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| Dante Moore, Oregon |
Power Rankings
1. Oregon Ducks
Oregon has established themselves as one of the truly elite programs in college football under Dan Lanning. After winning the Big Ten in their debut season in the league in 2024, they followed it up with an 8-1 conference record last fall, with the lone defeat coming to eventual National Champion Indiana. That's 18 wins in 19 conference games for the Ducks, Big Ten Championship Game included.
The next step for the program is winning on the big stage of the College Football Playoff after two earlier-than-expected postseason exits. The 2026 team has all the pieces in place to do just that.
It starts at quarterback, where redshirt junior Dante Moore made the surprising decision to wait on the NFL Draft and return to Eugene for another year. Moore threw for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns last season, and his physical tools have NFL scouts drooling. He is a Heisman frontrunner heading into the 2026 campaign.
The Ducks also went out and added Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola in the portal, providing them the depth at the QB position that is increasingly rare in modern college football. Raiola never quite lived up to the hype he received coming out of high school while at Nebraska, but he provides ample experience if anything were to happen to Moore.
The rest of the skill positions are loaded, providing Moore arguably the most impressive supporting cast in college football. The backfield is deep and only getting better, with Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. set to handle the load after the graduation of Noah Whittington. Davison ran for 15 touchdowns on just 113 attempts in 2025, and is now out to prove he can be a workhorse for the Ducks.
Out wide, Oregon is eager to have both Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart fully healthy for 2026. Moore was well on his way to a monster freshman campaign before injuries limited him, while Stewart did not play at all a year ago. Jeremiah McClellan will also factor in heavily and at tight end, don't expect the Ducks to miss first-rounder Kenyon Sadiq too much. Junior Jamari Johnson is drawing significant offseason buzz and could end up somehow even being an upgrade at the position.
It's more of the same story on defense, where there is star power dotting the entire roster. The defensive line is going to bully opponents, feeling more reminiscent of a SEC defensive line in the early 2010s than a Big Ten unit. Matayo Uiagalelei is your prototypical twitchy, long edge rusher, while Bear Alexander and A'Mauri Washington will eat up blocks on the interior.
Losing Bryce Boettcher at linebacker hurts, but the back-seven remains loaded. Senior Teitum Tuioti is going to be unleashed at outside linebacker after notching 16 tackles for loss last fall, while veteran Jerry Mixon will play an important leadership role in this position group.
The secondary loses Dillon Thieneman, but the staff went out and simply landed the best safety transfer in college football in Koi Perich. Perich will be out to prove he can not only make the jump to an elite college program after two seasons at Minnesota, but that an underwhelming 2025 campaign was merely a sophomore slump. Rising sophomores Brandon Finney and Aaron Flowers will reprise their roles after impressive freshman seasons.
It's rare to see this much talent on both sides of the ball in the modern era of college football. Perhaps the greater question than the personnel is on the coaching staff, where the Ducks must replace offensive coordinator Will Stein and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi. Lanning opted for continuity by promoting Drew Mehringer and Chris Hampton internally, but both will need time to adjust to their new roles.
Bottom Line: Before Indiana's National Championship run last fall, the last college football program to win their first National Title was the 1996 Florida Gators under Steve Spurrier. I fully expect the 2026 Oregon Ducks to be next. This roster is loaded top-to-bottom, they have the depth to withstand any potential injury bugs, and there's an extra bit of motivation after two consecutive early College Football Playoff exits. This team should cruise through their first two months, before traveling to Columbus to meet up with Ohio State on November 7. A week later, they welcome the Michigan Wolverines to Eugene. Those two games not only provide a fascinating back-to-back challenge, but may also be exactly what the Ducks need to spark the momentum that carries them across the finish line come December and January.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Throughout the first 12 games of the 2025-26 season, Ohio State looked en route to a National Title defense. Behind the nation's top defense and the dazzling duo of Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, the Buckeyes cruised to into the Big Ten Championship Game with an undefeated record.
Then, they managed just ten points and were outmatched by eventual National Champion Indiana. Instead of rebounding in the College Football Playoff, the second-seeded Buckeyes were shocked by Miami, a 24-14 loss that was among the most surprising of the Playoff era. That disappointing finish has to serve as an extra bit of motivation for Ohio State as they look towards 2026.
