Expectations typically outline success. A workforce might go 10-2 in the course of the common season and make the School Soccer Playoff, and depart followers underwhelmed as a result of it was picked to win a convention or nationwide title. In the meantime, a workforce projected to win 4 video games can create a optimistic buzz across the program with a. 7-6 marketing campaign that features a bowl win. 

Whereas expectations fluctuate, a workforce’s preseason win whole is probably the most dependable metric for judging whether or not a workforce lived as much as its normal. In spite of everything, sportsbooks aren’t rooting for anyone; they’re solely involved in being profitable.

Whereas it is solely March, and the actual video games are months away, books have begun posting win totals for the 2025 season. So what higher time to play out the whole season than proper now? Positive, a number of these colleges do not even know who their beginning quarterbacks are, and there might be one other flurry of roster motion as soon as the spring portal opens up, however there is no time for endurance!

So I performed out each sport on the schedule in my head for all 18 Large Ten groups, and I understand how the season will finish. There isn’t any longer any want to attend. We’ll simply ignore that once I did this precise train final yr, I went 9-9 on my predictions for every workforce. This yr, I am setting my very own over/beneath at 8.5. Odds beneath through FanDuel Sportsbook.

Over/beneath 7.5 wins

Wins: Western Illinois, at Duke, Western Michigan, USC, at Purdue, Rutgers, Maryland, at Wisconsin, Northwestern
Losses: at Indiana, Ohio State, at Washington

Evaluation: There’s loads of buzz across the Illini as a School Soccer Playoff contender, and it is smart. A workforce that gained 10 video games final yr returns almost each starter, together with a third-year beginning QB in Luke Altmyer. The schedule is pleasant, too. I’ve Illinois going 9-3, so I clearly suppose a complete of seven.5 is low. Choose: Over 7.5 (-134)

Indiana

Over/beneath 8.5 wins

Wins: Outdated Dominion, Kennesaw State, Indiana State, Illinois, Michigan State, UCLA, Wisconsin, at Purdue
Losses: at Iowa, at Oregon, at Maryland, at Penn State

Evaluation: The Hoosiers had been a serious shock final yr, and whereas they will not collapse in 2025, it is onerous to hit it that large within the portal for consecutive seasons. The chances are this workforce will fall again to Earth a bit, but it surely says so much that Indiana followers might be mad at me for pondering their soccer workforce will go 8-4. Choose: Below 8.5 (-110)

Iowa

Over/beneath 7.5 wins

Wins: Albany, UMass, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan State
Losses: at Iowa State, at Rutgers, at Wisconsin, Penn State, Oregon, at USC, at Nebraska

Evaluation: I did not plan on coming on this low on Iowa, however right here we’re. It is not simply concerning the quarterback scenario. Iowa has been trending within the incorrect course alongside the strains of scrimmage in current seasons. Once you mix the questions with a schedule that is not overly pleasant, I believe this projection is moderately affordable. Choose: Below 7.5 (-170)

Maryland

Over/beneath 4.5 wins

Wins: FAU, Northern Illinois, Towson, Washington, Nebraska, Indiana
Losses: at Wisconsin, at UCLA, at Rutgers, at Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State

Evaluation: I do not consider the Terps had been good final yr, nor do I believe they had been as unhealthy as their remaining report instructed. The schedule is way simpler this season, as they will not see Ohio State, Penn State or Oregon. Additionally they have a really delicate nonconference slate. This workforce ought to get again to a bowl. Choose: Over 4.5 (-115)

Michigan

Over/beneath 8.5 wins

Wins: New Mexico, Central Michigan, Wisconsin, Washington, at Michigan State, Purdue, at Northwestern, at Maryland
Losses: at Oklahoma, at Nebraska, at USC, Ohio State

Evaluation: Final yr, I gave Michigan the good thing about the doubt coming off a nationwide title. This yr, I am not. The wins over Ohio State and Alabama to finish the season papered over a few of the workforce’s important issues, and all the important thing gamers from that title workforce are gone now. Possibly Bryce Underwood is the Prince Who Was Promised instantly, however I count on some rising pains. Choose: Below 8.5 (+148)

Michigan State

Over/beneath 5.5 wins

Wins: Western Michigan, Boston School, Youngstown State, UCLA, Maryland
Losses: at USC, at Nebraska, at Indiana, Michigan, at Minnesota, Penn State, at Iowa

Evaluation: Loads is determined by the event of Aidan Chiles. If he faucets into his potential in his second season as a starter, the Spartans may very well be 2025’s model of Indiana. If he would not, it may very well be one other tough season. Both means, there are too many robust street video games on the schedule for me to imagine Sparty takes a major leap. Choose: Below 5.5 (+100)

Minnesota

Over/beneath 6.5 wins

Wins: Buffalo, Northwestern State, Rutgers, Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan State, at Northwestern, Wisconsin
Losses: at Cal, at Ohio State, at Iowa, at Oregon

Evaluation: For many who have not paid consideration, Minnesota has did not win seven or extra common season video games solely twice within the final six full (non-COVID) seasons. Final yr, I made the error of going beneath on their 5.5 projection, however I will not do it once more. It is not at all times enjoyable or thrilling to look at, however this program’s consistency deserves respect. There’s additionally a pleasant residence schedule. Choose: Over 6.5 (-142)

Nebraska

Over/beneath 7.5 wins

Wins: Cincinnati, Akron, Houston Christian, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, USC, Iowa
Losses: at Maryland, at Minnesota, at UCLA, at Penn State

Evaluation: Nebraska is one other workforce that might take a severe leap ahead if Dylan Raiola rounds out his sport and improves. He has the potential to be the perfect QB within the convention, which fits a great distance towards successful video games. I do not know if he goes that far in 2025, however I do suppose the Huskers benefit from a schedule with out Ohio State and Oregon on it. Choose: Over 7.5 (-122)

Northwestern

Over/beneath 3.5 wins

Wins: Western Illinois, UCLA, ULM, Purdue
Losses: at Tulane, Oregon, at Penn State, at Nebraska, at USC, Michigan, Minnesota, at Illinois

Evaluation: I believe Northwestern will end 2025 with a report so much nearer to its 2024 season than 2023, however even when it would not enhance, it’s going to nonetheless go over this win whole! Beginning on the street towards Tulane will not be simple, however my intestine tells me Preston Stone will convey a constant competence to the offense that did not exist final yr. I do not know if that is sufficient to result in severe enchancment, however 4 wins should not be too tough to search out. Choose: Over 3.5 (-160)

Ohio State

Over/beneath 10.5 wins

Wins: Grambling, Ohio, at Washington, Minnesota, at Illinois, at Wisconsin, Penn State, at Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers, at Michigan
Losses: Texas

Evaluation: I will be sincere with you. I anticipated to go beneath right here. My perception was that Ohio State can be like a number of champions within the trendy sport: nonetheless superb, however struggling to exchange key starters in an period the place you’ll be able to now not horde depth so simply. Then I did the train, and this workforce gained 11 video games anyway! The reality is, it’s going to all come right down to whether or not they can win two of three video games towards Texas, Penn State, and Michigan. Clearly, I believe they’ll. Choose: Over 10.5 (+128)

Oregon

Over/beneath 10.5 wins

Wins: Montana State, Oklahoma State, at Northwestern, Oregon State, Indiana, at Rutgers, Wisconsin, at Iowa, Minnesota, USC, at Washington
Losses: at Penn State

Evaluation: I do not know for positive who will begin at quarterback for Oregon, however I am assured the Geese might be one of many extra gifted groups within the league. It additionally helps to keep away from Michigan and Ohio State whereas getting USC at residence. Street video games towards Penn State and Washington would be the large assessments. Choose: Over 10.5 (-110)

Penn State

Over/beneath 10.5 wins

Wins: Nevada, FIU, Villanova, Oregon, at UCLA, Northwestern, at Iowa, Indiana, at Michigan State, Nebraska, at Rutgers
Losses: at Ohio State

Evaluation: That is a kind of spots the place if the Nittany Lions do not go over the full, it’s going to really feel like a disappointment. There’s been a lot put into retaining gamers on the roster, in addition to poaching Jim Knowles from Ohio State. There’s an all-in really feel to this workforce that they should ship on. I believe they may within the common season. After that? Who is aware of? Choose: Over 10.5 (+134)

Purdue

Over/beneath 3.5 wins

Wins: Ball State, Southern Illinois, Rutgers
Losses: USC, at Notre Dame, Illinois, at Minnesota, at Northwestern, at Michigan, Ohio State, at Washington, Indiana

