[ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ]<\/a><\/p>\n However, according to Ari Wasserman<\/a>, Indiana is not necessarily the No. 1 team in the Big Ten entering the 2026 season. Here is On3\u2019s full conference preview ahead of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n Toughest schedules<\/p>\n 1. Ohio State<\/a> 2. Michigan<\/a> 3. Northwestern<\/a> Read the full list HERE by clicking and subscribing<\/a><\/p>\n Top QBs in the Big Ten<\/p>\n 1. Dante Moore<\/a>, Oregon<\/a> 2. Julian Sayin<\/a>, Ohio State<\/a> 3. Jayden Maiava<\/a>, USC<\/a> 4. Demond Williams<\/a>, Washington<\/a> 5. Josh Hoover<\/a>, Indiana<\/a> Read the full list HERE by clicking and subscribing<\/a><\/p>\n Ranking most impactful transfers<\/p>\n 1. Josh Hoover<\/a>, QB, Indiana<\/a> 2. Nick Marsh<\/a>, WR, Indiana<\/a> 3. John Henry Daley<\/a>, EDGE, Michigan<\/a> 4. Koi Perich<\/a>, S, Oregon<\/a> 5. Rocco Becht<\/a>, QB, Penn State<\/a> Read the full list HERE by clicking and subscribing<\/a><\/p>\n Top Big Ten coaches<\/p>\n 1. Curt Cignetti<\/a>, Indiana<\/a> 2. Ryan Day<\/a>, Ohio State<\/a> 3. Dan Lanning<\/a>, Oregon<\/a> 4. Kyle Whittingham<\/a>, Michigan<\/a> 5. Kirk Ferentz<\/a>, Iowa<\/a> Read the full list HERE by clicking and subscribing<\/a><\/p>\n Big Ten power rankings<\/p>\n 1. Oregon<\/a> 2. Ohio State<\/a> 3. Indiana<\/a> 4. USC<\/a> 5. Penn State<\/a> Read the full list HERE by clicking and subscribing<\/a><\/p>\n CFP Best Bets<\/p>\n Oregon<\/a> Ohio State<\/a> Indiana<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/big-ten-smoke-afi-.jpg\")
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As Julian Sayin<\/a> goes into his second season as Ohio State\u2019s starting quarterback, he\u2019ll face a tall task with a challenging schedule. The Buckeyes are coming off a College Football Playoff appearance last year as they went 12-2, including a long-awaited win against Michigan<\/a> to close out the regular season.<\/p>\n
In Year 1 for Michigan under Kyle Whittingham<\/a>, the Wolverines have one of the hardest schedules in the Big Ten. The former Utah<\/a> coach will get ready to officially begin his time in Ann Arbor \u2013 and all eyes will be on sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood<\/a>.<\/p>\n
This offseason, Northwestern made a major splash at offensive coordinator, hiring Chip Kelly<\/a> to the role under David Braun<\/a>. The Wildcats are also facing one of the most challenging schedules in the Big Ten, though, adding to the intrigue around their 2026 season.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/bigtensmoke-afi.jpg\")
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After turning down the NFL Draft, Dante Moore enters the 2026 season as the top-ranked quarterback in the Big Ten, per On3\u2019s Ari Wasserman. The Oregon star helped lead the Ducks to a College Football Playoff berth last season as he completed 71.8% of his passes for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns.<\/p>\n
During his first season as Ohio State\u2019s quarterback, Julian Sayin shined as he became a Heisman Trophy finalist. He led the Big Ten with a 77% completion percentage while throwing for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns, and he comes in as the No. 2 quarterback in the Big Ten in 2026.<\/p>\n
In his first full year as USC\u2019s starter, Jayden Maiava had a monster 2025 season. He threw for 3,711 yards, which led the Big Ten, along with 24 touchdowns and will look to take a leap forward in 2026.<\/p>\n
Now fully locked in at Washington, Demond Williams is coming off a breakout sophomore season with the Huskies. He threw for 3,056 yards and 25 touchdowns in addition to 611 rush yards and six touchdowns on the ground.<\/p>\n
Once again, Curt Cignetti<\/a> and Indiana turned to the portal and made a splash at quarterback. Josh Hoover arrives from TCU<\/a>, where he threw for nearly 10,000 yards in his three full seasons. Now at IU, he is already a Top-5 quarterback in the Big Ten, according to Ari Wasserman.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/b10-smoke-transfer-afi.jpg\"){kind=spacer}
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After losing Fernando Mendoza<\/a> to the NFL Draft, Indiana didn\u2019t hesitate before again making a splash in the transfer portal at quarterback. Josh Hoover brings a wealth of experience with him from his time at TCU<\/a> and comes in as the No. 1 most impactful transfer in the Big Ten this year, according to Ari Wasserman.<\/p>\n
As if a big-time quarterback addition wasn\u2019t enough, Indiana also landed a top wide receiver in the transfer portal this cycle. Former Michigan State<\/a> wideout Nick Marsh is arriving after hauling in 59 receptions for 662 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore last season.<\/p>\n
When Kyle Whittingham<\/a> arrived at Michigan, John Henry Daley was one of the notable Utah<\/a> players to follow him. He had a monster 2025 season with the Utes as he totaled 48 tackles, 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles as a redshirt sophomore.<\/p>\n
