Which Teams Are in the Big Ten in the 2025 College Football Season?
The Big Ten expanded in a big way last season, and now the 18-team field is back for more action.
The oldest Division I collegiate athletic conference in America is the Big Ten, and it's literally never been bigger than it is right now. Last season, new teams from the West Coast joined the conference, beefing it up to a massive 18-team field that's among the most competitive in all of college football.
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Last season, the Big Ten sent four teams, more than any other conference, to the College Football Playoff, including conference newcomer Oregon and first-time playoff contender Indiana. The conference also fielded last year's Division I champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes, who are already in the hunt for a repeat victory. But with 18 teams, it's anyone's conference, and there's a lot to keep up with.
With many of the biggest Big Ten games airing exclusively on NBC and Peacock this upcoming college football season, let’s remind ourselves which universities are part of this venerable college football institution.
Which Teams Are in the Big Ten Conference?
Like last year, the Big Ten will be home to 18 teams when the season officially kicks off: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, defending national champions Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA, USC, Washington, and Wisconsin.
For a long time, the Big Ten was known as such because there were 10 teams in the conference, and they were mostly mid-western teams at that, as many football conferences stuck to regional ties. But those times have changed! Gloried program Penn State joined the conference in 1990, followed by Nebraska in 2011, and Maryland and Rutgers in 2014. With the addition of four former Pac-12 teams in 2024, the conference has expanded yet again.
Who's Expected to Win the Big Ten College Football Conference?
There's an entire season of football still to play, and anything can happen in a conference full of rivalries and powerhouse teams, but at the moment it's looking like the clear favorites are the Ohio State Buckeyes, who actually missed out on the Big Ten Championship Game last year following an upset loss to rivals Michigan. According to ESPN's Football Power Index, the Buckeyes are primed for another successful campaign this season, which include a Big Ten title and yet another trip to the College Football Playoff.
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But they're not alone in contention. Fellow 2024 Playoff qualifiers Penn State and Oregon are also right near the top, and Michigan's not far behind.
Who Plays on NBC and Peacock’s First Big Ten Saturday Night of the 2025 College Football Season?
Big Ten action on NBC and Peacock this season actually kicks off on a Friday, with a Peacock-exclusive matchup between Illinois and Western Illinois arriving August 29 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. Big Ten Saturday Night returns the following day, with Michigan's season-opener against non-conference opponent New Mexico airing live at 7:30 p.m. Eastern.
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