The main core of this Buckeye offense is back, with Sayin and Smith leading the way. Sayin was firmly in the hunt for a Heisman Trophy before the frustrating finish, exceeding expectations in his first season as starter. His accuracy was particularly impressive, as his 77% completion percentage was the third-best in FBS history. The next step for him will be showing out in the most important games, including road trips to Texas and Indiana this upcoming fall.
Smith is one of the most complete receivers we've ever seen at the college level, and the Biletnikoff Award frontrunner. He benefitted from teams also having to focus on future No. 4 overall pick Carnell Tate, plus tight end Max Klare. Although both depart, senior Brandon Inniss and freshman phenom Chris Henry Jr. are expected to be the complementary pieces this time around. Henry has been receiving hype similar to that of Smith when he first arrived in Columbus, while Inniss is hoping to put together the breakthrough season that has been long awaited from him.
Bo Jackson emerged as the top option in the backfield last year, and now figures to be one of the best in the Big Ten as he prepares for his sophomore season. Behind an offensive line that returns four starters, the Buckeyes have the chance to have real balance in their offensive approach, which was missed at times in 2025.
There aren't a ton of questions about the personnel offensively, but the staff shakeup will be a storyline to watch. Arthur Smith is the new offensive coordinator, taking on his first college coaching gig in a decade-and-a-half. Smith has made a name for himself in the NFL, but underwhelming runs as the Falcons head coach and Steelers offensive coordinator in recent years naturally lead to some questions.
There's more turnover on defense, but Matt Patricia proved his worth on this side of the ball a year ago. He replaced eight starters from the 2024 group, but still managed to put together a defense that allowed just 9.3 PPG and 219.1 YPG - both first nationally.
The front seven will miss Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, but the D-Line still has the looks of a nasty group. Senior end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. was tied for second on the team in sacks last fall and should be the leader, while Beau Atkinson is in line to start opposite of him. This unit was further bolstered by the additions of Qua Russaw and James Smith, a pair of transfers from Alabama.
Caleb Downs played the QB on defense role last season, so there's no question his departure is significant. Yet, Ohio State still has high expectations for this back-end, with sophomore corner Devin Sanchez a popular breakout candidate, and transfers in line to fill holes. Earl Little Jr. and Terry Moore, both coming from ACC country, will likely have a chance to start at safety right away.
Bottom Line: The Buckeye machine shows no signs of stopping, even with the rise of Indiana and Oregon inside the league. The collection of talent on both sides of the ball boggles the mind, and this feels like a team that will finish stronger than they start as the new pieces acclimate. Another trip to the College Football Playoff feels like a certainty, but there is no denying the schedule presents challenges. The road trip to Texas is quite the test in mid-September, and the stretch in late October to early November is as tough as you will find, going to Indiana and USC and matching up with Oregon. Even so, this is a Top 5 team nationally and they should be in the thick of the National Title race once more this fall.
3. Indiana Hoosiers
I'm not sure even the most optimistic Indiana fan expected the Hoosiers to follow up their breakthrough 2024 campaign with what we saw in last year. The Hoosiers completed the first 16-0 season in modern college football history, and did so by decimating their competition. This was no fluke story - Indiana showed out at every moment they were asked, taking down several of the sport's giants, including Oregon (twice), Ohio State, Alabama, and Miami.
Naturally, the question becomes, what's next? There are changes up-and-down the roster, but the Hoosiers retained the most important piece: head coach Curt Cignetti. Cignetti signed an extension in February that will pay him over $13 million per season, one of just three head coaches in the sport making that audacious total.
Cignetti will need to start anew at quarterback after Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza became the No. 1 overall pick this past spring. Instead of turning to an in-house solution (namely Fernando's younger brother, Alberto), Cignetti signed Josh Hoover out of TCU. Hoover has ample experience, with 33 starts during his time in Fort Worth, and he's led explosive offenses with the Horned Frogs. He will need to grow in his decision-making, as he's thrown 24 interceptions over the last two seasons.
There are other transfers ready to make an immediate impact, including wide out Nick Marsh from Michigan State and guard Joe Brunner, who comes from Wisconsin. Marsh impressed with the Spartans despite suspect QB play during his time there, and he should form a fearsome duo with Charlie Becker, the hero of the College Football Playoff run.
Brunner joins NFL Draft prospects Carter Smith and Drew Evans on an offensive line that should once again be among the best in the country. They'll help open up rushing lanes for a backfield that will once again take a committee approach. Lee Beebe Jr., Khobie Martin, and Boston College transfer Turbo Richard should provide more than enough of a balance with Hoover in this backfield.
Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines took home the Broyles Award as the nation's top coordinator, and will lead an elite group once again in 2026. There are notable pieces moving on, namely linebacker Aiden Fisher and corner D'Angelo Ponds, but ample star power remains in Bloomington.
The defensive line will be spearheaded by defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker, who should help ensure the Hoosier rush defense, which was 2nd nationally a year ago, does not take a major step back. The Hoosiers are also high on incoming Kansas State transfer Tobi Osunsanmi, who was on pace for a monster 2026 campaign before injury.
Losing Fisher and Ponds may sting, but senior Isaiah Jones will step up at linebacker, and the secondary should remain solid. Rolijah Hardy also returns at linebacker after leading Indiana in tackles last season, with 102.
In the secondary, the staff infused the unit with fresh blood in the former of Big Ten transfers A.J. Harris and Preston Zachman, coming from Penn State and Wisconsin. Corner Jamari Sharpe is expected to be the No. 1 in the room now that Ponds has moved on.
Bottom Line: Indiana has earned every bit of national respect they deserve after last year's run, and it would not be a shock at all to see them remain atop the Big Ten. The departures do raise some questions, and Oregon and Ohio State feel like the better teams on paper. But in practice, Curt Cignetti has proven he's built something special in Bloomington. They'll likely be favored in 11 games this fall, and should return to the College Football Playoff for the third straight season.
4. Michigan Wolverines
Offseason chaos surrounding the firing of head coach Sherrone Moore has Michigan starting anew in 2026. After over three decades at Utah, in various coaching positions and as head man, Kyle Whittingham proved himself as one of the best coaches in the sport. Now, he's out to prove he's still got it at 66 years of age, with heightened expectations.
The good news for Whittingham is that he was able to bring several staff members from Utah with him, including offensive coordinator Jason Beck. Beck will be gifted an offense that already has established pieces at the skill positions.
The quarterback will be Bryce Underwood, who went through understandable growing pains as a true freshman in 2025, but will have big things expected of him as a sophomore. We know Underwood can create with his legs, but this was the country's 105th ranked passing offense a year ago. They kept it simple with him last season, but Beck should have him throwing down the field more. He'll lean on incumbent starter Andrew Marsh, and newcomers Jaime Ffrench and J.J. Buchanan.
Beck did lean on the ground game at Utah, and that's where Michigan will be at their best. Not only can Underwood do damage, but the Wolverines return Jordan Marshall and bring in highly touted freshman Savion Hiter. Marshall went for 932 yards and 10 touchdowns a year ago despite splitting time early on with the departed Justice Haynes, and he's ready to be the bell cow once more.
The rushing attack will operate behind an offensive line that returns four starters. The only "new" starter will be guard Nathan Efobi, and he has experience to lean on after starting five games last season.
Whittingham had quite the coup by landing former Weber State head coach Jay Hill as defensive coordinator after spending 2025 at BYU. Hill will lead a group that was Top 25 last season, but did slip slightly under Moore compared to the Jim Harbaugh era.
The defensive line will be a strength, as John Henry Daley is another piece that followed Whittingham from Utah. The veteran was an All-American for the Utes, notching 11.5 sacks. He'll combine with returnee Trey Pierce, and we could also see true freshman end Carter Meadows emerge.
Linebacker is perhaps the biggest question on defense after Ernest Hausmann moved on. Fortunately, the D-Line and secondary should be able to pick up some of the slack. Zeke Berry and Jyaire Hill should be an elite combo at corner, and Rod Moore appears to be healthy again after a pair of injury-plagues seasons at safety.
Bottom Line: Beyond all the drama off the field, Michigan had also slipped on-the-field under Moore, and it was clear a new direction was necessary. Whittingham should at the very least bring much-needed stability, and he always got the most out of his teams at Utah. He has more talent on this roster than his usual Ute teams, especially if the newcomers are as good as advertised. The X-factor may end up being Underwood - if he can live up to his billing as the No. 1 prospect in the nation coming out of high school, Michigan could contend for not just a Big Ten Title, but the National Title. If he's on par with last season again, the Wolverines will be merely good. A tricky schedule offers no favors, with Oklahoma in the non-conference, and road dates with Oregon and Ohio State both.
