We are basically at the midway point in the college football season, and so much has happened. Fans thought that conference realignment would shake things up in college football, and it truly has. In the Big Ten, Ohio State has lost to a team that wasn't Michigan in the regular season for the first time since 2021, and conveniently, they lost to Oregon back then, too.
Everyone had their thoughts on each team heading into the season, and there have been surprises for each team so far this season. So, eight weeks into the season, he is the biggest surprise for each Big Ten team so far this season.
18. Purdue Boilermakers
Already ready for basketball season
Purdue was projected to struggle this season, but they probably didn't think they would be 1-6 seven games into the season. Basically, it is already time for fans to pack it up and get ready for basketball season, which starts very soon.
17. UCLA Bruins
Inability to run the ball
UCLA came into the Big Ten with not a lot of expectations placed on them, but the fact that they are seven games into the season and have yet to have over 500 rushing yards this season is not something anyone expected. Their leading rusher, T.J. Harden, has only 180 rushing yards this season, and the Bruins have just three rushing touchdowns this season.
16. USC Trojans
What the Big Ten is actually like
There was a lot of hype around USC going into the season, especially with some people having them as the favorite to win the Big Ten. The Trojans got a proper welcome to the conference, however, with a loss to a struggling Michigan team and losses to Minnesota, Penn State, and Maryland. Now the Trojans are 3-4, and fans are lobbying for head coach Lincoln Riley to be fired.
15. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Conference losing streak
Rutgers started the season well by going 4-0 with big wins over Virginia Tech and Washington. However, since then, they have gone on a three-game losing streak with losses to Nebraska, Wisconsin, and UCLA. The Scarlets Knights started the season hot, and the losing streak has been the biggest surprise, especially with the latest loss to UCLA.
14. Maryland Terrapins
The offense after Taulia Tagovailoa
There were a lot of questions about what the offense would look like after Taulia Tagovailoa this season, but to the surprise of many, the Terrapins have actually done pretty well. Maryland averages 434.4 total yards a game and 29.4 points per game, which is almost 60 yards more than they did last season with Tagovailoa. The offense was a big reason the Terrapins were able to get the big upset win over USC this in Week 8.
13. Northwestern Wildcats
The offensive struggles
The Northwestern offense is the worst offense in the Big Ten, averaging 286.6 total yards per game. The Wildcats averaged 303.9 total yards per game last season with a fairly different team. Northwestern lost quarterback Brendan Sullivan to the transfer portal this season, so with a new lineup, they have taken a step backward, more than they expected.
12. Minnesota Golden Gophers
The defense
The Minnesota defense has been the highlight of a team that was supposed to be as locked in as ever this season. The offense has struggled to produce, so the defense has been leading the way for the Golden Gophers with the second-best defense in the Big Ten. Minnesota has allowed just 262.3 total yards per game to opponents and 15.9 points per game.
11. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Dylan Raiola
There was a lot of hype and a lot of questions around Nebraska starting true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola this season. There was more talk about how Raiola has been a copycat of NFL star Patrick Mahomes with his look, but he has also put together some good performances for the Cornhuskers. Raiola has 1,592 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and six interceptions on the season, with a 66.2 passing percentage as a true freshman.
10. Michigan State Spartans
Nick Marsh
Michigan State has found a star in Nick Marsh this season and knows what it's like to succeed with him and struggle without him. With young quarterback Aidan Chiles getting his feet under him, having a receiver like Marsh has been fantastic. Marsh, even with missing some time this season, still leads the Spartans in receiving yards with 433 in 24 receptions, averaging 18.0 yards per catch, but only has one touchdown on the season.
9. Michigan Wolverines
The defense
The Michigan defense lost some of their National Championship defense to the NFL last season, but they still brought back a good portion of their defense. Michigan is allowing an average of 22.1 points per game to opponents and an average of 326.3 yards per game. With the offense struggling in the passing game and unable to score as much as last season, the defense has needed to step up and simply hasn't this season.
8. Washington Huskies
Performance from the transfers
Washington has an influx of transfers that joined the team this season, with Jedd Fisch taking the head coaching position. The biggest surprise has been running back Jonah Coleman, who is leading the running backs with 681 yards on 99 carries and five touchdowns. Wide receiver Denzel Boston is leading the Big Ten and is ranked second nationally in touchdown catches with nine.
7. Iowa Hawkeyes
Kaleb Johnson
To think there was a running back position battle before the season started is crazy to think about now after seeing Kaleb Johnson so far this season. Johnson has eclipsed over 1,000 yards this season for the first time in his career. He has 1,035, which is the second most by a running back this season behind Heisman favorite Ashton Jeanty. Johnson has been the lifeline for this offense all season long, with 14 total touchdowns, 13 rushing, and one receiving.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes
Jeremiah Smith
There was a lot of hype about Jeremiah Smith coming into the season, but they probably were not expecting this much production out of him. Smith has gone off this season for 553 receiving yards, averaging 17.3 yards per catch, and eight total touchdowns, seven receiving and one rushing. Smith has been a safety net for quarterback Will Howard which has helped the transfer tremendously this season.
5. Wisconsin Badgers
Backup quarterback play
Wisconsin lost their starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke early in the season when they faced Alabama and had to turn to backup quarterback Braedyn Locke. Locke has done enough this season to lead the Badgers to a 5-2 record by throwing for 1,064 yards, seven touchdowns, adn five interceptions. A combined rushing attack has helped take the heat off of Locke, but having to step in just a few games into the season is hard for any quarterback, and Locke has done it well.
4. Illinois Fighting Illini
The offense
Illinois is 6-1 on the season, and a big reason for that is their offense. The Fighting Illini have yet to score less than 20 points in a game this season and have scored under 30 points only three times. Last season, Illinois scored over 30 points just four times and went 5-7 on the season.
3. Penn State Nittany Lions
Explosive pass game
Last season, a lot was expected out of Drew Allar, and he folded under the pressure. This season, however, with a new offensive coordinator, Allar has taken that step forward and been able to get the ball down the field at a high rate. Penn State is in the 92nd percentile in explosive play rate this season after having virtually no explosive plays.
2. Oregon Ducks
Dillon Gabriel
Dillon Gabriel came into the season as the Heisman favorite and the guy who could lead Oregon to a College Football Playoff Championship. In Gabriel's sixth season, he has had one of his worst to this point, excluding his final season at UCF, where he suffered an injury early. Gabriel has thrown for 2,080 yards, 15 touchdowns, and four interceptions, two away from his total last season. His rushing attack has also taken a dip, with only 92 rushing yards. Gabriel is still in the running for the Heisman Trophy, but he has played worse than people expected this season.
1. Indiana Hoosiers
Undefeated season
The Indiana Hoosiers are probably the most surprising college football team this season, being 7-0 with a new head coach after being 3-9 just a season ago. The Hoosiers have some of their toughest games still yet to come on their schedule, but starting out 7-0 gives them a better chance at the Big Ten Championship at the end of the season. However, they did just lose their quarterback for some time, so that is something to keep an eye on.