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Early Big Ten Football Predictions for 2026
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- Early Big Ten Football Predictions for 2026
The Big Ten sits atop college football entering the 2026 season. With Michigan, Ohio State , and Indiana claiming the last three national titles, the Big Ten can claim conference supremacy over the SEC (for now). But the outlook for the Big Ten could get even better next fall, as Ohio State, Indiana, and Oregon each appear to have the pieces in place to make a run at a national title. The Buckeyes bring back quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith, the Hoosiers have plenty of staying power behind coach Curt Cignetti, and the Ducks return quarterback Dante Moore .
Depth is also strong in the Big Ten for '26. Penn State landed one of the nation's top hires in Matt Campbell, and Michigan, USC, and Washington top the list of playoff contenders outside of the top teams next fall. Additionally, strong hires at UCLA (Bob Chesney) and Michigan State (Pat Fitzgerald) only add to the strength and depth of teams in the conference.
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It's never too early to think about predictions or rankings for the 2026 college football season. With that in mind, Athlon provides its very early power rankings for the Big Ten for 2026:
Early Big Ten Predictions for 2026
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin© Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
1. Ohio State
It's a close call for the No. 1 spot in the Big Ten with Ohio State, Indiana, and Oregon all in the mix. The Buckeyes get the nod for now, as coach Ryan Day's team returns quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith to lead a dynamic offense once again. The ground game should also improve with rising star running back Bo Jackson more comfortable in his second year in Columbus. The defense loses several key pieces, including safety Caleb Downs
, linebacker Arvell Reese, and lineman Kayden McDonald. Coordinator Matt Patricia has a busy offseason ahead to restock the starting unit and keep Ohio State's defense among the best in the Big Ten. Two Alabama transfers in defensive lineman James Smith and edge/linebacker Qua Russaw provide immediate help from the portal.
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2. Indiana
The Hoosiers are losing several key pieces off their national championship squad, but coach Curt Cignetti has reloaded through the portal and will keep this team in the mix to win the Big Ten once again. TCU transfer Josh Hoover is one of the top quarterback
pickups from the portal, while the offensive line is slated to be a strength in '26. Coordinator Bryant Haines will also plug the gaps on defense to keep this unit among the best in the Big Ten.
3. Oregon
Quarterback Dante Moore
's decision to pass on the NFL
Draft for another season in Eugene puts the Ducks among the top contenders to win the national title in '26. Moore has plenty of help returning at the skill spots and at running back. However, the offensive line is losing a couple of starters. Both sides of the ball will have a new play-caller too, as Drew Mehringer is set to handle the offensive calls, and Chris Hampton takes over on defense. Cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. is back after a breakout freshman season, and the Ducks won at the NFL Draft deadline with the return of key defenders Bear Alexander
, Matayo Uiagalelei, and Teitum Tuioti.
Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) throws a pass in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
4. MichiganNew coach Kyle Whittingham has a chance to guide the Wolverines into playoff contention next season. Quarterback Bryce Underwood's development should take off under play-caller Jason Beck after the former five-star recruit recorded 2,820 total yards and 17 overall scores in his Ann Arbor debut. Underwood is slated to have plenty of help next fall with a strong offensive line in place, and running back Jordan Marshall returns after pacing the team with 932 yards in '25. Jay Hill is one of the top defensive coordinator hires in the '26 coaching carousel.
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5. USCIf USC is to make the jump from nine wins to a playoff team in '26, coach Lincoln Riley's squad needs to show marked improvement on defense. Former TCU coach Gary Patterson is expected to be named the team's new coordinator and optimism should be high he can build on some of the progress D'Anton Lynn made on this side of the ball before leaving for Penn State. Despite losing standout receivers Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane, Riley will find ways to score points behind quarterback Jayden Maiava and an experienced offensive line.
6. Washington
After some brief transfer portal drama, quarterback Demond Williams is set to return to Seattle as one of the Big Ten's top signal-callers. Williams won't have running back Jonah Coleman
or receiver Denzel Boston to lean on with both players off to the NFL. However, the Huskies still have plenty of talent around Williams to keep the offense performing at a high level. Coordinator Ryan Walters must retool up front and in the secondary for a defense that limited teams to 18.7 points a contest in '25.
7. Penn State
New coach Matt Campbell won at Iowa State - one of the toughest jobs in college football - with a 72-55 mark over 10 years. With more resources at Penn State, expectations will certainly be high for Campbell to maximize this program's talent just like he did for the Cyclones in Ames. With over 20 players following Campbell from Iowa State to Happy Valley, the Nittany Lions could surprise in '26. Included in that transfer haul from Ames is quarterback Rocco Becht, along with key defenders in linebacker Caleb Bacon and defensive backs Marcus Neal and Jeremiah Cooper
.
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8. Iowa
The Hawkeyes have posted winning conference records in 10 out of the last 11 seasons. Despite some turnover, expect coach Kirk Ferentz's team to be back in the mix for a top-25 finish in '26. Jeremy Hecklinski is expected to step into the starting quarterback role after working as the backup to Mark Gronowski
last year. The offense can lean on the ground attack and a standout line to ease Hecklinski into the starting role. Iowa has to navigate personnel change at every level on defense. However, this unit will find the right answers to continue performing at a high level under long-time coordinator Phil Parker.
9. Illinois
The Fighting Illini's 19 victories since '24 are the most in a two-year stretch in program history
. Another run at double-digit wins or a finish in the top 25 next fall will require some retooling by coach Bret Bielema. Quarterback Luke Altmyer and receiver Hank Beatty depart, the offensive line is facing a major revamp, and the defense loses a couple of key cogs, including linebackers Dylan Rosiek and Gabe Jacas
, and defensive backs Torrie Cox Jr. and Miles Scott. East Carolina transfer Katin Houser is expected to replace Altmyer under center.
Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule reacts after a call.© Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
10. Nebraska
The Cornhuskers have earned back-to-back bowl trips for the first time since 2015-16. Can coach Matt Rhule guide this team to another step forward in '26? If Nebraska is going to make the jump to be a top-25 team, the play of transfer quarterback Anthony Colandrea looms large. The former Virginia and UNLV signal-caller replaces Dylan Raiola
(left for Oregon) and showcased his playmaking ability last year by leading the Mountain West in total offense (293.4 yards a game). Running back Emmett Johnson's (1,451 rushing yards in '25) departure to the NFL is a huge loss for the offense. Also, the defense is navigating some offseason turnover with Rhule dismissing coordinator John Butler to hire Rob Aurich. Under Aurich's watch, San Diego State had one of the top defenses in the nation, providing optimism for improvement in Lincoln next fall after this unit gave up 5.8 yards per snap in Big Ten play in '25.
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11. MinnesotaThe Golden Gophers have won at least eight games in four out of the last five seasons and seem poised to extend that streak in '26. Quarterback Drake Lindsey returns after throwing for 2,382 yards and 18 touchdowns and scoring four times on the ground. Running back Darius Taylor also decided to pass on the NFL for one more season in Minneapolis. Coach PJ Fleck needs better play at receiver and along the offensive line, but Lindsey's growth should help the overall offense. Safety Koi Perich's transfer to Oregon was a big setback for a defense that allowed only 22.9 points a game. However, that news was balanced out by the return of defensive end Anthony Smith (17.5 TFL in '25).
12. Northwestern
With the opening of new Ryan Field, and the hire of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator, Northwestern is one of the Big Ten's most intriguing teams to watch in '26. Kelly's offense and acumen should bring instant credibility and improve a unit that struggled mightily in Big Ten play (20.3 points a game). Also, coach David Braun landed Michigan State transfer quarterback Aidan Chiles to direct Kelly's attack. Add in a trio of talented running backs Caleb Komolafe, Joseph Himon, and Florida State
transfer Gavin Sawchuk, and it's easy to see why Kelly's impact on the offense will be felt right away. Braun's defense has some retooling to do, and lineman Anto Saka's transfer to Texas A&M
was a setback.
UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava throws against Utah Utes on Aug. 30, 2025, in Pasadena, California.Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
13. UCLANew coach Bob Chesney is one of the top hires in the 2025-26 carousel, arriving in Westwood after a 21-6 stint at James Madison. The Bruins could be one of the Big Ten's most-improved squads next fall with Chesney at the helm and a large transfer class to restock the roster. Also, quarterback Nico Iamaleava opted to return for '26 to give the new staff a key building block on offense next fall.
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14. WisconsinCoach Luke Fickell enters 2026 squarely on the hot seat with a 17-21 mark in Madison since taking over at the end of the '22 season. The Badgers did show signs of progress late last year thanks to upset wins over Washington and Illinois and aim to carry that momentum into the fall with a revamped roster. Fickell has over 30 transfers coming to Madison next season, including quarterback Colton Joseph (Old Dominion), running back Abu Sama (Iowa State), and defensive back Marvin Burks (Missouri). Rising star linebackers Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano return to anchor the defense.
15. Michigan StatePat Fitzgerald's return to the sidelines at Michigan State is one of the Big Ten's top storylines in '26. Fitzgerald went 110-101 at Northwestern (2006-22) but finished 4-20 in his last two seasons. Jumpstarting an offense that managed only 21 points a game last year is a priority, and Fitzgerald hit the portal hard to help quarterback Alessio Milivojevic after running back Makhi Frazier and receiver Nick Marsh departed as transfers. Joe Rossi was retained as defensive coordinator, but this side of the ball is also navigating major personnel turnover from '25.
Maryland Terrapins quarterback Malik Washington passes in the first half against the Northern Illinois HuskiesJamie Sabau-Imagn Images
16. Maryland
The '26 season is a make-or-break campaign for coach Mike Locksley. After earning three straight bowl bids (2021-23), the Terrapins have posted back-to-back four-win seasons and are 2-16 in Big Ten play in that span. Locksley's squad isn't hurting for talent, as quarterback Malik Washington
is one of the Big Ten's rising stars, and the defense features a trio of promising underclassmen up front in Sidney Stewart, Zahir Mathis, and incoming freshman Zion Elee.
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17. Rutgers
After back-to-back bowl trips from 2023-24, the Scarlet Knights missed out on the postseason last year with a 5-7 mark. Defense was primarily to blame for the losing record, as coach Greg Schiano's group allowed 7.6 yards per play and 31.8 points a game. Schiano shuffled his staff as a result of that poor showing, but this unit is also set to lose several major contributors in '26. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is also out of eligibility. Running back Antwan Raymond (1,241 rushing yards in '25) is the headliner on offense for '26.
18. PurdueThe last time Purdue won a Big Ten game? Nov. 25, 2023 against Indiana. The Boilermakers enter '26 on a 10-game losing streak, and coach Barry Odom hit the portal hard for help on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Ryan Browne returns after throwing for 2,153 yards and nine touchdowns, but this unit has plenty of room to improve (18.8 points a game). New defensive coordinator Kevin Kane is tasked with helping Odom bring more improvement to a unit that allowed 6.8 yards per snap in Big Ten games.
Related: College Football Top 25 for 2026: Athlon's Way-Too-Early Picks
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Related: Early SEC Football Predictions for 2026
Related: Way-Too-Early Heisman Trophy Contenders for the 2026 College Football Season
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
