undefined Football News

2026 Week 1 Football Release

Unknown — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

BIG TEN FOOTBALL RELEASE - WEEK 1 | STANDINGS | SCHEDULE | WE GIVE BLOOD DRIVE

• All 18 teams are set to take the field this week, highlighted by Sunday night’s 7:30 p.m. ET meeting on NBC between Wisconsin and No. 4 Notre Dame at Lambeau Field. The Badgers are returning to Lambeau Field for the first time since 2016 when they upset No. 5 LSU to start their campaign.

• USC opened the Big Ten’s slate in Week 0 with a 42-26 victory over San Jose State. The Trojans produced 505 yards of total offense, including 341 passing and 164 rushing.

• The Big Ten’s four new head coaches are gearing up to hit the sidelines for the first time this season. Pat Fitzgerald will lead Michigan State against Toledo at 8 p.m. ET Friday on FS1. Saturday will feature Penn State’s Matt Campbell versus Marshall (3:30 p.m. ET, FS1), Michigan’s Kyle Whittingham against Western Michigan (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC) and Bob Chesney’s Bruins visiting Cal (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

• When Rutgers hosts UMass on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network, head coach Greg Schiano will be seeking the 100th victory of his career. Schiano would be the eighth current Big Ten head coach to surpass the 100-win threshold.

• The 2026 Discover Big Ten Championship Game will be held on Saturday, December 5, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and will be broadcast by FOX. The winner will represent the conference as the Automatic Qualifier (AQ) to the College Football Playoff.

• Abbott and the Big Ten Conference kicked off Season 3 of the We Give Blood drive on August 26. Donations are tracked in real-time until December 4. The school with the most donations at the end will be announced on December 5 at the 2026 Discover Big Ten Championship Game. Every donation can help save up to three lives — and someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. The leaderboard can be found on page 6.

• The 2026 AP Preseason Poll features eight Big Ten teams in No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Oregon, No. 6 Indiana, No. T14 USC, No. 16 Michigan, No. 17 Washington, No. 18 Penn State and No. 22 Iowa, while Illinois and Minnesota received votes.

• Indiana captured its first national title last season with a 27-21 victory over Miami (Fla.) in the 2026 College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla. The Hoosiers capped off the season as the only team in college football history to go 16-0.

• The Big Ten has claimed three consecutive College Football Playoff championships by three different universities (Indiana 2026, Ohio State 2025, Michigan 2024).

• With national championships in football and men’s and women’s basketball, the Big Ten became the second conference to sweep football and basketball national titles since 1981-82. The Big Ten is the only conference to achieve the feat with three different schools.

Big Ten Network Celebrates Season 20

Unknown — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

As the Big Ten Network begins Season 20, the network is highlighting two decades of the Big Ten’s top games, remarkable moments and noteworthy student-athletes with a collection of new original programming. As part of the celebratory year, BTN also announced Thrivent as the presenting sponsor of BTN Season 20 and DIRECTV as the associate sponsor.

As the 20th season of football gets underway, all 18 Big Ten programs will be featured throughout the first three weeks of BTN’s television schedule. Additionally, B1G Tailgate will begin its 10th season with on-site visits to the last two National Champions, beginning with a trip to Ohio State on Saturday, Sept. 5, followed by a show from Indiana on Saturday, Sept. 12.

B1G Network Season 20: 20 Moments: Debuting later this fall, a series hosted by acclaimed sportswriter and columnist Gene Wojciechowski takes fans through 20 of the most memorable moments covered by BTN over the last two decades. Highlights include the first Iowa Wave, Nebraska volleyball setting an attendance record at Memorial Stadium and Indiana’s Curt Cignetti’s introduction to the Big Ten.

Original Documentaries: Over the last 20 years, the Big Ten Conference and its 18 institutions have played a significant role in the growth of women’s sports. The B1G Story: Rise of Women’s Sports provides a look at how the Big Ten was at the forefront of this movement and features sit-down interviews with an array of guests including former Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany, former Iowa women’s basketball head coach Lisa Bluder, former Nebraska volleyball head coach John Cook, Northwestern lacrosse head coach Kelly Amonte Hiller and trailblazing broadcaster Lisa Byington, among others.

