4 Big Ten football teams primed for major turnarounds in 2026

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The Big Ten has ruled college football recently. Michigan, Ohio State and Indiana are the last three national champions, and there are a few teams set to contend for the national title this upcoming season.

But there are also teams that didn’t live up to expectations last season that are set to make big improvements this year.

They may not contend for a Big Ten title, or a national title, but you can expect these four sides to make big turnarounds from last year.

MORE: Ranking every projected Big Ten starting QB in 2026

Penn State, 7-6 in 2025

Penn State began last season as a top-five team in the country, and one team that was expected to contend for a national title. The 2025 season resulted in James Franklin losing his job, and following the season, the Nittany Lions brought in Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell.

Campbell had a hard reset on the program, bringing in a load of Cyclones, including quarterback Rocco Becht. To help matters, Penn State has the 62nd-ranked strength of schedule, per ESPN, which is the easiest in the Big Ten.

Penn State doesn’t draw Ohio State, Oregon or Indiana this season — the top three teams in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions do get a home game against USC and a road game against Michigan. Other than those two games, the rest are toss-ups, and PSU is a good bet to win nine or more games this year.

Wisconsin, 4-8 in 2025

It’s likely win or go home for Luke Fickell in 2026. He is clearly on the hot seat, and after two losing seasons, Fickell built a better roster, including quarterback Colton Joseph from Old Dominion. A lot will be resting on his shoulders—and arm—to lead the turnaround in Madison.

Luckily for Fickell, Wisconsin has the 40th-ranked strength of schedule, which is the second-easiest in the Big Ten. Like Penn State, the Badgers miss playing Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, and even Michigan.

Wisconsin starts out the season with Notre Dame, a likely loss, with games against Penn State and USC as the other two difficult challenges on the schedule. All of this sets up nicely for Fickell to get another season.

UCLA, 3-9 in 2025

It’s a new regime at UCLA and James Madison’s Bob Chesney has taken over. Chesney led the Dukes to the College Football Playoff in 2025, and while that’s likely not going to happen with the Bruins this season, you can expect UCLA to play better football.

UCLA still has Nico Iamaleava under center, a former five-star from Tennessee, and the Bruins’ schedule isn’t all that difficult. There is a scenario where UCLA can start the season 4-0 — a game at Cal to start the year won’t be easy — before the Bruins play against Oregon.

In Chesney’s first season at the helm, UCLA misses both Ohio State and Indiana. UCLA fans are looking for hope and a six or seven-win season is a reality for the Bruins this season with a potential bowl game on the line.

USC, 9-4 in 2025

I believe there is no doubt that Lincoln Riley’s seat is starting to get warm as the Trojans’ head coach. USC has yet to make the College Football Playoff under his watch and with quarterback Jayden Maiava back, the Trojans are expected to live up to the hype.

USC doesn’t have an easy schedule by any means, but the Trojans do get both Oregon and Ohio State at home. The Trojans also have away games against Indiana, Penn State, and Wisconsin.

If the Trojans are for real, they will split the two tough home games, while beating the teams they are supposed to on the road. A path to the College Football Playoff is there.

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