Early Big 10 power rankings announced by CBS

Early Big 10 power rankings announced by CBS

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Early Big 10 power rankings announced by CBS

The first Big 10 power rankings after the transfer portal window give a clear look at how teams stack up for the 2026 season. Rosters are mostly set. Spring practice is close. Some programs look ready to compete for a title, while others face big rebuilds. Indiana leads the way after a historic year, but the rest of the league shows strong balance from top to bottom. Here is the full list based on CBS’ early rankings.

18. Purdue

18. Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Ryan Browne (15) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Purdue remains at the bottom of the conference. The Boilermakers have won only seven games since 2023. They have not beaten a Big Ten team since September 2023. New coach Barry Odom inherits a roster with little proven talent. A bowl game would be a surprise. The rebuild will take time.

17. Maryland

17. Maryland
Maryland Terrapins quarterback Malik Washington (7) drops back to pass during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at SECU Stadium. Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Maryland keeps quarterback Malik Washington, which is a major win. The Terrapins also landed five star edge rusher Zion Elee. Beyond those two, star power is thin. Head coach Mike Locksley enters the season under heavy pressure. Improvement is needed fast.

16. Michigan State

16. Michigan State
Michigan defensive back Will Johnson celebrates after intercepting a pass from Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord during the first half at Michigan Stadium. Credit: Imagn Images

Pat Fitzgerald returns to the Big Ten at Michigan State. His hiring brings mixed reactions. Past success exists, but his Northwestern exit came with controversy. The Spartans have not had a winning season since 2021. Resources are better now, yet the climb will be steep.

15. Wisconsin

15. Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Riley Mahlman, left, and Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Kerry Kodanko (73) react to a touchdown scored by Wisconsin Badgers running back Darrion Dupree (6) during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Camp Randall Stadium. Credit: Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images

Luke Fickell is still trying to turn things around. The Badgers went 4 and 8 last season. That was their worst full season record in school history. A large transfer class of 33 players may help. Results must come soon or patience will run out.

14. Rutgers

14. Rutgers
Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver KJ Duff (8) lines up before a play during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at SHI Stadium. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Rutgers has strong skill players in KJ Duff and Antwan Raymond. Both can make all conference teams. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is gone. His replacement, Dylan Lonergan, was benched for part of last season at Boston College. Consistency at quarterback remains a concern.

13. Northwestern

13. Northwestern
Northwestern Wildcats kicker Jack Olsen (82) kicks the game winning field goal against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Wrigley Field. Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

David Braun has kept Northwestern steady. The Wildcats reached two bowl games after years of struggle. They finished 2025 with a bowl win over Central Michigan. Competing for the conference is unlikely. Staying around the middle of the standings is realistic.

12. UCLA

12. UCLA
UCLA Bruins wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer (3) carries the ball against the Southern California Trojans in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

UCLA made one of the biggest transfer moves in the country with 41 additions. Bob Chesney is trying to copy Indiana’s rebuild model. Former James Madison players lead the group. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava still needs to improve. Talent is there, but chemistry is unknown.

11. Illinois

11. Illinois
American Team quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) of Illinois throws during American Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

Illinois loses quarterback Luke Altmyer and key defenders Miles Scott and Gabe Jacas. Defensive coordinator Aaron Henry also left for Notre Dame. Bret Bielema has shown he can win here. Sustaining momentum without those leaders will be difficult.

10. Nebraska

10. Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) looks on during the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Nebraska started strong in 2025 but faded late. Dylan Raiola transferred out, leaving a big hole at quarterback. Anthony Colandrea arrives with experience from Virginia and UNLV. Running back Emmett Johnson is gone as well. Playmaking could improve, but mistakes remain likely.

9. Minnesota

9. Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive lineman Anthony Smith (0) celebrates after defeating the New Mexico Lobos in overtime during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Minnesota quietly won eight games again. Quarterback Drake Lindsey returns. Running back Darius Taylor is back too. The defense is led by Anthony Smith on the line. Stability is the main strength. A dark horse run is possible with the right breaks.

8. Iowa

8. Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes tight end DJ Vonnahme (81) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the third quarter during the ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Iowa stays reliable every season. The Hawkeyes were competitive even against Indiana last year. Quarterback Mark Gronowski has moved on. No transfer was added to replace him. The job falls to Jeremy Hecklinski or Hank Brown. Experience at quarterback is very limited.

7. Penn State

7. Penn State
Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Luke Reynolds (85) gains yards after catch as Clemson Tigers linebacker Fletcher Cothran (50) and linebacker Jeremiah Alexander (35) pursue during the second half of the 2025 Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Penn State changed direction by hiring Matt Campbell from Iowa State. Many of his former players followed him. Rocco Becht steps in at quarterback after Drew Allar left. Tight end Benjamin Brahmer and running back Carson Hansen will play big roles. A new system brings hope and risk.

6. Washington

6. Washington
Washington Huskies wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck (81) celebrates after a touchdown in the first half of the LA Bowl against the Boise State Broncos at SoFi Stadium. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Demond Williams Jr. returns after a dramatic transfer dispute. His talent gives Washington a high ceiling. Running back Adam Mohammed and receiver Denzel Boston are gone. The offensive line looks strong with four starters back. Protection should help Williams produce.

5. USC

5. USC
USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) throws during the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports

Jayden Maiava is one of the top quarterbacks in the league. He threw for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdowns last year. Most of his receivers are gone, including Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane. NC State transfer Terrell Anderson adds experience. The defense also changes after losing coordinator D’Anton Lynn.

4. Michigan

4. Michigan
Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) throws the ball against the Texas Longhorns during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Michigan faces major change. Kyle Whittingham takes over after Sherrone Moore was fired. Jason Beck joins as offensive coordinator. Young quarterback Bryce Underwood has talent but struggled as a freshman. Coaching upgrades bring optimism, but questions remain across the roster.

3. Oregon

3. Oregon
Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq (18) looks on before the game against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Oregon’s strength is quarterback depth. Dante Moore returns as the starter. Dylan Raiola arrives as a proven backup. Dan Lanning continues to recruit at a high level. Both coordinators left for head coaching jobs, but promotions kept staff stability. Talent across the roster keeps the Ducks near the top.

2. Ohio State

2. Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes running back CJ Donaldson (12) reacts after making it to the endzone during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Credit: Adam Cairns-Imagn Images

Ohio State owns one of the most talented rosters in the country. Julian Sayin leads the offense. Jeremiah Smith returns as the main target. Arthur Smith is the new offensive coordinator. The defense added key transfers from Alabama, Wisconsin, Florida State, and Duke. Expectations remain championship level.

1. Indiana

1. Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers running back Roman Hemby (1) runs with the ball against the Miami Hurricanes during the second half of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Indiana sits alone at the top. The Hoosiers finished 16-0 and won their first national title. Curt Cignetti keeps the program rolling. Transfer quarterback Josh Hoover replaces Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. Defensive stars Rolijah Hardy and Tyrique Tucker return. Coordinator Bryant Haines also stays. Nothing suggests a sharp drop

Conclusion

The Big Ten looks deep and competitive heading into 2026. Indiana leads after a perfect season, but Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, and USC are close behind. Teams like Washington and Penn State bring fresh energy with new leaders. The bottom half still faces long rebuilds. Spring practice will shape these rankings further, but early signs show another tight race at the top of the conference.

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