A second new edition of The B1G Story will debut in 2027, highlighting the Big Ten Network’s commitment to providing educational opportunities to current and former students across all 18 Big Ten campuses. Through three defining programs – BTN NOW, the BTN Experience and StudentU – over 8,000 participants have received hands-on training, individualized feedback and future career opportunities in the broadcast industry. This upcoming documentary will explore these programs, the people behind them and their impact across the conference.

B1G Network Season 20: Moments and Memories: From day one, five on-air personalities have been a part of the Big Ten Network, helping shape the network into what it is today. Later this year, Dave Revsine, Rick Pizzo, Mike Hall, Howard Griffith and Gerry DiNardo will sit down for a roundtable discussion to reflect on the origins of the network, relive their favorite moments over the last two decades and share stories of working together from the very beginning of BTN.

Alongside the original programming, BTN is set to air two school-specific vignettes for all 18 schools throughout the season. These 36 vignettes will highlight notable athletic achievements from each Big Ten program that aired on BTN, including Jonathan Taylor leading Wisconsin to a walk-off triple-overtime victory over Purdue in 2018, Minnesota’s Rachel Banham scoring an NCAA-record-tying 60 points against Northwestern in 2016 and Penn State wrestling setting the all-time NCAA attendance record for an indoor dual during a win over Iowa in 2025.

To commemorate BTN’s landmark 20th season, B1G+ is introducing a limited-time offer where fans can receive $20 off an Annual Pass with code BTN20. The offer is available through Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Additional digital coverage of BTN Season 20 presented by Thrivent will be available via the Big Ten Network’s X , Facebook , YouTube and Instagram platforms. All television programming also streams live via FOX One . A full schedule can be found at bigten.org/btn/btn-tv-schedule and is subject to change.

BTN’s Season 20 coverage kicks off Thursday, Sept. 3 with the first football doubleheader of the season, beginning with Rutgers hosting Massachusetts at 6 p.m. ET, followed by Illinois facing off with UAB at 9 p.m. ET. Highlights throughout the first three weeks of BTN’s football schedule include Ohio State hosting Ball State at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 5, Indiana facing Howard at noon ET on Saturday, Sept. 12, and BTN’s first conference matchup of the season between Purdue and UCLA on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 11 p.m. ET.

18 Teams, 5 Questions: The Ultimate Football Season Preview

Unknown — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Week 1 has finally arrived, and the energy across the Big Ten is electric.

Kickoff is here, bringing the unrivaled excitement of a new beginning to all 18 Big Ten programs. From marquee coaching debuts to breakout young quarterbacks taking the reins, the conference is overflowing with fresh opportunity and ceiling-raising talent. The long wait is over — autumn is here, and the path to a dream season starts now.

To cut through the noise, we're evaluating all 18 Big Ten programs through five defining questions:

The Path to the Ceiling: What needs to happen to reach or exceed expectations?
The Foundation: Who are the core returners anchoring the roster?
The Departure Void: Which NFL Draft exits or transfer departures leave the biggest hole?
The Infusion: Which transfers and newcomers will impact the field immediately?
The Defining Games: What are the marquee matchups on the schedule?

No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes

Path to Ceiling: Under new OC Arthur Smith, QB Julian Sayin and star WR Jeremiah Smith power an explosive air attack to keep national title hopes high alongside a re-tooled defense.
The Foundation: Arguably the premier QB-WR tandem in the country returns in Sayin (3,610 pass yards, 32 TDs) and Smith (1,243 rec yards, 12 TDs), paired with RB Bo Jackson.
Departure Void: Heavy NFL Draft attrition — headlined by top-15 picks Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, and Sonny Styles, plus WR Carnell Tate — forced defensive and secondary receiver reinforcements.
The Infusion: Alabama transfers Qua Russaw and James Smith boost the front seven, Duke safety Terry Moore fortifies the secondary, and UTSA transfer Devin McCuin joins freshman Chris Henry Jr. out wide.
Defining Games: Ohio State heads to Austin Week 2 to face No. 5 Texas in the biggest game of the early season. In conference, massive late-season clashes against Indiana and Oregon will determine if this re-tooled roster can capture the Big Ten crown.

