Big Ten football 2026 schedule and win projections released

The 2026 Big Ten football season is set to begin on August 29, with USC hosting San Jose State. The conference schedule includes various nonconference matchups and rivalry games, leading up to the Big Ten Championship Game scheduled for December 5.

Sportsbooks have released win totals for the 18 conference teams, reflecting a highly competitive landscape following recent national championships by the conference. Analysts note that roster volatility driven by the transfer portal and conference realignment has made preseason projections more difficult. For example, Indiana faces an over/under of 10.5 wins, while Michigan is projected with a baseline under 8.5 wins during a rebuilding period. Minnesota is positioned as a potential contender for its 6.5-win projection due to returning key leadership and players.