5. USC Trojans
Lincoln Riley once had a home in the College Football Playoff, going three straight years during his time at Oklahoma. Since, he has yet to make a return, missing the event in all four of his seasons at USC. The hope is that the 2026 team will finally be the one to flip a script and deliver the breakthrough that has eluded Riley with the Trojans.
Riley has his quarterback, as senior Jayden Maiava returns for a final run at USC. There have been growing pains for Maiava since he took over command of the Trojan offense but he was genuinely impressive last fall, throwing for 3,711 yards and 24 touchdowns. Reducing his turnovers is the next goal, but the expectation is that he'll be one of the best signal-callers in the Big Ten in 2026.
Now, Maiava will need some new targets to throw to, after Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane both took their talents to the NFL. Lemon was the Biletnikoff Award winner before being drafted in the first round by the Philadelphia Eagles, while Lane added 49 receptions for 745 yards himself. Sophomore Tanook Hines had flashes last season and is now looking in line to be the top target, but others have to emerge. That may include freshmen, including wide receivers Trent Mosley and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, plus tight end Mark Bowman. Bowman in particular was quite coup for the Trojans and slides into what looks to be an immediate starting role.
The ground game should be able to take pressure off Maiava and the aerial attack, a feature of this offense that has been too often missing since Riley took over at USC. Hard-nosed King Miller was a revelation last season, rushing for 972 yards as a freshman, and he has the looks of a workhorse in the backfield. He'll benefit operating behind an offensive line that brings back all five starters and will look to build off a strong finish to last fall.
Defense has long been the Achilles Heel for Riley here with the Trojans, although the unit did put up respectable numbers in 2025 (23.0 PPG was 51st nationally). It was obvious USC needed to elevate this side of the ball if they had hopes of competing in this punishing Big Ten. So, Riley went out and landed one of the flashier coordinator hires of the offseason, bringing in former TCU head coach Gary Patterson to run this side of the ball.
Patterson has quite the resume, turning TCU from a Mountain West darling into a legitimate power conference program. Since his dismissal from the Horned Frogs in 2021, he's been on staff at Texas and Baylor, but not in this high profile of a role. At 66 years of age, it very well could be his final season coaching college ball, and the expectations are high.
The front seven has a chance to be quite good, which would go a long way in establishing the physical identity Patterson covets. Braylan Shelby and Kam Crawford could be quite a scary pass rushing duo up front, while true freshman Luke Wafle figures in heavily as one of the gems from this year's recruiting class. Linebacker Desman Stephens II led the Trojans in tackles last year and will play a key leadership role in the heat of this defense.
The defensive backfield has more questions and more youth, although there is potential. This is perhaps where there will be the greatest adjustment as the Trojans adjust to his 4-2-5 defensive look. Veterans Marcelles Williams and Christian Pierce are fine starting points, but USC may also need to rely on unproven returnees or freshmen.
Bottom Line: Whether or not it's officially a "hot seat", you can't deny that there is real job pressure for Lincoln Riley entering 2026. After an okay first two seasons in the Big Ten, the program is investing like one that not only wants to compete in the league, but one that wants to be considered a National Title contender. They spent serious money for Riley and staff to work in the portal, land the No. 1 high school recruiting class in the country, and bring on Patterson to run the defense. Still, questions do remain, mainly around how quickly the personnel can adjust to Patterson's scheme and perhaps more importantly, how the Trojans can fare against this schedule. Oregon and Ohio State will at least be home games, but the Trojans also have to go on the road to Penn State, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Even so, Riley is running out of excuses here. This is a program that expects great things, and the roster is certainly good enough to get them to their first ever College Football Playoff. Now, it's just going out and proving it on the field.
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
The 2025 campaign was supposed to be the year it all came together for James Franklin at Penn State. The Nittany Lions brought back a staggering amount of talent from a team that had played in the CFB Playoff semifinal the year prior. Instead, a heartbreaking loss to Oregon set off a series of unfortunate events, culminating in Franklin's shocking firing.
