Big Ten Power Rankings 2026: Ohio State Leads, USC Eyes Breakthrough

The Big Ten’s reputation as a college football powerhouse is hard to argue with. Three different programs have claimed the last three national championships, and the depth of talent here is honestly wild.

With the 2026 season inching closer, it’s time to poke around the post-spring Big Ten power rankings. Which teams and players are set to shake things up?

Ohio State: The Buckeyes Lead the Pack

Ohio State sits at the top of the Big Ten once again. Even without a conference title in the last five years, they’ve kept their edge.

Star receiver Jeremiah Smith and quarterback Julian Sayin headline a loaded roster. Those steady top-five recruiting classes? Yeah, they keep the Buckeyes stacked and dangerous.

Key Players and Strengths

Eight starters return on offense, including that Smith-Sayin combo everyone’s talking about. The defense is reloading, but it’s Ohio State—expect them to figure it out.

Oregon: The Ducks are Rising

Oregon’s only been in the Big Ten a short time, but they’ve made noise with a 17-1 regular-season record. Still waiting on that playoff breakthrough, though.

Dante Moore returns at quarterback, and eight defensive starters are back. That’s a solid core for 2026.

Challenges and Opportunities

Both coordinators left for head coaching gigs, which stings a bit. But with Dan Lanning steering the ship and a bunch of experienced players, Oregon isn’t going anywhere.

Indiana: Defending Champions with High Expectations

Indiana, last year’s Big Ten and national champs, have a target on their backs. They lost big names like Fernando Mendoza and Omar Cooper Jr., but they brought in five four-star transfers, including QB Josh Hoover.

Key Additions and Strategy

Snagging that many high-level transfers shows Indiana’s got pull and a plan. Those new faces should keep them right in the mix.

USC: Lincoln Riley’s Moment to Shine

Lincoln Riley’s feeling the heat at USC—this is a big year for him. With 15 starters back, the Trojans should finally make their College Football Playoff debut, right?

Offensive and Defensive Highlights

Jayden Maiava returns, and they added NC State transfer Terrell Anderson to the offense. Replacing production from stars like Makai Lemon and J’Kobi Lane won’t be easy, though.

Michigan: A New Era Under Kyle Whittingham

Michigan made a splash by hiring Kyle Whittingham from Utah. The idea is to steady the ship and maybe get back in the CFP picture, with Bryce Underwood at quarterback.

Defensive Strength and Offensive Potential

Whittingham’s no rookie, and he’s bringing in defensive talent like John Henry Daley and Smith Snowden. The real question is whether Underwood can take the offense to the next level.

Penn State: Matt Campbell’s New Vision

Matt Campbell took over at Penn State and brought 23 former Iowa State players with him. That’s a lot of familiar faces and maybe a faster transition than usual.

Manageable Schedule and High Floor

Penn State dodges Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon on the schedule. Quarterback Rocco Becht leads a squad that’s got a real shot at an at-large CFP bid.

Washington: Overcoming Offseason Drama

Washington had some offseason drama with QB Demond Williams Jr. flirting with the portal. He’s back, and so are four starters on the offensive line—always a plus.

Offensive Challenges and Defensive Potential

Williams has to step up with Denzel Boston and the top rushers gone. The defense, though, could keep them in a lot of games.

Iowa: Consistency Amidst Transition

Iowa’s in transition after losing key talent to the NFL. Only six starters return, so it’s going to be a test.

Quarterback Battle and Defensive Rebuilding

Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinsky are battling for the QB job. Kirk Ferentz always seems to find a way to eight wins, but it won’t be easy.

Illinois: Navigating a Transition Year

Illinois is in flux, with East Carolina transfer Katin Houser taking over at quarterback. The defense is getting a makeover too, with Bobby Hauck calling the shots.

Challenges and Opportunities

Matching the consistency of recent years is a tall order. Houser’s experience helps, but the defense has to pick up Hauck’s system fast.

Nebraska: Trending Upward

Matt Rhule has Nebraska moving in the right direction. Anthony Colandrea, a mobile QB with three years of starting experience, is in the mix now.

Key Changes and Goals

The split with Dylan Raiola opened the door for Colandrea. Nebraska’s hoping for that elusive eight-win season—could this be the year?

Minnesota: Seeking Road Success

Minnesota couldn’t win on the road last season. That’s got to change if they want to make noise.

Drake Lindsey is back at quarterback, and top tackler Maverick Baranowski returns too.

Key Players and Goals

P.J. Fleck brings back key guys like sack leader Anthony Smith. Even a little improvement away from home could turn things around.

Northwestern: Reinventing Under Chip Kelly

Chip Kelly’s now running Northwestern’s offense. Head coach David Braun has done well so far, but this is a new challenge.

Offensive Strategy and Challenges

Kelly’s all about speed and athleticism, which Northwestern needs more of. Can they adapt? That’s the million-dollar question.

UCLA: Building Under Bob Chesney

Bob Chesney’s new at UCLA, but he’s already making waves on the recruiting trail. Turning things around overnight? Not likely, but there’s hope.

Recruitment and On-Field Progress

Chesney’s recruiting chops are legit. Now he just needs to turn that into wins—easier said than done.

Maryland: Aiming for Stability

Maryland’s been shaky against Big Ten teams, but 14 starters return. Malik Washington’s development at quarterback is going to be key.

Key Players and Goals

They managed to keep most of their core from bolting in the portal. If the defense stabilizes and the offense grows, 2026 could look better.

Wisconsin: Rebuilding Under Luke Fickell

Luke Fickell’s got a tough job at Wisconsin, even with more resources pouring into the program. Old Dominion transfer Colton Joseph is the new quarterback, hoping to steady things.

Challenges and Opportunities

Fickell’s got to rebuild and get better results in Big Ten play. Joseph’s performance will probably make or break the season.

Rutgers: Offensive Weapons Returning

Rutgers brings back KJ Duff and Antwan Raymond, two of their best offensive players. Still, matching last year’s output and getting the defense sorted are big hurdles.

Key Players and Defensive Concerns

Boston College transfer Dylan Longeran takes over at quarterback. The defense needs to step up for Rutgers to move forward.

Michigan State: Rebuilding Under Pat Fitzgerald

Pat Fitzgerald is back in the Big Ten, this time at Michigan State. The rebuild here is massive—bowl games feel like a distant memory.

Roster Overhaul and Goals

Fitzgerald’s shaking up the roster to lay a new foundation. The focus is on slow, steady progress, not instant results.

Purdue: Climbing Back to Relevance

Purdue’s stuck in an 18-game Big Ten losing streak under Barry Odom. Since Jeff Brohm left, wins have been tough to come by—just six in four years. Odom’s got his work cut out for him.

Challenges and Goals

Odom’s got this quiet confidence about the season’s potential. It’s really the first step in trying to climb back to relevance, isn’t it?

The immediate goal? Snag a Big Ten victory and start building some momentum for the future.

If you want a closer look at the Big Ten power rankings or some deeper team analysis, check out CBS Sports.