Big 10 softball rankings: Why the 2026 preseason changes everything

Honestly, if you thought Big 10 softball was predictable, the 2026 preseason just threw a 70-mph riseball right past your head. We aren't just looking at the same old "Michigan vs. the field" narrative anymore. With the conference expansion finally settling in and Jordy Bahl—now Jordy Frahm—entering her final collegiate season at Nebraska, the hierarchy is a mess. A beautiful, competitive mess.

People are obsessed with the Big 10 softball rankings right now because, let’s be real, the West Coast arrivals have officially nuked the traditional power structure. Oregon and UCLA didn't just join the party; they brought the music and then complained about the weather. But as we sit here in January 2026, the real story isn't just about the new kids. It's about whether the traditional Midwest stalwarts can actually defend their dirt.

The current Big 10 softball rankings landscape

Right now, the official 2026 Big Ten standings are a clean slate of zeros, but the "power rankings" living in everyone's heads tell a different story. Softball America just dropped their preseason Top 25, and it’s a wake-up call. We have four Big Ten teams comfortably sitting in the mix, but the order might surprise you.

Oregon is the heavy hitter here. They finished last season with a 19-3 conference record, taking the regular-season title in their very first year. It was a statement. But then you have Michigan. The Wolverines might not have the "flashy" preseason ranking of a Top 10 team, but they are the back-to-back Big Ten Tournament champions. They beat UCLA 2-0 in the finals last May.

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Bonnie Tholl has turned that program into a defensive nightmare for opponents. Lauren Derkowski, the reigning tournament MVP, is back. If you’re betting against Michigan in May, you haven't been paying attention.

Where the power actually lies

1. Oregon Ducks: They are the "it" team. After a 54-10 overall finish in 2025, they return a core that knows how to win in this conference.
2. Nebraska Cornhuskers: This is the Jordy Frahm show. She was the 2025 NFCA Player of the Year. She hit 23 home runs and maintained a 1.63 ERA. That's not a typo. She is the No. 1 ranked two-way player in the country for a reason.
3. UCLA Bruins: They came so close last year, finishing second in the tournament. With stars like Megan Grant (26 HRs last year) returning, their lineup is a gauntlet.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes: Statistically, this was the best offense in the country last year. They hit 147 home runs—a Big Ten record. Reagan Milliken and Hadley Parisien are back to break their own records.
5. Northwestern Wildcats: Never count out Kate Drohan. They always find a way to stay in the top four, even when they're "rebuilding."

Why the preseason polls get it wrong

Rankings are basically just educated guesses until the first pitch in February. Most national voters see the "UCLA" or "Oregon" logo and automatically bump them up. It's a brand thing. But the Big Ten is a grind. Playing in Ann Arbor or Lincoln in March is a different beast than a sunny weekend in Los Angeles.

The Buckeyes are a prime example of a team the national rankings often overlook. They led the nation in runs scored (495) last year. They had 25 games where they scored 10 or more runs. Yet, they often start the season lower in the Big 10 softball rankings than teams they statistically outproduced. Why? Because people value pitching pedigree over home run counts.

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And then there's the Jordy Frahm factor at Nebraska. Having the best player in the country gives you a "floor" that most teams can't touch. Nebraska's schedule is brutal—starting against Washington, Texas, and LSU in the first two weeks—but that’s how you climb the RPI.

Players who move the needle in 2026

If you want to know where a team will land in the final standings, look at their circle. Pitching still wins this league.

• Jordy Frahm (Nebraska): We've talked about her, but she’s the sun the conference orbits around. She led the league in strikeouts (286) and batting average (.462) last season.
• Lauren Derkowski (Michigan): She’s the big-game hunter. When the lights are brightest in the tournament, she shuts people down.
• Lyndsey Grein (Ohio State): She quietly won 29 games last year. If Ohio State's pitching catches up to their hitting, they are a World Series team.
• Taylor Minnick (Indiana): People forget she hit .487 last season. She’s the most underrated hitter in the Midwest.

The expansion hangover is over

Last year was weird. Everyone was adjusting to the travel and the new scouting reports. This year, the "honeymoon" phase of the expansion is dead. The 2026 Big Ten Tournament is heading to College Park, Maryland, from May 6-9.

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Washington is the team I'm watching to make a massive jump. They finished mid-pack last year (12-9 in conference), which felt low for them. They have a history of excellence that didn't quite translate in year one of the Big Ten move. If they find their rhythm, the top five of the Big 10 softball rankings will be a total bloodbath.

What to watch for next

The season officially kicks off in February, and the early neutral-site tournaments will tell us everything. Keep an eye on the Clearwater Invitational and the Mary Nutter Classic. That's where we'll see if Oregon’s dominance was a one-year fluke or the new reality.

If you're following the rankings, don't just look at the W-L column. Look at the "Runs Against." In this conference, if you can't keep teams under four runs, you’re going to get buried by the Buckeyes and the Bruins.

Actionable Insights for Fans:

• Track the RPI early: The Big Ten usually gets 6-7 teams into the NCAA tournament. Early wins against the SEC or Big 12 are worth double in the eyes of the selection committee.
• Watch the Nebraska/Washington opener: February 6th. It's the first real litmus test for the conference hierarchy.
• Don't ignore the "Bottom" teams: Iowa and Penn State both showed flashes of being "spoilers" last year. A Friday night loss in Iowa City can ruin a championship run for the top seeds.

The road to Oklahoma City goes through the Midwest this year, and for the first time in a long time, the Big Ten has the depth to actually send multiple teams to the final stage.