 10-3
2024 SP+ Ranking: No. 36
Other Rankings: