Ben Kenney
June 22, 2024 7:10 am CT
The Big Ten enters a new era during the 2024 football season.
Former Pac-12 powersUSC,UCLA,OregonandWashington are now conference members. With that, their identities and traditions become part of the Big Ten landscape.
Related: Power ranking all 18 Big Ten football programs after the 2023 season
Any casual college football fan would point to a 13-10 game between Nebraska and Iowa when describing the Big Ten identity. That usually includes cold temperatures, fans in sweaters that read “Punts,” poor passing offenses and dominant defensive units.
Now picture a 48-45 USC win over UCLA at the Rose Bowl in 70-degree weather in late November. That contest now means just as much to the Big Ten race as Nebraska-Iowa or Illinois-Northwestern.
Related: Power ranking all 18 Big Ten basketball programs after the 2023-24 season
The entrance of the new schools shakes up the conference’s on-field landscape. Football programs such as Wisconsin must reestablish their place in the conference pecking order.
That new landscape was a clear reason behind the Badgers attempting to “modernize” the program with the hires of head coach Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo. They want to keep up with the Big Ten’s top contenders as the sport shifts.
But this entrance of new programs, brings four new identities, four new stadiums and, importantly, four new mascots to the mix. Here is our updated ranking of those mascots with the Big Ten now up to 18 members:
18
Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti looks on during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Credit: Bobby Goddin/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK
Indiana is one of two Big Ten programs without an official mascot. The program had a bison for its mascot in the 1960s in honor of the state seal of Indiana. It did not stick, and rightfully so.
17
Michigan Wolverines
Dec. 2, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana; The helmet of Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) before the Big Ten Championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan is the other Big Ten program without a mascot. But a wolverine is a strong symbol for the school, even if there isn’t somebody in costume running around on the sidelines.
I’d argue that not having a mascot is actually better than some of the ones in the conference, but Michigan and Indiana still must sit at the end of this ranking.
Get more (Michigan) news, analysis, and opinions onWolverines Wire
16
Maryland Terrapins
Feb. 18, 2024; College Park, Maryland; Maryland Terrapins mascot on the court during the second half of the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Xfinity Center. Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mascot: Testudo (since 1932)
Maryland’s mascot is an odd-looking turtle that doesn’t strike much excitement or fear. It’s hard to make a turtle intimidating, but I’d still argue this is a poor interpretation.
15
Illinois Fighting IlliniOne more day!! pic.twitter.com/tvqpdsGG0f
— The Illinois Kingfisher (@KingfisherUIUC) May 10, 2024
Mascot: Kingfisher (since 2020)
I was under the impression Illinois did not have an official mascot. But it turns out there has been an ongoing process since 2020 to make the Kingfisher the school’s mascot.
Evaluation-wise, it’s tough when the animal portrayed doesn’t have anything to do with the athletic teams (the Fighting Illini). The execution is fine, but this mascot needs a few more decades of history before it can rise.
14
Penn State Nittany Lions
Feb. 21, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania; The Penn State Nittany Lions mascot looks on during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Rec Hall. Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Mascot: Nittany Lion (since 1904)
The figure is certainly intimidating and has plenty of history. But the suit itself is second-grade, especially compared to some of the top mascots on this list. Plus the brown fur doesn’t blend with the school’s blue and white colors, which makes it look out of place in most photos.
That, plus mascots shouldn’t wear basketball jerseys.
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire
13
UCLA Bruins
Sept. 25, 2021; Stanford, California; UCLA Bruins mascot cheers during the first quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Mascot: Joe Bruin (since 1963)
Joe Bruin is the lowest-ranked of the Big Ten’s new additions. It’s a good-looking brown bear with a well-executed design, but just being a bear isn’t enough to supplant some of the better mascots on this list.
Again, mascots shouldn’t wear the jerseys of the team that is playing (football, basketball, etc).
Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire
12
Minnesota Golden Gopher
Sept. 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Minnesota Golden Gophers mascot, Goldy, leads the fan in a pregame chant before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Huntington Bank Stadium. Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports
Mascot: Goldy Gopher
A mascot gets extra points if it looks like the head shouldn’t fit on the body. That works with Minnesota. Otherwise, it’s hard to be intimidated by a gopher.
11
Northwestern Wildcats
March 18, 2023; Sacramento, California; Willie the Wildcat, the Northwestern mascot, points to the crowd prior to a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Northwestern Wildcats at Golden 1 Center. Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mascot: Willie The Wildcat (since 1933)
Minus the basketball jersey, I’m a big fan of Willie The Wildcat. Mascots are better when they represent the team (Wildcats), but especially when they have a unique name. I think Willie fits Northwestern well and is one of the under-the-radar mascots in the conference.
