I'm confident Big Ten will win another national title
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Jul. 21—CHAMPAIGN — Get ready, college football fans. You are about to enter the picking season.
In the next month, The Associated Press preseason Top 25 poll will be announced, along with the preseason All-American team.
A year ago, Illinois opened the season ranked No. 12. Following an early win at Duke, Illinois climbed to No. 9.
Don't expect the same kind of debut in 2026. Because of significant losses on both sides of the ball (quarterback Luke Altmyer, outside linebacker Gabe Jacas, offensive lineman J.C. Davis and receiver Hank Beatty are the big ones), outside expectations aren't as great for Illinois before it opens the season at 8 p.m. on Sept. 3 against UAB in Champaign.
I've got the Illini ranked at No. 30, just off my ballot. Polls opened Monday.
My guess is Bret Bielema's sixth team will open the season among the "others receiving votes" — with a chance to climb into the Top 25 if Illinois can start 3-0 with wins against UAB, Duke and Southern Illinois.
Do that — and win the fourth game — and Illinois will zoom up the rankings. Remember, the fourth game is at Ohio State, which should be ranked among the nation's top five teams going in. An often-repeated statistic for Illinois: the 19 combined wins the in the 2024 and 2025 seasons were the best stretch in school history. A great accomplishment. But Indiana just won 16 games in a year.
Now, about the Big Ten. For the past 16 years, the nice folks at have been asking Big Ten reporters to rank the conference in the preseason, from top to bottom. Entering my 39th year at The News-Gazette, I am again part of the panel. Here is how I voted, with results set to be announced early next week.
1. Indiana
2. Ohio State
3. Oregon
4. Michigan
5. Southern California
6. Washington
7. Penn State
8. Iowa
9. Illinois
10. UCLA
11. Nebraska
12. Minnesota
13. Northwestern
14. Wisconsin
15. Maryland
16. Rutgers
17. Michigan State
18. Purdue
Seems like there is a clear distinction in the Big Ten between the Big Three: Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon and the rest. From the next five, one of them could rise to College Football Playoff contention. My best guess would be Washington, which has a quarterback in Demond Williams Jr. who appears capable of leading the Huskies to a special season.
Indiana over Ohio State.
The Hoosiers are the kings until someone knocks them off. Not sure that will happen before 2027. If then.
1. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State receiver
2. Julian Sayin, Ohio State quarterback
3. Dante Moore, Oregon quarterback
Because of all the great quarterbacks, Smith might not be the first pick in the 2027 NFL draft, but he should be. To me, he is the most talented player in the game since Barry Sanders. So glad I get to see him in person again.
1. Brandon Finney, Oregon defensive back
2. A'Mauri Washington, Oregon defense lineman
3. Tyrique Tucker, Indiana defensive lineman
Not as many household names this time around. That's because three of the first 11 picks in the 2026 NFL draft were Big Ten defenders. All these guys can play.
Curt Cignetti, Indiana.
Might be easier just to name the award after the Indiana coach. What he's accomplished in Bloomington, Ind., is nothing short of ridiculous.
Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon.
Michigan would be the fourth team but the Wolverines are breaking in a new coach and face a brutal schedule. They've got the Hoosiers, Ducks and Buckeyes, plus a visit from Oklahoma. Welcome to Ann Arbor, Kyle Whittingham.
Yes. Confidence is high the Big Ten will win again. I'm just not sure what team will hoist the trophy when the confetti falls the night of Jan. 25, 2027 inside Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos