The 2026 season promises an intriguing landscape for Big Ten football, with a mix of established powerhouses and teams aiming to climb the ranks. Here's a breakdown of projected win-loss records for each team, along with insights and commentary.
Purdue Boilermakers
Projected Record: 1-11 (0-9 Big Ten)
Comment: After consecutive winless seasons, Purdue struggles to find its footing. With a new coach and an incrementally improved roster, they remain at the bottom of the conference.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Projected Record: 2-10 (0-9 Big Ten)
Comment: The loss of Athan Kaliakmanis at quarterback and a porous defense make for a challenging season. Running back Antwan Raymond's heavy load might not be enough to turn things around.
Northwestern Wildcats
Projected Record: 3-9 (1-8 Big Ten)
Comment: A tough schedule, including Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana, makes for a down year. Northwestern's up-and-down trend continues, with a projected loss in conference play.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Projected Record: 5-7 (2-7 Big Ten)
Comment: The departure of Dylan Raiola and a lack of reloading mean a regression from last year. Coach Matt Rhule's squad faces challenges in finding consistency.
Maryland Terrapins
Projected Record: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Comment: Retaining Malik Washington is a positive, but the roster lacks depth. Maryland's bowl eligibility hopes are slim, with a challenging schedule ahead.
Michigan State Spartans
Projected Record: 6-6 (4-5 Big Ten)
Comment: Pat Fitzgerald's arrival brings stability, but a .500 record in his first season is a modest improvement. The Spartans are slowly climbing back to relevancy.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Projected Record: 6-6 (3-6 Big Ten)
Comment: A challenging schedule, including Indiana, Penn State, and Washington, makes for a tough season. Despite bringing back key players, the roster's limitations are a concern.
Wisconsin Badgers
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
Comment: Coach Luke Fickell's move to land Colton Joseph in the portal boosts their chances. The Badgers aim for bowl eligibility, with a solid roster and a talented quarterback.
UCLA Bruins
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
Comment: A new coaching staff and Nico Iamaleava at quarterback bring hope. While not world-beaters, seven wins would be a solid season for the Bruins.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Projected Record: 7-5 (4-5 Big Ten)
Comment: Despite a depleted roster, coach Bret Bielema's leadership keeps them competitive. Seven wins seem achievable, with a crucial non-conference game against Duke.
Michigan Wolverines
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
Comment: A brutal schedule, including Ohio State and Oregon, makes for a challenging season. Quarterback Bryce Underwood's raw talent is a question mark.
USC Trojans
Projected Record: 8-4 (5-4 Big Ten)
Comment: Jayden Maiava's return at quarterback has a high ceiling. However, a regression in defense and a tough schedule mean they might struggle to close deals.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Comment: Iowa's consistent nine wins are a testament to their program's stability. A tough stretch in the middle of the season could be a challenge, but their offense remains a question.
Washington Huskies
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Comment: Knocking on the door of contender status, but losses to Indiana and Oregon persist. The quarterback battle between Demond Williams Jr. and Jayden Maiava is intriguing but might not be enough.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Projected Record: 10-2 (6-2 Big Ten)
Comment: Coach Matt Campbell's favorable schedule and a bounce-back from last season make for a promising outlook. They are more likely to be an 8-9 win team.
Indiana Hoosiers
Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
Comment: Coach Curt Cignetti's leadership and the transfer portal additions of Josh Hoover and Nick Marsh form a formidable offense. Indiana aims for a Big Ten title game berth.
Oregon Ducks
Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
Comment: Oregon's high ceiling is evident with Dante Moore and a top-tier defense. Trips to Columbus have been successful, and they aim for a third straight playoff berth.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Projected Record: 12-0 (9-0 Big Ten)
Comment: The Buckeyes' elite defense and Julian Sayin's talent make them a strong contender for the No. 1 seed in the playoff. Their schedule is a testament to their dominance.
