Who Leads the Big Ten's Second Tier: Illinois, Michigan or Indiana?

Heading into the 2025 campaign, the Big Ten hierarchy is clear at the top: Penn State, Ohio State and Oregon are in a league of their own. Then there is a second tier, full of very good – but perhaps not great – teams set to battle it out for maybe one spot in the College Football Playoff.

Firmly in that conglomerate is Illinois, Michigan and Indiana. Arguments can be made for USC, Nebraska, Washington and Iowa, but for now, we’ll only consider the Illini, Wolverines and Hoosiers.

Of the three programs, which owns rights to the gate between the Big Ten’s second and first tiers? First, a breakdown of each team.

Michigan 

2024 record: 8-5 (5-4 Big Ten)

Last season – aside from the Ohio State win – represented a significant step back for the 2023 national champions. Poor quarterback play proved difficult for the Wolverines to overcome, but that problem should be all but fixed in 2025 with the arrival of the nation’s top incoming prospect in quarterback Bryce Underwood. Toss in 13 returning starters (tied for ninth among all Power Four clubs), and Michigan appears poised for a bounce-back season.

Illinois

2024 record: 10-3 (6-3 Big Ten)

Michigan is returning a lot of production, but the Illini return even more. Illinois' 16 returning starters ranks second in the Power Four and, most importantly, includes quarterback Luke Altmyer. With the added benefit of a generous conference schedule, the Bret Bielema's group appears to potentially have everything falling into place for its first-ever CFP berth.