Our FINAL 2026 Big Ten Football Predictions & Standings | Oregon & Indiana on Top

Big Ten football news, final 2026 Big Ten predictions, Oregon, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Washington, Iowa, Michigan, USC, UCLA and Trent Hendrick headline JR and Zack’s complete projected Big Ten standings before Week 0.

It is finally time for our FINAL 2026 Big Ten football predictions.

JR and Zack waited until the final week before the season to take everything we've learned from fall camp, season previews, roster moves and schedule analysis and project the regular-season record for all 18 Big Ten teams.

Before getting to the standings, we react to UCLA's late addition of former James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick and what reuniting with Bob Chesney and Colin Hitschler could mean for a Bruins defense that badly needed help against the run.

Then the predictions get interesting.

Zack has Iowa going 10-2, Washington going 10-2, UCLA finishing 8-4 and Michigan falling to 7-5 — including a Michigan State upset. He also believes USC is talented enough to contend for the College Football Playoff but has one of the most difficult schedule setups in the Big Ten.

JR has Oregon and Indiana at 11-1, Ohio State and Penn State at 10-2, Washington and Iowa at 9-3, Michigan and USC at 8-4, and Nebraska missing a bowl at 5-7.

We debate:

Oregon vs. Indiana at the top of the Big Ten
Why Ohio State could finish 10-2 and still be a national championship contender
Iowa's ceiling in 2026
Whether Washington is being underestimated
Why USC's schedule could sabotage a playoff-caliber roster
Michigan's difficult path through the conference
UCLA's upside after adding Trent Hendrick
Penn State's favorable schedule
Nebraska's bowl chances
The possibility of five Big Ten teams reaching the College Football Playoff
Who we would pick to win the Big Ten if forced to choose today

CHAPTERS

00:00 Final 2026 Big Ten Predictions
00:44 Trent Hendrick Changes UCLA's Outlook
04:44 Breaking Down the Hendrick Addition
12:32 Zack's Final Big Ten Standings
22:47 USC 8-4, Michigan 7-5 & Iowa 10-2?!
29:44 JR's Final Big Ten Standings
40:18 Which Predictions Are Too Hot?
47:01 How Deep Is the Big Ten?
47:55 Could the Big Ten Get 5 CFP Teams?
48:19 Why Oregon & Indiana Are Ahead of Ohio State
50:10 Who Would Win the Big Ten?
52:07 What's Coming in Our Playoff & Awards Predictions

Whose standings do you trust more: JR or Zack?

And what is the ONE Big Ten record prediction you think we got completely wrong?

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