The 2026 college football season is just around the corner, and the Big Ten is gearing up for another exciting year of competition. With the conference boasting the last three national champions, it's no surprise that the 2026 season is shaping up to be a thrilling one. But who will come out on top? Let's take a closer look at the projected win-loss records for each team in the Big Ten.
Purdue Boilermakers
Projected Record: 1-11 (0-9 Big Ten)
After two consecutive winless seasons in Big Ten play, the Boilermakers are struggling to find their footing. With coach Barry Odom in his second year at the helm, the team has shown incremental improvement, but it's not enough to keep them from the basement of the conference. The schedule doesn't offer much hope for a conference win, and the team's struggles are likely to continue.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Projected Record: 2-10 (0-9 Big Ten)
The Scarlet Knights are facing an uphill battle this season, with the loss of experienced quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. The team's offense is expected to struggle, and the defense is already porous. With running back Antwan Raymond carrying the load, the Knights could be in for a winless season in conference play.
Northwestern Wildcats
Projected Record: 3-9 (1-8 Big Ten)
The Wildcats' schedule is as tough as it gets, with games against Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, Penn State, and Iowa. While they overachieved in 2025, this season is likely to be a step back. The team's up-and-down win total trend is expected to continue, with 2026 being a down year.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Projected Record: 5-7 (2-7 Big Ten)
The Cornhuskers are facing a challenging season, with the loss of quarterback Dylan Raiola and the arrival of transfer Anthony Colandrea. Coach Matt Rhule's squad didn't reload as hoped, and the team is expected to regress from last year's performance.
Maryland Terrapins
Projected Record: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
The Terrapins' biggest win over the offseason was retaining quarterback Malik Washington, but the team still has a lot to prove. With a chance to be frisky because of Washington's talent, the Terrapins are expected to sniff bowl eligibility but miss out.
Michigan State Spartans
Projected Record: 6-6 (4-5 Big Ten)
The Spartans are in a state of flux, with coach Jonathan Smith's two-year tenure coming to an end. In comes Pat Fitzgerald, who should provide stability and slowly bring the team back to relevancy. A .500 record in Fitzgerald's first season would be a win.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Projected Record: 6-6 (3-6 Big Ten)
The Golden Gophers' relatively easy schedule in 2025 led them to eight wins, but that's not the case in 2026. With games against Indiana, Penn State, Washington, Michigan, and Iowa, the team's roster just isn't good enough to win those games.
Wisconsin Badgers
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
Coach Luke Fickell is still around, and the team has made a major move in the portal, landing Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph. Joseph's talent alone should win the Badgers a couple more games than last season, elevating them to bowl eligibility.
UCLA Bruins
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
The Bruins can't get much worse than last season, and with the old James Madison coaching staff coming in, the team should be more respectable. While they won't be world-beaters, seven wins would be a solid season for them.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Projected Record: 7-5 (4-5 Big Ten)
Though the roster is depleted from last season, coach Bret Bielema is expected to keep the team above .500. Seven wins seems like the right number, with a big game against Duke in the nonconference portion of the schedule serving as an important litmus test.
Michigan Wolverines
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
The Wolverines drew a brutal schedule, with games against Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, and Penn State. Quarterback Bryce Underwood is talented but still raw, and the team is expected to struggle in those games.
USC Trojans
Projected Record: 8-4 (5-4 Big Ten)
With Jayden Maiava back at the quarterback spot, the Trojans have a high ceiling. However, after a strong defensive performance in 2025, I'm expecting a regression on that side of the ball. The team should be in games against Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon, but they won't be able to close the deal.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Death, taxes, and Iowa finishing with nine wins every year. The team has a tough three-week stretch in the middle of the season, with games against Michigan and Washington sandwiched around a home date with Ohio State. The offense is expected to struggle, limiting the team's ceiling.
Washington Huskies
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
The Huskies are knocking on the door of Big Ten contender status, but they're still shut out with losses to Indiana and Oregon. The quarterback dual between Demond Williams Jr. and Jayden Maiava for USC should be one to watch, but the team is expected to fall short in 2026.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Projected Record: 10-2 (6-2 Big Ten)
In Matt Campbell's first year at the helm, the Nittany Lions enjoy a favorable schedule, missing Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana. While they'll finish with 10 wins, they're more like an 8- or 9-win-caliber team.
Indiana Hoosiers
Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
The Hoosiers lost a lot of talent across the roster, but they didn't lose the most important piece: coach Curt Cignetti. He reloaded via the transfer portal, landing TCU quarterback Josh Hoover and Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh. With Cignetti at the helm, expect Indiana to push for a Big Ten title game berth.
Oregon Ducks
Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
The Ducks are expected to go undefeated the rest of their schedule, achieving a third straight berth in the playoff. With Dante Moore leading the way and one of the best defenses in the country from a roster perspective, the Ducks have as high of a ceiling as any team in the country.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Projected Record: 12-0 (9-0 Big Ten)
It's hard to imagine the Buckeyes losing a game in the regular season, considering it will be wide receiver Jeremiah Smith's third year and second working with quarterback Julian Sayin. The defense always seems to reload with elite prospects, and that should happen once again. Don't be surprised if Ohio State is the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff come December.
