The 2026 college football season is fast approaching, and the Big Ten is gearing up for another exciting year of competition. With the conference boasting the last three national champions, it's no surprise that the 2026 season is shaping up to be another thrilling one. But who will come out on top? Let's take a closer look at the projected win-loss records for each team in the Big Ten.
Purdue Boilermakers
In my opinion, the Purdue Boilermakers are set to have another tough season in 2026. With a projected record of 1-11 (0-9 Big Ten), it's hard to see where the wins will come from. Coach Barry Odom is in his second year at the helm, and while the roster has improved incrementally, it's still in the basement of the Big Ten. The most notable games for the Boilermakers will be against Notre Dame, Washington, and Indiana, but it's unlikely they'll come away with many wins.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are facing an uphill battle in 2026, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. With the loss of experienced quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, the Scarlet Knights are projected to have a winless season in conference play. Running back Antwan Raymond will have to carry a heavy load in his second season as the starter, but it won't be enough to overcome the porous defense. The most notable games for the Scarlet Knights will be against USC, Indiana, and Penn State, but they're unlikely to come away with many wins.
Northwestern Wildcats
The Northwestern Wildcats had an up-and-down 2025 season, and 2026 is projected to be another down year. With a schedule that includes tough games against Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, Penn State, and Iowa, it's unlikely the Wildcats will be able to replicate their 2025 success. The most notable games for the Wildcats will be at Indiana, at Oregon, and at Ohio State, but they're projected to lose most of their games.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are facing a challenging season in 2026, particularly with the loss of quarterback Dylan Raiola. Coach Matt Rhule's squad didn't reload as they had hoped, and it's likely they'll regress from their 2025 performance. The most notable games for the Cornhuskers will be against Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State, but they're projected to lose most of their games.
Maryland Terrapins
The Maryland Terrapins are in a bit of a rebuilding phase, but they have a chance to be frisky in 2026 with the return of talented freshman quarterback Malik Washington. However, there's not much to be proud of around him, and the Terrapins are projected to miss out on bowl eligibility. The most notable games for the Terrapins will be at Ohio State, at USC, and vs. Penn State, but they're unlikely to come away with many wins.
Michigan State Spartans
The Michigan State Spartans are in a state of flux, but they have a chance to slowly bring themselves back to relevancy under new coach Pat Fitzgerald. A .500 record in Fitzgerald's first season would be a win, and the Spartans are projected to have a 6-6 (4-5 Big Ten) record. The most notable games for the Spartans will be at Notre Dame, vs. Washington, and vs. Oregon, but they're unlikely to come away with many wins.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers had a relatively easy schedule in 2025 that led them to eight wins, but 2026 is projected to be a different story. With a schedule that includes Indiana, Penn State, Washington, Michigan, and Iowa, it's unlikely the Golden Gophers will be able to replicate their 2025 success. The most notable games for the Golden Gophers will be at Washington, vs. Michigan, and at Indiana, but they're projected to lose most of their games.
Wisconsin Badgers
The Wisconsin Badgers are in a bit of a rebuilding phase, but they have a chance to be bowl eligible in 2026 with the return of Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph. Coach Luke Fickell is still around, and the Badgers are projected to have a 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten) record. The most notable games for the Badgers will be vs. Notre Dame, at Penn State, and vs. USC, but they're unlikely to come away with many wins.
UCLA Bruins
The UCLA Bruins had a tough 2025 season, and 2026 is projected to be another challenging year. With the old James Madison coaching staff coming in and quarterback Nico Iamaleava, the Bruins should be more respectable, but they're unlikely to be world-beaters. The most notable games for the Bruins will be at Cal, at Oregon, and at Michigan, but they're projected to lose most of their games.
Illinois Fighting Illini
The Illinois Fighting Illini are facing a challenging season in 2026, particularly with the depletion of their roster from last season. However, coach Bret Bielema is unlikely to allow the Illini to drop below .500, and they're projected to have a 7-5 (4-5 Big Ten) record. The most notable games for the Illini will be vs. Duke, at Ohio State, and vs. Oregon, but they're unlikely to come away with many wins.
Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan Wolverines drew a brutal schedule for 2026, with games against Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, and Penn State, as well as a nonconference Week 2 meeting with Oklahoma. Quarterback Bryce Underwood is talented but still very raw, and it's unlikely he'll be able to pull off any upsets. The Wolverines are projected to have a 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten) record.
USC Trojans
The USC Trojans have a high ceiling in 2026 with the return of quarterback Jayden Maiava. However, I'm expecting a regression on the defensive side of the ball after a strong performance in 2025. The Trojans are projected to have an 8-4 (5-4 Big Ten) record, and they'll be in games against Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon, but they won't be able to close the deal.
Iowa Hawkeyes
The Iowa Hawkeyes have a tough three-week stretch in the middle of the season, with games against Michigan and Washington sandwiched around a home date with Ohio State. It's unlikely the Hawkeyes' offense will come to life this year, and they're projected to have a 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten) record. The most notable games for the Hawkeyes will be at Michigan, vs. Ohio State, and at Washington, but they're unlikely to come away with many wins.
Washington Huskies
The Washington Huskies are knocking on the door of Big Ten contender status, but they're projected to have a tough season in 2026 with losses to Indiana and Oregon. The quarterback dual between Demond Williams Jr. and Jayden Maiava for USC should be one to watch, but ultimately the Huskies won't get over the hump. They're projected to have a 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten) record.
Penn State Nittany Lions
The Penn State Nittany Lions had a tough 2025 season, but they have a favorable schedule in 2026 that includes missing Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana. Coach Matt Campbell's squad is projected to have a 10-2 (6-2 Big Ten) record, but they're more like an 8- or 9-win-caliber team. The most notable games for the Nittany Lions will be vs. USC, at Michigan, and at Washington, but they're unlikely to come away with many wins.
Indiana Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers lost a lot of talent across the roster, but they didn't lose the most important piece: coach Curt Cignetti. He reloaded via the transfer portal, landing TCU quarterback Josh Hoover and Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh, who will combine with Charlie Becker to form one of the top receiving duos in the nation. With Cignetti at the helm, the Hoosiers are projected to have an 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten) record and push for a Big Ten title game berth. The most notable games for the Hoosiers will be vs. Ohio State, at Michigan, and at Washington, but they're unlikely to lose many games.
Oregon Ducks
The Oregon Ducks are projected to have a strong season in 2026 with a 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten) record. Trips to Columbus have resulted in wins for the Ducks in recent years, but the Buckeyes prevail in this 2026 matchup. No matter, as the Ducks will go undefeated the rest of their schedule and achieve a third straight berth in the playoff. With Dante Moore leading the way and one of the best defenses in the country from a roster perspective, the Ducks have as high of a ceiling as any team in the country. The most notable games for the Ducks will be at USC, at Ohio State, and vs. Washington, but they're unlikely to lose many games.
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are projected to have a strong season in 2026 with a 12-0 (9-0 Big Ten) record. It's hard to imagine the Buckeyes losing a game in the regular season, particularly with wide receiver Jeremiah Smith's third year and second working with talented quarterback Julian Sayin. The defense always seems to reload with elite prospects, and that should happen once again. The Buckeyes are projected to be the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff come December. The most notable games for the Buckeyes will be at Texas, at Indiana, and vs. Oregon, but they're unlikely to lose many games.
