What Every Big Ten Football Team Is Saying Heading Into 2026

Big Ten football is at its peak, and all 18 teams are hungry for a title. In a league that boasts three straight national championships, appearances in 14 of the last 22 CFP games, and four of the last six national championship game bids, whoever comes out on top will have earned it.

Every team's head coach and top players traveled to Chicago, Illinois to give insights on their strategy and mentality coming into the 2026 football season. Check out the highlights and full features from each team.

In alphabetical order...

Illinois Football Is Building “Sustainable Success” Under Bielema, Whitman

Bret Bielema put it plainly: "Anybody can have a year or two or maybe three, but you're going into year six to have the success we've had"—and the numbers back him up. Transfer QB Katin Houser is locked in, promising fans a team that's "tough, smart, and dependable," while a brand-new 3-3-5 defensive scheme is designed to give Big Ten offenses serious headaches.

The Illini have something real brewing in Champaign— read their full feature .

Indiana's Still Hungry—or Hungrier?

Curt Cignetti and the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers showed up in Chicago with one focus: the process. Replacing Fernando Mendoza, new quarterback Josh Hoover brings a proven arm and a winning track record, while linebacker Isaiah Jones and defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker anchor a veteran defense that ranked No. 4 in the nation last season. "We embrace being the hunter still," Tucker said. With Cignetti holding the standard every single day, there's little doubt this program has the potential to repeat.

Read Indiana's full feature for more from Cignetti and his leaders.

Iowa: Kirk Ferentz Enters Year 28 with Big Ambitions

Kirk Ferentz enters year 28 with plenty of questions — and plenty of reasons for optimism. Tight end Addison Ostrenga summed up the mood best: "I feel like this year we finally have offense figured out." Meanwhile, linebacker Jayden Montgomery is embracing his growing leadership role, and Ferentz himself is zeroing in on rebuilding a defensive line that lost seven of its top eight players.

Read the Hawkeyes' feature for key storylines heading into fall camp.

Young Maryland Looks to Exceed Expectations

Mike Locksley isn't shy about where Maryland stands heading into 2026: "The tough times are behind us now"—and with 71% of production returning from a talented young squad, that's very possible. Sophomore quarterback Malik Washington is back and sharper than ever, bringing 2,963 passing yards and 17 touchdowns worth of experience into year two, while five-star edge rusher Zion Elee—Maryland's highest-rated recruit ever—already has teammates buzzing.

Read the Terps' full story for a deeper look.

Michigan Looks to Take Next Step under New Leadership

Kyle Whittingham arrives in Ann Arbor with 21 seasons of head coaching experience, a championship pedigree, and a loyal staff in tow. Sophomore dual-threat QB Bryce Underwood—who Whittingham calls a "cannon" with a "very high ceiling"—leads a revamped offense loaded with explosive new weapons. On defense, the Wolverines are banking on a healthy John Henry Daley to anchor a unit hungry to recapture that 2023 national title form. The schedule is a gauntlet, though—Oklahoma, Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State all loom large.

Read the full Michigan recap for more from Whittingham and the Wolverines.

Michigan State: Pat Fitzgerald Returns with Big Aspirations

Pat Fitzgerald is back in the Big Ten, and he's come to East Lansing with a "bag of chips" on his shoulder and a championship expectation in hand. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic is already rallying his teammates for 9 a.m. "optional" practices, and linebacker Jordan Hall is crediting defensive coordinator Joe Rossi as "the most pivotal" force in his growth.

Read the full feature ahead of the Spartans' 2026 campaign.

Minnesota, P.J. Fleck Enter Year 10 with High Expectations

P.J. Fleck enters his decade year with a roster built to take the next step. Anthony Smith returns as the Big Ten's reigning sack leader, while QB Drake Lindsey says he's no longer just surviving game weeks—he's owning them. If this year's media days are any indication, the Gophers are ready to pull off a surprise or two this season.

Don't sleep on Minnesota. Read the full preview .

Nebraska Eyes a Return to Prominence

After four seasons of laying the groundwork, Matt Rhule and his Cornhusker crew are ready to build. With dual-threat transfer Anthony Colandrea under center, a brand-new 4-2-5 defensive scheme under Broyles Award nominee Rob Aurich, and five-star cornerback Danny Odem III joining a defense that's already promising to be "tenacious and relentless," Nebraska is thinks 2026 could be its year.

Read the Huskers' full media days feature for insights on their approach to this season.

Northwestern Football: “Why Not Us?”

