2026 Big Ten Football Predictions: Game-by-Game Picks, Projected Records & Final Standings for All 18 Teams
The 2026 Big Ten football season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive campaigns in conference history. Fresh off three consecutive national championships, the Big Ten enters the season as the premier conference in college football, featuring multiple College Football Playoff contenders and one of the deepest collections of talent in the nation.
Defending national champion Indiana returns as a major threat, while Oregon and Ohio State appear positioned to battle for conference supremacy. Traditional powers Michigan, Penn State, USC, Washington, and Iowa remain firmly in the playoff conversation, creating a crowded race at the top of the standings.
Below are our complete 2026 Big Ten preseason predictions, including game-by-game picks, projected records, and postseason outlooks for every team in the 18-team conference.
Illinois Fighting Illini Prediction
Projected Record: 8-4 (5-4 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
UAB
Duke
Southern Illinois
Purdue
Maryland
Nebraska
Northwestern
Iowa
Predicted Losses
Ohio State
Michigan State
Oregon
UCLA
Illinois is expected to take a slight step backward after significant roster turnover, particularly at quarterback and on defense. Bret Bielema still has enough talent to guide the Illini to another bowl appearance, but matching recent success will be difficult.
Indiana Hoosiers Prediction
Projected Record: 10-2 (7-2 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
North Texas
Howard
Western Kentucky
Northwestern
Ohio State
Rutgers
Nebraska
Minnesota
USC
Purdue
Predicted Losses
Michigan
Washington
The defending national champions remain one of the conference's elite teams. Curt Cignetti has transformed Indiana into a legitimate powerhouse, and another double-digit win season appears likely even if the Hoosiers fall short of repeating as Big Ten champions.
Iowa Hawkeyes Prediction
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
Northern Illinois
Iowa State
Northern Iowa
Washington
Michigan
Wisconsin
Northwestern
Purdue
Nebraska
Predicted Losses
Ohio State
Minnesota
Illinois
Kirk Ferentz continues to field one of the nation's toughest and most disciplined teams. Iowa's defense should once again rank among the conference's best, though offensive consistency remains the biggest concern against elite opponents.
Maryland Terrapins Prediction
Projected Record: 3-9 (1-8 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
Hampton
UConn
Rutgers
Predicted Losses
Virginia Tech
UCLA
Nebraska
Ohio State
Illinois
Wisconsin
USC
Purdue
Penn State
Maryland faces one of the toughest schedules in the conference. Another disappointing season could increase pressure on head coach Mike Locksley.
Michigan Wolverines Prediction
Projected Record: 8-4 (6-3 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
Western Michigan
UTEP
Minnesota
Penn State
Indiana
Rutgers
Michigan State
UCLA
Predicted Losses
Oklahoma
Iowa
Oregon
Ohio State
Michigan enters a new era under Kyle Whittingham. The Wolverines should remain competitive, but a brutal schedule likely prevents a playoff appearance in Year 1.
Michigan State Spartans Prediction
Projected Record: 3-9 (1-8 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
Toledo
Eastern Michigan
Northwestern
Predicted Losses
Notre Dame
Nebraska
Wisconsin
Illinois
UCLA
Michigan
Washington
Oregon
Rutgers
The Spartans are expected to endure a rebuilding season. Youth and roster depth concerns make conference wins difficult to project.
Minnesota Golden Gophers Prediction
Projected Record: 6-6 (4-5 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
Eastern Illinois
Akron
Purdue
UCLA
Iowa
Northwestern
Predicted Losses
Mississippi State
Washington
Michigan
Indiana
Penn State
Wisconsin
Roster turnover creates challenges for P.J. Fleck, but Minnesota should still secure bowl eligibility.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Prediction
Projected Record: 6-6 (3-6 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
Ohio
Bowling Green
North Dakota
Michigan State
Maryland
Rutgers
Predicted Losses
Indiana
Oregon
Washington
Illinois
Ohio State
Iowa
Matt Rhule has stabilized the program, but Nebraska still lacks the breakthrough victories needed to challenge the conference elite.
Northwestern Wildcats Prediction
Projected Record: 4-8 (1-8 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
South Dakota
Colorado
Ball State
Rutgers
Predicted Losses
Indiana
Penn State
Michigan State
Oregon
Iowa
Minnesota
Ohio State
Illinois
Northwestern should show offensive improvement but remains at a talent disadvantage against most Big Ten opponents.
