CFB analyst names 2 Big Ten teams who could bounce back under high-profile HCs in 2024

ESPN analyst Greg McElroy has identified two perennial Big Ten powerhouses, Nebraska and Wisconsin, as poised for a resurgence this season. According to McElroy, both teams, now in their second year under high-profile head coaches, are ready to make significant strides forward.

The Big Ten is undergoing major changes with the addition of Oregon, Washington, UCLA, and USC. Despite these new entrants, McElroy expressed confidence on the ESPN platform 'Always College Football' that Nebraska, under head coach Matt Rhule, is set for a rebound season.

Last year, Nebraska finished 5-7, missing a bowl game for the seventh straight year. This was despite being highly active in the transfer portal. However, Rhule's leadership led to their best record since 2019. McElroy believes the progress shown in Rhule’s first year can be furthered this season, especially with the arrival of Dylan Raiola:

"I look at this year’s team and I think this could be a bounce-back season for the Cornhuskers with where their program is ultimately going to be," McElroy stated.

He continued:

"I think Matt Rhule has them ultimately going in the right direction. But, how quickly can they get there? When you look at Matt Rhule’s tenure as a head coach – both Baylor and Temple… year one was really underwhelming. Year two was a big step in the right direction."

Similarly, McElroy sees potential for Wisconsin under head coach Luke Fickell. The Badgers, who finished last season with a 7-6 record, are also expected to improve. Despite a disappointing season that ended with a 35-31 loss to LSU in the ReliaQuest Bowl, McElroy believes Fickell can guide the team to better performance in 2024.

"New year, new regime, new everything under Luke Fickell," McElroy said. "They had some inconsistencies last year, but they could still run the ball effectively. I’m curious to see if year number two will bring a big step forward."

Nebraska’s schedule includes an early home rematch against Colorado on September 7 and their Big Ten opener against Illinois in Lincoln on September 21.

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Big Ten's full debut on CBS is set for the 2024 season

With the 2024 college football season approaching, a major highlight is the Big Ten's full debut on CBS, airing at the iconic 3:30 pm ET slot. The conference, now larger than ever, welcomes USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington starting July 1.

The season kicks off with a prime-time game for UCLA on August 31, following Akron vs. Ohio State. CBS Sports has finalized its first four weeks, featuring the CyHawk Trophy battle between Iowa and Iowa State on September 7 at 3:30 pm.

Deion Sanders’ Colorado faces Colorado State in prime time after last season’s overtime thriller. Other notable games include Notre Dame at Purdue in Week 3 and USC at Michigan in Week 4, both at 3:30 pm.

The CBS Sports schedule includes five doubleheaders and three prime-time games, culminating in the Big Ten Championship on December 7 at 8 pm from Indianapolis. Traditional matchups like Navy at Air Force (October 5), Air Force at Army (November 2), and the Army-Navy Game (December 14) remain highlights. The season concludes with the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on December 30.