{"id":33833,"date":"2025-05-08T13:48:17","date_gmt":"2025-05-08T13:48:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/33833\/"},"modified":"2025-05-08T13:48:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T13:48:17","slug":"every-big-ten-football-teams-2025-bowl-projection-following-spring-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/33833\/","title":{"rendered":"Every Big Ten football team’s 2025 bowl projection following spring practice"},"content":{"rendered":"

While more than 100 days remain before the 2025 college football season kicks off, it’s never too early to predict how the season will conclude.<\/p>\n

The Big Ten sent 12 of its 18 member programs to bowl games in 2024. Ohio State<\/a>, Penn State<\/a>, Oregon<\/a> and Indiana<\/a>‘s trips to the College Football Playoff highlighted that group. Of course, the Buckeyes<\/a> finished the season by hoisting the national championship trophy.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Those top three programs will look for repeat performances in 2025, each entering with some form of CFP expectations. On the other hand, Indiana is just looking to continue its momentum from last year’s run and cement itself as a perennial bowl contender.<\/p>\n

While those top programs are the main story, several of the teams that missed a bowl game last season enter critical situations in 2025. Michigan State<\/a>, UCLA<\/a> and Wisconsin all finished 2024 at 5-7, just one win shy of a bowl trip. The Spartans and Bruins<\/a> each enter 2025 needing a spark in year two under new head coaches, while Wisconsin is looking for any positive momentum, now in year three under Luke Fickell.<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, we made full win-loss record predictions for each Big Ten<\/a> team after spring practice. With those totals recorded, here are our bowl predictions for the projected postseason-eligible teams:<\/p>\n

Michigan State\u00a0Spartans\"Michigan<\/p>\n

Michigan State’s head coach Jonathan Smith looks on from the sideline during the third quarter in the game against Rutgers on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.<\/p>\n

Projected Record<\/a>:\u00a06-6 (3-6 Big Ten)<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Bowl Projection: GameAbove Sports Bowl vs. Miami (OH)<\/p>\n

Michigan State should be able to sneak into a bowl bid, with a light nonconference slate and several winnable Big Ten games. While six wins is below the program’s overall expectation under Jonathan Smith, this would be a step in the right direction after a disappointing 2024 season.<\/p>\n

Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions on\u00a0Spartans Wire<\/a><\/p>\n

Indiana\u00a0Hoosiers\"Dec<\/p>\n

Dec 20, 2024; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti during the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Projected Record:\u00a06-6 (3-6 Big Ten)<\/p>\n

Bowl Projection: Guaranteed Rate Bowl vs. BYU<\/p>\n

Indiana’s 2025 season should be about establishing a strong floor. The team is unlikely to repeat its CFP run regularly. But it becoming a perennial bowl team would mark terrific program health. The Hoosiers do again have a manageable schedule in 2025, so six or seven wins shouldn’t be hard to attain.<\/p>\n

\"Nov<\/p>\n

Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell during warmups prior to the game against the Oregon Ducks at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Projected Record:\u00a06-6 (4-5 Big Ten)<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Bowl Projection: Pinstripe Bowl vs. Syracuse<\/p>\n

Wisconsin going 6-6 against its gauntlet schedule<\/a> would mark a major victory. While that record is far below the broader expectations of the Luke Fickell era, it would be impressive given the context of the season. This potential result and bowl trip would build strong momentum entering a make-or-break 2026 season.<\/p>\n

Minnesota\u00a0Golden Gophers\"Nov<\/p>\n

Nov 29, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck looks on before taking the field prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Projected Record:\u00a07-5 (5-4 Big Ten)<\/p>\n

Bowl Projection: Las Vegas Bowl vs. Utah<\/p>\n

P.J. Fleck has established Minnesota’s floor at bowl eligibility, as the program has reached the postseason in six straight non-COVID seasons. The team is still looking for its first double-digit-win breakthrough since the 2019 season. Given the current Big Ten landscape, it’s hard to see that happening in 2025.<\/p>\n

Iowa Hawkeyes\"Nov<\/p>\n

Nov 8, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz on the sidelines during the second half against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Projected Record:\u00a07-5 (5-4 Big Ten)<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Bowl Projection: Music City Bowl vs. Oklahoma<\/p>\n

Write Iowa in for seven or eight wins and a good bowl game. The team should be an interesting watch in 2025 with top Football Championship Subdivision transfer Mark Gronowski at quarterback. The team could find itself needing wins over USC, Nebraska and Wisconsin to reach double-digit wins.<\/p>\n

Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on\u00a0Hawkeyes Wire<\/a><\/p>\n

UCLA\u00a0Bruins\"Nov<\/p>\n

Nov 30, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Projected Record:\u00a08-4 (5-4 Big Ten)<\/p>\n

Bowl Projection: LA Bowl vs. Boise State<\/a><\/p>\n

UCLA is one of our big breakthrough picks entering 2025. The team’s form toward the end of the 2024 season informs that pick, as does its addition of former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava<\/a>. An 8-4 finish and good bowl trip would mark a major success in year two under DeShaun Foster.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on\u00a0UCLA Wire<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Nov<\/p>\n

