Big Ten football teams prepare for full conference schedule in week one

The 2026 college football season has commenced with USC serving as the only Big Ten team to compete in Week Zero. The Trojans finished their opening contest with a 42-26 victory over San Jose State, led by quarterback Jayden Maiava. While USC represents the conference's lone early appearance, the remaining 17 Big Ten programs are scheduled to play between Thursday and Sunday to launch the full league season. Ohio State enters the rankings as the top-rated team, followed by Oregon and reigning national champion Indiana in the initial power poll. Schools will now shift their focus to Week 1 matchups, with teams like Penn State and Washington preparing for their season openers against non-conference opponents. The early rankings serve as a preliminary assessment of the conference before the full slate of games begins.

• 6:00 PMYahoo Sports — Big Ten Football Power Poll: Week Zero Edition