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 another 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
After two consecutive winless seasons in Big Ten play, the Purdue Boilermakers are looking to turn things around in 2026. With coach Barry Odom in his second year at the helm, the team has made incremental improvements to the roster, but it's still a long shot for them to get a conference win this year. The projected record is 1-11 (0-9 Big Ten), with notable losses to Notre Dame, Washington, and Illinois.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are facing an uphill battle in 2026, with the loss of experienced quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. Running back Antwan Raymond will have to carry the load in his second season as a starter, but the team's porous defense makes a winless season in conference play a distinct possibility. The projected record is 2-10 (0-9 Big Ten), with notable losses to USC, Indiana, and Maryland.
Northwestern Wildcats
The Northwestern Wildcats had an up-and-down 2025 season, and 2026 looks to be more of the same. With a tough schedule that includes Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, Penn State, and Iowa, the Wildcats are projected to finish with a 3-9 (1-8 Big Ten) record. It's hard to see them improving on their 2025 win total.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are facing a challenging season in 2026, with the loss of quarterback Dylan Raiola and the arrival of UNLV transfer Anthony Colandrea. Coach Matt Rhule's squad didn't reload as hoped, and a regression from last year's 7-6 (4-5 Big Ten) record is expected. The projected record is 5-7 (2-7 Big Ten), with notable losses to Michigan State, Indiana, and Oregon.
Maryland Terrapins
The Maryland Terrapins are looking to build on their 4-8 (1-8 Big Ten) record from 2025. With the retention of talented freshman quarterback Malik Washington, the team has a chance to be frisky, but there's not much to be proud of around him. The projected record is 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten), with notable losses to Virginia Tech, UCLA, and USC.
Michigan State Spartans
The Michigan State Spartans are in a state of flux, with a new coach in Pat Fitzgerald taking over for Jonathan Smith. While a .500 record in Fitzgerald's first season would be a win, the team is expected to slowly bring itself back to relevancy. The projected record is 6-6 (4-5 Big Ten), with notable losses to Notre Dame, Illinois, and UCLA.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Minnesota Golden Gophers had an impressive 2025 season, but 2026 looks to be a step back. With a relatively easy schedule in 2025 that led to eight wins, the team will have to take on Indiana, Penn State, Washington, Michigan, and Iowa in 2026. Despite bringing back quarterback Drake Lindsey and star running back Darius Taylor, the roster around them just isn't good enough to win those games. The projected record is 6-6 (3-6 Big Ten).
Wisconsin Badgers
Coach Luke Fickell is still around, and the Wisconsin Badgers are looking to build on their 4-8 (2-7 Big Ten) record from 2025. With a major move in the portal, landing Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph, the team should win a couple more games than last year. The projected record is 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten), with notable losses to Notre Dame and Penn State.
UCLA Bruins
The UCLA Bruins had a tough 2025 season, and 2026 looks to be more of the same. With the old James Madison coaching staff coming in and quarterback Nico Iamaleava surrounded by a solid roster talent-wise, the team should be more respectable. The projected record is 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten), with notable losses to Cal, Oregon, and Michigan.
Illinois Fighting Illini
The Illinois Fighting Illini are looking to build on their 9-4 (5-4 Big Ten) record from 2025. With a depleted roster, it's hard to see coach Bret Bielema allowing the team to drop below .500. The projected record is 7-5 (4-5 Big Ten), with a big game coming against Duke in the nonconference portion of the schedule.
Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan Wolverines drew a brutal schedule for 2026, with games against Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, and Penn State, as well as a nonconference Week 2 meeting with Oklahoma. Quarterback Bryce Underwood is talented but still raw, and the team is expected to finish with a 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten) record.
USC Trojans
The USC Trojans are looking to build on their 9-4 (7-2 Big Ten) record from 2025. With Jayden Maiava back at the quarterback spot, the team has a high ceiling. However, after a strong defensive performance in 2025, I'm expecting a regression on that side of the ball. The projected record is 8-4 (5-4 Big Ten), with notable losses to Oregon, Wisconsin, and Ohio State.
Iowa Hawkeyes
The Iowa Hawkeyes have a reputation for finishing with nine wins every year, and 2026 is no different. With a tough three-week stretch in the middle of the season, the team is expected to finish with a 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten) record. The projected losses are Michigan, Ohio State, and Washington.
Washington Huskies
The Washington 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 ultimately, the team is expected to finish with a 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten) record. The projected losses are USC, Indiana, and Oregon.
Penn State Nittany Lions
The Penn State Nittany Lions are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 7-6 (3-6 Big Ten) record in 2025. With a favorable schedule that misses Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana, the team is expected to finish with 10 wins. However, think of them more as an 8- or 9-win-caliber team. The projected record is 10-2 (6-2 Big Ten), with notable losses to USC and Washington.
Indiana Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers are looking to build on their impressive 16-0 (9-0 Big Ten) record from 2025. With the retention of coach Curt Cignetti and the addition of TCU quarterback Josh Hoover and Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh, the team is expected to push for a Big Ten title game berth. The projected record is 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten), with a notable loss to Ohio State.
Oregon Ducks
The Oregon Ducks are looking to build on their 13-3 (8-1 Big Ten) record from 2025. With trips to Columbus resulting in wins for the Ducks in recent years, the team is expected to go undefeated the rest of their schedule and achieve a third straight berth in the playoff. The projected record is 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten), with a notable loss to Ohio State. 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
The Ohio State Buckeyes are looking to build on their 12-2 (9-0 Big Ten) record from 2025. With wide receiver Jeremiah Smith in his third year and quarterback Julian Sayin, the team is expected to reload with elite prospects on defense. The projected record is 12-0 (9-0 Big Ten), with notable losses to Texas and Oklahoma. Don't be surprised if Ohio State is the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff come December.