After a long and chaotic coaching search, it will be Matt Campbell on the sidelines in Happy Valley. Campbell proved himself as one of the best pure football coaches in the nation at Iowa State, but can he handle the increased expectations at a place like Penn State? Fortunately he has a lot working in his favor in Year One, including all the pieces he brought with him from Ames.
Veteran Rocco Becht will be the starting quarterback, an experienced signal-caller who knows exactly what Campebll wants. There's nothing particularly flashy about Becht, but he's the type of rock-solid, steady college quarterback any head coach would be lucky to have. With 39 starts already to his name, adjusting to the Big Ten shouldn't be too difficult.
There's familiar faces around Becht, including tailback Carson Hansen, another Iowa State transplant. Hansen led the Cyclones in rushing each of the last two seasons and will set the tone for this Penn State rushing attack. Ohio State transfer James Peoples also likely factors in, a player who appeared in 22 games for the Buckeyes but was simply overtaken on the depth chart by all the other talent in Columbus.
Becht's pass-catching group will also includes former Cyclones, namely tight end Ben Brahmer and wide out Chase Sowell, but the receiver corps as a whole is quite unproven. Koby Howard is one of the few holdovers from last year and is a popular breakout candidate after flashing late in 2025. Keith Jones Jr., an underrated addition from Grambling State, could also be a name to watch.
Campbell made nice work of his new resources at Penn State when he hired away D'Anton Lynn from USC to be Penn State's defensive coordinator. Lynn will have his work cut out for him just considering how much turnover there was on this side of the ball.
There's a whole bunch of former Cyclones expected to start, including Caleb Bacon and Kooper Ebel at linebacker. They'll pair with returnee Tony Rojas, a talented outside linebacker who has the talent to be the latest in a long line of elite Penn State 'backers. The linebacker corps will have to play an outsized role, as the D-Line is comprised nearly entirely of transfers.
The return of Zion Tracy was huge for the secondary, as he's the type of hard-nosed, playmaking corner you can build this unit around. Audavion Collins also started all 13 games for the Nittany Lions a year ago and expects to play a key role, while it's a bunch of transfers beyond those two.
Bottom Line: It will be Iowa State 2.0 for Penn State this fall, an understandable move for Campbell and staff as he begins to build this program. It does feel like this team isn't going to be as talented as past Penn State editions, but with a Campbell-coached team, you know they are going to battle in every single game the entire sixty minutes. That type of relentless energy feels like what the program needs after how disappointing last fall ended up being. The program also received quite the gift with this schedule, which is perhaps the most favorable in the entire Big Ten. The non-conference is a breeze before league action begins in Happy Valley with Wisconsin, who may be still figuring things out with Colton Joseph and a new-look offense. The schedule the rest of the way may include USC and road trips to Michigan and Washington, but it misses all of Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana. That's huge for Campbell and staff as they lay the foundation here and with that favorable of a schedule, another trip to the Playoff is certainly not of the question.
7. Iowa Hawkeyes
Few programs in college football remain as consistent as the ever-steady Iowa Hawkeyes. The 2025 season was more of the same, with the Hawkeyes going 9-4 and winning a bowl game, marking yet another season of at least eight wins - a feat they've accomplished every full season since 2014.
Despite all that success, it's understandable that Iowa fans are hoping for more. Can they break through and actually compete for a Big Ten Title? With the expanded College Football Playoff field, are the Hawkeyes in position for their first ever invite? Any hopes of those loftier goals will hinge once again on this offense.
Offensive coordinator Tim Lester has made necessary improvements to modernize things on this side of the ball, and the Hawkeyes did have one of their best statistical seasons in some time. However, the passing game remains anemic. South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski may have been accomplished but he wasn't the QB to turn things around, as Iowa finished 127th nationally in passing offense.
The exit of Gronowski allows for new blood at quarterback, with a pair of transfers in competition for the starting job. Junior Hank Brown, formerly of Auburn, and sophomore Jeremy Hecklinski from Wake Forest appear neck and neck. Neither bring much experience, but it does sound like Hecklinski holds a slight edge given his physical profile.
Whoever does win the job will have to make do with a depleted receiver corps and O-Line replacing several starters. Tight end D.J. Vonnahme will play an outsized role after breaking out last fall, but the rest of the weapons on the outside are unproven. Tony Diaz, a transfer from UT-Rio Grand Valley, had a huge spring and has plenty of buzz surrounding him.
