Big Ten writers from around the league are split on what 2026 will look like, but one theme came through loud and clear: Ohio State sits at the center of the conversation.
In a survey of the 15 other SB Nation Big Ten sites, editors were asked to project each team’s record, the Big Ten champion, and the national champion. The result was a league forecast that leans heavily toward the Buckeyes, while also giving Oregon and Indiana real support in the conference race.
Ohio State drew the most confidence overall. Seven of the 15 writers picked the Buckeyes to win the Big Ten, and eight selected them as national champions. Oregon wasn’t far behind in the conference race, earning six Big Ten title votes, while Indiana picked up three.
The record projections also put Ohio State at the top of the league at 11-1, with Oregon and Indiana joining them there. After that, the predictions spread out quickly. Iowa and Michigan were each projected at 9-3, Washington and Penn State also landed at 9-3, and Minnesota was slotted at 8-4.
A cluster of teams were forecast at 7-5 or 6-6, including Illinois, Nebraska, Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern, Rutgers, and Wisconsin. Purdue was the lone team projected to finish below that group at 3-9.
Here’s how the full set of predictions shook out:
Ohio State: 11-1, Big Ten champion, Ohio State national champion
Oregon: 11-1, Big Ten champion, Georgia national champion
Indiana: 11-1, Big Ten champion, Oregon national champion
Iowa: 9-3, Ohio State Big Ten champion, Ohio State national champion
um: 9-3, Oregon Big Ten champion, Notre Dame national champion
Washington: 9-3, Ohio State Big Ten champion, Georgia national champion
Penn State: 9-3, Oregon Big Ten champion, Ohio State national champion
Minnesota: 8-4, Ohio State Big Ten champion, Notre Dame national champion
Illinois: 7-5, Indiana Big Ten champion, Ohio State national champion
Nebraska: 7-5, Ohio State Big Ten champion, Ohio State national champion
Maryland: 6-6, Oregon Big Ten champion, Ohio State national champion
Michigan State: 6-6, Ohio State Big Ten champion, Texas national champion
Northwestern: 6-6, Oregon Big Ten champion, Ohio State national champion
Rutgers: 6-6, Ohio State Big Ten champion, Ohio State national champion
Wisconsin: 6-6, Oregon Big Ten champion, Texas national champion
Purdue: 3-9, Indiana Big Ten champion, Notre Dame national champion
On the championship front, the Big Ten race tilted toward Ohio State, but not by a runaway margin. Oregon stayed close, and Indiana’s three votes showed that some around the league see a path for a surprise at the top.
For the national title, Ohio State was the clear favorite in this group, with Notre Dame, Texas, Georgia, and Oregon all receiving at least one vote.
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