No. 2 Oregon Ducks

The Path to the Ceiling: The Ducks have lost three games in the last two seasons, all to the teams that eventually won the championship. With Dan Lanning returning one of the best QBs in the country in Dante Moore, and a talent-stacked roster around him, the expectation is a national title. For Oregon to break through, it must convert those showdowns into victories.
The Foundation: Oregon returns elite production, led by Moore, RBs Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr., WR Dakorien Moore, LB Matayo Uiagalelei, and DB Brandon Finney Jr.
The Departure Void: The Ducks must replace key offensive line starters, WR Malik Benson, LB Bryce Boettcher, and S Dillon Thieneman.
The Infusion: Lanning bolstered both sides of the ball through the portal, adding explosive wide receiver Iverson Hooks to revamp perimeter depth and dynamic safety Koi Perich to fortify the secondary.
The Defining Games: A November gauntlet featuring a road trip to Ohio State and home game against Michigan at Autzen Stadium will decide Oregon's Big Ten title hopes.

No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers

Path to Ceiling: Fresh off an unprecedented 16-0 national championship run, Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers aim to maintain powerhouse status by “stalking complacency”. If the re-tooled roster gels instantly, Indiana can run it back. After all, no one’s doubting Coach Cignetti and the Hoosiers anymore.
The Foundation: There’s no coach in college football who has established a better foundation at their destination than Cignetti, who in two years has transformed Indiana from the losingest program in FBS history into a national champion and powerhouse. Amassing an FBS-record 27 victories across his first two seasons in Bloomington, Indiana is now a national powerhouse.
Departure Void: The offense lost Heisman-winning No. 1 pick QB Fernando Mendoza, WRs Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr., and RBs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. The defense lost captain LB Aiden Fisher and All-American CB D’Angelo Ponds.
The Infusion: TCU transfer QB Josh Hoover (9,629 yards, 71 TDs in his career) takes over, slinging to returning target Charlie Becker and Michigan State transfer WR Nick Marsh, alongside Boston College transfer RB Turbo Richard.
Defining Game: Memorial Stadium hosts the Big Ten spotlight on October 17 when Indiana welcomes Ohio State for a rematch of last year’s Big Ten Football Championship Game.

No. 14 USC Trojans

Path to Ceiling: USC is coming off a 9–4 rebound campaign in its second Big Ten season. For the Trojans, the recipe to reaching the College Football Playoff relies on marrying Lincoln Riley's high-octane offense with Gary Patterson's new defensive scheme to break through the upper echelon of the Big Ten.
The Foundation: Riley enters year five returning an FBS-high 15 starters, headlined by QB Jayden Maiava (3,711 pass yards, 24 TDs) anchoring an experienced roster.
Departure Void: USC lost Biletnikoff winner Makai Lemon, WR Ja’Kobi Lane, and TE Lake McRee to the NFL Draft, alongside safety duo Kamari Ramsey and Bishop Fitzgerald, plus LB Eric Gentry.
The Infusion: Former NC State wideout Terrell Anderson is expected to take a leap in Riley’s offense and freshman Trent Mosley has already made his mark in the passing game. On defense, transfers like Michigan State defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren, Iowa State cornerback Jontez Williams, and Washington linebacker Deven Bryant provide immediate impact.
Defining Games: USC hosts Oregon on September 26 and Ohio State on Halloween, complemented by road trips to Penn State for the White Out and Indiana.

