Now with three straight national titles and potentially counting, the Big Ten has the hard results to back up what was already looking like the case to the untrained eye: this is the best conference in college football.
Where you can trace this back to depends on your perspective. The Big Ten’s administration would like you to believe that shrewd moves like the decision to add four of the Pac-12’s most successful programs to the fold has a lot to do with it. However, none of the three teams that have won national titles the past three seasons are from that group.
Supporters of the SEC would argue that their own dominance brought this upon themselves, as many teams in the Big Ten pivoted from their historically plodding, conservative philosophies as a response to keeping pace with the more modern style characterized by speed that the SEC had popularized within the game.
And yet another contingent believes that the incorporation of NIL (i.e. transparent and legal payment of athletes) has shifted the advantage to schools where wealthy alumni and associated donors can suddenly play an outsized role in determining how quickly bad situations can develop into good ones. This is hard to counter on its face, as schools like Indiana and most recently Northwestern (both large, wealthy alumni bases) have constructed plans to compete quickly in ways that have, thus far, worked to perfection.
But wherever you stand on the issue, this much is clear. With the recent success that the conference has had and the number of loaded rosters peppered across the league heading into the 2026 season, the Big Ten has undeniably ascended to the forefront of can’t miss action in college football.
Embed from Getty ImagesTeams I Like
Ohio State
It was a disappointing end to last season for the Buckeyes, which waltzed through the scheduled portion unbeaten before dropping their final two contests (Big Ten Championship + quarterfinal Playoff game) to effectively come away empty handed despite spending the majority of the year ranked as the No. 1 team in the nation. Weaknesses such as inexperience at the quarterback position and a relative lack of opportunities to test themselves prior to the business end of the season were exposed at the worst times.
In 2026, neither of those things will be true. Julian Sayin is now a veteran, put on some weight in the offseason and should be capable of anticipating pressure better and exploiting the holes created by it. The Buckeyes lost former offensive coordinator Brian Hartline to South Florida, but incoming OC Arthur Smith will bring a fresh look to the offense and Ohio State has the talent at running back and offensive line to excel in his system. The schedule features plenty of landmines this season, but that is to be expected from the toughest conference in college football and the Buckeyes are built to withstand a little bit of bending. This is all to say, the outlook is similarly bright coming into this year and Ohio State can weather the more robust regular season challenge to put themselves in position, yet again, to win a national title.
Oregon
The Ducks are still searching for their first ever national title, but have been knocking on the door every year that Dan Lanning has been with the program. Since coming to Eugene five years ago, Lanning’s teams have matched or improved their ranking in the AP poll from pre- to postseason every year, finishing in the top five to end each of the past two seasons. Oregon is slotted in the AP’s No. 2 spot to begin the year, meaning that there are really only two possibilities in order for Lanning to keep that streak alive. The Ducks have the squad to achieve that, with Dante Moore opting to return to school before heading to the Draft to add to his resume with a specific accolade: national champion.
Moore may be the singular piece that signals to even the casual fans that Oregon is a bonafide national title contender, but it’s the defense that collectively ensures the Ducks will contend against the other candidates. Oregon returns eight starters from last year’s squad, adds a highly touted safety to an already strong secondary and really just needs to break in a linebacking corps that lost two players to the NFL. If that unit comes together, the Ducks will almost surely field another top 10 defense nationally and provide a safety net for an offense that doesn’t need one. With the Big Ten having won the last three national titles via three different programs, it’s an easy narrative to suggest that Oregon’s chances have never looked better.
Indiana
As if Curt Cignetti needed any built-in bulletin board material to use for the season in which the Hoosiers seek to defend their improbable national title, the AP voters went ahead and gave it to him by ranking Indiana behind two other Big Ten foes and another school within the same state. The Hoosiers may be losing their Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, two NFL-caliber wide receivers and pro talent at each level of the defense, but the cupboard did not suddenly become empty for Cignetti & Co. Indiana faces its toughest competition of the season primarily at home and are fully capable of running it back in 2026.
