A growing conference and a more competitive landscape means some teams will miss out on a bowl game in 2024. Greg McElroy of ESPN lists three Big Teams that will struggle to be bowl-eligible.
In breaking down his five tiers in the Big Ten, McElroy says of Tier 5, “If these teams get to a bowl game this year it would be a great accomplishment.
Northwestern Wildcats
The Wildcats had a very successful 2023 campaign, going 8-5. McElroy says, “A lot of the reason why last year was special is they kinda built up to that season. Granted they were 1-11 the year before. They were awful. A seven win jump to 8-5 was the best in the FBS from 2021 to 2023.”
The problem for this season is talent. “Acquisition of talent, whether it’s the portal or high school recruiting, that’s never been Northwestern’s strong suit,” McElroy explained. “They just brought in a nationally ranked recruiting class that was 79th. That is the second worst in the Big Ten.”
Purdue Boilermakers
“In 2022, Jeff Brohm did something that was amazing. Being able to take that group to the championship of the Big Ten is something that’s incredible,” McElroy says.
“Here’s the problem. You look at what was lost in the portal. They lost top three wide receivers, top offensive linemen, an All-American at defensive end in Nic Scourton to Texas A&M. The problem is the in-coming talent doesn’t match up with those that left,” he says.
Indiana Hoosiers
“Curt Cignetti, he inherited some pretty tough spots in the past,” the former Bama QB says. “Whether that’s Division II jobs that he had, when he took over at Elon. Got both going over time. Stepped into a great situation at James Madison. He kept the train rolling.”
“At Indiana, his hands will be full. If he can get them to the postseason in Year 1, that would be an incredible achievement,” he concludes.