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The Big Ten has flexed its muscles on the gridiron by winning three straight national championships. With Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana each having a case to be preseason No. 1, a fourth title in a row is a realistic goal for the conference. In addition to three potential top-five teams, the Big Ten also boasts a deep collection of programs with an eye on the College Football Playoff. Michigan, USC, Penn State, Washington and Iowa have the potential to contend for a spot in the 12-team field. That depth has the conference loaded with intriguing games throughout its 2026 schedule.
With the 2026 season less than 45 days away, it's never too early to take a look at the upcoming schedule and project what the top contests and matchups will be this fall.
Which matchups involving Big Ten teams are the best for each week in the 2026 college football season? Athlon Sports picks the No. 1 contest for every week of the regular season:
Big Ten 2026 Preview:Predictions | Coach Ranks | 138 Team Rankings | Bowl Projections
All-America | Big Ten All-Conference Team
The Trojans are the only Big Ten team in action on Aug. 29. This early tune-up against San Jose State is a good opportunity to see the progression of USC’s defense under new coordinator Gary Patterson, along with quarterback Jayden Maiava and a cast of new weapons at receiver.
Boise State is Athlon’s projected top Group of 6 team for 2026, but the Ducks are favored by more than three touchdowns. That spread hints at the potential for this team under coach Dan Lanning with quarterback Dante Moore returning, along with one of the Big Ten’s top defenses leading the way.
Other Key Games in Week 1
UAB at Illinois (Thursday, Sept. 3)
Toledo at Michigan State (Friday, Sept. 4)
Fresno State at USC (Friday, Sept. 4)
North Texas at Indiana
Western Michigan at Michigan
Ohio at Nebraska
South Dakota State at Northwestern
Marshall at Penn State
UCLA at California
Washington State at Washington (Sunday, Sept. 6)
Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame (Green Bay, Wis. - Sunday, Sept. 6)
Week 2 features a pair of massive Big Ten-SEC showdowns. Oklahoma travels to Ann Arbor to take on Michigan, with Ohio State meeting Texas in Austin for a potential showdown of the top two teams in the nation. Will the Longhorns have more answers for the Buckeyes’ defense this time around? Or will coach Ryan Day’s squad score a huge road victory for the Big Ten in the battle for conference supremacy with the SEC?
Other Key Games in Week 2
Rutgers at Boston College (Friday, Sept. 11)
Duke at Illinois
Iowa State at Iowa
Oklahoma at Michigan
Mississippi State at Minnesota
Oregon at Oklahoma State
Penn State at Temple
Wake Forest at Purdue
San Diego State at UCLA
Maryland at UConn
Related: College Football Bowl Projections for 2026
After a blockbuster pairing of games in Week 2, the Week 3 slate is a little light in the Big Ten. Colorado’s visit to Northwestern, Michigan State’s trek to South Bend to play Notre Dame, and USC’s cross-country flight to Rutgers are all intriguing. However, Virginia Tech at Maryland gets the nod here. These old ACC rivals haven’t played since the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl. Also, there’s some extra intrigue with the Hokies and new coach James Franklin — especially since Franklin and Maryland coach Mike Locksley had a terse postgame exchange in ‘24.
Other Key Games in Week 3
Western Kentucky at Indiana
Michigan State at Notre Dame
Colorado at Northwestern
Purdue at UCLA
USC at Rutgers
If USC wants to break through and make the College Football Playoff in ‘26, this is a game it has to find a way to win. Oregon is primed to contend for the national title and will have a chance at the No. 1 overall seed if it wins the Big Ten. If the Trojans can find a way to slow down the Ducks’ high-powered offense and quarterback Jayden Maiava comes up clutch against Oregon’s standout defense, coach Lincoln Riley’s squad will have a chance to pull off a significant early-season upset.
Other Key Games in Week 4
Northwestern at Indiana (Friday, Sept. 25)
Illinois at Ohio State
Iowa at Michigan
UCLA at Maryland
Nebraska at Michigan State
Minnesota at Washington
Wisconsin at Penn State
Notre Dame at Purdue
Related: Ranking All 138 College Football Teams for 2026
Ohio State’s tricky road trip to Iowa is a strong contender here. However, the Washington-USC game could be crucial for positioning in the middle of the Big Ten for a push at a playoff spot. Also, this contest features two of the conference’s top quarterbacks in Washington’s Demond Williams and USC’s Jayden Maiava.
Other Key Games in Week 5
Penn State at Northwestern (Friday, Oct. 2)
Purdue at Illinois
Indiana at Rutgers
Ohio State at Iowa
Maryland at Nebraska
Michigan at Minnesota
Michigan State at Wisconsin
Penn State has a favorable overall schedule for new coach Matt Campbell, but this showdown against USC is one of the biggest swing games on the ‘26 slate. How will the Trojans handle the travel out to the East Coast for this matchup after facing tough battles against Oregon and Washington in the previous two weeks?
