I’ve made a lot of mistakes in these pages, but two of them were extra-large, appeared in the same 2023 Big Ten preview column, and probably should have resulted in my arrest or at least being pelted with wet footballs in a public place.

Not only did I pick Illinois to win the West Division last season, but I also picked Northwestern as the worst team in the conference. As it turns out, I was embarrassingly wrong on both counts.

Well, it’s that time again and we’re moving on.

The conference now has 18 teams, ridiculous but true, including four newcomers from former Pac-12 land. Divisions are a thing of the past, so it’s an 18-team competition that depends on who you play – and who you don’t. The two leaders meet in a final, and there’s a good chance both will make the College Football Playoff, which has tripled in size from four to 12 teams. The Big Ten will be disappointed if it doesn’t field at least three teams.

This is how I stacked them:

1. Oregon

2023: 12-2 overall, 8-1 Pac-12

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 11:1, 8:1

THE DUCKS have the current favorite for the Heisman Trophy, transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel, a sensational receiver group – watch the Big Ten passing records fall – and the Ohio State game at Autzen Stadium. It’s a playoff-or-bust recipe.

2. State of Ohio

2023: 11:2, 8:1

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 11:1, 8:1

THE BUCKEYES’ Monster Pass rush — in partnership with the No. 1-ranked secondary in the country by Pro Football Focus — will destroy most opponents. The same can be said about this team’s running game. Beat Michigan and win a Natty? It’s entirely possible.

3. Penn State

2023: 10:3, 7:2

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 10:2, 7:2

THE NITTANY LIONS have top-notch talent throughout the defensive front seven and the best running back combination in the league after OSU. When QB Drew Allar takes the next step, caution is advised. Lions-Buckeyes in Happy Valley will go crazy.

4. Iowa

2023: 10:4, 7:2

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 10:2, 7:2

THE HAWKEYES will be brutally good on defense as always, led by PFF’s No. 1-ranked linebackers. On offense, new coordinator Tim Lester and QB Cade McNamara will have to make the word “prehistoric” disappear.

5. USC

2023: 8-5, 5-4 Pac-12

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 8:4, 7:2

THE TROJANS Forget the last quarterback, a guy you’ve never heard of, but offensive ability is hardly an issue and avoiding Oregon and OSU is an absolute gift.

6. Michigan

2023: 15:0, 9:0

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 8:4, 6:3

THE WOLVERINES It’s probably safe to say they’re both rebuilding and revamping their offense, and the loss of coach Jim Harbaugh is no small thing. Another killer “D” will carry the load.

7. Nebraska

2023: 5-7, 3-6

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 8:4, 6:3

THE HUSKER are bringing new momentum to the Blackshirts’ tradition, with the defense under the great coach Matt Rhule taking the lead as everyone expected. The bowl drought (since 2016) is now over.

8. Washington

2023: 14-1, 9-0 Pac-12

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 8:4, 5:4

THE HUSKYS have two starters back — yes, that’s all — from a team that finished second nationally. Oh, and the coach left for Alabama. A 4-0 start, all at Husky Stadium, will help everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

9. Illinois

2023: 5-7, 3-6

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 7:5, 4:5

THE ILLINI need to run better, shoot better, defend against passes better, finish close games better and – in year four for Bret Bielema – coach better. It’s time to step up, guys.

10. Wisconsin

2023: 7:6, 5:4

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 6-6, 4-5

THE BADGERS We have an opportunity in mid-September in Madison against Alabama that could launch Luke Fickell’s program in epic fashion. Not likely. Maybe two months later when Oregon visits?

11.Rutgers

2023: 7-6, 3-6

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 6-6, 4-5

THE SCARLET KNIGHTS are a popular choice to get more buzz—it would be a kick if they did—but the conference record since they got here is 16-72. Let’s relax a bit.

12. Indiana

2023: 3-9, 1-8

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 6-6, 4-5

THE HOOSIERS are another popular choice for the bounce-back — all new coach Curt Cignetti has done at James Madison is win — but with all the JMU transfers Cignetti brought in, this was no lateral move.

13. Maryland

2023: 8:5, 4:5

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 5-7, 3-6

The pond turtles I can finally enjoy a season without Michigan and Ohio State. Instead, USC and Oregon come into play.

14. State of Michigan

2023: 4-8, 2-7

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 5-7, 3-6

THE SPARTANS We’re playing back-to-back games against Ohio State, Oregon, Iowa, and Michigan, and, well, thanks for playing, guys. Don’t forget to pick up a parting gift on the way out.

15. Northwest

2023: 8:5, 5:4

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 5-7, 2-7

THE WILDCATS I’m missing something again. Another mistake? The betting sites have set the over/under odds for wins at 4½.

16. Minnesota

2023: 6-7, 3-6

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 4-8, 2-7

The ground squirrels went bowling with a 5-7 record last season, which is still ridiculous. Coach PJ Fleck has never finished worse than 2-7 in the league since 2017, his debut season.

17. University of California

2023: 8-5, 5-4 Pac-12

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 2-10, 1-8

THE BRUINS should have done better in coach DeShaun Foster’s home debut, as they don’t have another game on the schedule that they can win until mid-October.

18. Purdue

2023: 4-8, 3-6

Prediction for the 2024 regular season: 2-10, 0-9

The Boilermaker probably won’t lose them all in league play. It’s hard to lose them all. A lot of bad teams have won once or twice by accident. Feel better now, Boilers fans?