2026 Big Ten preseason power rankings heading into fall camp

2026 Big Ten preseason power rankings heading into fall camp

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2026 Big Ten preseason power rankings heading into fall camp

The Big Ten has a streak to continue this season, and there appear to be several contenders within the conference worthy of doing so. The last three national champions have come from within the conference, with Michigan, Ohio State and Indiana bringing home titles.

So, who’s next?

The Buckeyes and Hoosiers are firmly in the mix again, as well as the Oregon Ducks. The Ducks haven’t been able to get over the hump in the College Football Playoff, but the roster for the 2026 season might be the perfect storm of talent and experience to finally deliver a championship to Eugene.

We know the Big Ten is top-heavy in terms of contenders and talent, particularly at quarterback. Michigan, USC and Penn State should make some noise as well and have a chance to jump into the playoff. The bottom of the league, however, could be a pit of despair, as some programs look to start over or continue building their way up.

Here are our power rankings for the Big Ten with fall camp just around the corner.

18. Purdue Boilermakers

Nov 18, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; A detail view of a Purdue Boilermakers helmet on the sideline during a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

While I do believe in Barry Odom’s ability to build a competitive team, I don’t think it’s happened yet at Purdue. The Boilermakers were 2-10 a year ago and didn’t add much talent around quarterback Ryan Browne. Texas transfer running back Jerrick Brown is interesting, and Georgia transfer edge rusher Elo Modozie should make some noise. Still, there isn’t enough to get them out of the conference basement yet.

17. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Rutgers Scarlet Knights helmet during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field.

Rutgers has an interesting quarterback battle to settle during fall camp, and whoever wins will benefit from KJ Duff being a primary weapon on the perimeter. Outside of that, Greg Schiano hasn’t done nearly enough to change the roster heading into year seven. Couple that with a daunting schedule that includes USC, Indiana, Michigan and Penn State, and there isn’t a lot of momentum backing the Scarlet Knights right now.

16. Northwestern Wildcats

EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 09: A detail of a Northwestern Wildcats helmet prior to the game against the UTEP Miners at Ryan Field on September 09, 2023 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Perhaps the biggest acquisition of the offseason for Northwestern was offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Last time he was in college, he won a national championship at Ohio State. While the expectations aren’t quite as high for the Wildcats this season, Kelly should help the Wildcats build a stable running game and develop Michigan State transfer Aidan Chiles under center. Still, the Wildcats will take trips to Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State, while hosting Penn State, so reaching a bowl game might be difficult.

15. Michigan State Spartans

Sep 7, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; A detailed view of Michigan State Spartans helmet on the field before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Pat Fitzgerald’s first season in East Lansing shouldn’t garner many expectations. He hasn’t coached since being fired by Northwestern in 2022 for hazing allegations within the program, and the Spartans have almost no recruiting hype to speak of. If you’re a Michigan State fan looking for something exciting to watch this season, quarterback Alessio Milivojevic finished strong last season. Maybe that carries over in a new offense.

For more Michigan State news and analysis, check out Spartans Wire!

14. Maryland Terrapins

General view of a Maryland Terrapins helmet during warmups prior to the game

We’re starting to enter hot-seat territory within the conference. Mike Locksley is heading into year eight with the Terrapins and posted a 4-8 record in back-to-back seasons. If it weren’t for the brilliance of Malik Washington at quarterback as a true freshman last year, it could have been even worse. Washington will help Maryland score points, but there might not be enough wins on the schedule for Locksley to stick around beyond this season, despite facing a fairly balanced schedule.

13. Wisconsin Badgers

Oct 8, 2022; Evanston, Illinois, USA; A general view of a Wisconsin Badgers helmet during a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Luke Fickell is in a similar boat to Locksley, likely coaching for his job this season. Fortunately, the Badgers brought in Old Dominion transfer Colton Joseph at quarterback. Joseph is a dynamic threat with a quick arm and even quicker legs, and he should keep the offense afloat this season. Wisconsin is known for sticking around in games against superior opponents, winning two ranked games last season, but they have not finished seasons strong under Fickell. Maybe the offense keeps things interesting against Notre Dame to start the season. There is some optimism here.

