The Big Ten conference is set to witness an intense battle for supremacy in the upcoming 2026 college football season. With the Ohio State Buckeyes, Oregon Ducks, and Indiana Hoosiers all vying for the top spot, the competition is fiercer than ever. However, not all teams are on an upward trajectory, and some may struggle to keep up with the conference's elite. Here's a comprehensive look at the projected win-loss records for each team, along with my personal commentary and analysis.
Purdue Boilermakers
Projected Record: 1-11 (0-9 Big Ten)
Purdue has been in a downward spiral for the past two seasons, and it doesn't look like things will change in 2026. With a new coach, Barry Odom, at the helm, the team has shown incremental improvement, but it's not enough to turn things around. The Boilermakers' schedule is packed with tough opponents, and it's hard to see them getting a conference win. My prediction is that they will remain at the bottom of the Big Ten.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Projected Record: 2-10 (0-9 Big Ten)
Rutgers is facing a challenging season ahead, with the loss of experienced quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. The Scarlet Knights' offense will be heavily reliant on running back Antwan Raymond, who will have to carry the load in his second season as a starter. With a porous defense, a winless season in conference play is a real possibility. I think they will struggle to win any games, and a winless season is a distinct possibility.
Northwestern Wildcats
Projected Record: 3-9 (1-8 Big Ten)
Northwestern's schedule is as tough as it gets, with Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, Penn State, and Iowa all on the docket. While they overachieved in 2025, I don't expect the same this fall. The Wildcats will continue their up-and-down win total trend, with 2026 being a down year. I think they will struggle to win more than three games.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Projected Record: 5-7 (2-7 Big Ten)
Nebraska is facing a challenging season ahead, with the loss of quarterback Dylan Raiola and the arrival of transfer Anthony Colandrea. Coach Matt Rhule's squad didn't reload as they had hoped, and I expect a regression from last year. The Cornhuskers' schedule is packed with tough opponents, and it's hard to see them winning more than five games.
Maryland Terrapins
Projected Record: 5-7 (3-6 Big Ten)
Maryland's biggest win over the offseason was retaining quarterback Malik Washington, who impressed in his first season as a starter. However, there's not much to be proud of around him, and I think the Terrapins will struggle to win more than five games. I predict they will miss out on bowl eligibility.
Michigan State Spartans
Projected Record: 6-6 (4-5 Big Ten)
Michigan State is a team in transition, with a new coach, Pat Fitzgerald, at the helm. While it doesn't mean competing with the Big Ten's best, it does mean slowly bringing the Spartans back to relevancy. A .500 record in Fitzgerald's first season would be a win. I think they will improve, but not enough to win more than six games.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Projected Record: 6-6 (3-6 Big Ten)
Minnesota's relatively easy schedule in 2025 led them to eight wins, but that won't be the case in 2026. They'll have to take on Indiana, Penn State, Washington, Michigan, and Iowa. Despite bringing back quarterback Drake Lindsey and star running back Darius Taylor, I think the roster around them just isn't good enough to win those games. I predict they will win six games.
Wisconsin Badgers
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
Coach Luke Fickell is still around, and he pulled off 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 a season ago, elevating them to bowl eligibility. I think they will improve, but not enough to win more than seven games.
UCLA Bruins
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
UCLA can't get much worse than last season, and with the old James Madison coaching staff coming in, I think they will be much more respectable this fall. They will not be world-beaters, but seven wins would be a solid season for them. I predict they will win seven games.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Projected Record: 7-5 (4-5 Big Ten)
Though the roster is depleted from last season, I don't think coach Bret Bielema will allow the Fighting Illini to drop below .500. Seven wins seems like the right number, with a big game coming against Duke in the nonconference portion of the schedule serving as an important litmus test. I think they will win seven games.
Michigan Wolverines
Projected Record: 7-5 (5-4 Big Ten)
The Wolverines drew an absolute brutal schedule, with games against Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, and Penn State. Quarterback Bryce Underwood is talented but still very raw, and I don't think he has what it takes to pull off the upset in any of those games. I predict they will win seven 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 expect a regression on that side of the ball. I think they will win eight games, but not enough to close the deal in games against Indiana, Ohio State, and Oregon.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
Iowa 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. I think the offense will struggle to come to life this year, limiting their ceiling. I predict they will win nine games.
Washington Huskies
Projected Record: 9-3 (6-3 Big Ten)
The Huskies are knocking on the door of Big Ten contender status, but I think they will fall short. The quarterback dual between Demond Williams Jr. and Jayden Maiava for USC should be one to watch, but ultimately, I don't think Washington will get over the hump in 2026. I predict they will win nine games.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Projected Record: 10-2 (6-2 Big Ten)
Penn State has a very favorable schedule, missing Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana. While they'll finish with 10 wins, I think they are more like an 8- or 9-win-caliber team. I predict they will win 10 games.
Indiana Hoosiers
Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
Indiana 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, I expect the Hoosiers to push for a Big Ten title game berth. I predict they will win 11 games.
Oregon Ducks
Projected Record: 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten)
Oregon will go undefeated the rest of their schedule and achieve 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. I predict they will win 11 games.
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 talented quarterback Julian Sayin. The defense always seems to reload with elite prospects, and that should happen once again. I predict they will win 12 games and be the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
