IU, Purdue and the new Big Ten Conference
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A lot of things are changing in the Big Ten, but this rivalry remains the same. Photo: Justin L. Mack/Axios
Big Ten football is getting even bigger for the 2024 season.
State of play: This is the first season since the conference ditched divisions and expanded to 18 teams with the addition of four programs from the devastated Pac-12.
Why it matters: The new free-for-all format means the two teams with the best records at the end of the season will earn a ticket to Lucas Oil Stadium and the Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis on Dec. 7.
- Bringing down those divisional walls also means storied rivalries like Ohio State vs. Michigan could headline the 2024 season.
Driving the news: USC, UCLA, Washington and Oregon are the new kids this year.
- Their inclusion makes the traditionally Midwestern conference a bit more coastal, much like when the Big Ten expanded to add Maryland and Rutgers in 2014.
What they're saying: During this week's Media Days in Indy, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said the expansion is happening "during the most transformative period in college sports."
- "These AAU member institutions are leaders in scholarship, innovation, scientific advancements and athletic excellence," Petitti said. "On the football field, they've combined for 10 Heisman Trophies, 73 college football Hall of Famers, 41 Rose Bowl championships and 173 first-round NFL draft picks, including six just this year."
Flashback: Despite its name, the Big Ten hasn't had 10 teams since the Bush-Quayle era.
- Penn State joined the conference as the 11th team in 1990.
What's next: The 2024 season kicks off Aug. 29 when Rutgers, Minnesota and Illinois take on non-conference teams.
- Purdue and IU play their first games on Aug.31.
Catch up quick: Here are some fast facts about all 18 teams in the new-look Big Ten in order of the year they joined the conference.
Illinois Fighting Illini - 1896
Head coach: Bret Bielema, 4th season, 115–77 overall coaching record
Championships: 5 national titles, 15 conference titles
Rivals: Indiana, Purdue, Ohio State, Northwestern
Fight song: "Oskee-Wow-Wow"
How 2023 ended: 3-6 in the conference, 5-7 overall
Minnesota Golden Gophers - 1896
Head coach: P.J. Fleck, 8th season, 80–56 record
Championships: 7 national titles, 18 conference titles, 1 division title
Rivals: Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin
Fight song: "Minnesota Rouser"
How 2023 ended: 3-6 in the conference, 6-7 overall
Northwestern Wildcats - 1896
Head coach: David Braun, 2nd season, 8–5 record
Championships: 8 conference titles
Rivals: Illinois, Michigan
Fight song: "Go! U Northwestern"
How 2023 ended: 5-4 in the conference, 8-5 overall
Purdue Boilermakers - 1896
Head coach: Ryan Walters, 2nd season, 4-8 record
Championships: 12 conference titles
Rivals: Indiana, Illinois
Fight song: "Hail Purdue"
How 2023 ended: 3-6 in the conference, 4-8 overall
Wisconsin Badgers - 1896
Head coach: Luke Fickell, 3nd season, 71-31 record
Championships: 14 conference titles
Rivals: Iowa, Minnesota
Fight song: "On, Wisconsin!"
How 2023 ended: 5-4 in the conference, 7-6 overall
Michigan Wolverines - 1896
Head coach: Sherrone Moore, 1st season, 1-0 record as acting head coach
Championships: 12 national titles, 45 conference titles
Rivals: Ohio State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Penn State
Fight song: "The Victors"
How 2023 ended: 9-0 in the conference, 15-0 overall, 2023 Big Ten Champions
Indiana Hoosiers - 1899
Head coach: Curt Cignetti, 1st season, 119-35 career
Championships: 2 conference titles
Rivals: Purdue, Illinois, Michigan State
Fight song: "Indiana, Our Indiana"
How 2023 ended: 1-8 in the conference, 3-9 overall
Iowa Hawkeyes - 1899
Head coach: Kirk Ferentz, 26th season, 208-139 record
Championships: 5 national titles, 13 conference titles
Rivals: Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin
Fight song: "Iowa Fight Song"
How 2023 ended: 7-2 in the conference, 10-4 overall
Ohio State Buckeyes - 1912
Head coach: Ryan Day, 6th season, 56-8 record
Championships: 8 national titles, 41 conference titles
Rivals: Michigan, Illinois, Penn State
Fight song: "Buckeye Battle Cry"
How 2023 ended: 8-1 in the conference,11-2 overall
Michigan State Spartans - 1950
Head coach: Jonathan Smith, 1st season, 34-35 record
Championships: 6 national titles, 11 conference titles
Rivals: Indiana, Penn State, Michigan
Fight song: "Victory for MSU"
How 2023 ended: 2-7 in the conference, 4-8 overall
Penn State Nittany Lions - 1990
Head coach: James Franklin, 11th season, 112-54 record
Championships: 2 national titles, 5 conference titles
Rivals: Maryland, Michigan,. Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State
Fight song: "Fight on, State"
How 2023 ended: 7-2 in the conference, 10-3 overall
Nebraska Cornhuskers - 2011
Head coach: Matt Rhule, 2nd season, 52-50 record
Championships: 5 national titles, 46 conference titles
Rivals: Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Fight song: "Hail Varsity"
How 2023 ended: 3-6 in the conference, 5-7 overall
Maryland Terrapins - 2014
Head coach: Mike Locksley, 6th season, 31-59 record
Championships: 1 national title, 11 conference titles
Rivals: Penn State
Fight song: "Maryland Fight Song"
How 2023 ended: 4-5 in the conference, 8-5 overall
Rutgers Scarlet Knights - 2014
Head coach: Greg Schiano, 5th season, 87-95 record
Championships: 1 national title, 1 conference title
Rivals: None in the Big Ten
Fight song: "The Bells Must Ring"
How 2023 ended: 3-6 in the conference, 7-6 overall
Oregon Ducks - 2024
Head coach: Dan Lanning, 3rd season, 22-5 record
Championships: 14 conference titles
Rivals: Washington
Fight song: "Mighty Oregon"
How 2023 ended: 8-1 in the conference, 12-2 overall
UCLA Bruins - 2024
Head coach: DeShaun Foster, 1st season as a head coach
Championships: 1 national title, 17 conference titles
Rivals: USC
Fight song: "Sons of Westwood"
How 2023 ended: 4-5 in the conference, 8-5 overall
USC Trojans - 2024
Head coach: Lincoln Riley, 3rd season, 74-18 record
Championships: 11 national titles, 37 conference titles
Rivals: UCLA
Fight song: "Fight On"
How 2023 ended: 5-4 in the conference, 8-5 overall
Washington Huskies - 2024
Head coach: Jedd Fisch, 1st season, 17-22 record
Championships: 2 national titles, 18 conference titles
Rivals: Oregon
Fight song: "Bow Down to Washington"
How 2023 ended: 9-0 in the conference, 14-1 overall, 2023 Pac-12 Champions