With Dillon Thieneman<\/a> headed to the Chicago Bears in the NFL Draft, Oregon turned to the portal and got Koi Perich to help fill the void at safety. He\u2019s coming off a huge year at Minnesota<\/a> in 2025 with 82 total tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a pick-six.<\/p>\n
Under Matt Campbell\u2019s<\/a> watch at Iowa State<\/a>, Rocco Becht was consistently among the Big 12\u2019s top quarterbacks. He threw for 3,000 yards twice with the Cyclones and comes in as the No. 5-ranked most impactful transfer in the Big Ten this year, per Ari Wasserman, as he re-joins Campbell in Happy Valley.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/bigten-coaches-smoke-afi-.jpg\")
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Since arriving at Indiana, Curt Cignetti has done what he has throughout his coaching career: win. He has a 27-2 overall record with the Hoosiers, including year\u2019s 15-0 season en route to the program\u2019s first-ever national championship.<\/p>\n
As he enters his eighth season as Ohio State head coach, Ryan Day has been nothing short of impressive in Columbus. He has a career 82-12 overall record, including a 55-5 showing in Big Ten play, along with a national title to his name in 2024. He comes in as On3\u2019s No. 2-ranked coach in the conference.<\/p>\n
During his four years at Oregon, Dan Lanning has kept the Ducks among the top programs in college football and hasn\u2019t missed a beat in the Big Ten. Oregon is 26-3 overall since joining the conference in 2024 and 17-1 in league play during that time.<\/p>\n
Although he hasn\u2019t coached his first game at Michigan yet, Kyle Whittingham comes in as On3\u2019s No. 4-ranked coach in the Big Ten. That comes from his success at Utah<\/a>, where he had a 177-88 overall record as part of a decorated tenure before stepping down at the end of the 2025 season.<\/p>\n
The Dean of the Big Ten, Kirk Ferentz has been consistent during his time at Iowa. He has a career 209-128 record in his 27 years as the Hawkeyes\u2019 head coach, keeping him among the Big Ten\u2019s top five coaches, according to Ari Wasserman.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/bigten-smoke-afi-power-ranking.jpg\")
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Following last year\u2019s College Football Playoff appearance, Oregon got a big boost with quarterback Dante Moore<\/a> turning down the NFL Draft and instead coming back to Eugene. The Ducks then added a talented group of transfers, headlined by former Minnesota<\/a> safety Koi Perich<\/a>, and a Top-5 recruiting class to sit atop the Big Ten power rankings.<\/p>\n
Ohio State will have three key playmakers back on offense in Julian Sayin<\/a>, Bo Jackson<\/a> and Jeremiah Smith<\/a>, but the Buckeyes have to replace some key pieces that left for the NFL. The Buckeyes landed a Top-3 high school recruiting class and landed a group of transfers led by former Duke<\/a> safety Terry Moore<\/a>.<\/p>\n
After last year\u2019s national title, Indiana bolstered the roster with the top-ranked transfer class, according to the On3 Industry Team Transfer Rankings. Former TCU<\/a> quarterback Josh Hoover<\/a> comes in as the heir apparent to Fernando Mendoza<\/a> as the Hoosiers look to maintain their spot as one of the top teams in the Big Ten.<\/p>\n
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a big year for Lincoln Riley<\/a> at USC, and On3\u2019s Ari Wasserman ranked the Trojans at No. 4 in his power rankings. Quarterback Jayden Maiava<\/a> is notably returning and the program also has the top-ranked recruiting class in the nation on the way to Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a new era at Penn State under Matt Campbell<\/a>, and the Nittany Lions come in as a Top-5 team entering the 2026 season. They have a blend of old and new faces as Campbell takes over, but the most notable retentions came in the secondary with Audavion Collins<\/a> and Daryus Dixson<\/a> back.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/b10-afi.jpg\")
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Looking ahead to the College Football Playoff, Oregon comes in as one of On3\u2019s best bets to make the postseason once again. The Ducks have had sustained success under Dan Lanning<\/a> and with key pieces coming back, have the makings of another run to the postseason.<\/p>\n
Despite losing so many players to the NFL, Ohio State is also a best bet to make the College Football Playoff. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith<\/a> is now in to call the shots on an offense with a number of big names back, headlined by Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith.<\/p>\n
After last season\u2019s national title, Indiana is another one of On3\u2019s best bets to return to the College Football Playoff. The Hoosiers have the No. 1-ranked transfer portal class coming in, led by former TCU<\/a> quarterback Josh Hoover<\/a>, as Curt Cignetti<\/a> looks to keep things rolling in Bloomington.<\/p>\n