10
Washington Huskies
Jan. 8, 2024; Houston, Texas; Washington Huskies mascot Harry the Husky during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mascot: Harry the Husky (since 1995)
Harry the Husky and Willie the Wildcat have similar aesthetics. This is another well-executed design that fits with the team’s identity. It’s hard to separate Willie and Harry in the rankings.
Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions on Huskies Wire
9
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Dec. 2, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey; The Rutgers Scarlet Knights mascot Sir Henry performs on the court before a game between the Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Mascot: Sir Henry the Scarlet Knight (since 1955)
The Big Ten has terrific mascots. A figure like Sir Henry should be much closer to No. 1 on any other ranking. This mascot is unique, it fits the teams and it has a disproportionally-large head, which always means extra points.
Get more (Rutgers) news, analysis and opinions onRutgers Wire
8
USC Trojans
Sept. 9, 2023; Los Angeles, California; Southern California Trojans drum major mascot Tommy Trojan leads the Spirit of Troy marching band onto the field at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mascot: Tommy Trojan (since 1961)
A human mascot riding a white horse is certainly an interesting touch. I give this iteration major points, but I think the costume version might be better.
Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire
7
Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa Hawkeyes players hold hands as they get ready to swarm onto the field with the University of Iowa mascot Herky the Hawk before a NCAA Big Ten Conference football game against Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen-Imagn Content Services, LLC
Mascot: Harry the Hawk (since 1948)
Not many Big Ten mascots fit the aesthetic of the program more than Harry the Hawk. This is a case when wearing a uniform gets a pass. The weird-looking hawk head is enough to carry it near the top of our ranking.
Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions onHawkeyes Wire
6
Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue Pete leads the Boilermakers onto the field during the NCAA football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Iowa Hawkeyes, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. Iowa won 24-3. Alex Martin/Journal and Courier-USA TODAY NETWORK
Mascot: Purdue Pete (since 1940)
Purdue Pete is only the mascot head. But that’s the only thing necessary with a figure as odd as this one. Many think the oversized head with massive eyes is a bit creepy, I’d argue it’s distinct enough given the challenge of representing the ‘Boilermakers.’
It’s easy when the Wildcats have a mascot that is a wildcat. This interpretation required a bit more creativity.
5
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Dec. 10, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska; Herbie Husker walks on the court during the second half between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Michigan State Spartans at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Mascot: Herbie Husker
Mascot names are important. So is representing a team, which Herbie Husker does perfectly. This new overalls version is an upgrade from the previous iteration that had the figure in jeans and a button-down. It’s a fantastic mascot.
Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire
4
Ohio State Buckeyes
Nov. 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Ohio State Buckeyes mascot Brutus Buckeye cheers prior to the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
Mascot: Brutus the Buckeye (since 1965)
I’m a huge fan of Brutus the Buckeye. But the top three of this ranking is the best-of-the-best when it comes to collegiate mascots.
Brutus has the correct combination Ohio State’s aesthetic, the school’s success history and a weird-looking head. That mascot head can just exist on its own thanks to college football legend Lee Corso.
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire
3
Wisconsin Badgers
Sept. 2, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin; Wisconsin Badgers mascot Bucky Badger runs onto the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bulls at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Mascot: Bucky Badger (since 1940)
Bucky Badger is in the Mascot Hall of Fame for good reason. It is a fantastic rendering of the Badgers and does so without needing to put the mascot into a uniform.
A side note: the old versions were absolutely frightening and would’ve ranked No. 1 on this list easily.
2
Michigan State Spartans
March 21, 2024, Charlotte, NC; Michigan State Spartans mascot performs against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Spectrum Center. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Mascot: Sparty (since 1955)
Sparty fits all of the criteria of a great mascot, and does so representing one of the more successful collection of athletic programs over the last few decades. It is a 10 of 10.
Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions on Spartans Wire
1
Oregon Ducks
Oct. 21, 2023; Eugene, Oregon; Oregon Ducks mascot The Duck on the field during the first quarter against the Washington State Cougars at Autzen Stadium. Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports
Mascot: The Oregon Duck (since 1940)
The only 12 of 10 mascot in the conference is the Oregon Duck, which brings the football team out of the tunnel on a motorcycle. It is a fantastic rendering of a duck and is simultaneously hilarious and frightening to look at.
The best mascots evoke emotion. The Oregon Duck definitely does that.
Get more (Oregon) news, analysis, and opinions on Ducks Wire
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