For more Wisconsin news and analysis, check out Badgers Wire!

12. UCLA Bruins

Jul 29, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; A detailed view of UCLA Bruins helmet during Pac-12 Media Day at Novo Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

UCLA has the potential to be the biggest riser in the power rankings this season. Bob Chesney brought over plenty of talent from James Madison, which crashed the College Football Playoff last season, and Nico Iamaleava is a perfect fit in Chesney’s offense. The Bruins have some speed defensively and recruited well, so there is a chance some young playmakers get on the field early this season. Chesney only knows how to win now, with a 21-6 record at James Madison in two seasons. There will be some bumps along the way, but the offseason adds and a fair break in the schedule should set the Bruins up for a chance to return to a bowl game.

For more UCLA news and analysis, check out UCLA Wire!

11. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Oct 6, 2018; Madison, WI, USA; A Nebraska Cornhuskers helmet sits on the sidelines during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

UNLV transfer Anthony Colandrea is the headliner at quarterback for Matt Rhule, who needed to replace Dylan Raiola. The reigning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year has big game experience and is a dynamic threat that should score plenty of points this season. That said, the Cornhuskers have not closed in tight games under Rhule, and that’s something the program has to prove it’s capable of doing before I place them any higher. Nebraska has some intriguing weapons on offense, but a 19-19 record in three seasons under Rhule does cast some doubt that the team can reach its potential.

For more Nebraska news and analysis, check out Cornhuskers Wire!

10. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Minnesota Golden Gophers helmet during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

All P.J. Fleck does is find a way to reach a bowl. That job should be easier this season with Drake Lindsey under center as one of the fastest rising passers in the country. Minnesota did lose some talent in the portal, most notably safety Koi Perich, but Fleck made a big add, landing Auburn wideout Perry Thompson and several defensive linemen. The schedule isn’t soft, however, with road trips to Washington, Indiana and Penn State on the horizon, as well as home dates with Michigan and Iowa.

9. Illinois Fighting Illini

Oct. 1, 2022; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini helmet during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium.

Illinois is experiencing plenty of change in 2026, with Katin Houser taking over for Luke Altmyer at quarterback, but Bret Bielema is chasing another nine-win season in Champaign. The Illini have never won nine or more games in three straight seasons, but Bielema could get them there if everything breaks right against a very favorable schedule, excluding a trip to Ohio State and a visit from Oregon. The Illini should be a contender for a nice bowl game and could toss the Big Ten standings into the air if they can knock off the Ducks or Buckeyes.

8. Iowa Hawkeyes

Oct 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; General view of Iowa Hawkeyes helmets prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

As always, Iowa is going to play tremendous defense and be a pain to play against in any situation. However, there is an unsettled quarterback battle between two passers with very little experience. The schedule isn’t easy either, with games against Michigan, Ohio State and Washington on consecutive weekends early in the season. However, the Hawkeyes are one of the most consistent programs in the country, so they are hard to bet against. You can probably count on Iowa to pull off one shocking win this season and finish in the top 25.

For more Iowa news and analysis, check out Hawkeyes Wire!

7. Washington Huskies

Sep 21, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Detail view of a Washington Huskies helmet before a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Now we are entering the tier of teams vying for a playoff spot. Washington had a mildly turbulent offseason, thanks to quarterback Demond Williams Jr. trying to leave the program but ultimately returning. No matter what is said, that’s an awkward situation in Seattle. Still, Williams wins with a big arm and his legs, and the Huskies should be able to build on a 9-4 season a year ago. The Huskies won’t have to leave the West Coast until a mid-October trip to Purdue and get games against Penn State and Indiana at home. If Washington can survive a difficult November, it should be in the thick of the playoff hunt.

For more Washington news and analysis, check out Huskies Wire!

