Big Ten Power Rankings – Preseason
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Hello there and welcome to the Big Ten Power Rankings! Each week we’ll rank how the teams across the conference are playing, in the hopes of seeing just who is a contender, and who is a pretender over the course of the season.
The rules are few, but resolute:
Teams are ranked by how they’re playing at that time. Not body of work, not rankings in the polls, but simply how each team is playing at that point in the season.
The approach to the rankings is not necessarily on the field results (though those do count, as an obvious, tangible data point), but more generally if the two teams played at a neutral site 100 times, which team would win 51 times (or more).
These rankings are subjective. As the author I get to follow the rules as closely or loosely as I want to, and if you don’t like the rankings, you’re wrong.
We are just one week away from the start of the 2026 season, though a few teams – including one Big Ten team – have already started on the action in Week 0. Let’s get to it!
Tier 1: Playoff Locks
Teams that are all but guaranteed to make the playoffs, if they continue to play the way they have played thus far.
1. Ohio State
OSU fell to eventual runner up Miami in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoffs 24-14. But as always, OSU reloaded and looks to be one of the top teams to beat this year, coming in as the preseason #1 team in the country. They’ll kick off their season by hosting Balls Tate.
2. Oregon
The Ducks got hosed by eventual national champion Indiana 56-2 in the quarterfinals of the CFP, but somehow managed to bring back Dante Moore, and may be an even more potent threat than the Buckeyes. Their season opener has Boise State coming to town in one of the more intriguing Week 1 matchups.
3. Indiana
I won’t doubt Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers after winning it all last year, but unlike OSU and Oregon, I need to see Indiana weather roster turnover before I say that they’re set to repeat. North Texas comes for a visit next.
Tier 2: Playoff Hopefuls
Teams that could very well end up in the playoffs, but need to continue to improve their resume and move up the rankings before they can make it.
4. USC
The Trojans ended last year with a 30-27 overtime loss to TCU in the Valero Alamo Bowl, but got back to business with a Week 0 42-26 win over San Jose State. Up next, Fresno State comes for a visit.
5. Michigan
The Wolverines lost to Texas 41-27 in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl last year, but with new head coach Kyle Wittingham, they figure to be a potent threat from here on out. Western Michigan comes to town next.
Tier 3: High-Level Bowl Teams
Teams that likely won’t make the playoffs, but will represent the conference in quality bowls, including the Citrus Bowl and the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.
6. Washington
The Huskies beat up on Boise State 38-10 in the Bucked Up LA Bowl at the end of last season, and once again figure to play prominently in the conference. Washington State comes to town on Sunday afternoon for an early season Apple Cup.
7. Penn State
After a disastrous season, the Lions clawed their way back to respectability with a 22-10 win over Clemson in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. Now new head coach Matt Campbell gets to show off how well he handles the roster and coaching turnover, as Marshall visits for Week 1.
8. Iowa
The Hawkeyes spoiled the Fightin’ Diego Pavias 34-27 in the ReliaQuest Bowl to end last year. Kirk Ferentz is back for his 386th year as head coach, and will gt to hose Northern Illinois to start the season.
Tier 4: Low-Level Bowl Teams
Teams that will end up making it to a bowl game, but likely the bowls that aren’t quite as prestigious, including the Pinstripe Bowl and the Music City Bowl.
9. Minnesota
The Gophers defeated New Mexico 20-17 in the Rate Bowl, and PJ Fleck has returned as head coach. Minnesota takes on Eastern Illinois Thursday evening to start the year.
10. Illinois
The Illini squeaked by Tennessee 30-28 in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl, and are one of the more enigmatic teams in the conference. I wouldn’t be surprised if they make a playoff push, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they take a nosedive. Either way, the season starts with a Thursday night game against UAB.
11. Northwestern
The Wildcats smacked Central Michigan 34-7 in the GameAbove Sports Bowl last year. This year, they begin the season with a visit from South Dakota State.
12. Nebraska
The Huskers got walloped by Utah 44-22 in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl to end the last season, and may be on the cusp of bowl ineligibility this year in what could be a prove-it year for Matt Rhule. Ohio comes to town to start the season.
Tier 5: Bowl-Ineligible Teams
Teams that are on a trajectory to end the season below .500 and miss out on a post-season bowl game.
13. Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights were actually feisty last year, and almost cost the Lions from making the postseason. But they didn’t, and instead sat at home for their holidays. UMass comes to town on Thursday to begin the season.
14. Michigan State
MSU did not make a bowl game last year, but will hope for more this year as they take on Toleda to start things off.
15. Maryland
Another team that sat at home last year, with higher hopes this time around. Hampton visits to get things going.
16. Wisconsin
A make it or break it year for Luke Fickell up in Madison, and things start off with a doozy as the Badgers travel to take on Notre Dame Sunday night to start the season.
17. UCLA
After an up-and-down season last year, including a shocking upset of Penn State, the Bruins are hoping to build on things this year, beginning with a visit to play Cal in an old school Pac-12 After Dark game.
Tier 6: The Basement™
The worst of the worst, teams whose fans wear paper bags over their heads and count down the days until they have a new head coach.
18. Purdue
Purdue had a rough year in 2025, going 2-10 on the year and winless in conference play. Here’s hoping Purdue can get at least one win this year when they hose Indiana State Friday night!
No squiggles this week. Next week. Patience is a virtue.
On to Week 1!
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