David Braun walked into Big Ten Football Media Days with a simple question: "Why not us?" After a 7-6 season capped by a bowl win, the Wildcats are building more than just a brand new Ryan Field. Transfer QB Aidan Chiles brings a dual-threat dimension Northwestern hasn't had in years, Chip Kelly's high-octane offense is set to make some noise, and a defense that held opponents to under 20 points per game returns a leader in Robert Fitzgerald—one of the best safeties in the conference.

Evanston is excited. Read the full Northwestern preview .

Ohio State Bringing a Pro Approach to 2026

It's no secret that Ryan Day's got big stars returning, and they're all focused on the hardware. Julian Sayin is hungry to build on a historic 77% completion rate, and safety Jaylen McClain is stepping up with a simple mindset of "that pro mentality." Jeremiah Smith "has a chance to leave a legacy behind," according to Day, before likely becoming a top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Read more from Day and his stars on Ohio State's championship approach to 2026.

Oregon Eyes a Breakthrough Behind Lanning, Moore 

Dan Lanning calls this "the most player-led team" he's had at Oregon. Dante Moore's carrying more confidence after a 30-touchdown season—and is 17 pounds stronger—and the team is coming together off the field. Tight end Jamari Johnson summed up the team's edge: "What sets us apart is our connection. We know each other's why."

Read the full preview to see why this Oregon squad might be built different.

Matt Campbell's Penn State: Culture, Transfers, and Big Goals

Matt Campbell came to State College to win, and his players are on the same page. "We're not settling for less," linebacker Tony Rojas declared. "We all stayed to win a national championship." Quarterback Rocco Becht—the winningest returning QB in college football—is bringing an aggressive, no-fear mindset to the offense, while Campbell's culture-first philosophy is already reshaping the program from the ground up.

Read the story to get insights on the mentality of Matt Campbell's crew.

Purdue Looking to Bounce Back

Barry Odom and the Boilers are done settling. "We are in a very persistent pursuit of creating consistent winning football," he said, setting the tone for what he hopes is a program-defining season. With QB Ryan Browne taking "a big step" and linebacker Charles Correa ready to be the "quarterback of the defense," the Boilermakers are hungry, focused, and eager to bring winning football back to Ross-Ade Stadium.

Check out Purdue's preseason preview from Odom, Browne, and co.

Rutgers Football 2026: Defense Is the Key to a Comeback Year

Greg Schiano expressed one key focus at Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover: "We need to get better at defense, period." With Antwan Raymond laser-focused on winning over personal glory — "That's number one on my list" — and a wide-open quarterback competition, there's a lot of opportunity in Piscataway this season.

Take a peek at the Scarlet Knights' plan for 2026.

The Chesney Era Begins: UCLA Football Building a New Foundation in 2026

Bob Chesney isn't "interested in putting artificial limits" on his Bruins team. He wants to "lead the nation in development." Quarterback Nico Iamaleava is a product of that energy, feeling sharper mentally and physically heading into 2026, while linebacker Cole Martin is buying into a new defensive system that already has the unit looking tighter than last season.

Read the full story for more on UCLA's new roster, Chesney's culture-first philosophy, and what it all means for the Bruins in 2026.

USC Football Looks Different with "Alignment"

Lincoln Riley was straightforward about the Trojans' X factor in 2026: "Our alignment is as strong as it's ever been." QB Jayden Maiava is locked in and embracing the pressure — "accept it, move on, and just continue to see it as an opportunity" — while DT Jide Abasiri is sending a message to the fanbase: "Get excited. It's going to be a good season."

Read the full breakdown on USC's championship-level confidence, including its No. 1 recruiting class and a retooled defense under Gary Patterson.

Washington Carries Loyalty-Focused Philosophy into 2026

With 58 returners, a quarterback poised for a breakout season, and a coaching staff that didn't lose a single member this offseason, Jedd Fisch and Washington are betting big on loyalty. And the signs from the last couple years suggest it's paying off. With a reloaded offense and a matured quarterback in Demond Williams Jr., the Huskies seem ready to make some noise.

Read the full feature on Washington's media days.

Wisconsin Football “Tough, Nasty, and Disciplined”

Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers are on a mission to reclaim a "tough, nasty, and disciplined" identity. Dual-threat transfer QB Colton Joseph brings a dynamic new dimension to a Wisconsin offense, while linebacker Sebastian Cheeks is primed to wreak havoc on the other side of the ball. Safety Matthew Jung said it best: "They came here to bring back the winning culture in Wisconsin.”

Read the Badgers' full feature on what we learned from Fickell and his leaders.

Want more content like this? Click here and select "football".