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Big Ten ranked top college football conference ahead of 2026 season

CBS Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 14, 2026, 2:11 PM

Last updated Aug 14, 2026

Big Ten ranked top college football conference ahead of 2026 season

Summary

The Big Ten leads the 2026 preseason college football conference rankings, credited for winning three consecutive national championships. Its dominance in postseason play, with a 9-3 record against other conferences in the College Football Playoff, bolsters its claim over the SEC, which ranks second. The rankings come amid ongoing debates about conference strength following significant realignment. Looking ahead, debates may intensify with the expected expansion of the College Football Playoff, impacting future standings and potential qualifiers.

Source Links

CBS Sports

Key Details

•Big Ten tops preseason college football rankings for 2026.
•Three different teams from the Big Ten have won national championships.
•SEC ranks second, maintaining depth with multiple top-tier teams.
•College Football Playoff expansion could further reshape conference dynamics.

Latest Updates

2:11 PMCBS Sports — Big Ten tops SEC in 2026 preseason college football conference power rankings

What they're saying

"
After three straight national championships and a run of postseason dominance, the Big Ten has earned the right to call itself the best conference in college football
— CBS Sportsby Cody Nagel

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