Indiana’s 46 sacks were second most in the country (national runner-up Miami had 50), and the Hoosiers will need to get production off the edge from some new faces to be anywhere near as dominate at creating pressure. Kansas State transfers Chiddi Obiazor and Tobi Osunsanmi are the presumed answers, combing for 10.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks last season. If that aspect of the defense comes together, this team is similarly equipped offensively compared with last season to give opponents trouble and Indiana’s schedule compared with the other presumed contenders in the Big Ten is favorable. If you are still doubting the Hoosiers, do so at your own risk.
Southern Cal
Stop me if you’re heard what’s about to be said anywhere before – actually, don’t do that, because you have. Lincoln Riley is widely regarded as one of the best offensive minds in the college game, and this isn’t the first time that people have been high on his squad coming into a season. The challenge to that is that Riley’s teams have never truly come through when the expectations are highest, and for some the reoccurring positivity is starting to wear on them. With an experienced quarterback, running back corps offensive line and a defense that has the personnel both on and off the field to challenge the notion that Riley’s teams typically falter there, it’s time for Southern Cal to show us what they’ve got.
Last year’s regular season losses were marked by a consistent shortcoming – the Trojans’ inability to stop the run. Illinois, Notre Dame and Oregon all rushed for over 170 yards on the ground against Southern Cal, attempting 35, 44 and 41 attempts, respectively (three of the top four totals that the Trojans saw last season). This year a ton of talent and depth return on both the defensive line and at the next level, and Riley has brought in Gary Patterson as defensive coordinator to stop the bleeding once and for all. If the measures work, we can already safely assume the offense will be strong and thus the Trojans would be a complete team for the first time during Riley’s tenure here.
Wisconsin
It has been a rough first three years for Luke Fickell in Madison, a hire that I lauded as exceptional when it was initially announced. I’ve stuck by my original claim since then and am glad that Wisconsin’s administration feels similarly, putting any speculation to bed last November by announcing that Fickell would return for another season. While Fickell is ultimately responsible for a downward trajectory that has seen Wisconsin win fewer games each season that he has been with the program, not very many teams in the country have been unluckier with injuries. At the risk of betting against something so up to chance (injuries) happening yet again, I believe that the tide will turn in 2026 for the Badgers.
Wisconsin hasn’t finished in the top quarter of the Big Ten in rushing since 2021, and at one time Fickell decided to move away from the program’s cultural preference towards the offensive style. It appears that has changed, with the Badgers bringing in Old Dominion’s Colton Joseph (1,007 rushing yards last season) to run the offense and grabbing Iowa State’s Abu Sama (732 rushing yards in 2025) to be the lead back. With any sort of stability on the offensive line, Wisconsin should resemble the type of team that fans there want to see. The schedule is more forgiving in 2026 as well, with opportunities for the Badgers to get some early wins and build momentum as it prepares to weather the most treacherous stretch of the conference slate in late October to mid-November. Wisconsin probably won’t be in the conference title mix, but the Badger faithful should finally be rewarded for their patience with Fickell with a respectable campaign and first postseason appearance since 2023.
Embed from Getty ImagesNot High On
Penn State
Before any readers accuse me of piling onto the Nittany Lions out of spite, this take has nothing to do with the fact that Penn State made Around The Corn look foolish by predicting an unbeaten regular season in 2025. That one definitely hurt, but this angle has everything to do with the approach that new head coach Matt Campbell has taken to assemble his first squad in Happy Valley. This is a transfer heavy squad, with over half of the new additions following Campbell over from Iowa State (including quarterback Rocco Becht). Effectively, Campbell is going to try to win with his Iowa State team in a tougher conference.
I would be more inclined to believe in this approach had the Cyclones not disappointed me in the Big 12 last season, failing to live up to my expectations for a Playoff berth via that route. Penn State’s schedule is generally favorable, with no Ohio State, Oregon or Indiana on the slate, but even the four game stretch featuring Southern Cal and road trips to Michigan and Washington is more treacherous than anything that Campbell’s group from Ames saw in the Big 12 last season. The Nittany Lions were better than their 7-6 record last season, but consequently were more talented than this year’s squad. Falling somewhere between an unbeaten regular season and six wins won’t meet the expectations that it seems most people have for Penn State.
