Who Is in the Big 10 Football? Full 2025 Team List

By Sarah Miller · July 11, 2043

The Big Ten Conference in college football consists of 18 member institutions as of 2025, including powerhouse programs such as Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and new additions like USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington. These schools compete annually for the conference title and College Football Playoff berths.

What Is the Big Ten Football Conference?

The Big Ten Conference is one of the oldest and most prestigious collegiate athletic conferences in the United States. Founded in 1896, it currently comprises 18 universities that compete at the NCAA Division I level, primarily in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The conference is known for its high-caliber football programs, intense rivalries, and significant influence on national championships.

Key Facts About the Big Ten

Founded: 1896
Current Members: 18 schools (as of 2025)
Headquarters: Rosemont, Illinois
Sports Governed: 28 NCAA sports, with football being the most prominent
Television Networks: Big Ten Network, Fox, CBS, NBC
Championship Game: Held annually since 2011

Current Big Ten Football Teams in 2025

As of the 2024 season, the Big Ten expanded to 18 teams, marking a major shift in college athletics. The inclusion of four West Coast schools has broadened the geographic footprint and increased national exposure.

New Additions to the Big Ten

University of Southern California (USC): Joined in 2024, bringing elite football tradition and media market power.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): Partnered with USC in the move from the Pac-12.
University of Oregon: Known for high-powered offense and innovative branding.
University of Washington: Strong academic and athletic profile, enhancing Pacific Northwest presence.

School	Location	Joined Big Ten	Stadium Capacity	2023 Conference Finish
Ohio State	Columbus, OH	1896	102,780	1st (East)
Michigan	Ann Arbor, MI	1896	107,601	2nd (East)
Penn State	University Park, PA	1990	106,572	3rd (East)
Michigan State	East Lansing, MI	1953	74,866	4th (East)
Rutgers	Piscataway, NJ	2014	52,454	5th (East)
Maryland	College Park, MD	2014	54,000	6th (East)
USC	Los Angeles, CA	2024	77,505	N/A (new member)
UCLA	Los Angeles, CA	2024	69,747	N/A (new member)
Oregon	Eugene, OR	2024	54,000	N/A (new member)
Washington	Seattle, WA	2024	70,138	N/A (new member)
Wisconsin	Madison, WI	1896	80,321	1st (West)
Minnesota	Minneapolis, MN	1896	50,805	2nd (West)
Iowa	Iowa City, IA	1899	69,250	3rd (West)
Nebraska	Lincoln, NE	2011	85,458	4th (West)
Purdue	West Lafayette, IN	1896	61,422	5th (West)
Illinois	Champaign, IL	1896	60,670	6th (West)
Northwestern	Evanston, IL	1896	47,130	7th (West)
Indiana	Bloomington, IN	1896	52,929	8th (West)

Table data source:Big Ten Official Site, Sports Reference

The table highlights the diversity in stadium size and recent performance across divisions. Ohio State and Michigan lead in both attendance and competitive success, while new members like Oregon and USC bring strong fanbases despite smaller stadiums. The expansion significantly increases the Big Ten's national TV appeal, especially on the West Coast.

Big Ten Football Structure and Format

Starting in 2024, the Big Ten eliminated divisions after expanding to 18 teams. The top two teams by conference winning percentage now advance to the Big Ten Championship Game.

Key Changes in 2024

No more East and West divisions
All teams play nine conference games
Championship game participants determined by overall conference record
Protected matchups preserved (e.g., Michigan–Ohio State, Iowa–Wisconsin)

Notable Rivalries and Protected Matchups

The Big Ten is home to some of the fiercest rivalries in college football. Even with expansion, the conference maintains key annual games:

Michigan vs. Ohio State: Known as "The Game," this rivalry often decides national title hopes.
Wisconsin vs. Iowa: Battle for the Heartland Trophy, centered on defensive excellence.
Minnesota vs. Wisconsin: Compete for Paul Bunyan's Axe in one of the oldest rivalries.
Indiana vs. Purdue: The Old Oaken Bucket game closes the regular season.
USC vs. UCLA: Now a Big Ten game, adding coastal intensity.

Big Ten in the College Football Playoff

Big Ten teams have become consistent contenders in the College Football Playoff (CFP). Since 2014, the conference has sent multiple teams to the playoff, with Ohio State reaching the final in 2014, 2019, and 2020, and Michigan winning the national championship in 2023.

In 2023, Michigan defeated Washington in the CFP National Championship, marking the first title for a Big Ten team since 2019. The conference's improved strength of schedule and national relevance post-expansion are expected to increase CFP access.

Frequently Asked Questions About Big Ten Football

How many teams are in the Big Ten football conference in 2025?

As of 2025, there are 18 teams in the Big Ten football conference, following the addition of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington in 2024.

Why did the Big Ten add West Coast schools?

The Big Ten added USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington to expand its national media footprint, increase television revenue, and gain access to major markets like Los Angeles and Seattle amid Pac-12 realignment.

Which schools are leaving the Big Ten?

No schools are leaving the Big Ten as of 2025. The conference has grown from 14 to 18 members, with no departures expected in the near term.

Does the Big Ten still have divisions in football?

No, the Big Ten eliminated divisions starting in 2024. The top two teams in the conference standings by winning percentage advance to the championship game.