Nov 2, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch stands on the sideline during the first quarter against the USC Trojans at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Projected Record:\u00a08-4 (5-4 Big Ten)<\/p>\n

Bowl Projection: Holiday Bowl vs. SMU<\/p>\n

Washington is our second breakthrough pick. The team flashed terrific form at times in 2024, plus now enters 2025 after significant offseason roster upgrades. The Huskies have a tough draw. But if all falls right, they could contend for a CFP trip.<\/p>\n

Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions on\u00a0Huskies Wire<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Nov<\/p>\n

Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Projected Record:\u00a08-4 (6-3 Big Ten)<\/p>\n

Bowl Projection: Alamo Bowl vs. Iowa State<\/a><\/p>\n

USC needs to take a step forward in its second year in the Big Ten after going just 6-6 during the 2024 regular season. The team has major questions entering the year, including its defense in year two under coordinator D’Anton Lynn and whether quarterback Jayden Maiava can excel as the full-time starter. USC fans want more than a bowl trip. But an eight-win season would mark a big step forward after last year’s disappointment.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on\u00a0Trojans Wire<\/a><\/p>\n

Nebraska\u00a0Cornhuskers\"Aug<\/p>\n

Aug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule reacts during the second quarter against the UTEP Miners at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Projected Record:\u00a08-4 (5-4 Big Ten)<\/p>\n

Bowl Projection: ReliaQuest Bowl vs. South Carolina<\/p>\n

It’s the offseason, which means it’s time to predict a breakthrough season from Nebraska. Another top-20 defense and a second-year surge from quarterback Dylan Raiola would accomplish just that. Wins over tough UCLA and USC teams could be all that stands between the Cornhuskers and a 10-win season. Of course, or the program could just revert back to the Nebraska we’ve seen for the last 15 years.<\/p>\n

Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on\u00a0Cornhuskers Wire<\/a><\/p>\n

Michigan Wolverines\"Michigan<\/p>\n

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore uses hand signal 4-0 to celebrates the Wolverines 4th straight win over Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.<\/p>\n

Projected Record:\u00a09-3 (7-2 Big Ten)<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Bowl Projection: Citrus Bowl vs. Ole Miss<\/p>\n

Michigan should be a fringe-CFP contender in 2025. The major question comes at quarterback, where true freshman Bryce Underwood is a prime candidate to start. The team’s finish to 2024 — wins over Ohio State and Alabama — has many predicting a breakthrough in 2025. Playoff-wise, that’s more likely to happen once Underwood gains experience under center.<\/p>\n

Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions on\u00a0Wolverines Wire<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Jan<\/p>\n

Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning reacts after the loss against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 Rose Bowl college football quarterfinal game at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Projected Record:\u00a09-3 (6-3 Big Ten)<\/p>\n

Bowl Projection: Sun Bowl vs. Miami<\/p>\n

We predict Oregon to narrowly miss the CFP in 2025. It may be a reset year for the team after all of the stars aligned in 2024. With new faces across the field, it’s hard to see the Ducks delivering the same big-game performances that they did against Ohio State (regular-season), Penn State (Big Ten title game) and others.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on\u00a0Ducks Wire<\/a><\/p>\n

Illinois Fighting Illini\"Oct<\/p>\n

Oct 26, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema watches players warm up before a game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Projected Record:\u00a010-2 (7-2 Big Ten)<\/p>\n

Bowl Projection: College Football Playoff<\/p>\n

Illinois will be included in most preseason College Football Playoff predictions. The team returns nearly its entire team after a 10-win season in 2024. It also faces one of the conference’s lightest schedules. The Fighting Illini are rightfully being crowned as this year’s Indiana.<\/p>\n

Ohio State\u00a0Buckeyes\"Ohio<\/p>\n

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day hoists the championship trophy during the Ohio State Buckeyes College Football Playoff National Championship celebration at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Jan. 26, 2025.<\/p>\n

Projected Record:\u00a010-2 (8-1 Big Ten)<\/p>\n

Bowl Projection: College Football Playoff<\/p>\n

Ohio State should take a minor step backward after its national title run. The team lost most of its production to the NFL, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Still, the Buckeyes are too talented to win fewer than 10 games. They should be an annual CFP contender, regardless of their returning production total.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on\u00a0Buckeyes Wire<\/a><\/p>\n

Penn State Nittany Lions\"Jan<\/p>\n

Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Projected Record:\u00a011-1 (8-1 Big Ten)<\/p>\n

Bowl Projection: College Football Playoff (first-round bye)<\/p>\n

Penn State should be the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten. The team returns its star quarterback and two star running backs. Games against Oregon and Ohio State will decide the Big Ten regular-season race. Either way, Penn State is a playoff team.<\/p>\n

Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on\u00a0Nittany Lions Wire<\/a><\/p>\n

Contact\/Follow\u00a0@TheBadgersWire<\/a>\u00a0on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Big Ten football post-spring bowl projections for 2025 season<\/a><\/p>\n