The 2026 Big Ten preseason football rankings are already making people lose their minds, and honestly, I get it. We’re officially two years into the "mega-conference" era, and the old-school Midwestern grit is clashing with that flashy West Coast speed in a way that’s basically impossible to predict. If you thought last year was a fluke, you haven’t been paying attention to the recruiting trail.
Everyone wants to talk about Ohio State. Of course they do. But the real story is how the hierarchy of this 18-team monster is shifting under our feet.
The New Big Ten Preseason Football Rankings Reality
Look, we have to address the elephant in the room: Ohio State didn't repeat as national champions. They lost to Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, and the roster is bleeding talent to the NFL. Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, and Carnell Tate are gone. That's a lot of production to replace. Yet, the Buckeyes are still landing at the top of most way-too-early lists.
Why? Because Julian Sayin is still there.
The kid is a magician with the football. In 2025, he completed 19 of 26 passes to dismantle Michigan in Ann Arbor, effectively ending "The Streak" and proving that Ryan Day hasn’t lost his touch. But rankings aren't just about the top spot. It’s about the chaos underneath.
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1. Ohio State Buckeyes
They’re the default #1. Even with the defensive exodus, the recruiting classes in Columbus are just built different. Expect them to lean heavily on tight end Jelani Thurman and a rebuilt secondary. They have the most "blue-chip" depth in the conference, period.
2. Oregon Ducks
Dante Moore is officially the guy. People forget that Oregon basically took the Big Ten by storm when they joined. Dan Lanning has turned Eugene into a portal destination that rivals any SEC powerhouse. With transfer tailback Makhi Hughes likely taking a massive workload, the Ducks' offense is going to be terrifying. They're my pick to actually win the conference title in 2026.
3. Indiana Hoosiers
Yeah, you read that right. Indiana. Curt Cignetti is a miracle worker. Coming off a historic playoff run and a #1 seed finish in the 2025 regular season, the Hoosiers aren't a "Cinderella" anymore. They’re a problem. Landing Fernando Mendoza in the portal was a massive win, and their defense returns enough continuity to stay salty. If you're still ranking them in the bottom half, you're just living in 2022.
4. Penn State Nittany Lions
James Franklin is the king of the 10-win season. They’re ranked 4th nationally in several early models because the backfield of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen is essentially a cheat code. The big "if" is the wide receiver room. If they don't find a vertical threat, they’ll once again be the team that almost—but doesn't quite—beat the big boys.
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5. Michigan Wolverines
Post-Jim Harbaugh life has been a bit of a rollercoaster for Sherrone Moore. They took a step back in 2024 but started clawing back last season. The real intrigue here is Bryce Underwood. If the top recruit in the country starts as a freshman, the Big Ten is going to look very different. Michigan’s identity is still "smash-mouth," but they need a quarterback who can actually scare a secondary.
The Nebraska Surge and the "Middle Class" Chaos
If there is one team that is going to break everyone’s brackets, it’s Nebraska. Matt Rhule is entering Year 3—the "magic year" for his rebuilds. Dylan Raiola is no longer a freshman making rookie mistakes; he’s a seasoned vet with Dana Holgorsen calling the plays.
Honestly, the "middle" of the Big Ten is more dangerous than the top. You've got USC with Jayden Maiava, who is finally the undisputed QB1. Then there's Illinois. Bret Bielema had them winning 10 games recently, and with Luke Altmyer returning, they’re a nightmare to play in November.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Rankings
The biggest mistake is ignoring the travel factor. We saw it last year. When Rutgers has to fly to Seattle, or Washington has to play in a snowstorm in New Jersey, the "on-paper" talent gap shrinks.
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- The Travel Tax: West Coast teams are getting better at the logistics, but the "Black Friday" games are still brutal for visitors.
- The Depth Issue: In an 18-team league, you need 3-deep rosters. This is why teams like Purdue and Northwestern are struggling; they just don't have the NIL bags to keep their stars from being poached by the top 5.
- The Schedule Variations: Not everyone plays everyone. A team like Iowa might dodge Ohio State and Oregon, which could easily catapult them to a 9-win season despite a mediocre offense.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're looking at these rankings to place bets or just to win an argument at the bar, keep these three things in mind.
First, watch the spring portal window. The Big Ten is currently a "buyer's market." Teams like Wisconsin and Nebraska are desperate for offensive line depth. If a 4-star tackle hits the portal in May, the team that grabs him might jump three spots in the August rankings.
Second, don't sleep on the "new" protected rivalries. The Big Ten kept games like Oregon-Washington and UCLA-USC for a reason. These games are emotional, and in a conference this big, an emotional loss in October can derail a playoff run.
Finally, evaluate the coaching turnover. Ohio State is replacing coordinators again. Michigan is still finding its footing under Moore. The teams with coaching stability—like Oregon (Lanning) and Penn State (Franklin)—are much safer bets for the preseason top 10.
Keep a close eye on the injury reports coming out of spring ball in April. A single ACL tear in a thin position group like Iowa’s wide receivers or Minnesota’s defensive line can change a projected 8-win season into a 5-win disaster before the first kickoff in August.