The Big Ten has shown it can hang around with the SEC, and the conference has produced the last two National Champions with Michigan and Ohio State. However, even with the success of the conference, there has also been some serious disappointment in the Big Ten with a few teams that seem to consistently sit in the basement of the conference.
Some teams just seem to struggle year in and year out, and even though everyone starts out on an even playing field, there are always going to be programs everyone knows will struggle. For the 2025 season, the Big Ten should get even more interesting with some teams making bigger moves.
However, for these four teams, it seems the basement is getting pretty comfy as they aren't looking like contenders in the 2025 season.
Northwestern
Northwestern had found a little bit of success in years past, but in 2024, they certainly struggled and weren't even bowl-eligible. In 2023, this team finished 8-5, and there was hope for the future, however, the success has yet to be consistent for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats have had just one season in the last 25 years in which they brought home a Big Ten title and only two appearances in the title game. Head coach Davis Braun did a good job in the transfer portal this offseason, but a lot more needs to happen before this team can think about contending for a conference title in the near future.
Purdue
Purdue has been a team that has struggled in the Big Ten for quite a few years now. The Boilermakers seem not to be able to find any footing in their football program, The Boilermakers are also the only program in the Big Ten this season that will have a new head coach leading the way after the hiring of Barry Odom in the offseason.
Odom is starting from the ground up at Purdue, and he is going to need time to build the program. While Curt Cignetti was able to take a team to the College Football Playoff in just one season, he didn't take over a program as bad as Purdue. While the Boilermakers could find themselves making strides in the coming seasons, 2025 most likely won't be their year for a Big Ten title.
Maryland
The Maryland Terrapins are another team that most likely won't be contending for a Big Ten title in 2025, as this team has also struggled to find its footing in the conference as of late. Their last Big Ten title came back in 2001 and since then they have yet to even make it back to the title game.
Head coach Mike Locksley has found a bit of success in recent years, but after their work in the transfer portal, it doesn't feel like the Terrapins will be continuing much this season. Maryland is bringing in a great class of freshmen, but those players need some time to develop, so be on the lookout for Maryland in the coming seasons.
Wisconsin
The Luke Fickell experiment at Wisconsin is not proving to be a successful one so far in two seasons. The Badgers have yet to have a winning season under Fickell, and they also have yet to have a successful quarterback who can run the offense efficiently. In 2024, the Badgers had running back Kyle Monangai, who was the majority of their offense, but he is now in the NFL and Wisconsin is back at the drawing board.
Unless Fickell can find a quarterback who can effectively run the offense, it is going to be season after season of disappointment for this team and its fans. Wisconsin could come out and surprise people this season, but it isn't likely that they will contend for a Big Ten title in 2025.