Nebraska
The first three years of Matt Rhule’s tenure have been characterized by multiple bouts of coming close but ultimately being unable to break through. Now in 2026, with perhaps his most talented team on paper, Rhule’s squad must face a grueling schedule that features contests against Indiana, Oregon, Washington, Ohio State and Iowa. Where the Cornhuskers will probably take steps forward in terms of execution from multiple units, the results probably won’t be significantly different in terms of wins and losses.
On offense the Cornhuskers will deploy a more run-heavy style, with Anthony Colandrea coming in at quarterback and possessing a far greater ability to move the ball downfield with intent on the ground than Dylan Raiola was able to do. Defensively, new coordinator Rob Aurich is deploying a new scheme (4-2-5), that ultimately should benefit the Cornhuskers, which struggled at times stopping the run last season in a scheme that features one less down defenseman. The changes are logical, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Cornhuskers drop six of their last seven games of the season. If that were to happen, from an outsider’s perspective it would be incredibly hard to detect and improvement over last season.
Embed from Getty ImagesPlayers To Watch
Julian Sayin, Ohio State quarterback
Sayin burst onto the scene in 2025, winning the national Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting and got Nick Saban to admit that he missed on the quarterback. Things seemed to come with ease to the then-redshirt freshman, who racked up over 3,600 yards passing, 32 passing touchdowns, a 177.46 QBR and was just two completions away from breaking Bo Nix’s single-season pass completion percentage record. Then, the Big Ten title game and quarterfinal Playoff game happened, and seemingly overnight some began to question whether Sayin was the real deal.
I’m here to assure you all that he is, in fact, the real deal and that will become apparent throughout the 2026 season. The things that Sayin had to learn (how to anticipate and counter the outside rush) came out in those final two games of the 2025 campaign, but it’s something that most young quarterbacks have to learn. The fact that he proved his worth in just about every other area should remain the focus in terms of his ceiling. At times last year the Ohio State coaching staff appeared to have him on training wheels, and I expect that those will be removed to start this season. Under the impression we will see Sayin make better decisions in the pocket by his own accord, a second invitation to New York City in December may be just the beginning of another accolade filled campaign.
Josh Hoover, Indiana quarterback
For Curt Cignetti’s offense to be as potent as it has been for years, above average quarterback play is a must. Cignetti has managed to acquire that at Indiana via the portal the past few offseasons, and while comparison to Fernando Mendoza isn’t the main goal with this next statement, it is bound to be treated as one. On his own, Josh Hoover is the most accomplished passer that Cignetti has gotten a chance to work with in Bloomington and gives the Hoosiers a great opportunity to defend their national title.
Hoover’s yards thrown and touchdown passes at TCU top what Kurtis Rourke and Fernando Mendoza were able to do before joining Indiana, his QBR is just a hair below what Rourke’s was at Ohio and despite not being known as a runner, has just three fewer rushing touchdowns than Rourke (a true dual threat option) did during his tenure in Athens. Cignetti is getting a proven commodity that, like Mendoza, did more with less at his previous location, a team with average defenses and a reliance on the aerial attack (TCU was No. 2 in passing offense the past three seasons). If he can come anywhere close to what Mendoza was as a leader (something that Cignetti had a profound effect on), there won’t be as much as a drop off for Indiana at the position as many expect.
Dante Moore, Oregon quarterback
It was a surprising decision for Moore to return to college for this season, framed as a prime example of how the NIL era can influence how even the very top prospects choose to handle their decision to take on the next level. However, 2026 can also serve as a major boost for Moore, who was clearly outplayed by eventual No. 1 draft choice Fernando Mendoza when the two met up on multiple occasions last season.
A mobile quarterback with a knack for escaping pressure and the ability to remain accurate when outside the pocket, Moore is one of the more difficult quarterbacks to contain. His biggest opportunity this season is to prove to doubters that he can remain elite against the best defensive competition, something that was brought into question in 2025 against Indiana and Iowa. There are multiple instances where Moore can achieve this in 2026, and if he is able to guide Oregon to victories in its biggest games this season, a lot of those concerns will disappear as next year’s Draft approaches. It will also mean that Oregon is likely achieving what Moore and the Ducks set out to do prior to the season – make a run at the school’s first national title.