With the question elsewhere, this ground game is going to carry the load, as per usual in Iowa City. Kamari Moulton ran for 878 yards a year ago and is prepared to be the bell cow once more, although Xavier Williams and Nathan McNeil should factor in. Williams brings the big-play potential, while McNeil's ability to create as a pass-catcher opens the door for him to see increased usage.
You can count on this defense to be nasty, even with defensive coordinator Phil Parker replacing some notable pieces throughout the front seven. Parker remains one of the best in the game - an Iowa lifer who has been with the program since 1999, you can usually count on this being a Top 25 group. They allowed just 15.6 points per game last season, which ranked eighth nationally.
Despite questions in the front seven, Iowa is counting on new pieces to emerge. Iose Epenesa, the younger brother of two former Hawkeyes, is a popular breakout candidate at defensive end, with Kenneth Merriweather and Will Hubert also set to factor in. The linebacker corps seems to be in a better place, as Jayden Montgomery has proven his worth, and Cam Buffington could take a major step forward in his third year with the program.
The secondary is Parker's specialty, and you better believe the Hawkeyes will be elite on the back-end. Deshaun Lee will be the top corner on the roster, while Zach Lutmer cleans things up at safety. The pair combined for five interceptions a year ago and will look to be more aggressive in 2026. Lutmer may be in store for a slightly different role, moving to more of a natural free safety spot after playing most of his time at the "Cash" position last year - a hybrid outside linebacker / slot corner role.
Bottom Line: You may always count on Iowa winning eight or nine games, but the hope for 2026 is that the program can take the necessary steps to compete for a CFB Playoff appearance. The uncertainty at quarterback is a concern, and there some notable pieces gone on defense. Yet, the formula remains the same as it always is in Iowa City - running the ball, tough defense, and winning the game on the margins. The schedule sets up nicely for them to make a run - although Ohio State, Michigan, and Washington loom, things ease significantly during the back-half. There's a good chance the Hawkeyes are favored in all six of their final six games. Plus, the non-conference should be easier given the turnover at Cy-Hawk rival Iowa State. If the Hawkeyes can spring their usual upset or two, they should be very much in the hunt for an elusive Playoff berth.
8. Washington Huskies
2025 was one of progress for Washington in their second season in the Big Ten. After a 6-7 mark in Year One, Jedd Fisch built on it by winning nine games and the LA Bowl, while finishing with a winning record in the league. The hope now is that progress in 2026 makes competing for even loftier goals, even after offseason drama in Seattle.
Demond Williams Jr. signed a massive NIL deal over the offseason, then openly flirted with the idea of transferring to LSU, where an even larger NIL package reportedly awaited. Fisch convinced the rising junior to stay put, maintaining continuity at the game' most important position, and ensuring Washington had a QB who totaled over 3,600 yards and 31 total touchdowns in 2025. Still, it's fair to wonder if such a public back-and-forth will threaten his on-field success this fall.
Williams is going to have to play an even larger role given the departures at Washington's other skill positions. Jonah Coleman and Denzel Boston are now playing on Sundays, meaning others must emerge. There's particular concern at tailback - Adam Mohammed also made the surprising decision to transfer out, meaning the Huskies are relying on newcomers. Jayden Limar from Oregon appears to be the prohibitive favorite, but was limited throughout the spring.
With Boston out of the way, look for sophomore Dezmen Roebuck to be the feature option in the passing game after earning Freshman All-American honors a year ago. Rashid Williams and tight end Decker DeGraaf are two other names that should be counted on, but there are questions about depth. True freshman Trez Davis was a standout during the spring and may be asked to contribute earlier than expected.
The offensive line may be the strength of the entire roster. Three starters are back from a group that was quite good in 2025, namely guard John Mills and center Landen Hatchett. Coming in is five-star freshman Kodi Greenee, from California powerhouse Mater Dei. A flip from Oregon to Washington late in the process, he's now expected to vie for a starting job at left tackle right away.
As disastrous as his tenure as Purdue head man, you can't disregard the coaching chops of Ryan Walters as a defensive coordinator. He did a superb job with this unit in 2025, building them into a Top 25 defense that surrendered under 19 points per contest. The prognosis for 2026 looks promising, as there is star power at all three levels.
