The 2026 college football season is just around the corner, and the Big Ten is gearing up for another exciting year. With the conference boasting the last three national champions, it's no surprise that the 2026 season is shaping up to be a highly anticipated 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 in 2026.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Projected Record: 2-10 (0-9 Big Ten)
The Scarlet Knights are facing an uphill battle in 2026, 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 in his second season as a starter, the team is projected to go winless in conference play.
Northwestern Wildcats
Projected Record: 3-9 (1-8 Big Ten)
The Wildcats had an up-and-down 2025 season, and 2026 is expected to be a down year. With a tough schedule that includes Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, Penn State, and Iowa, the team is projected to finish with a 3-9 record. The schedule is as tough as it gets, and the team's struggles are likely to continue.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Projected Record: 5-7 (2-7 Big Ten)
The Cornhuskers are facing a tough 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 projected to regress from last year's 7-6 record. The schedule is tough, and the team's struggles are likely to continue.
Maryland Terrapins
Projected Record: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
The Terrapins are sniffing bowl eligibility, but they're not quite there yet. 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 schedule is tough, and the team's struggles are likely to continue.
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. While the team won't be competing with the Big Ten's best, a .500 record in Fitzgerald's first season would be a win. The schedule is tough, but the team has a chance to improve.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Projected Record: 6-6 (3-6 Big Ten)
The Golden Gophers had an impressive 2025 season, but 2026 is expected to be a step back. With a tough schedule that includes Indiana, Penn State, Washington, Michigan, and Iowa, the team is projected to finish with a 6-6 record. The roster around quarterback Drake Lindsey and running back Darius Taylor 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. The team's talent should win them a couple more games than last season, elevating them to bowl eligibility. The schedule is tough, but the team has a chance to improve.
UCLA Bruins
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
The Bruins had a tough 2025 season, and 2026 is expected to be a step forward. With the arrival of the old James Madison coaching staff and talented quarterback Nico Iamaleava, 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)
The Fighting Illini are facing a tough season, with a depleted roster. But coach Bret Bielema is expected to keep the team above .500, with seven wins projected. The schedule is tough, but the team has a chance to improve.
Michigan Wolverines
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
The Wolverines have 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 projected to finish with a 7-5 record. The schedule is tough, and the team's struggles are likely to continue.
USC Trojans
Projected Record: 8-4 (5-4 Big Ten)
The Trojans have a high ceiling with quarterback Jayden Maiava back. But after a strong defensive performance in 2025, I'm expecting a regression on that side of the ball. The team is projected to finish with an 8-4 record, but they won't be able to close the deal in games against Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
The Hawkeyes are expected to finish with nine wins every year. With a tough three-week stretch in the middle of the season, the team is projected to lose to Michigan, Ohio State, and Washington. 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 not quite there yet. The quarterback dual between Demond Williams Jr. and Jayden Maiava for USC should be one to watch, but the team is projected to lose to Indiana and Oregon. The team is expected to finish with a 9-3 record.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Projected Record: 10-2 (6-2 Big Ten)
The Nittany Lions have a favorable schedule, missing Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana. With coach Matt Campbell in his first year at the helm, the team is expected to finish with 10 wins, but they're more like an 8- or 9-win-caliber team. The schedule is tough, but the team has a chance to improve.
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. With the arrival 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 schedule is tough, but the team has a chance to improve.
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 team has a high ceiling. The schedule is tough, but the team has a chance to improve.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Projected Record: 12-0 (9-0 Big Ten)
The Buckeyes are expected to have a dominant season, with wide receiver Jeremiah Smith's third year and quarterback Julian Sayin. The defense always seems to reload with elite prospects, and that should happen once again. The team is expected to be the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff come December.