Jayden Maiava, Southern Cal quarterback
Like Moore, Maiava turned down an opportunity to leave for the NFL early in favor of honing his skills for another season at the college level. Maiava’s advantage is that he plays in Lincoln Riley’s system, known for accentuating the skills of its signal-callers. Additionally, with an experienced offensive line, Maiava should receive the best protection he has gotten while at Southern Cal. This will provide him with plenty of opportunities to wait for routes to develop and connect with his targets deeper downfield, a skill that has made Maiava an attractive pro prospect.
Having finished sixth in the country in passing yards last season, Maiava is already on the shortlist for a number of individual awards handed out to quarterbacks. At 6’4”, 225 pounds, he has the physical skillset to really climb up the draft board if he is able to cut down on turnovers this season. Given the possibility of Southern Cal’s defense to be improved, Maiava may be comfortable taking fewer risks, which would presumably allow him to have his best season yet in terms of taking care of the football.
Andrew Marsh, Michigan wide receiver
Marsh was Michigan’s top receiver in terms of yards and receptions as a true freshman last season, impressive as much as anything because he only had one reception for 30 yards through four games. His skillset was never in question, but the way that the Wolverines wanted to move the football last season and how freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood was utilized ultimately influenced just how effective Marsh was going to be within the offense.
Now with Underwood poised to break out and Michigan deploying a slightly different offensive philosophy under Kyle Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck, Marsh is poised to become the national household name that his physical talent warrants. He was second in the country in receiving yards by freshman last season, but the perceived gap between him and Malachi Toney was greater than it should be. When targeted last season, Marsh proved his ability to be a star and should see more action come his way in 2026. He’ll capitalize on that accordingly.
Malik Washington, Maryland quarterback
At 6’5”, 231 pounds, Washington is a handful is more ways than one. His 3,266 total yards of offense last season were sixth most in the Big Ten, and that was accomplished in a pro style offense. With Maryland switching to a spread style this season, it can be expected that Washington’s statistical numbers will improve some thanks to the system. However, they’ll also improve thanks to experience that Washington didn’t have last year. A true freshman in 2025, Washington was still entrusted to start all 12 games for the Terrapins.
As a native of the Baltimore area, Washington both draws inspiration from and is (perhaps unfairly, at this point) compared to another quarterback that has made his name in Baltimore. While it seems too early to call Washington the next Lamar Jackson, the future seems very bright for the sophomore. If his team helps him out more this season (part of the story behind his 57 percent completion rate was a receiving corps that led FBS in drops in 2025), Washington is bound to receive praise as one of the Big Ten’s most effective quarterbacks in a league chalk full of talent at the position.
Embed from Getty ImagesGames to Watch (Conference)
Oregon at Southern Cal (September 26)
This former Pac-12 matchup proved pivotal to Playoff inclusion last season and figures to hold similar importance in 2026. It has been 10 years since the Trojans beat the Ducks, and even as strong as Oregon looks could be Southern Cal’s best chance to end the drought.
Ohio State at Indiana (October 17)
In a game that didn’t feel all that important at the time, No. 2 Indiana beat No. 1 Ohio State for the Big Ten crown and top overall seed in the CFP last season. Ultimately, it ended up having a massive impact in terms of scouting Miami, but more relevant to this matchup gave Ohio State something of a revenge angle to consider when traveling to Bloomington for this one.
Indiana at Michigan (October 24)
Defending national champion Indiana could make a massive statement by beating Ohio State at home then taking out Michigan at the Big House one week later in a crucial stage for all three teams. Imagine reading that sentence just three years ago. But it’s all factual.
Ohio State at Southern Cal (October 31)
The last time the Buckeyes traveled to play Southern Cal at The Coliseum (2008), they were boat raced 35-3. This season, Ohio State will have the luxury of a bye week ahead of this one to prepare while the Trojans will be recovering from what could be a difficult trip to Wisconsin the week prior.