The front seven starts with the return of Jacob Lane on the defensive line and Jacob Manu at linebacker. Lane will be their top pass rusher, but the Huskies are hoping to put even more pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season. Manu has struggled with injuries but has proven himself as a tackling machine when healthy. The versatile Xe'ree Alexander will also play an important role after finishing last season strong.
There's more turnover in the secondary, where Tacario Davis and Ephesians Prycock depart. Yet, this could be the position group that takes the biggest step forward on this roster. Alex McLaughlin and Rylon Dillard-Allen are a superb combo at safety, while Dylan Robinson likely slides into a starting role after making five starters last season. Fisch has raved about Robinson, which indicates he'll be counted on heavily in 2026.
Bottom Line: Year Three was when it all came together for Fisch at his last stop, as Arizona went from 1-11 to 5-7, and then finally 10-3. Washington has certainly not been as much of a teardown rebuild, but he's hoping for a similar jump now in his third season. Given the return of Williams, a strong offensive line, and plenty of defensive talent, the pieces are in place. But, the turnover also gives some reason for pause - the offense went through dry spells at multiple points last year, and that was with much better pieces. The Huskies should still contend, but any hopes of improving on last year's nine wins would require another huge step forward from Williams, or the other skill positions to be very good - perhaps even both. The most likely outcome is another year around that 8-9 win plateau, with the final two games against Indiana and Oregon determining the ultimate tenor of the season.
9. Illinois Fighting Illini
Some wondered how Bret Bielema would fare in his return to the Big Ten after an unsuccessful stint at Arkansas. Now entering his sixth season in Champaign, the hire has been a clear success, with the Illini in the midst of their best two season stretch since the turn of the century.
The goal now is maintaining that success in the ultra-competitive Big Ten, with some significant turnover. Luke Altmyer departs at quarterback, meaning a new signal-caller will take command of Barry Lunney Jr.'s offense. The expectation is that it will be Katin Houser, who started his career at Michigan State before serving as East Carolina's starter the last two seasons.
It may be an adjustment for Houser as he returns to power conference ball, but he'll benefit from plenty of returning talent at the skill positions. Ca'Lil Valentine and Aidan Laughery should be an effective combo in the backfield, while Hudson Clement and Collin Dixon are familiar faces out wide. Kaden Feagin is an interesting player to watch - at 6'3", 260 pounds he was always a strange fit at tailback, and made the switch to tight end this offseason. Something tells me the Illini will be creative with how they get him the ball.
There are questions on the offensive line, where Illinois must replace four starters. They worked the portal in a major way this offseason, but there's always questions about how quickly this unit will gel. Guard Brandon Henderson, one of the few familiar faces, will play a crucial leadership role.
Defensive coordinator Aaron Henry took off for Notre Dame in the offseason, so Bielema turned to Bobby Hauck to run the show defensively. It's a fascinating hire - Hauck struggled mightily in his only FBS head coaching gig at UNLV, but has won eight Big Sky Titles over two stints at Montana. He had previously announced his retirement before Bielema stole him away five days later.
The big challenge for Hauck in Year One will be applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks given the losses on the defensive line. The Illini are hoping a slew of transfers can make an immediate impact, and there are a few holdovers that will have to play better. Joe Barna or Pat Farrell are two names to watch in this 3-3-5 defensive look.
For all the turnover up front, the secondary should be among the best in the league. Xavier Scott, Matthew Bailey, and Juice Clarke all have All-Big Ten talent, and it was clear keeping them was the offseason priority. Scott has a chance to be an X-factor, a player returning from injury who will play all over the field at nickel.
Bottom Line: Bielema has found the right formula here in Champaign. The Illini develop talent incredibly well and fill holes strategically through the portal. They have a solid nucleus in place for 2026 that should maintain them as a high floor team, although the concerns along the lines are very real. This is a team that will need their playmakers to elevate their play this fall, and Hauck to hit the ground running on defense. Repeating last year's nine wins will be tough, but the schedule is manageable enough that the Illini should be among the best in a robust middle-of-the-pack in the Big Ten.
