Spring practice is over for college football programs across the country. What comes next is everybody’s updated projections for the 2024 season. That, and the June and July recruiting blitz in the class of 2025.
The spring session was mostly quiet around the Big Ten. Many of the conference’s top programs including Ohio State, Oregon and Wisconsin made splashes including the additions of new starting quarterbacks during the winter transfer period. That left more peripheral moves for the spring portal window and most of the focus on practice itself.
Related: Big Ten football 2024 season win-loss record predictions for each team after spring practice
Of note, Wisconsin did strike out on its attempt to bolster the defensive line. The program awarded its 85th and final scholarship to former walk-on WR Haakon Anderson after seeing top transfer targets all commit elsewhere.
How the rest of the transfer movement affects the Big Ten hierarchy is yet to be seen. But USA TODAY recently updated its full college football 1-134 ranking after the spring practice session — taking into account some of the major transfer movement across the country.
Here is where Wisconsin ranks among Big Ten teams in that recent post-spring re-rank:
18
Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State’s head coach Jonathan Smith looks on during the Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Nick King/Lansing State Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK
17
Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti looks on during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Credit: Bobby Goddin/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK
Overall Ranking: No. 100
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 17
2023 Record: 3-9
16
Purdue Boilermakers
Nov. 18, 2023; Evanston, Illinois; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Ryan Walters watches his team play against the Northwestern Wildcats in the fourth quarter at Ryan Field. Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking: No. 95
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 18
2023 Record: 4-8
15
Illinois Fighting Illini
Oct. 29, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema greets linebacker Tarique Barnes (8) on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking: No. 82
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 13
2023 Record: 5-7
14
UCLA Bruins
Feb. 13, 2024; Los Angeles, California; UCLA Bruins athletic director Martin Jarmond, right, with new head football coach DeShaun Foster during a press conference at Pauley Pavilion. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking: No. 65
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 16
2023 Record: 8-5
Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire
13
Northwestern Wildcats
Sept. 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey; Northwestern Wildcats interim coach David Braun shakes hands with Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Jack Kennedy (1) before the game at SHI Stadium. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking: No. 63
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 15
2023 Record: 8-5
12
Maryland Terrapins
Oct. 28, 2023; Evanston, Illinois; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley (center) on the sidelines during the second half at Ryan Field. David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking: No. 60
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 10
2023 Record: 8-5
11
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Oct 21, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck watches a replay against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking: No. 55
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 14
2023 Record: 6-7
10
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Coach Greg Schiano and quarterback, Athan Kaliakmanis during Rutgers annual spring football game at SHI Stadium. Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
Overall Ranking: No. 47
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 11
2023 Record: 7-6
Get more (Rutgers) news, analysis and opinions on Rutgers Wire
9
Washington Huskies
Dec. 1, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada; Washington Huskies running back Dillon Johnson (7) rushes against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking: No. 37
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 9
2023 Record: 14-1
Get more (Washington) news, analysis, and opinions on Huskies Wire
8
Wisconsin Badgers
Oct, 7, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell is shown during the second quarter against Rutgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking: No. 31
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 7
2023 Record: 7-6
7
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nov. 11, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule during the third quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Memorial Stadium. Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking: No. 25
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 6
2023 Record: 5-7
Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire
6
Iowa Hawkeyes
Oct. 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking: No. 18
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 8
2023 Record: 10-4
Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire
5
USC Trojans
Oct. 28, 2023; Berkeley, California; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts after a penalty during the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking: No. 17
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 5
2023 Record: 8-5
Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire
4
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches a play during the second half of the spring game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK
Overall Ranking: No. 14
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 4
2023 Record: 15-0
Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions on Wolverines Wire
3
Penn State Nittany Lions
Dec. 30, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin on the sidelines against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking: No. 10
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 3
2023 Record: 10-3
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire
2
Oregon Ducks
Sept. 30, 2023; Stanford, California; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning walks on the field before the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking: No. 4
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 1
2023 Record: 12-2
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on Ducks Wire
1
Ohio State Buckeyes
Dec. 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day walks off the field after losing 14-3 to Missouri Tigers in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Overall Ranking: No. 2
Badgers Wire Power Ranking: No. 2
2023 Record: 11-2
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire
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