As the 2025 college football season hits its stride, early performances around the Big Ten and Midwest are already impacting the recruiting landscape for the 2026 class. Based on the first few weeks, here are three bold predictions for the Big Ten and Midwest.
Mack Sutter sticks with Alabama
Alabama four-star tight end commit Mack Sutter continues to be a popular recruit. There is good reason for that since he’s one of the best players in his class regardless of position. The Illinois native has still been hearing from the Ohio State coaching staff quite a bit this fall. Tight ends coach Keenan Bailey was at Sutter’s school a couple weeks ago and the pair have a great relationship.
There is talk that some around Sutter that prefer Ohio State to Alabama, my prediction is the standout tight end will stick with the Tide. Coach Kalen DeBoer seems to have steadied the ship in Tuscaloosa and could have the program trending back up.
Look for Sutter to return to Alabama Oct. 18 for the matchup with Tennessee.
Dante Moore makes a Heisman run
Do people realize how good Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has been this season? There has been so much talk coming out of Oregon’s win over Penn State about James Franklin’s inability to win big games. That’s a deserving talking point and is valid by Franklin’s own admission.
But let’s not forget that Moore was special in a hostile environment. That’s just been a continuation of what we’ve seen from him all season. Moore has thrown for 1,210 yards with 14 touchdowns to just one interception. Those 14 touchdowns are second in the conference right now.
The matchup with Indiana in two weeks will be another gigantic stage for Moore to show why he belongs in the Heisman discussion. And should even be leading it if he has another big game and win.
Kansas misses a bowl
Over the summer Kansas football had some real momentum. Recruiting was going well, NIL for football had increased and the stadium renovations were underway.
But then the season started. The team sits at 3-2 right now with one of those wins being over Wagner. This week’s matchup with UCF feels like a real fork in the road moment for the season. If the Jayhawks pull it off then a path to six wins seems clearer. But if the team can’t win on the road at UCF then the season could spiral.