Big Ten football power rankings after spring portal closes

Big Ten football power rankings after spring portal closes: Did Nittany Lions get better?

Ohio State and Oregon loaded up with transfer portal additions this offseason and have separated themselves in the new Big Ten as the top two contenders. So, where do James Franklin and the Penn State Nittany Lions stand?

Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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. 486. Head Coach: Jonathan Smith. 7. Last Year: 4-8. . . . Michigan State.

Key losses: Sam Leavitt, Maliq Carr Key additions: Aidan Chiles, Jack Velling

This may seem absurdly high for the Spartans after a 2-7 conference record in 2023 which included a bizarre coaching situation. Well, Michigan State wiped the slate clean of the Mel Tucker era and while the Big Ten left Oregon State out in the Pac-12, the conference did take the Beavers’ head coach.

Jonathan Smith will quickly build a contender in East Lansing and he already has the foundation with quarterback Aidan Chiles, who came with him from Corvallis. After sitting behind D.J. Uiagalelei last season, Chiles will be an impact player in the conference from Year 1 and that raises the ceiling for a roster that is still questionable.

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