The Big Ten football landscape is set to shift in 2026, with the conference's top teams vying for national championships and playoff spots. Here's a breakdown of the projected win-loss records for each team, along with key insights and commentary.
Purdue Boilermakers
Projected Record: 1-11 (0-9 Big Ten)
After consecutive winless seasons, Purdue struggles to break through. Coach Barry Odom's second year hasn't brought significant improvement, and the team remains at the bottom of the Big Ten.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Projected Record: 2-10 (0-9 Big Ten)
The loss of quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and a porous defense make Rutgers' outlook grim. Running back Antwan Raymond will carry the load, but a winless conference season is a possibility.
Northwestern Wildcats
Projected Record: 3-9 (1-8 Big Ten)
Northwestern's schedule is brutal, with key games against Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, Penn State, and Iowa. Their up-and-down trend continues, with 2026 being a down year.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Projected Record: 5-7 (2-7 Big Ten)
The departure of Dylan Raiola and the arrival of Anthony Colandrea at quarterback signal a potential regression. Coach Matt Rhule's squad faces challenges in reloading, leading to a down year.
Maryland Terrapins
Projected Record: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Retaining quarterback Malik Washington is a positive, but Maryland's overall talent is lacking. Bowl eligibility is a stretch, but they'll be competitive.
Michigan State Spartans
Projected Record: 6-6 (4-5 Big Ten)
Pat Fitzgerald takes over, aiming to stabilize the team. A .500 record in his first season would be a success, marking a step towards relevancy.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Projected Record: 6-6 (3-6 Big Ten)
Minnesota's schedule is tougher in 2026, with key games against Indiana, Penn State, Washington, Michigan, and Iowa. Despite bringing back key players, their roster isn't strong enough for consistent wins.
Wisconsin Badgers
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
Coach Luke Fickell's move to land Colton Joseph at quarterback should elevate the Badgers. They'll be bowl-eligible, but a return to their winning ways is uncertain.
UCLA Bruins
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
With a new coaching staff and Nico Iamaleava at quarterback, UCLA aims for respectability. Seven wins would be a solid season, a step up from their previous year.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Projected Record: 7-5 (4-5 Big Ten)
Despite a depleted roster, coach Bret Bielema is expected to keep the team above .500. Seven wins seem achievable, with a key non-conference game against Duke.
Michigan Wolverines
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
Michigan's schedule is brutal, with games against Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, and Penn State. Quarterback Bryce Underwood's raw talent may struggle against top opponents.
USC Trojans
Projected Record: 8-4 (5-4 Big Ten)
With Jayden Maiava at quarterback, USC has potential. However, a regression in defense is expected, limiting their ability to close out close games.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Iowa's consistent nine wins are expected to continue. Their tough stretch in the middle of the season could be a challenge, but their offense is unlikely to improve significantly.
Washington Huskies
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
The Huskies are close to contender status but fall short with losses to Indiana and Oregon. The quarterback battle between Demond Williams Jr. and Jayden Maiava will be intriguing.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Projected Record: 10-2 (6-2 Big Ten)
Penn State enjoys a favorable schedule, missing Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana. They'll finish with 10 wins, but their true potential is closer to 8-9 wins.
Indiana Hoosiers
Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
Indiana reloads via the transfer portal, adding talent like Josh Hoover and Nick Marsh. Coach Curt Cignetti's leadership positions them as contenders for a Big Ten title.
Oregon Ducks
Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
Oregon's defense and Dante Moore's leadership make them a top contender. They'll achieve an undefeated schedule and a playoff berth, continuing their recent success.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Projected Record: 12-0 (9-0 Big Ten)
The Buckeyes' elite defense and Julian Sayin's talent make them a strong favorite for the national championship and playoff supremacy.
