RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesBig Ten Media Days is now in the books and fall camp is right around the corner for each program. Most teams are going to be opening camp next week and the unofficial start of the college football season is underway.
With football in the air, it’s time to do a power rankings for the Big Ten Conference.
It’s worth noting this is not a prediction of how the teams are going to finish this season, but rather how the roster talent and coaching staffs stack up against one another.
18. Purdue Boilermakers
The Boilermakers haven’t won a Big Ten game since 2023 and until Purdue can find some answers, it’s going to be tough sledding. Barry Odom is entering his second season at the helm, and while he had success at UNLV, the Big Ten is a different animal.
Purdue gets Ryan Browne back at quarterback this season, but he has yet to show he’s the answer. Can the Boilermakers find a way to win a Big Ten game this season? That’s the question that needs to be asked first.
17. Michigan State Spartans
Jul 29, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Michigan State Football head coach Pat Fitzgerald speaks during Big Ten Media Days at Hilton Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters) Michigan State made wholesale changes by firing Jonathan Smith and bringing in Pat Fitzgerald, the former Northwestern head coach. Fitzgerald will likely need a few years, but he should bring stability to the Spartans’ program after a few really poor seasons under Smith.
The Spartans bring back quarterback Alessio Milivojevic, who replaced Aidan Chiles last year. MSU also went out and landed UConn running back Cam Edwards, who ran for over 1200 yards last year. But overall, the talent level just isn’t there yet for the Spartans to make any sort of run in the Big Ten.
16. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The good thing going for Rutgers is that it has two All-Big Ten players in running back Antwan Raymond and wide receiver KJ Duff. But the Scarlet Knights need a quarterback, and Greg Schiano will likely be replacing Athan Kaliakmanis with Boston College transfer Dylan Longeran.
The Scarlet Knights made some moves via the transfer portal to beef up their defense, mostly looking at the Group of Five. Will that translate to Big Ten football? To be seen. Rutgers won’t be an easy out this season, but the Scarlet Knights are quite there yet to compete at a high level.
15. Maryland Terrapins
Nov 29, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Maryland quarterback Malik Washington (7) throws a pass against Michigan State in the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters) Maryland is an intriguing team this season, but Mike Locksley has won four games in back-to-back seasons. However, he has brought in some elite talent into College Park.
Rising sophomore Malik Washington is back for his second season after starting as a true freshman. Washington’s ceiling is sky high and Maryland’s defense has some playmakers. Linebacker Daniel Wingate is back to lead the defense, along with Zahir Mathis, and incoming five-star edge Zion Elee.
14. Northwestern Wildcats
We’ve come to learn that the Wildcats are going to be a scrappy team under David Braun. He has done more with less and he chose to make an interesting hire by adding Chip Kelly as the team’s offensive coordinator this season.
Northwestern returns star wide receiver Griffin Wilde this year. Former Michigan State and Oregon State quarterback Aidan Chiles will be throwing to him. The once highly-touted prospect was benched last season in East Lansing. The ‘Cats hope they resurrect Chiles’ career.
13. UCLA Bruins
May 2, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) throws the ball during the spring game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters) Don’t look now, but the Bruins are trending upward . UCLA made the move to bring Bob Chesney from James Madison, after he took the Dukes to the College Football Playoff.
Coming to UCLA, he brought a plethora of players from JMU with him. Star running back Wayne Knight is now with the Bruins and will add great value to UCLA’s run game. Former five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava is back for another season, too.
It’s going to take Chesney a year or two, but UCLA’s future is promising.
12. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Matt Rhule has yet to live up to expectations since taking over as the Nebraska head coach. The Huskers have won seven games in back-to-back seasons, and entering 2026, Nebraska lost prized quarterback Dylan Raiola to Oregon.
Raiola’s replacement is UNLV transfer Anthony Colandrea, who is a scrambling threat. However, errors were costly during his time at Virginia. The Cornhuskers also lost start running back Emmett Johnson, who is now at the NFL.
Losing its top two stars won’t be easy to fix for Rhule, who needs to win this season.
11. Wisconsin Badgers
Nov 29, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters) Another Big Ten head coach on the hot seat is Luke Fickell, but the Badgers built a $25 million roster this season and hope resides around Old Dominion transfer Colton Joseph, who is a dual-threat signal-caller. Joseph was prolific at ODU, but once again, how does that translate to Big Ten football?
The Badgers’ defense should be sound once again this season. But, for Fickell, it’s dependent on how well the offense comes together this season.
10. Illinois Fighting Illini
Bret Bielema has done quite well with Illinois, leading the Illini to nine wins a season ago. Illinois lost some key veterans from last season, most notably quarterback Luke Altmyer. Former Michigan State and East Carolina signal caller Kati...
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