Top QB comes from unlikely place, and Ohio State transfer haul flounders highlight Big Ten hot takes heading into 2025 CFB season

We are in the dead period of the offseason, so things seem to be dragging a bit. In reality, in only a few weeks fall camp is going to open, and the 2025 college football reason is right around the corner. That means it’s a perfect time for some preseason hot takes before the action officially begins.

The Big Ten conference continues to fight it out with the SEC to be the class of college football heading into 2025. With the Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes winning championship in back to back seasons, it feels like the hierarchy in college football could be changing. The 2025 season brings a lot of intrigue, and several key storylines to watch out for. 

Top QB in the conference 

When talking about top quarterbacks in the Big Ten heading into 2025, most have focused on the newcomers in the group. That includes former Cal signal caller Fernando Mendoza, who is set to star for the Indiana Hoosiers and head coach Curt Cignetti. Julian Sayin also has some fans heading into the 2025 season for Ohio State, as does true freshman Bryce Underwood at Michigan. 

My pick to be the top quarterback in the conference, however, is Demond Williams Jr. from Washington. While he’s a smaller signal caller at around 5-10, Williams is an electric dual threat quarterback. During his bowl game performance against Louisville, Williams was able to throw for 374 yards and four touchdowns. He is also a big threat as a runner. 

Ohio State transfer class disappoints 

It wasn’t a huge transfer portal haul last season for Ohio State, but it was a very important one. Quarterback Will Howard, running back Quinshon Judkins, offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin, and safety Caleb Downs were all incredibly important during their championship run. The Buckeyes really dominated the college version of free agency. 

With so much roster turnover this offseason, they were once again forced to supplement those losses through the portal. I am just not nearly as excited about that haul. Former UNC pass rusher Beau Atkinson was a big pickup, but former Rice offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa and West Virginia running CJ Donaldson left a lot to be desired. There’s a good chance this portal haul underwhelms, and at a couple very important spots. 

Justice Haynes isn’t RB1

Most are expecting former top recruit Justice Haynes to come to Michigan, and fulfill the expectations that were in him during his Alabama career. While I think Haynes will be very productive, I think some are underselling sophomore Jordan Marshall. He had an impressive bowl game showing against the Crimson Tide, and I believe  this will be much more of an even split than people are anticipating. 

Oregon is at the top… again 

With the Buckeyes coming off of the National Championship, most are going to forget that Oregon was actually the team that won the Big Ten last season. The Ducks had some turnover on their roster, but their portal additions give me more confidence that this team will be able to sustain success. That is, at least, in comparison to my Ohio State perspective. 

Add in that quarterback Dante Moore has some game experience, and is in his second year under offensive coordinator Will Stein, and I believe that Oregon is going to be good once again. I’m not sure how much of a National Title contender they are, legitimately anyway, but I do believe they will win the conference in back to back seasons.