The 2025 Big Ten Championship Prediction

The Big Ten Conference made noise this season in the newly expanded playoff system, with four teams etching themselves in history. Indiana, Oregon, Penn State, and Ohio State all made it in, with the Buckeyes now in the National Championship.

With the conference expectations likely to rise following this performance, why not theorize about which team could find themselves in next season's Big Ten Championship, getting the opportunity to punch their ticket to next season's playoffs?

The clear favorite for filling one of the two spots is Ohio State, despite missing the Big Ten Championship this season.

Ohio State has found itself in the National Championship after having a strong regular season, finishing with a 10-2 record, with its two losses coming from Oregon and bitter rivals Michigan. These two losses, however, have not kept Ohio State from winning when it matters up to this point.

Ohio State embarrassed Oregon in the Rose Bowl during the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals, ending with a score of 41-21. True freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith torched the Ducks secondary, totaling 187 yards on seven receptions for two touchdowns.

Smith has been electric all season long for the Buckeyes and will for sure remain as a big part of the team's offense.

The team has other notable potential returnees such as receiver Carnell Tate, running back Quinshon Judkins and safety Caleb Downs. With the transfer portal or NFL draft still being a choice for these guys, nothing is set in stone. However, the school has plenty of young talent as well to come in and replace those who do not return for next season.

Its opponent? A team that came one game short of a rematch against the Buckeyes in the national championship, the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Penn State had a strong campaign of its own, going 11-1 in the regular season, with its only loss being to Ohio State 20-13. It then narrowly lost this season's Big Ten Championship to Oregon 45-37, but still received a playoff bid. The Nittany Lions would go on to beat SMU at Beaver Stadium during the first round of the playoffs, following that up with a win over Boise State and Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty in the Fiesta Bowl.

The end of the road came for Penn State in the Orange Bowl, where it would fall to Notre Dame during the final seconds of the game. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar threw an interception within the final minute, resulting in Notre Dame kicking a field goal which would put the Fighting Irish in front and seal the game.

Despite the way the season ended, Penn State has a lot of returning players from this season's team that will surely make the Nittany Lions contenders once again.

Notable players coming back are Allar, the running back duo of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen and defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton. However, the question of who will step up in the receiving room is still unanswered, with not one wide receiver getting a reception during the game against Notre Dame. Another big hit is losing tight end Tyler Warren, who will be going to the NFL draft after having a historic season for the Nittany Lions.

Both of these teams have a good shot at making it to the Big Ten Championship next season due to their groups of returning players, young talent, and history of being top programs. Of course, it is too soon to tell, but there is a good chance this could be the matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis next season.

Charles Wesolowski is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact him, email cjw6772@psu.edu.