2026 Big Ten Football Preseason Power Rankings

The Big Ten enters the 2026 season with several legitimate national championship contenders, a crowded second tier and multiple programs beginning new eras.

Ohio State and Oregon remain the conference’s standard entering August, but Indiana, USC, Michigan and Penn State should all have opportunities to stay in the College Football Playoff race. Farther down the rankings, Washington and Iowa appear capable of disrupting the conference standings, while UCLA begins a major rebuild under Bob Chesney.

Here are the Sideline Frames Media preseason Big Ten power rankings.

1. Ohio State

Ohio State begins the season with another roster capable of competing for both the Big Ten and national championships.

The Buckeyes continue to recruit at an elite level and should once again feature one of the conference’s deepest defenses. Questions remain at several important offensive positions, but Ohio State has enough talent to overcome early uncertainty.

Until another team consistently proves otherwise, the road to the Big Ten title still runs through Columbus.

2. Oregon

Oregon may have the most complete roster in the conference.

Quarterback Dante Moore’s return gives the Ducks stability at the most important position, while another strong group of transfers and recruits adds depth across the roster. Oregon has quickly established itself as one of the Big Ten’s strongest programs and enters the season with championship expectations.

The difference between Oregon and Ohio State is small, and their eventual conference positioning could be determined by only one or two difficult road games.

3. Indiana

Indiana is no longer an underdog story.

After completing an undefeated national championship season in 2025, the Hoosiers enter 2026 as an established contender. Head coach Curt Cignetti has built a disciplined and confident program capable of competing with the most talented teams in the conference.

Indiana must replace several important contributors, but the program has recruited aggressively through the transfer portal. The biggest challenge will be handling the expectations that now follow every game.

4. USC

USC enters a critical season under Lincoln Riley with one of the conference’s most talented rosters.

The Trojans return quarterback Jayden Maiava and significant experience along the offensive line. USC also signed one of the nation’s strongest recruiting classes and made defensive changes intended to help the program compete more consistently against physical Big Ten opponents.

The talent is present. USC’s ranking will ultimately depend on whether the Trojans can turn close losses into victories against the conference’s top teams.

5. Michigan

Michigan remains one of the Big Ten’s most physical and talented programs, even after another offseason of roster changes.

The Wolverines should again be strong along the line of scrimmage and difficult to play against defensively. Their ceiling may depend on quarterback development and whether the offense can create more explosive plays.

Michigan may not enter the season with the same attention as Ohio State or Oregon, but overlooking the Wolverines would be a mistake.

6. Penn State

Penn State enters 2026 as one of the conference’s biggest unknowns.

The Nittany Lions still have a strong talent base and one of college football’s best home-field environments. However, they must establish a new identity after significant changes to the program.

Penn State’s schedule gives it an opportunity to remain near the top of the conference, but the team will need dependable quarterback play and immediate production from its newcomers.

7. Washington

Washington has the potential to become one of the Big Ten’s biggest risers.

The Huskies have upgraded their roster and should be dangerous offensively, but they face one of the conference’s more difficult schedules. Washington will have limited room for error against a lineup filled with ranked opponents and challenging road trips.

If the defense improves, the Huskies could move into the playoff conversation. If not, they may still be one of the league’s most entertaining teams without finishing near the top.

8. Iowa

Iowa rarely needs an explosive offense to remain competitive.

The Hawkeyes are expected to be disciplined, physical and strong defensively again. Their ability to win close games makes them a difficult opponent for every team on the schedule.

The main question remains familiar: Can the offense produce enough points against elite competition? Even moderate improvement on that side of the ball could move Iowa several spots higher.

9. Nebraska

Nebraska enters the season with growing expectations under Matt Rhule.

The Cornhuskers have continued to add talent and should be more experienced across the roster. The program appears closer to becoming a consistent winner, but it still must prove it can finish close games against strong conference opponents.

Nebraska has the potential to climb into the upper half of the rankings, but that progress must now appear in the win column.

10. Illinois

Illinois has become one of the Big Ten’s most reliable and difficult teams to face.

The Fighting Illini may not have the same star power as the conference leaders, but they are well coached and rarely beat themselves. Their physical style gives them an opportunity to stay competitive in most games.

Illinois begins the season in the middle of the conference, but another strong year would no longer be surprising.

11. Wisconsin

Wisconsin is attempting to regain the consistency that once made it a regular Big Ten contender.

The Badgers have made roster changes and added transfer talent, but several questions remain on offense. Their schedule will provide little time to develop, placing pressure on the team to establish an identity early.

Wisconsin has enough talent to outperform this ranking, but it must first show greater week-to-week consistency.

12. Minnesota

Minnesota continues to play a physical style under P.J. Fleck and should remain competitive against the middle of the conference.

The Golden Gophers may not have the depth of the top Big Ten programs, but they are capable of controlling games through defense, field position and the running game.

Their ceiling will depend on whether the offense can become more dynamic when opponents take away the ground attack.

13. UCLA

UCLA begins a full reset under first-year head coach Bob Chesney.

The Bruins added dozens of transfers and introduced new systems on both sides of the ball. Chesney built a successful program at James Madison, but turning UCLA into a Big Ten contender will require time and roster development.

UCLA could improve quickly if its newcomers develop chemistry, but the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position and the scale of the rebuild keep the Bruins in the lower half for now.

14. Rutgers

Rutgers has become more physical and competitive under Greg Schiano, especially at home.

The Scarlet Knights are capable of making games uncomfortable for more talented opponents, but offensive consistency remains a concern. They will need stronger quarterback play and more explosive production to move higher in the conference.

Rutgers should be competitive, though its difficult schedule may limit the final record.

15. Maryland

Maryland has enough speed and skill-position talent to challenge opponents, but the program enters the season with major questions.

The Terrapins must find stability at quarterback and become more dependable defensively. In a conference with few easy matchups, inconsistency can quickly lead to a difficult season.

Maryland’s upside is higher than this ranking, but the team must prove it can finish games against Big Ten competition.

16. Michigan State

Michigan State continues to rebuild while searching for greater consistency on both sides of the ball.

The Spartans have added new players through the portal, but depth remains a concern against the conference’s strongest teams. Establishing reliable quarterback play and improving the offensive line will be important.

Michigan State should be more competitive, though a major jump may still be a season away.

17. Northwestern

Northwestern has shown it can stay competitive through organization and defense, but roster limitations remain significant.

The Wildcats will need to create turnovers, control the pace and avoid falling behind early. Their margin for error is smaller than most teams in the conference.

A disciplined season could produce a few surprises, but Northwestern begins the year near the bottom of a deep Big Ten.

18. Purdue

Purdue enters the season facing one of the conference’s most difficult rebuilding projects.

The Boilermakers must improve across nearly every position group after struggling to match the depth and physicality of Big Ten opponents. New additions may provide progress, but the program needs time to create a stable foundation.

For Purdue, improvement in competitiveness may be a more realistic early goal than a rapid climb in the standings.

Final Outlook

The Big Ten championship race begins with Ohio State and Oregon, but neither team has a clear path through the season.

Indiana must prove its championship success can continue after roster turnover. USC is attempting to translate elite talent into consistent results. Michigan and Penn State remain dangerous, while Washington and Iowa could disrupt the race.

The conference’s depth means even the favorites will face difficult weeks. With several playoff contenders and no divisions to separate them, the 2026 Big Ten season should remain unpredictable until the final weekend.