College football analyst Greg McElroy’s Big Ten tier list may be disrespectful to a recent champion

Which Big Ten teams are National Championship contenders? ESPN’s Greg McElroy has broken down the 18-team conference into five tiers, from title contenders to cellar dwellers. 

The former Alabama QB defines his Tier 1 as “Championship contenders. And not just the Big Ten Championship. I think if you win the Big Ten, you’re good enough to win the whole dang thing. If you’re a championship contender, you’re probably going to be well-positioned to maybe win the national championship some.”

Of the 18 teams, McElroy only puts three teams in Tier 1. “There is a notable exclusion from this group, and I think people are going to let me hear about it.”

Ohio State Buckeyes

“I think they are the best team in the Big Ten. I understand that Michigan has had their number. I understand that there have been moments in the last couple of years in which you’re left scratching your head. I understand that some people have characterized Ohio State as a group that is not as physical as they need to be to be as competitive as they need to be in the Big Ten. I think that all goes by the wayside this year,” McElroy said. 

“I think Ohio State is in a great spot,” he continued. “That’s why I would have them No. 1 in the country.”

Oregon Ducks

“Brand new to the league,” McElroy explained. “But if you look at their roster and how they’ve been constructed, I think Dan Lanning evaluated his group and said, ‘It’s not going to make a difference whether we’re playing in the Pac-12, SEC or Big Ten. It’s not going to matter. This style of play will win everywhere.’”

McElroy discusses how the Ducks have reloaded from a year ago and beefed up on any weaknesses that showed in some big moments in 2023. “Oregon, without question, year 1 are championship contenders in the Big Ten.”

Penn State Nittany Lions

I’m adding the Penn State Nittany Lions to Tier 1 in the Big Ten,” McElroy said. “I understand what their record is against Michigan and Ohio State. I understand how their offense performed last year against both those two teams. I understand the challenges James Franklin has had playing against top tier competition his whole career. I get all of those things. But I look at their roster. I look at what they return. I look at what should be an improved wide receiver corps. I look at a better offensive system for the modern day.” 

Not Michigan

“Notice there’s a notable omission from Tier 1,” McElroy explained. “The problem is this Michigan is not the Michigan that took the field the last two years. So they are in Tier 2 to start the season, which qualifies as a college football playoff contender. They can make the playoff, but I am not confident at this point that they can win the national championship.”