6. Penn State Nittany Lions

STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 21: A view of the back of the helmet of a Penn State Nittany Lions player prior to the Playoff First Round Game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Beaver Stadium on December 21, 2024 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

A year removed from a disaster, Penn State is trending up again under new coach Matt Campbell, who brought veteran quarterback Rocco Becht with him from Iowa State. Becht is the consistent passer that Penn State has long been searching for, and with a couple of returning defensive stars, the Nittany Lions are in good shape. While I don’t expect them to compete for the conference crown just yet, the schedule is very welcoming, with a home matchup against USC and trips to Michigan and Washington being the only real concerns.

For more Penn State news and analysis, check out Nittany Lions Wire!

5. Michigan Wolverines

Apr 1, 2023; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines helmet on the sideline during the Spring Game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

If we’re talking about consistency, then Kyle Whittingham’s historic success at Utah has to be considered. Whittingham brought offensive coordinator Jason Beck with him to Ann Arbor, which should be a tremendous boost for sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood. The defense should remain physical up front, thanks to the addition of John Henry Daley, and the Wolverines have a completely new direction. This is a scary Michigan team that many are overlooking coming into the season.

For more Michigan news and analysis, check out Wolverines Wire!

4. USC Trojans

A Southern California helmet sits on the field before the game against Purdue on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Ross-Ade Stadium.

USC is never short on talent, especially offensively, and the Trojans are bringing in some quality freshmen this season for Lincoln Riley in a must-win season. The schedule is brutal, facing Oregon, Washington and Penn State in consecutive games, and matchups against Ohio State, Indiana and UCLA looming later in the season. However, anything short of a CFP bid for the Trojans might be deemed a disappointing season given the talent on the roster. Riley hasn’t made the playoff yet at USC, and he hasn’t been all that close. There is some hot-seat buzz surrounding Riley, but this is by far his best shot to silence the critics.

For more USC news and analysis, check out Trojans Wire!

3. Indiana Hoosiers

Jan 18, 2026; Miami, FL, USA; An Indiana Hoosiers helmet at the CFP head coaches press conference at JW Marriott Marquis Miami. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Curt Cignetti essentially did a speedrun of one of the most difficult rebuilds in college football history by winning a national championship with a bunch of transfers and an unstoppable offense. Can he do it again? TCU transfer Josh Hoover is far more turnover-prone than Fernando Mendoza was, but he has a bevy of wideouts to throw to, including Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh. The schedule opens well before a much tougher finish, but counting Cignetti out would be foolish at this point. The Hoosiers could win the Big Ten and become the top seed in the playoff again this season, but a lot of their hopes hinge on Hoover’s ability to conquer his demons.

2. Oregon Ducks

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 29: A general view of Oregon Ducks football helmets during the second half against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

You could throw the Ducks in the top spot, but until the postseason success catches up with the regular season, this is a fair spot. Oregon returns a Heisman candidate in Dante Moore and a host of talented receivers, as well as an aggressive front seven that will give anyone on their schedule trouble. A November trip to Ohio State could change everything in the Big Ten race, but ultimately, the Ducks should make it to the CFP, and it’s on Dan Lanning to finally get the team over the hump. Much like the 2024 championship team the Buckeyes put together, the Ducks have the perfect storm of returning production and new talent. If there are any holes, it’s the inexperienced offensive line that will be thrown into the fire.

For more Oregon news and analysis, check out Ducks Wire!

1. Ohio State Buckeyes

Jan 19, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; An Ohio State Buckeyes helmet at College Football Playoff National Championship press conference at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Savannah Ballroom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Ohio State is the favorite to win the conference and the national title, thanks to the duo of Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith offensively. The Buckeyes fumbled in postseason play after an undefeated regular season last year, but I’m willing to give Ryan Day the benefit of the doubt this season as the Buckeyes hunt redemption. A non-conference test at Texas should set the tone early for Ohio State before games against Indiana, USC and Oregon in consecutive weeks later in the season. The defense has to replace several massive stars like Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs, which is easier said than done. A high-powered offense like Oregon could give the Buckeyes trouble, but Ohio State has plenty of time to quell those concerns before that game arrives.

For more Ohio State news and analysis, check out Buckeyes Wire!

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: 2026 Big Ten preseason power rankings heading into fall camp

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