No. 16 Michigan Wolverines

Path to Ceiling: The offense must flourish under new HC Kyle Whittingham and OC Jason Beck, allowing sophomore QB Bryce Underwood and the Wolverines to take a leap past last year’s nine wins and toward playoff contention.
The Foundation: Returning stars QB Bryce Underwood, RB Jordan Marshall, and WR Andrew Marsh anchor an explosive skill group behind a physical line of scrimmage.
Departure Void: Replacing six NFL Draft picks — headlined by Derrick Moore, Marlin Klein, and Jaishawn Barnham — forces a restructure of defensive leadership and depth.
The Infusion: Former Utah stars John Henry Daley (11.5 sacks in 2025) andCB Smith Snowden bring instant pass-rush punch and secondary stability.
Defining Games: A Week 2 showdown against No. 10 Oklahoma in Ann Arbor and hosting Penn State and Indiana will test Whittingham’s debut campaign.

No. 17 Washington Huskies

Path to Ceiling: In year three under Jedd Fisch, dual-threat QB Demond Williams Jr. (3,600+ yards, 25 pass TDs) is even better behind a veteran front five to push Washington into true Big Ten contention.
The Foundation: Williams anchors the core alongside offensive line staples Drew Azzopardi, John Mills, and Landen Hatchett, plus edge rushers Isaiah Ward and Jacob Lane on defense.
Departure Void: Draft exits left major holes at key positions, losing RB Jonah Coleman, WR Denzel Boston, and starting cornerback duo Ephesians Prysock and Tacario Davis.
The Infusion: Fisch tapped the portal to reload his primary playmaker units without missing a beat. Former Oregon running back Jayden Limar and Kennesaw State receiver Christian Moss arrive to anchor the new skill corps, while defensive additions like Virginia cornerback Emmanuel Karnley ensures Ryan Walters' defense doesn't drop off.
Defining Games: The regular-season finale stretch hosting No. 6 Indiana before traveling to No. 2 Oregon will determine Washington's postseason fate.

No. 18 Penn State Nittany Lions

Path to Ceiling: Under new head coach Matt Campbell, Penn State gets back into national title contention, powered by a core of 24 transfers following him from Iowa State.
The Foundation: Linebacker Tony Rojas, cornerback Zion Tracy, and guard Cooper Cousins anchor a core built around defensive continuity and trench toughness.
Departure Void: Longtime head coach James Franklin departed followed by draft entries QB Drew Allar, OL Vega Ioane, EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, and RBs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, wiping out 2025's primary engine.
The Infusion: Former Iowa State QB Rocco Becht (26 career wins) takes over under center alongside Ames transfers WRs Chase Sowell and Brett Eskildsen, TE Ben Brahmer, RB Carson Hansen, and LBs Caleb Bacon and Kooper Ebel.
Defining Games: Penn State hosts No. 14 USC on October 10 for the annual White Out Game, then the next week heads to the Big House to face No. 16 Michigan.

No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes

Path to Ceiling: Entering year 28 under Kirk Ferentz, Iowa will look for an upgraded passing game to complement its trademark defense and special teams, leading to a double-digit win campaign and CFP contention.
The Foundation: DB Deshaun Lee, TE DJ Vonnahme (team-leading 434 receiving yards in 2025), LT Trevor Lauck, and DL Bryce Hawthorne preserve Iowa's physical baseline.
Departure Void: The Hawkeyes lost starting quarterback Mark Gronowski along with seven 2026 NFL Draft picks. Three starters from Iowa's Joe Moore Award-winning line departed— center Logan Jones, guard Beau Stephens, and tackle Gennings Dunker — alongside star returner and wide receiver Kaden Wetjen.
The Infusion: The Hawkeyes added perimeter targets in Furman wide receiver Evan James and UTRGV receiver Tony Diaz.
Defining Games: Iowa travels to Ann Arbor to face Michigan on September 26 before hosting Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium on October 3 — marking the program's first back-to-back games against the Wolverines and Buckeyes since 1954.

