Where every Big Ten team ranks in CBS Sports’ preseason 1-138 rankings

Where every Big Ten team ranks in CBS Sports’ preseason 1-138 rankings

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Where every Big Ten team ranks in CBS Sports’ preseason 1-138 rankings

The Big Ten has run college football for the past three seasons, delivering a national championship each season and surging as the best conference in the country. While the SEC might argue against that, championships are the ultimate goal, and the Big Ten is in a position to bring another trophy home again in 2026.

Preseason rankings are circulating as fall camp begins and the countdown to the first weekend of games draws more attention. The US LBM Coaches Poll has already revealed its favorite teams heading into the season, and we at Ducks Wire unveiled our Big Ten power rankings and record predictions before fall camp.

CBS Sports is getting in on the action with its annual ranking of all 138 FBS teams heading into the season. It's a much bigger endeavor than just ranking the top 25, and it provides clarity on where the conference as a whole stands heading into the season.

Here's where all of the Big Ten teams rank in CBS Sports' preseason 1-138 rankings.

No. 82 — Purdue Boilermakers

Sep 6, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Antonio Harris (22) runs the ball during the second half against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: Not ranked

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking:No. 18

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 1-11 (0-9 Big Ten)

No. 66 — Michigan State Spartans

Oct 25, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans safety Malik Spencer (43) reacts after a third down defensive play against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: Not ranked

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 15

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 6-6 (4-5 Big Ten)

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

No. 62 — Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Nov 29, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Kj Duff (8) reacts after a touchdown reception during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: Not ranked

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 17

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 2-10 (0-9 Big Ten)

No. 60 — Wisconsin Badgers

Sep 6, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Danny O'Neil (18) hands the ball off to running back Darrion Dupree (6) during the second half against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: Not ranked

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 13

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)

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

No. 52 — Maryland Terrapins

Oct 11, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Malik Washington (7) throws from the pocket during the first half Nebraska Cornhuskers at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: Not ranked

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 14

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)

No. 48 — Northwestern Wildcats

Sep 27, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Caleb Komolafe (5) celebrates his touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: Not ranked

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 16

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 3-9 (1-8 Big Ten)

No. 42 — UCLA Bruins

UCLA's Nico Iamaleava celebrates after Jaivian Thomas' touchdown against Michigan State during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: Not ranked

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 12

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 7-4 (5-4 Big Ten)

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

No. 40 — Minnesota Golden Gophers

Sep 6, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back John Nestor (17) celebrates as he returns an interception for a touchdown against the Northwestern State Demons during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: Not ranked

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 10

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 6-6 (3-6 Big Ten)

No. 33 — Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nov 8, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Nyziah Hunter (13) runs the ball against UCLA Bruins defensive back Key Lawrence (4) during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: Not ranked (12 votes)

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 11

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 5-7 (2-7 Big Ten)

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

No. 29 — Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois running back Kaden Feagin celebrates a touchdown with quarterback Luke Altmyer on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette.

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: Not ranked (62 votes)

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 9

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 7-5 (4-5 Big Ten)

No. 21 — Iowa Hawkeyes

Dec 31, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton (28) reacts after a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the first quarter during the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: No. 22

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 8

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)

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

No. 19 — Washington Huskies

Sep 7, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies running back Cameron Davis (22) and tight end Decker DeGraaf (86) celebrate after DeGraaf caught a pass for a touchdown against the Eastern Michigan Eagles during the first half at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: No. 19

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 7

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 9-3 (6-2 Big Ten)

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

No. 18 — Penn State Nittany Lions

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 22: Kaytron Allen #13 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates with Koby Howard #3 and Ethan Grunkemeyer #17 after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium on November 22, 2025 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: No. 17

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 6

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 10-2 (7-2 Big Ten)

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

No. 15 — Michigan Wolverines

Oct 4, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Jordan Marshall (23) rushes in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: No. 16

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 5

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)

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

No. 14 — USC Trojans

Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans running back King Miller (30) runs for a touchdown in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: No. 14

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 4

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 8-4 (5-4 Big Ten)

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

No. 6 — Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana's Charlie Becker (80) scores a touchdown during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: No. 6 (14 first-place votes)

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 3

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)

No. 2 — Oregon Ducks

Oregon celebrates a touchdown by Oregon quarterback Dante Moore as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington.

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: No. 2

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 2 (six first-place votes)

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)

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

No. 1 — Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.

US LBM Coaches Poll Ranking: No. 1 (38 first-place votes)

Ducks Wire Big Ten Power Ranking: No. 1

Ducks Wire Record Projection: 12-0 (9-0 Big Ten)

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

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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Where every Big Ten team ranks in CBS Sports’ preseason 1-138 rankings

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