Big Ten teams receive preseason power rankings ahead of 2026 season
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 15, 2026, 5:23 PM
Last updated Aug 15, 2026
The Big Ten preseason power rankings have been released as college football's 2026 season approaches. Rankings assess all 18 teams based on coaching, returnees, and talent. Teams like Purdue, Rutgers, and Michigan State are positioned near the bottom, while higher-ranked schools face expectations of postseason contention. With just two weeks until the first game, the rankings aim to provide insight into each team's potential performance in the upcoming season.
- •Purdue Boilermakers rank 18th with low expectations for the season.
- •Rutgers Scarlet Knights come in at 17th with hopes for bowl eligibility.
- •MSU Spartans, under coach Pat Fitzgerald, are 16th as they build a competitive roster.
- •Northwestern Wildcats are ranked 15th, aiming for improvement under new coaching strategies.
- •2026 season begins in two weeks with USC hosting San Jose State.
- 5:23 PMYahoo Sports — Big Ten power rankings: Preseason presents new pecking order
"We ranked all 18 Big Ten teams based on coaching, talent, and returning players. See who takes the top spot.
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