Big Ten football teams open the 2026 season with mixed results
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 7, 2026, 3:40 AM
Last updated Sep 7, 2026
The Big Ten conference concluded its opening weekend with a series of lopsided victories and two notable upsets involving conference members. UMass defeated Rutgers 37-21, while Western Michigan earned a 12-7 victory over Michigan in Ann Arbor. Other conference teams recorded comfortable wins, including Ohio State over Ball State, Indiana over North Texas, and Penn State against Marshall. USC moved to 2-0 following a shutout of Fresno State, and Nebraska secured a victory over Ohio behind four touchdowns from Anthony Colandrea. Wisconsin suffered a 41-13 loss to Notre Dame, while Michigan State overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to hold off Toledo. The results provide initial performance data for all conference programs as the 2026 season gets underway across the league.
- •UMass ended a 16-game losing streak by defeating Rutgers 37-21.
- •Western Michigan beat Michigan 12-7 in a game played at Michigan Stadium.
- •USC reached a 2-0 record after winning 39-0 against Fresno State.
- •Javonn Tracy returned two punts for touchdowns during Minnesota's 59-7 win over Eastern Illinois.
- •Ohio State defeated Ball State 56-3 in its season opener.
- 3:40 AMYahoo Sports — 2026 SEC football power rankings after Week 1
- 3:26 AMYahoo Sports — Big Ten football power rankings after Week 1 of college football
- 3:13 AMYahoo Sports — The Whistlestop Tour: Week 1 of Big Ten Football
"We've only had one week to form opinions about what the pecking order is in the Big Ten, but here's our conference power rankings after Week 1.
"Rutgers, go sit in the corner and think about what you’ve done.
"2026 college football season: SEC power rankings after Week 1
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 7, 2026, 3:40 AM2026 SEC football power rankings after Week 1
2026 college football season: SEC power rankings after Week 1
- Yahoo SportsSep 7, 2026, 3:26 AMBig Ten football power rankings after Week 1 of college football
We've only had one week to form opinions about what the pecking order is in the Big Ten, but here's our conference power rankings after Week 1.
- Yahoo SportsSep 7, 2026, 3:13 AMThe Whistlestop Tour: Week 1 of Big Ten Football
Rutgers, go sit in the corner and think about what you’ve done.
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NCAAF•Sep 7, 2026, 4:36 AMNotre Dame came back down to earth and then rose again in the same game- NCAAF•Sep 7, 2026, 4:32 AMCarneiro's game-winning FG lifts No. 9 Mississippi past No. 24 Louisville 41-38
NCAAF•Sep 7, 2026, 4:15 AMTexas Longhorns Skyrocket to Top Spot in New College Football Ranking- NCAAF•Sep 7, 2026, 4:13 AMYahoo Top 10: After so many Week 1 blowouts, which team deserves the No. 1 spot?
NCAAF•Sep 7, 2026, 4:13 AMLouisville football outlasted by Ole Miss in season-opening shootout
NCAAF•Sep 7, 2026, 4:02 AMTakeaways from College Football Week 1: Mayhem in Michigan, concerns in Clemson