Evaluation: After final season and with a brand new coach in cost, Purdue might end beneath this projection at 3-9, and it’d really feel like a breath of contemporary air to followers. And that is exactly what I believe occurs! The Boilermakers ought to begin the yr 2-0, after which it is about discovering residence wins. I’ve them beating Rutgers, however would it not really shock any of us in the event that they took down an Illinois or Indiana? Possibly even Northwestern on the street? After all not. But when they solely do it as soon as, they end beneath the full. Choose: Below 3.5 (-200)

Rutgers

Over/beneath 5.5 wins

Wins: Ohio, Miami OH, Norfolk State, Iowa, Maryland
Losses: at Minnesota, at Washington, Oregon, at Purdue, at Illinois, at Ohio State, Penn State

Evaluation: Rutgers has completed over its projection every of the final two seasons, going 6-6 within the common season in 2023 and 7-5 final yr. They’ve expertise returning, together with at QB in Athan Kaliakmanis — who performed properly final yr. All of this makes you suppose they need to go over, however that is not the way it labored out right here! It is a kind of odd years whenever you would moderately have Oregon and Penn State on the street since you most likely aren’t successful these video games anyway. In the meantime, a number of your coin-flip video games are on the street. Oh, and there is by no means time to have Oregon, Ohio State, and Penn State in your schedule! Toss in an Illinois workforce coming off a 10-win season, and any individual on the Large Ten’s Scheduling Division clearly has it out for the Knights! Choose: Below 5.5 (-110)

UCLA

Over/beneath 4.5 wins

Wins: at UNLV, New Mexico, Maryland, Nebraska, Washington
Losses: Utah, at Northwestern, Penn State, at Michigan State, at Indiana, at Ohio State, at USC

Evaluation: The Bruins obtained off to a gradual begin final yr, however by the point the common season ended, they felt like a workforce shifting in the precise course. Momentum would not at all times carry over to the offseason, however 5 wins would not seem to be a ridiculous request with this schedule. Taking good care of enterprise at residence will decide how good the Bruins’ season is. Choose: Over 4.5 (-192)

USC

Over/beneath 7.5 wins

Wins: Missouri State, Georgia Southern, at Purdue, Michigan State, Michigan, Northwestern, Iowa, UCLA
Losses: at Illinois, at Notre Dame, at Nebraska, at Oregon

Evaluation: USC has completed the common season with eight wins or extra simply twice within the final six full seasons. The Trojans have solely accomplished it as soon as in Lincoln Riley’s three seasons in cost, and that was in his first yr. This can be a easy reality I am sharing. There isn’t any must get mad at me about it. I am taking the over right here, however I do not be ok with it in any respect. Choose: Over 7.5 (-118)

Washington

Over/beneath 7.5 wins

Wins: Colorado State, UC Davis, at Washington State, Rutgers, Illinois, Purdue
Losses: Ohio State, at Maryland, at Michigan, at Wisconsin, at UCLA, Oregon

Evaluation: The hope is that Demond Williams can take the Huskies to a different stage after ending 6-6 of their first Large Ten common season, however a projection of seven.5 wins feels overly optimistic to me. The Huskies play each Ohio State and Oregon — albeit at residence — and a street journey to Michigan will not be enjoyable, both. Plus, we noticed final yr that the cross-country journeys weren’t simple on anyone. Journey struggles included a Huskies’ loss at Rutgers, so I am not prepared to imagine this workforce beats Maryland on the street, both. Choose: Below 7.5 (-138)

Wisconsin

Over/beneath 5.5 wins

Wins: Miami OH, Center Tennessee, Maryland, Iowa, Washington
Losses: at Alabama, at Michigan, Ohio State, at Oregon, at Indiana, Illinois, at Minnesota

Evaluation: It is a make-or-break season for Luke Fickell. The embattled Badgers coach has gone 12-13 in two seasons at Wisconsin, and noticed the faculties’ 22-year bowl streak finish final yr. There have been main adjustments since, however I do not know the way impactful they’re going to be. Additionally, the schedule is assault and battery. The Badgers might be on the street for video games towards Alabama, Michigan and Oregon. However, hey, a minimum of they get Ohio State at residence, proper!? All in all, of the 9 Large Ten opponents on the schedule, eight made a bowl final season. Choose: Below 5.5 (-144)