Ohio State Buckeyes Prediction
Projected Record: 10-2 (8-1 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
Ball State
Kent State
Illinois
Iowa
Maryland
USC
Oregon
Northwestern
Nebraska
Michigan
Predicted Losses
Texas
Indiana
Ohio State once again boasts one of the nation's most talented rosters. Ryan Day's team is projected to reach the Big Ten Championship Game and remain firmly in the national title race.
Oregon Ducks Prediction
Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
Boise State
Oklahoma State
Portland State
USC
UCLA
Nebraska
Illinois
Northwestern
Michigan
Michigan State
Washington
Predicted Losses
Ohio State
Oregon enters the season as the conference favorite. Dan Lanning has assembled one of college football's deepest rosters, making the Ducks the team to beat in the Big Ten.
Penn State Nittany Lions Prediction
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
Marshall
Temple
Buffalo
Wisconsin
Northwestern
Purdue
Minnesota
Rutgers
Maryland
Predicted Losses
USC
Michigan
Washington
Matt Campbell's first season should produce immediate success and keep Penn State in the playoff discussion deep into November.
Purdue Boilermakers Prediction
Projected Record: 3-9 (1-8 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
Indiana State
Wake Forest
Maryland
Predicted Losses
UCLA
Notre Dame
Illinois
Minnesota
Washington
Penn State
Iowa
Wisconsin
Indiana
Purdue's rebuilding process continues as the Boilermakers navigate one of the nation's most difficult conference schedules.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Prediction
Projected Record: 4-8 (1-8 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
UMass
Boston College
Howard
Michigan State
Predicted Losses
USC
Indiana
Maryland
Northwestern
Michigan
Wisconsin
Nebraska
Penn State
Rutgers has intriguing offensive talent but lacks the depth needed to compete consistently throughout the conference slate.
UCLA Bruins Prediction
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
San Diego State
Purdue
Maryland
Wisconsin
Michigan State
Nevada
Illinois
Predicted Losses
California
Oregon
Minnesota
Michigan
USC
The Bruins should benefit from improved stability and are projected to comfortably reach bowl eligibility.
USC Trojans Prediction
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
San Jose State
Fresno State
Louisiana
Rutgers
Washington
Penn State
Wisconsin
Maryland
UCLA
Predicted Losses
Oregon
Ohio State
Indiana
USC possesses enough firepower to contend for a playoff spot and should remain in the CFP conversation throughout the season.
Washington Huskies Prediction
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
Washington State
Utah State
Eastern Washington
Nebraska
Minnesota
Purdue
Penn State
Michigan State
Indiana
Predicted Losses
USC
Iowa
Oregon
Washington remains one of the conference's most dangerous teams. Jedd Fisch's squad should challenge for a top-four finish.
Wisconsin Badgers Prediction
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
Predicted Wins
Western Illinois
Eastern Michigan
Michigan State
Rutgers
Maryland
Purdue
Minnesota
Predicted Losses
Notre Dame
Penn State
UCLA
USC
Iowa
Luke Fickell's program appears poised for another bowl season while continuing its climb back toward conference contention.
Projected 2026 Big Ten Final Standings
| Team | Record | Big Ten Record |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 11-1 | 8-1 |
| Ohio State | 10-2 | 8-1 |
| Indiana | 10-2 | 7-2 |
| USC | 9-3 | 6-3 |
| Washington | 9-3 | 6-3 |
| Penn State | 9-3 | 6-3 |
| Iowa | 9-3 | 6-3 |
| Michigan | 8-4 | 6-3 |
| Illinois | 8-4 | 5-4 |
| UCLA | 7-5 | 5-4 |
| Wisconsin | 7-5 | 5-4 |
| Nebraska | 6-6 | 3-6 |
| Minnesota | 6-6 | 4-5 |
| Northwestern | 4-8 | 1-8 |
| Rutgers | 4-8 | 1-8 |
| Maryland | 3-9 | 1-8 |
| Purdue | 3-9 | 1-8 |
| Michigan State | 3-9 | 1-8 |
2026 Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff Prediction
Oregon enters the season as the projected Big Ten champion and a legitimate national championship contender. Ohio State should earn a return trip to the conference title game, while Indiana remains firmly in the College Football Playoff picture after its historic championship run.
The battle for CFP at-large bids could be one of the season's biggest storylines, with USC, Washington, Penn State, and Iowa all projected to finish with nine wins. That crowded middle tier could create significant drama during the final weeks of the regular season.
Predicted CFP Teams from the Big Ten
Oregon (Big Ten Champion)
Ohio State
Indiana
One of USC, Washington, Penn State, or Iowa
With elite coaching, top-tier recruiting, and unmatched depth across the conference, the Big Ten is once again positioned to dominate the national championship race in 2026.
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