Teams 10-18 in Part 2
All-Big Ten Teams
First Team
QB Dante Moore, Oregon
RB Bo Jackson, Ohio State
RB Antwan Raymond, Rutgers
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
WR Charlie Becker, Indiana
TE D.J. Vonnahme, Iowa
OL Carter Smith, Indiana
OL Austin Siereveld, Ohio State
OL Kade Pieper, Iowa
OL Andrew Sprague, Michigan
OL Drew Evans, Indiana
DL John Henry Daley, Michigan
DL Anthony Smith, Minnesota
DL Tyrique Tucker, Indiana
DL Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
LB Isaiah Jones, Indiana
LB Desman Stephens Jr., USC
LB Teitum Tuioti, Oregon
CB Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon
CB Jyaire Hill, Michigan
S Koi Perich, Oregon
S Zach Lutmer, Iowa
Second Team
QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State
RB Darius Taylor, Minnesota
RB Jordan Marshall, Michigan
WR Dakorien Moore, Oregon
WR Nick Marsh, Indiana
TE Jamari Johnson, Oregon
OL Ezomo Oratokhai, Northwestern
OL Greg Johnson, Minnesota
OL Ianapani Laloulu, Oregon
OL Joe Brunner, Indiana
OL Philip Daniels, Ohio State
DL Kenyatta Jackson, Ohio State
DL A'Mauri Washington, Oregon
DL Bear Alexander, Oregon
DL Sidney Stewart, Maryland
LB Rolijah Hardy, Indiana
LB Mason Posa, Wisconsin
LB Tony Rojas, Penn State
CB Xavier Scott, Illinois
CB Devin Sanchez, Ohio State
S Rod Moore, Michigan
S Kerry Brown, Minnesota
The Five Most Important Games
1. Oregon Ducks @ Ohio State Buckeyes (November 7) -- Oregon and Ohio State have given us some instant classics in recent years, and this one is shaping up to be perhaps the most important regular season game of the 2026 college football season. Not only will the winner position themselves as the Big Ten favorite, they also have a good chance to be the national frontrunner. Plus, with how much talent will be on the field in this one, Heisman implications are a real possibility.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes @ Indiana Hoosiers (October 17) -- Indiana proved they were no fluke with last season's incredible run, but 2026 will tell us where they are a staying power. The Hoosiers are fortunate enough to welcome the Buckeyes to Bloomington this time around, in a game that should have some more scoring than last year's 13-10 affair. After Charlie Becker made the catch that sunk Ohio State in last season's Big Ten Championship Game, you better believe he'll be a central focus for the Buckeyes in this one.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes @ Texas Longhorns (September 12) -- For the second straight year, two of the most storied programs in all of college football collide in early September. The winner will likely become the national favorite, the loser will have less margin of error for reaching the College Football Playoff. This feels like extra important for Texas, who has lost to Ohio State twice in the last couple of seasons and is out to prove they are a bonafide National Title favorite. Arch Manning is also looking for his own redemption after an ugly showing in the 14-7 loss to the Buckeyes a year ago.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines (November 28) -- No explanation needed here. Perhaps the best rivalry in all of college football, and a game that may have more stakes after being a foregone conclusion in 2025. Depending on how Ohio State handles a gauntlet of a schedule, they may need to secure a win in this game. On the other side, the Wolverines feel like a team right on the cusp of Playoff contention - going into Columbus and taking down the Buckeyes would be quite the statement that they deserve a spot in the field.
5. Wisconsin Badgers vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (September 6) -- There may end up being far more important games in the Big Ten this year than this one, but the novelty of it lands this matchup a spot here. The Badgers will face off with Notre Dame in Lambeau Field, a game originally scheduled for 2020 before being moved due to COVID. Notre Dame has legitimate National Title aspirations, but they don't want to get caught sleepwalking against a Wisconsin team that could be plucky. For the Badgers, a positive showing here gives them momentum against a favorable September and early October slate. There is a real 2016 energy to this game, when a National Title favorite, LSU, went into Lambeau and was shocked by the Badgers.
Superlatives
Offensive Player of the Year: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Defensive Player of the Year: Koi Perich, S, Oregon
Coach of the Year: Kyle Whittingham, Michigan
Freshman of the Year: Savion Hiter, RB, Michigan
Transfer of the Year: Koi Perich, S, Oregon
Big Ten Championship Game: Oregon over Ohio State
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