Other Key Games in Week 6
Iowa at Washington (Friday, Oct. 9)
Illinois at Michigan State
Indiana at Nebraska
Maryland at Ohio State
Minnesota at Purdue
UCLA at Oregon
This showdown in Bloomington between two of the nation’s top teams is an easy pick for Week 7. Ohio State is out for revenge after a 13-10 defeat to Indiana in last year’s Big Ten title game. However, despite the departure of a handful of key players, the Hoosiers have plenty of staying power behind coach Curt Cignetti. A win in this matchup would help Indiana or Ohio State move one step closer to another trip to the conference championship.
Other Key Games in Week 7
Washington at Purdue (Friday, Oct. 16)
Rutgers at Maryland
Penn State at Michigan
Northwestern at Michigan State
Nebraska at Oregon
Wisconsin at UCLA
Related: Q&A with Indiana's Curt Cignetti
Regardless of the outcome in Indiana’s matchup against Ohio State on Oct. 17, coach Curt Cignetti’s team is likely to have its hands full at Michigan. Indiana hasn’t won in Ann Arbor since 1967, and the Wolverines will be a tough out with a standout defense and quarterback Bryce Underwood primed to push new coach Kyle Whittingham’s team into playoff contention this fall.
Other Key Games in Week 8
Oregon at Illinois
Iowa at Minnesota
Michigan State at UCLA
Rutgers at Northwestern
USC at Wisconsin
This game marks the first time Ohio State and USC have met as Big Ten members. The Trojans and Buckeyes played in the 2017 Cotton Bowl, but the last regular-season matchup between these two teams took place in ‘09. Will USC’s defense have an answer for Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith?
Other Key Games in Week 9
Illinois at Maryland
Minnesota at Indiana
Wisconsin at Iowa
Michigan at Rutgers
Washington at Nebraska
Northwestern at Oregon
Purdue at Penn State
This battle between the Ducks and Buckeyes is one of the most-anticipated games of the ‘26 season. Oregon and Ohio State combined for 18 selections on Athlon Sports’ All-America Team, and both programs are near the top of the list of favorites to win the national championship this fall. This game has it all: high stakes for the Big Ten title, positioning for the playoff and national title chase, and plenty of late-season exposure for players in the Heisman race looking to make a splash in one of the biggest contests in ‘26.
Other Key Games in Week 10
Nebraska at Illinois (Friday, Nov. 6)
Iowa at Northwestern
Maryland at Purdue
Michigan State at Michigan
UCLA at Minnesota
Penn State at Washington
Rutgers at Wisconsin
Related: Ranking All 138 College Football Teams for 2026
Can Michigan play spoiler? After a trip to Ohio State in Week 10, Oregon has to return to Eugene for this showdown against the Wolverines. By Nov. 14, Michigan is likely to be an improved team under new coach Kyle Whittingham — especially if quarterback Bryce Underwood progresses as anticipated under coordinator Jason Beck. The Wolverines have not played in Eugene since ‘03.
Other Key Games in Week 11
Illinois at UCLA (Friday, Nov. 13)
USC at Indiana
Purdue at Iowa
Wisconsin at Maryland
Washington at Michigan State
Minnesota at Penn State
Nebraska at Rutgers
Northwestern at Ohio State
This is the first time Washington has hosted Indiana as a member of the Big Ten. Husky Stadium is a tough place to play, and this late-season matchup in Seattle is a chance for coach Jedd Fisch’s team to score a signature win. Quarterback Demond Williams could give Indiana’s standout defense all it can handle.
Other Key Games in Week 12
Oregon at Michigan State (Friday, Nov. 20)
Iowa at Illinois
Maryland at USC
UCLA at Michigan
Rutgers at Penn State
Northwestern at Minnesota
Wisconsin at Purdue
Ohio State at Nebraska
Related: College Football Bowl Projections for 2026
The Game. The Buckeyes snapped a four-game losing streak to rival Michigan last year. Can the Wolverines play spoiler in Columbus and improve their playoff chances with a victory? Or will coach Ryan Day’s team start another winning streak over their bitter rival?
Other Key Games in Week 13
Nebraska at Iowa (Friday, Nov. 27)
Minnesota at Wisconsin (Friday, Nov. 27)
Illinois at Northwestern
Purdue at Indiana
Penn State at Maryland
Michigan State at Rutgers
Washington at Oregon
USC at UCLA
Related: College Football Top 138 Team Rankings for 2026
