The Huge Ten goes bi-coastal in 2024 as Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington be a part of the league following the Pac-12’s demise. Enlargement comes after the convention produced its first nationwide champion (Michigan) because the 2014 season, and the 4 new arrivals will solely add issue to what’s already a brutal convention.
Together with the addition of the West Coast bloc, the Huge Ten is eradicating divisions and granting league championship recreation entry to the highest two groups within the standings. Whereas all 4 newbies boast sturdy soccer histories, their paths to the highest of what’s now an 18-team tremendous convention will likely be treacherous.
Oregon is considered a plug-and-play league title contender, however there’s loads of intrigue surrounding the opposite three groups coming into the 2024 season as effectively. UCLA and Washington are each led by first-year coaches, whereas USC is starting a brand new period at defensive coordinator and quarterback following a disappointing season of regression.
The vary of outcomes is huge for the Huge Ten newcomers as they may crisscross the nation taking part in unfamiliar foes as much as three time zones away. Because the season approaches, this is a take a look at the best- and worst-case situations for the league’s splashy additions.
Oregon
Greatest case: Nationwide champions. With head coach Dan Lanning coming into Yr 3 and the return of high quality coordinators Will Stein and Tosh Lupoi, the Geese have the muse to construct off a 12-2 season that ended with a dominant Fiesta Bowl victory. Bo Nix is gone, however former UCF and Oklahoma star Dillon Gabriel is an ideal match at quarterback. His receiver room is stacked, which ought to hold the Geese from lacking a beat after rating No. 2 nationally in complete offense final season. Even when Oregon falters at residence in opposition to Ohio State or at Michigan, the schedule is pleasant sufficient to maintain it in rivalry for a playoff bid. From there, every part relies on matchups and well being. A nationwide title is squarely inside attain for a workforce that ranked No. 3 in Dennis Dodd’s post-spring prime 25.
Worse case: 9-3, however lacking the CFP. It is tough to think about a state of affairs through which Oregon loses greater than three video games throughout the common season. Nevertheless, if these three losses got here in opposition to Ohio State, at Michigan and at Wisconsin, the Geese could be left with out a lot of a case for CFP inclusion. In that state of affairs, the Geese’ resume could be void of something resembling a marquee victory, and their CFP candidacy could be murky at greatest. There will likely be 9-3 groups from the Huge Ten and SEC that make the playoff within the 12-team period, however with out a true marquee nonconference recreation — a house contest in opposition to Boise State does not fairly qualify — Oregon may have to complete 10-2 or higher to get on this 12 months. Whereas 9-3 is hardly a catastrophe for a program that’s transitioning into the Huge Ten, ending with out a huge victory is a sensible worst-case state of affairs.
UCLA
Greatest case: Merely reaching a bowl recreation would mark an enormous win for brand spanking new head coach DeShaun Foster as he navigates the problem of a brutal schedule as a first-time head coach. Transferring to the Huge Ten is hard sufficient, however that is only the start for the Bruins, who start their season on the highway in opposition to Hawaii. Along with flying over the Pacific to play the Rainbow Warriors, UCLA additionally travels to LSU and hosts Fresno State in nonconference play. There is not a single layup on this slate. If Foster can coax six victories out of this squad, it might be an encouraging begin to his tenure and lay a strong basis for UCLA’s life within the Huge Ten.
Worse case: UCLA began the Chip Kelly period with a 3-9 mark in 2018, and it is easy to see the 2024 Bruins posting an analogous report. The roster shouldn’t be deep or proficient sufficient to deal with the nation’s prime groups. A 3-week stretch at LSU, vs. Oregon and at Penn State is among the hardest runs confronted by any workforce within the nation in 2024. Will probably be crucial for UCLA to remain wholesome and assured sufficient popping out of that stretch to beat Minnesota and Rutgers in mid-October. If the Bruins fall in these video games, they may very well be in for an extended November. Absolutely the worst-case state of affairs might see the Bruins sitting at 2-8 coming into residence tilts in opposition to USC and Fresno State to shut the season and are shredded by these high-flying offenses in entrance of sparse crowds.
USC
Greatest case: If USC beats two of the next 4 groups: LSU, Michigan, Penn State, Notre Dame, then it is believable that it might steal one of many remaining spots within the 12-team CFP. The Trojans have an important alternative to make an early assertion as they open in opposition to LSU in Las Vegas earlier than taking part in at Michigan of their third recreation. Wins in these two contests would vault the Trojans squarely into the CFP image and Huge Ten title dialog. Nevertheless, that will not occur with out marked defensive enchancment as D’Anton Lynn steps in as coordinator following Alex Grinch’s dismissal.
Worse case: As with UCLA, there are not any assured wins on this schedule, and that introduces the doomsday state of affairs of USC failing to make a bowl. With star quarterback Caleb Williams gone, the Trojans might wrestle to seek out an offensive identification at a time when their protection is in flux. Whereas Lincoln Riley is among the nation’s foremost quarterback gurus, there’ll inevitably be some drop-off after changing a generational expertise below middle. Miller Moss shined at quarterback within the Vacation Bowl, however taking part in LSU and Michigan away from residence in two of the primary three video games marks a tricky introduction to his stint because the full-time starter. An 0-2 mark in these contests would put USC’s CFP hopes on life help earlier than the tip of September and ratchet up the warmth on Riley. A USC workforce with wounded confidence navigating seven consecutive video games — together with 4 highway contests — in opposition to Huge Ten opposition might result in a dying spiral.
Washington
Greatest case: With so many new faces on the roster, a 9-3 end amid the transition to educate Jedd Fisch and the Huge Ten could be trigger for celebration. The nonconference schedule is mild and will assist Fisch get off to a 3-0 begin. The opening to league play can also be mushy (vs. Northwestern, at Rutgers). It is doable the Huskies may very well be 5-0 coming into an Oct. 5 nationwide title rematch with Michigan. Contemplating that recreation is at residence and that the Wolverines are additionally present process huge adjustments, it is no less than conceivable that Washington might precise revenge and begin 6-0. Nevertheless, the again half of the schedule options highway video games in opposition to Iowa, Penn State and Oregon.
Worse case: Lacking a bowl recreation is feasible. A full-on scrape-and-rebuild paired with the Huge Ten transition might spell hassle. Whereas Northwestern and Rutgers might appear like a mushy opening to league play, each applications are able to beating a Huskies workforce that will likely be getting its bearings all through September. In principle, the acquisition of Mississippi State switch quarterback Will Rogers ought to give the offense a excessive flooring. However he’ll be taking part in behind an unproven offensive line that’s sorely missing in high-end expertise and depth. The Huskies could also be operating on fumes and counting on freshmen in key spots by the point November arrives.
