Big Ten Post-Spring Bold Predictions for the 2026 College Football Season
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College football’s long offseason reached another milestone in May, as spring practice for all 138 teams wrapped up. Now the process begins to assess takeaways and what the spring practice session might mean for the ‘26 season. Spring practice around the Big Ten provided plenty of intrigue, especially with three national title contenders in Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State likely clustered near the top of most preseason top-25 projections this fall. All three teams spent the spring working to address key question marks with a tough battle ahead for the national title. New Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham’s team was in the spotlight, along with USC’s defense under new coordinator Gary Patterson.
With spring practice completed, conference media days and preseason predictions are right around the corner. With the first look at all 18 Big Ten teams in the books, it’s never too early to make some bold predictions at how the ‘26 season could play out.
Athlon Sports’ editors Steven Lassan and Kyle Wood hand out bold predictions from the Big Ten following spring practice:
Big Ten Post-Spring Bold Predictions for 2026
Ohio State wins the Big Ten
Here’s a crazy stat: Ohio State has not won the Big Ten title since 2020. Despite winning the national title in the ‘24 season, the Buckeyes have not finished the job in conference play or in the title game in Indianapolis each December. Expect that to change in ‘26. Yes, the field is crowded with Indiana and Oregon among the top-10 teams in the nation, with Michigan and USC also in the mix as playoff contenders. Coach Ryan Day’s team has major holes to fill on defense, but coordinator Matt Patricia will find the right answers as the season progresses, while the offense remains dynamic against a difficult schedule and path to a conference championship. — Steven Lassan
Jeremiah Smith leads the country in receiving
This might not sound all that bold, considering Smith is widely recognized as the best pass-catcher — if not the best player — in the country. But Smith has finished fourth in receiving each of the last two years. These impressive campaigns have earned him All-America honors, but he’s yet to win the Biletnikoff Award for the most outstanding wide receiver. In his second season with Julian Sayin under center, and likely his final in college, Smith could easily outpace his competition and maybe even challenge Jaxon Smith-Njigba‘s program record. — Kyle Wood
- College Football’s Pre-Spring Rankings: Top 10 Wide Receivers for 2026
UCLA makes a bowl game in coach Bob Chesney’s debut
Chesney has won at every head-coaching stop in his career, including a 21-6 run at James Madison over the last two seasons. This move to the West Coast and to the Big Ten is a significant step up in competition, but Chesney will once again find a way to push the right buttons. Expect the Bruins’ two-year bowl drought to end in his first year. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava returns, and JMU transfer Wayne Knight should provide a needed spark for the ground attack. Chesney also added plenty of help to shore up the offensive line and defense for a roster returning only six starters. The schedule features plenty of toss-up games, but UCLA misses Indiana and Ohio State in conference action. That should allow the Bruins to find a path to six victories. — Lassan
Purdue wins its first Big Ten game since 2023
The Boilermakers are on a two-season skid against conference opponents. Funny enough, their last win over a Big Ten foe was against rival Indiana. Since then, the Hoosiers have completely turned things around en route to their first national title. Meanwhile, Purdue has lost 18 consecutive conference clashes. Year 2 for coach Barry Odom should yield further progress. And with some winnable games on the schedule, including visits from Maryland and Wisconsin, the streak should end this fall. — Wood
Michigan QB Bryce Underwood takes a massive step forward in his development
After an uneven freshman season in Ann Arbor, along with a shaky showing in Michigan’s spring game, Underwood’s development is under the microscope this offseason. If the sophomore lives up to his five-star billing out of high school, the Wolverines will contend for a playoff spot in coach Kyle Whittingham’s debut. Expect Underwood to do just that, as coordinator Jason Beck will get the most out of his talent in a breakout year for the ultra-talented sophomore quarterback. — Lassan
USC wins 10-plus games
This prediction is a bit bold. But Trojans coach Lincoln Riley might need it to come to fruition to continue coaching in Los Angeles. So far, his tenure at USC has been defined by disappointment, particularly in the Big Ten. Last season was a step in the right direction, as the Trojans’ 9-3 regular-season mark was their best since his 2022 debut. The offense will be strong once again with quarterback Jayden Maiava and a loaded backfield returning. Crucially, the defense could take the requisite step forward under Gary Patterson’s watch. The schedule, which includes Oregon, Ohio State and Indiana, leaves little room for error. But perhaps Riley responds to his warming seat with a breakthrough year. — Wood
Maryland or Wisconsin will make a bowl in 2026
Maryland and Wisconsin combined to go 8-16 overall and won just three Big Ten matchups last year. However, largely due to favorable scheduling, I’ll take one of these teams to go bowling in ‘26. The Terrapins feature some of the Big Ten’s top promising talent with quarterback Malik Washington and defenders Sidney Stewart, Zion Elee, and Zahir Mathis, along with 14 returning starters. The Badgers upgraded a struggling offense by landing Old Dominion transfer quarterback Colton Joseph and can build on some late-season momentum after winning two out of their final four games.
Wisconsin catches Notre Dame in non-conference play but misses Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, and Michigan in Big Ten action. Maryland catches the Buckeyes and has to play at Nebraska and USC. However, coach Mike Locksley’s team misses Oregon and Indiana and gets winnable matchups against Virginia Tech, Purdue, Wisconsin, Rutgers, and UCLA to go with a likely 2-0 start with Hampton and UConn to start the ‘26 campaign. — Lassan
Josh Hoover throws fewer than 10 interceptions
TCU coach Sonny Dykes did not mince words about his former quarterback’s turnover troubles after he transferred to Indiana. He threw 33 interceptions across three seasons as the Horned Frogs starter, the third-most in the FBS over that stretch. “When Josh got here, he met his two new best friends: great defense and a really good run game,” Cignetti said in response to Dykes’ dig. It’s true. Hoover won’t have to rely on his arm as often in IU’s quarterback-friendly offense, which maximized Fernando Mendoza and Kurtis Rourke, the last two transfers Cignetti poached. Simply put, Cignetti won’t tolerate double-digit picks after the entire team had less than 10 turnovers each of the last two seasons. — Wood
Penn State will contend for a playoff spot in 2026
With a new coach (Matt Campbell) and over 35 transfers added to the roster, Penn State is clearly a team in transition. However, even after all of that change coming off a 7-6 record, don’t be surprised if the Nittany Lions contend for a playoff spot thanks to a favorable schedule. Campbell’s team won’t play Indiana, Oregon, or Ohio State and a key swing matchup against USC takes place in Happy Valley. Road trips to Michigan and Washington are tough, but Penn State could be favored in nine or 10 contests. — Lassan
Rutgers has at least one consensus All-American
The Scarlet Knights saw running back Antwan Raymond and wide receiver KJ Duff both garner All-America honors last season. Raymond racked up over 1,200 rushing yards and 13 scores, emerging as one of the best backs in the Big Ten. Duff topped 1,000 receiving yards, including a near-program record 241 yards against Purdue. Their continued high-level play hinges largely on the performance of Boston College transfer quarterback Dylan Lonergan, but hopes for him are high in Kirk Ciarocca’s system. Rutgers hasn’t had a consensus All-American in decades, but these two skill-position players both have the talent to end that drought. — Wood
A Big Ten team plays for the national title again in 2026
This isn’t a particularly bold pick considering a team from the Big Ten has won three national titles in a row. However, with Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon all expected to start ‘26 in the top 10, the conference is positioned to have another team playing for the title – and potentially winning its fourth championship in a row. — Lassan
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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