Illinois Fighting Illini

Path to Ceiling: Under Bret Bielema, Illinois has built a baseline of physical trench play, coming off 10 wins in 2024 and 9 in 2025. If the re-tooled passing game hits its stride quickly with a new portal quarterback and the secondary maintains its playmaking edge, the Illini can crash the upper tier of the Big Ten.
The Foundation: Defensive back Xavier Scott and edge defender Ean Rhea anchor a disciplined defense built on line-of-scrimmage toughness.
Departure Void: The Illini must replace multi-year starting QB Luke Altmyer alongside portal exits WR Malik Elzy, TE Cole Rusk, and DL Tomiwa Durojaiye.
The Infusion: East Carolina transfer QB Katin Houser takes over under center, joined by portal wideouts Jayshon Platt, Alex Perry, and Ty Robinson, plus OL Jake Renfro.
Defining Games: An early non-conference test against Duke on September 12 precedes a daunting conference slate featuring a road trip to No. 1 Ohio State on September 26 and a home game against No. 2 Oregon later in October.

Maryland Terrapins

Path to Ceiling: Maryland’s ceiling hinges on sophomore QB Malik Washington taking a major leap as a full-time starter. If Washington maximizes his four-star potential, an athletic receiver room pays off, and the front seven holds up against Big Ten lines, the Terps can return to bowl contention.
The Foundation: The offense relies on Washington, TE Dorian Fleming, RB Dejuan Williams, and interior blocker Michael Hershey. Linebacker Daniel Wingate and safety Lavain Scruggs anchor the defense.
Departure Void: Maryland lost key secondary cornerstones, including draft pick Jalen Huskey, along with top three receivers Shaleak Knotts, Jalil Farooq and Octavian Smith Jr.
The Infusion: Mike Locksley added wide receivers Chris Durr Jr. (Wyoming) and Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding (Old Dominion). Defining Games: The Terps hostUSC on November 21 before welcoming rival Penn State to College Park for a late-season clash.

Michigan State Spartans

Path to Ceiling: Entering year one under Pat Fitzgerald, Michigan State aims to re-establish a physical, defense-first identity that the coach was known for during his tenure at Northwestern. If line-of-scrimmage discipline takes hold early and the offense minimizes mistakes, the Spartans can find themselves in a bowl game for the first time since 2021.
The Foundation: Team captain linebacker Jordan Hall returns and, along with defensive tackle Ben Roberts and secondary leader Nikai Martinez, anchor Fitzgerald’s defensive system.
Departure Void: Offseason portal changes cost the Spartans QB Aidan Chiles (Northwestern), WR Nick Marsh (Indiana), and DL Alex VanSumeren (USC), to name a few.
The Infusion: Fitzgerald brought in experienced backfield depth, physical linebackers, and portal receivers, most notably Cam Edwards, who had 1,240 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in 2025 at UConn.
Defining Games: The Spartans face Fitzgerald’s former team in Northwestern on October 17, then three weeks later travel to Ann Arbor to battle rival Michigan for the Paul Bunyan Trophy.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Path to Ceiling: P.J. Fleck’s 10^th season in Minneapolis promises to be a good one, with returners and high-end talent on both ends of the ball. If the new additions can complement the returning stars, the Gophers could be knocking on the door of a double-digit win season.
The Foundation: The Golden Gophers have plenty of experienced returners, including quarterback Drake Lindsey, running back Darius Taylor, wide receiver Jalen Smith and three offensive line starters on offense. On defense, Anthony Smith comes back after a Big Ten-leading 12.5 sacks in 2025.
Departure Void: Minnesota's biggest loss was 2024 All-American safety Koi Perich, who headed to Oregon.
The Infusion: Fleck added Cincinnati wide receiver Noah Jennings and Elon running back TJ Thomas to add some depth on offense, along with Mekhai Smith and Aydan West in the secondary.
Defining Games: Minnesota hosts No. 22 Iowa before going to Bloomington to face defending champion Indiana to cap off four ranked matchups in five games.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Path to Ceiling: Matt Rhule’s Nebraska builds on its physical trench identity and takes a major step forward in the Big Ten. With a veteran dual-threat quarterback under center and a reloaded defense, the Cornhuskers can put together a breakthrough season.
The Foundation: The Huskers retain core playmakers, including leading receivers Nyziah Hunter, Jacory Barney Jr. and tight end Luke Lindenmeyer ,along with defensive trench building blocks Cameron Lenhardt and Riley Van Poppel.
Departure Void: Nebraska had notable losses, most significantly the transfer of starting quarterback Dylan Raiola to Oregon. The defense lost multi-year starting defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. and defensive lineman Keona Davis to the portal.
The Infusion: Rhule reloaded through the portal, landing UNLV transfer Anthony Colandrea — the 2025 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year — to take the starting quarterback job. The Huskers also reinforced the roster with South Carolina offensive tackle Tree Babalade and former UCLA edge rusher Anthony Jones Jr.
Defining Games: Nebraska faces a tough mid-season road test at Oregon on October 17, hosts Washington on Halloween, and closes out the regular season against rival Iowa.

