Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The Big Ten conference’s top football programs are set to clash in a season filled with high expectations and unpredictable outcomes.Penn State Erie Today
ESPN has released its rankings of all Big Ten football programs based on the SP+ ratings from Bill Connelly and spring practice intel. Ohio State, fresh off a playoff run, tops the list, followed by Oregon and defending national champion Indiana.
Why it matters
The Big Ten is one of the premier college football conferences, and these rankings provide an early look at which teams are expected to be the top contenders in the 2026 season. The rankings also highlight key storylines, such as coaching changes, quarterback battles, and roster turnover.
The details
Ohio State, led by QB Julian Sayin and WR Jeremiah Smith, tops the list, though they’ll have to replace some key defensive pieces. Oregon, fresh off a CFP semifinal run, is second, with QB Dante Moore leading the way. Defending national champion Indiana, under new coach Curt Cignetti, rounds out the top three.
The rankings were released on April 13, 2026, ahead of the upcoming college football season.
The players
Julian Sayin
The quarterback for Ohio State.
Jeremiah Smith
A wide receiver for Ohio State.
Dante Moore
The quarterback for Oregon.
Curt Cignetti
The new head coach of the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers.
Josh Hoover
The new quarterback for Indiana, transferring in from TCU.
Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›
What they’re saying
“As a reminder, SP+ is a tempo- and opponent-adjusted measure of college football efficiency. It is a predictive measure of the most sustainable and predictable aspects of football, not a résumé ranking.”
— Bill Connelly, ESPN Analyst
The takeaway
The Big Ten is shaping up to be a highly competitive conference in 2026, with several teams poised to make a push for the College Football Playoff. The rankings highlight the importance of quarterback play, defensive talent, and coaching continuity in determining which programs will rise to the top.