Big Ten Football: Preseason 2026 Power Rankings

NCAAF College Football
August 5, 2026
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Fall practice for the 2026 college football season is underway, which means the start of the year with actual games in Week Zero on Aug. 29 and then again in Week 1 isn't far behind. With the '26 season right around the corner, it's time to power rank all 18 teams in the Big Ten.

The Big Ten is deep with national title contenders this season, as Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon each have a strong case to be ranked No. 1. The Buckeyes own a slight edge over the Hoosiers and Ducks in Athlon’s projections. There’s plenty of intrigue in the second tier of this conference, as Michigan and USC should be squarely in the mix to make the College Football Playoff. Washington, Penn State and Iowa round out the following tier. Behind new coach Matt Campbell and a favorable schedule, the Nittany Lions are a dark horse playoff contender. Illinois, Nebraska and Minnesota anchor the next set of teams in the preseason power rankings.

How do the 18 teams in the conference stack up this fall? Athlon Sports power ranks the Big Ten teams for 2026.

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It’s a slow climb back to bowl contention for the Boilermakers under second-year coach Barry Odom. Purdue hasn’t won a Big Ten contest since Nov. 25, 2023 and enters fall practice with just six returning starters and plenty of question marks.

New coach Pat Fitzgerald quickly reshaped a roster that went 4-8 and won just one Big Ten contest last season. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic showed promise late in the 2025 campaign and should be a primary building block for Fitzgerald this fall.

The Scarlet Knights return two of the Big Ten’s top offensive players in running back Antwan Raymond and receiver KJ Duff. However, coach Greg Schiano opens fall practice with an ongoing quarterback battle between AJ Surace and Dylan Lonergan. The defense must make major strides after giving up 36 points per game in Big Ten play last year.

The 2026 season is a make-or-break campaign for coach Mike Locksley following back-to-back 4-8 finishes. The cupboard isn’t bare, however. Quarterback Malik Washington leads a promising young core of talent.

Related: Big Ten Predictions for 2026

The Wildcats face one of the Big Ten’s toughest schedules, so returning to a bowl won’t be easy for coach David Braun’s team. New coordinator Chip Kelly should improve an offense that averaged only 20.3 points in conference action last year. Running back Caleb Komolafe headlines a deep backfield.

Coach Luke Fickell is squarely on the hot seat after a 9-15 record over the last two seasons. However, the Badgers have a favorable schedule, and a deep class of transfers headlined by quarterback Colton Joseph (Old Dominion) has optimism running high in Madison this fall.

The Bruins could be the Big Ten’s most improved team behind new coach Bob Chesney. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava should thrive under coordinator Dean Kennedy. However, question marks remain on both lines of scrimmage.

Behind quarterback Drake Lindsey, running back Darius Taylor and defensive end Anthony Smith, the Golden Gophers should challenge for another season of eight or more victories. Minnesota has reached that mark in four out of the last five years.

Transfer quarterback Anthony Colandrea (UNLV) is an intriguing fit for coordinator Dana Holgorsen’s offense. If the Cornhuskers are going to climb the Big Ten standings, marked defensive improvement under new coordinator Rob Aurich is a must.

With 19 victories since 2024, the Fighting Illini are coming off the best two-year stretch in program history. However, coach Bret Bielema’s team is reloading with only seven returning starters from last season. East Carolina transfer quarterback Katin Houser was a huge get from the portal, but Illinois’ playoff hopes will ultimately hinge on a revamped offensive line and overhauled defense.

Just six starters return, but expect coach Kirk Ferentz to reload in Iowa City. Led by Trevor Lauck and Kade Pieper, the Hawkeyes should have one of the Big Ten’s top offensive lines to clear rushing lanes for running backs Kamari Moulton and L.J. Phillips. Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski will resume their battle for the starting quarterback job this fall.

The Nittany Lions have a chance to surprise in new coach Matt Campbell’s first season. A schedule that misses Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State in Big Ten play is favorable. Also, Campbell brought a handful of players from his former job (Iowa State) to Happy Valley, including quarterback Rocco Becht.

The Huskies took a step forward in coach Jedd Fisch’s second year with a 9-4 record in 2025. With quarterback Demond Williams returning, contending for a spot in the College Football Playoff is a reasonable expectation. However, Washington’s road schedule is unforgiving with trips to USC, Nebraska and Oregon.

Are the Trojans ready to break through and earn a College Football Playoff trip in coach Lincoln Riley’s fifth season? Scoring points won’t be a problem with quarterback Jayden Maiava and a solid offensive line in place. But if USC is going to make the 12-team field, the defense behind new coordinator Gary Patterson has to step up.

New coach Kyle Whittingham inherits a strong roster, including a defense and offensive line that rank among the best in the Big Ten. Quarterback Bryce Underwood’s development under new coordinator Jason Beck is crucial to Michigan’s playoff hopes.

The Ducks have all of the pieces in place to contend for the program’s first national championship. Quarterback Dante Moore returns to lead a dynamic offense, and new coordinator Chris Hampton should keep Oregon’s defense near the top of the Big Ten. Coach Dan Lanning’s squad doesn’t have many glaring holes entering fall practice.

The Hoosiers lost some key pieces off last year’s national championship squad, but don’t expect coach Curt Cignetti’s team to slide too far in the Big Ten. TCU transfer Josh Hoover is one of the top quarterbacks out of the portal, and receivers Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh provide big-time weapons on the outside. Indiana also returns one of the Big Ten’s top offensive lines. Expect coordinator Bryant Haines to keep the defense among the best in college football.

It’s a close call at No. 1 between Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon. The Buckeyes hold a slight edge at the top, as coach Ryan Day’s team is headlined by quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith. A standout defense returns only three starters, but coordinator Matt Patricia should find the right answers.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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