The reigning king of college football could be especially entertaining this season, thanks largely to scheduling luck. Unlike the past two years, when the top teams barely played each other, my predicted top four \u2014 Indiana, Oregon, Ohio State and USC \u2014 play five of a possible six matchups against each other.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll find out whether reigning darlings, Curt Cignetti and Indiana, can reload after losing Fernando Mendoza and a core of veterans; whether Oregon star Dante Moore<\/a> can solidify himself as a top-three draft pick; whether USC\u2019s Lincoln Riley can finally lead the Trojans to glory; and whether Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham and\/or Penn State coach Matt Campbell can turn their new teams into contenders overnight.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll also get to enjoy one last college ride for Ohio State sensation Jeremiah Smith.<\/p>\n Here are my predicted standings, plus 10 other predictions for the Big Ten in 2026. (Also read my SEC<\/a>, ACC<\/a> and Big 12<\/a>\u00a0predictions.)<\/p>\n Predicted Big Ten standings<\/p>\n Big Ten championship: Indiana over Oregon 1. Indiana wins it again. I had Indiana\/Oregon\/Ohio State ranked Nos. 1, 2 and 3, respectively, in my spring Top 25<\/a>, so clearly, I see very little separation between them. I\u2019m riding with Cignetti\u2019s<\/a> crew because they will be dominant on both lines of scrimmage, gash people on the ground and the coach will maximize TCU transfer QB Josh Hoover.<\/p>\n 2. Ohio State gets (a little) exposed. It may seem bold to pick the Buckeyes to lose twice, but they play at Texas, Indiana, USC and Iowa and also host Oregon and Michigan. That\u2019s a brutal slate for anyone. Replacing three top-11 picks on defense (including Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs) is a tough ask as well.<\/p>\n 3. USC finally makes the Playoff. Riley has a talented veteran QB (Jayden Maiava), a strong O-line and now mad scientist Gary Patterson as defensive coordinator. The schedule is rough, but they just need to beat one of Oregon or Ohio State at home and avoid one of their recent road flops against an inferior foe.<\/p>\n 4. The QB play will be unbelievable. The list is special at the top and deep throughout. In addition to Oregon\u2019s Moore, Ohio State\u2019s Julian Sayin, Washington\u2019s Demond Williams Jr., Hoover and Maiava, keep an eye on risers like Maryland\u2019s Malik Washington and Minnesota\u2019s Drake Lindsey.<\/p>\n 5. Matt Campbell will have ups and downs. Opinions on Penn State seem to fall into two categories: 1) The schedule is so easy they should go 12-0. Or 2) This isn\u2019t Iowa State; they\u2019ll stink. Year 1 will fall somewhere in between. He brought plenty of talent from Ames, Iowa, but it\u2019s still a huge culture change<\/a> in one offseason.<\/p>\n 6. So will Kyle Whittingham. Michigan hired a future Hall of Fame coach to replace Sherrone Moore, and the longtime Utes coach inherited talented players like RB Jordan Marshall and CB Jyaire Hill. The problem is, five-star QB Bryce Underwood might have<\/a> a lower ceiling than expected. That could cost the Wolverines some games against a challenging schedule (Oklahoma, Iowa and Penn State at home; Minnesota, Oregon and Ohio State on the road).<\/p>\n 7. Luke Fickell redeems himself. Granted a midseason reprieve by former athletic director Chris McIntosh, Fickell dug out of a six-game losing streak to beat two Top 25 foes down the stretch. Wisconsin finally invested in its roster<\/a>, and Fickell may finally have a QB in Old Dominion\u2019s Colton Joseph. Wisconsin goes from 4-8 to at least 7-5.<\/p>\n 8. Bob Chesney announces himself with a winning season. UCLA made the best hire of the coaching carousel in a guy who took James Madison to the Playoff and won at every level before that. QB Nico Iamaleava is back, and Chesney brought JMU stars like RB Wayne Knight (1,770 all-purpose yards in 2025) and DE Sahir West (7 sacks). Expect a jump after eight total wins in the past two years.<\/p>\n
Playoff teams: Indiana, Oregon, Ohio State, USC<\/p>\n