Northwestern Wildcats

Path to Ceiling: David Braun’s team enters 2026 with plenty of optimism, fueled by two bowl game wins in three seasons, flashy transfer additions and coordinator hires, and most importantly, a brand-new state of the art stadium in Evanston. If all these pieces come together, the Wildcats can turn some eyes.
The Foundation: The Wildcats retain core building blocks, headlined by top wide receiver Griffin Wilde (coming off a team-leading 880-yard season), safety Robert Fitzgerald, linebacker Braydon Brus, running back Caleb Komolafe, and veteran cornerback Ore Adeyi.
Departure Void: Northwestern lost key veteran contributors, including starting quarterback Preston Stone, linebacker Mac Uihlein and team captain Carmine Bastone.
The Infusion: The program made its biggest splash on offense by hiring former Ohio State and NFL head coach Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator, while bringing in transfer quarterback Aidan Chiles, who won the starting job.
Defining Games: While Northwestern must navigate a brutal road gauntlet against all three 2025 Big Ten Playoff teams, the undisputed centerpiece of the season arrives on October 2 with the official grand opening of the new Ryan Field.

Purdue Boilermakers

Path to Ceiling: Barry Odom’s squad is transfer-heavy, with only seven returning starters, but if it pays off, the Boilermakers’ success can rise exponentially in year two under Odom.
The Foundation: Quarterback Ryan Browne returns for his second season as the starting quarterback, and on defense, Charles Correa leads the defense after a 96-tackle campaign in 2025.
Departure Void: Key departures include wide receiver Nitro Tuggle , along with pass-catcher Michael Jackson III and running back Devin Mockobee.
The Infusion: Odom brought in a transfer portal class featuring 29 new transfers to restock the depth chart with front-seven disruptors and four new wide receivers.
Defining Games: In October, Purdue hosts both Minnesota and Washington, which will be huge as the Boilermakers push towards bowl contention.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Path to Ceiling: Entering Greg Schiano’s 18^th year with the program, the Scarlet Knights hope to leverage versatility and return production to bounce back from a 5-7 2025. If new starting QB Dylan Lonergan can play to his potential (former four-star recruit), Rutgers will go bowling again.
The Foundation: Rutgers returns its top two playmakers in running back Antwan Raymond and wide receiver KJ Duff, who both ranked top-15 in college football in yards in 2025.
Departure Void: Rutgers must replace a NFL Draft exit at quarterback, with Athan Kaliakmanis being selected by the Washington Commanders.
The Infusion: To replace Kaliakmanis, Schiano and Rutgers will turn to the Boston College transfer Lonergan, along with defensive transfers Malachi Davis, Mikey Munn and Ty Morris.
Defining Games: The Scarlet Knights host No. 14 USC for its first Big Ten game of the season at SHI Stadium on Sept. 19, then welcome Curt Cignetti and Indiana two weeks later.

