The Big Ten has some new looks in 2024 that have everyone around the conference excited to get things started. The Big Ten welcomed four new members to the mix this year with Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington joining the conference. The expansion of the conference has also changed the way the Big Ten will setup its conference championship game with no more division play. Instead, the top two teams in the conference’s overall standings will face off in Indianapolis for the right to call themselves Big Ten champion.
Michigan has been the top program the past few years but Ohio State is looking to return to the top of the Big Ten. It will have to fend off new Big Ten threat Oregon, and Penn State figures to be on the radar all season long.
Here are our predictions for this year’s Big Ten championship game matchup and outcome.
Brad Wakai: Ohio State over Oregon
The Buckeyes might have lost the first matchup between these two on the road, but they won’t lose with the championship on the line. Ohio State gets back to the top of the Big 10 and earns an automatic berth in the Playoff.
Charlie Strella: Oregon vs. Ohio State
It’s probably the most obvious selection for a Big Ten title game in quite a few years, but the elimination of the east/west divisions makes this the obvious choice. The Ducks and the Buckeyes are the two best teams in the conference and a cut above the rest. Perhaps Penn State, USC or Michigan could make a compelling case but for now Ohio State and Oregon are the two teams who look the most ready for a Big Ten title.
Shayne Kubas: Oregon over Ohio State
As much as I would love to see Penn State in this game, Ohio State and Oregon are the teams to beat in the Big Ten until proven otherwise. The Ducks offense should be electric, and their defense has plenty of talent to work with. Ohio State has a lot of new pieces on offense that need to come together, but they are as talented as any team in the country aside from Georgia. I think the Ducks will just barely edge out the Buckeyes, winning the conference in their inaugural season.
Kevin McGuire: Ohio State over Oregon
It feels like I’m taking the obvious pick here, but Ohio State and Oregon are geared up for pursuing national title dreams this season for a reason. They may be the two best teams in the conference, and we will get a likely preview of this matchup earlier in the year when Ohio State visits Oregon on Oct. 12. I think Oregon wins that round at home but the Buckeyes get the revenge in Indianapolis.
I think Penn State is in the Big Ten title hunt all season, but the Nittany Lions are going to have to beat Ohio State to get there. I think Penn State suffers two losses in Big Ten play to fall just shy of the championship game.