Oregon at Ohio State (November 7)
Currently a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup, but there are plenty of opportunities for that to change before this one is played. That being said, the Buckeyes and Ducks do appear to be a couple of the most talented teams in the country and we have recent history to suggest this matchup could easily play out later on in the season with even more on the line.
Southern Cal at Indiana (November 14)
For the second week in a row, the Trojans will face a team coming off a bye week (Ohio State one week earlier). Additionally, Southern Cal has struggled with road trips as a Big Ten member, recording a poor 3-4 conference record when playing outside the Pacific time zone. This could be a must-win contest for the Trojans to maintain contact with a Playoff berth.
Michigan at Oregon (November 14)
There is some built-in familiarity between the two coaches, with Kyle Whittingham and Dan Lanning having faced each other a couple of times when both were in the Pac-12. Lanning holds a 2-0 record in the series, but must face Ohio State on the road the week prior.
Michigan at Ohio State (November 28)
The Game always belongs on this list and may once again possess Playoff implications for both squads this season. Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood had his worst game of the season against the Buckeyes last year, and while he insists it doesn’t hit differently in this rivalry matchup, he really needs to perform well in one before making a controversial claim like that.
Embed from Getty ImagesGames to Watch (Non-Conference)
Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin [game in Green Bay, WI] (September 6)
The Shamrock Series travels to Cheese Country for its thirteenth edition and represents only the third college football game to be played at Lambeau Field. Wisconsin’s retooled offense will get everything it can handle against perhaps the best defense in the country.
Ohio State at Texas (September 12)
A rematch of last season’s highly anticipated Week 1 matchup is once again a highly anticipated early season matchup (shifted one week later). With both quarterbacks considered veterans now, expect there to be far less hesitancy in opening up the offenses to try to gain an advantage compared with last season’s 13-10 result.
Oklahoma at Michigan (September 12)
This one is early enough in the season where we won’t know exactly what to expect from Oklahoma’s defensive front, a unit that willed the Sooners to a surprise Playoff berth in 2025 and was third best in the country (77.3 YPG rushing allowed). If it is similarly strong, it will be very difficult for Kyle Whittingham to endear himself to Michigan fans in his first real test in Ann Arbor.
Embed from Getty ImagesAw, Shuck It (3 Bets to Place)
*odds via DraftKings at time of publication. Around The Corn is not responsible for lost bets!
Bo Jackson Wins Doak Walker Award (+1000)
Jackson proved as a freshman that he is someone that can be leaned on to established a more balanced attack within the run game. With Arthur Smith now calling the shots for the Buckeyes on offense and Jackson a year older, expect Ohio State to look more like the 2024 team that won the national title on that side of the ball. Jackson will benefit greatly.
Penn State Under 9.5 Wins (-175)
On paper, it would appear that taking this bait means that Penn State will lose all of its most difficult battles in 2026. But the Nittany Lions are effectively Iowa State from last season, and the Cyclones dropped three games they shouldn’t have. This is all about Matt Campbell needing to prove it again in a tougher environment.
Big Ten CFP Teams Total Over 3.5 (+100)
In the two seasons that the CFP has featured 12 teams, a conference has had four of its teams selected. It isn’t a matter of “if” it will happen again, but for “whom.” With seven teams making the preseason Top 25, the Big Ten is the favorite to achieve it in 2026.
Embed from Getty ImagesPredictions
- Indiana (11-1, [8-1])
- Ohio State (10-2, [8-1])
- Oregon (10-2, [7-2])
- Michigan (10-2, [7-2])
- Penn State (9-3, [6-3])
- Southern Cal (9-3, [6-3])
- Iowa (8-4, [5-4])
- Washington (8-4, [5-4])
- Wisconsin (7-5, [5-4])
- Nebraska (7-5, [4-5])
- Minnesota (7-5, [4-5])
- Maryland (6-6, [4-5])
- UCLA (7-5, [4-5])
- Illinois (6-6, [3-6])
- Northwestern (5-7, [2-7])
- Rutgers (4-8, [1-8])
- Michigan State (3-8, [1-8])
- Purdue (2-10, [1-8])
Conference Title Game
Indiana vs. Ohio State (game in Indianapolis)
Champion: Ohio State
