Big Ten Football Power Rankings: Penn State Offseason Makes Statement, Nebraska Climbs in Updated Standings
The Big Ten football offseason is far from quiet, and recent power rankings reflect the shifting tides across the conference. With spring practices wrapping up and summer conditioning on the horizon, programs are making headlines for their roster moves, coaching strategies, and overall momentum. Two teams, in particular, are turning heads—Penn State, which is making a bold statement with its offseason progress, and Nebraska, which is gaining traction and steadily climbing up the rankings.
Penn State, under head coach James Franklin, is sending a clear message to the rest of the Big Ten: the Nittany Lions aren’t just contenders—they’re coming for the top. The program has made waves this offseason with a combination of strong returning talent, strategic additions through the transfer portal, and a noticeable shift in player development. Perhaps most importantly, there’s a renewed sense of purpose in State College, one that suggests Penn State is preparing to challenge perennial heavyweights like Michigan and Ohio State.
Offensive development is a major reason for Penn State’s rise in the rankings. With young quarterback Drew Allar gaining confidence and chemistry with his receiving corps, the Nittany Lions look poised to unlock a more explosive passing game—something that’s been missing in recent seasons. On defense, Manny Diaz’s unit remains fast, aggressive, and deep, a group capable of dictating games in the trenches and the secondary alike. These improvements, along with a top-tier recruiting class, are why many analysts are positioning Penn State as a top-three team in the conference entering summer.
Meanwhile, Nebraska is quietly becoming one of the most intriguing teams in the Big Ten. After years of inconsistency, head coach Matt Rhule appears to be laying a solid foundation in Lincoln. The Cornhuskers are no longer flying completely under the radar. With an influx of athletic talent and a more disciplined approach on both sides of the ball, Nebraska has surged in the offseason power rankings—moving from a lower-tier team to a legitimate middle-of-the-pack threat with the potential to surprise.
Much of Nebraska’s offseason buzz centers around quarterback development and defensive toughness. Rhule has emphasized building a competitive culture, and the early returns are promising. While still a work in progress, the Cornhuskers are showing signs of the kind of team identity that wins games in the grueling Big Ten West.
Elsewhere in the conference, traditional powerhouses like Michigan and Ohio State remain near the top, but the rise of teams like Penn State and Nebraska adds complexity to the landscape. The Big Ten is no longer a two-team race; instead, it’s shaping up to be a deep, competitive battle from top to bottom.
As the calendar turns toward summer workouts and preseason polls, both Penn State and Nebraska have given their fans something to be excited about. The offseason may not feature any game-day drama, but the power plays being made now could define the coming fall.
