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.
- Related: Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 for 2026
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
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.
11. Minnesota
The 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).
- Related: Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 for 2026
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.
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13. UCLA
New 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.
14. Wisconsin
Coach 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 State
Pat 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.
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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.
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. Purdue
The 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.