The Best Big Ten Game of the Week for all of 2026

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WEEK 0 (Aug. 29)

San Jose State at USC

This is the pick by default as USC is the only Big Ten squad appearing in week 0. San Jose State is coming off a 3-9 season which ended on a four-game losing skid. I don’t expect them to put up much of a fight against the Trojans, but at least college football will be gracing our screens for the first Saturday of 2026.

WEEK 1

Boise State at Oregon

Oregon has a serious argument to be preseason #1 with a plethora of talent, including quarterback Dante Moore returning in 2026. The one troubling aspect is that the Ducks have ended their last two seasons being dismantled in the playoffs (to the eventual national champs, for what it’s worth). Can Oregon prove they are legitimate contenders this season, or are they a program that just wins a lot of games but can’t get over the hump? We’ll get a first peek in an otherwise lackluster week one, especially compared to the fantastic opening weekends of recent years.

Runner-Up: UCLA at Cal

WEEK 2

Ohio State at Texas

This top-5 match-up will be the first true “can’t miss” game of the season. The Longhorns will be looking to avenge last season’s 14-7 loss in Columbus in a game where both quarterbacks were making their first start. There should be more offense this time around with both Julian Sayin and Arch Manning returning under center. Texas may be the nation’s top-ranked team heading into the season, as they return an abundance of talent on both sides of the ball. The Buckeyes, as always, will do the same even after having 11 players drafted, including four of the top 11 overall players. Ohio State just always seems to have playmakers waiting in the wings, who should replace the likes of Carnell Tate and Caleb Downs.

Runner-Up: Oklahoma at Michigan

WEEK 3

Virginia Tech at Maryland

The schedule cools off after a blockbuster week two. However, the thought of James Franklin heading to Maryland, where he was once “coach in waiting” is too good to pass up. It could make for an interesting match-up too, with the Terps typically playing their best football of the season in September. Franklin is looking to make a big splash in his first year in Blacksburg, but will need to survive this one before heading into ACC play.

Runner-Up: Colorado at Northwestern

WEEK 4

Iowa at Michigan

Michigan could become a contender if quarterback Bryce Underwood is ready to live up to the hype. He played relatively well as a true freshman, but will need to take a giant leap to meet expectations as the #1 overall recruit from 2025. You can always rely on the Hawkeyes having playing physical, disciplined defense as long as Kirk Ferentz is on the sidelines. This will be a great early season test to see how far Underwood is ready to carry the Michigan offense.

Runner-Up: Oregon at USC

WEEK 5

Washington at USC

Both of these teams have one of the best returning quarterbacks in the nation, as well as a strong nucleus of talent returning in 2026. This game isn’t just a longstanding rivalry between PAC-12 transplants, but could be an early-season playoff elimination game. Either way, expect a wildly entertaining shootout with Jordan Maiva and Demond Williams under center.

Runner-Up: Ohio State at Iowa

WEEK 6

USC at Penn State

USC and Penn State are responsible for some recent instant classics. Now the series (likely) gets the Whiteout treatment. This could be the stiffest test for the Nittany Lions this season, and it comes one week before the clash with Michigan in the Big House. This will be a compelling battle that should have playoff implications by season’s end that hopefully gets the primetime slot it deserves.

Runner-Up: Iowa at Washington

WEEK 7

Ohio State at Indiana

Who could have guessed this would be perhaps the biggest regular season game of the season? The Buckeyes will be seeking revenge following the 13-10 loss to the Hoosiers in the conference championship last year to prove they are still tops in Big Ten pecking order. Indiana will look to show they are here to stay and can become a perennial Big Ten/national title contenders. The Hoosiers added Josh Hoover from TCU. who should take away the sting of losing Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza to the NFL. This will be a battle just as things become more dire on the college football calendar.

Runner-Up: Penn State at Michigan

WEEK 8

Indiana at Michigan

For some reason, the Wolverines would often have their hands full with the Hoosiers when they were still cellar-dwellers. They could be in for a beatdown now that Indiana has risen its status to national champions. This game comes at a tough time on the schedule for both, with Indiana coming off a game against Ohio State and Michigan playing Penn State the previous week.

Runner-Up: Oregon at Illinois

WEEK 9

Ohio State at USC

This will be the first time these historical programs meet as conference opponents. USC actually has a 4-1 advantage, sweeping the Buckeyes in home-and-home series in 1989-90 and again in 2008-2009. Ohio State should be a road favorite this time around, but USC could make things interesting with an improved offensive line and defense that has held the program back during the start of Lincoln Riley’s tenure. The Trojans could boost their playoff chances if they can find a way to upset the Buckeyes at home.

Runner-Up: Washington at Nebraska

WEEK 10

Oregon at Ohio State

It sure seems like the Big Ten likes to backend the schedule with marquee games, huh? It will make for a phenomenal November match-up. This could reasonably be a #1 vs. #2 match-up as Oregon returns loads of talent at just about every position group, and Ohio State is, well, Ohio State. These two split the series in ’24, when Oregon was able to escape with a win at home before being bulldozed by the Buckeyes in the playoffs. This game will have implications on who is going to Indianapolis to play for a Big Ten crown and may be the deciding factor for the #1 overall seed in the playoffs.

Runner-Up: Penn State at Washington

WEEK 11

Michigan at Oregon

This could be the game that helps launch Michigan into the playoffs, or they could already be an afterthought. It all depends on Underwood’s ability to take the next step. If that happens, expect a hard-fought battle for four quarters as Kyle Whittingham attempts to right the ship in his first year at Ann Arbor.

Runner-Up: USC at Indiana

WEEK 12

Indiana at Washington

Will the Hoosiers be able to survive a road trip to Husky Stadium? They should be the better team, but a cross-country trip to one of the nation’s loudest venues will be no small task against a talented Washington squad. This also comes at the end of a tough stretch for Indiana, with games against Ohio State, Michigan, Minnesota and USC before meeting the Huskies. Washington will be playing with their hair on fire in front of their home crowd, especially if they are still in the fight for a playoff spot.

Runner-Up: Iowa at Illinois

WEEK 13

Michigan at Ohio State`

You don’t necessarily have to like either team – you just have to love college football to enjoy this one. Even if the results have no significance, every player on the field will give every ounce of effort for 3+ hours. Add in the aesthetics of classic uniforms and the usual snow flurries, and there isn’t much else you can ask for during Thanksgiving weekend.

Runner-Up: Washington at Oregon

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