UCLA Bruins

Path to Ceiling: Kickstarting a new era under head coach Bob Chesney, UCLA looks to fuse high-upside transfer talent with a revamped scheme. If quarterback Nico Iamaleava unlocks the explosive potential of the Bruins' offense in his second year in Westwood, UCLA can immediately compete with the Big Ten’s top contenders.
The Foundation: UCLA retained a few key faces, headlined by Iamaleava and dynamic wide receiver Mikey Matthews.
Departure Void: The coaching transition triggered notable roster changes, with previous starters departing for the NFL Draft and transfer portal across the secondary, linebacker group, and offensive line.
The Infusion: Following Chesney from James Madison is running back Wayne Knight, who was one of the top running backs in college football in 2025, to headline a massive roster turnover.
Defining Games: UCLA makes the trip to Autzen Stadium to face No. 10 Oregon on Oct. 10, then finishes the season with the rivalry game against No. 14 USC at the Rose Bowl.

Wisconsin Badgers

Path to Ceiling: In year four under Luke Fickell, Wisconsin re-establishes its identity in the Big Ten. A 33-player transfer class injects dynamic playmakers across the roster to push for Big Ten contention.
The Foundation: Key young building blocks return, led by WR Eugene Hilton Jr. and OT Kevin Heywood. On defense, Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa emerged as two of the Big Ten’s best young linebackers last year.
Departure Void: Significant exits include QB Billy Edwards Jr. and WR Trech Kekahuna, LB Christian Alliegro (Ohio State), S Preston Zachman (Indiana), and NFL edge rushers Darryl Peterson III and Mason Reiger.
The Infusion: Old Dominion transfer QB Colton Joseph takes the reins alongside Iowa State RB Abu Sama III, WR Zion Kearney (Oklahoma), and secondary additions Marvin Burks Jr. (Missouri) and Bryce West (Ohio State).
Defining Games: Wisconsin kicks off the year with a neutral-site game against Notre Dame at Lambeau Field, travels to Beaver Stadium to face Penn State and hosts rival Minnesota in the Paul Bunyan's Axe regular-season finale.

Be sure to catch all the Big Ten action — See the football schedule .

Friday Football Enhanced Replay Access

Unknown — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten on Tuesday announced expanded access to the football replay review process for select games during the 2026 season.

Beginning September 4, Friday broadcasts of conference home games will have access to live audio between the game referee and replay official during reviews, as well as a view inside the state-of-the-art Big Ten Replay Center.

The new broadcast enhancements will debut this Friday with three Big Ten games. A complete schedule is below.

Big Ten Broadcasts With Enhanced Replay Access
Friday, September 4 – Purdue vs. Indiana State (BTN)
Friday, September 4 – Michigan State vs. Toledo (FS1)
Friday, September 4 – USC vs. Fresno State (FOX)
Friday, September 18 – Oregon vs. Portland State (BTN)
Friday, September 25 – Rutgers vs. Howard (BTN)
Friday, September 25 – Indiana vs. Northwestern (FOX)
Friday, October 2 – Northwestern vs. Penn State (FOX)
Friday, October 9 – Washington vs. Iowa (TBD)
Friday, October 16 – Purdue vs. Washington (FOX)
Friday, November 6 – Illinois vs. Nebraska (FOX)
Friday, November 13 – UCLA vs. Illinois (FOX)
Friday, November 20 – Michigan State vs. Oregon (FOX)
Friday, November 27 – Iowa vs. Nebraska (CBS)
Friday, November 27 – Wisconsin vs. Minnesota (FOX)

2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game

Unknown — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

The city of Indianapolis and Lucas Oil Stadium will play host to the 16th annual Big Ten Football Championship Game on December 5, 2026. Kickoff for the game is set at 8 p.m. ET. The winner will earn the Amos Alonzo Stagg Championship Trophy and a chance to play in the College Football Playoff.

FOX will serve as the official broadcast partner of the Big Ten Football Championship Game.

Indiana was crowned the 2025 Big Ten Football Champion following a 13-10 victory over Ohio State. It was Indiana's first appearance and win in the Big Ten Championship Game. Ohio State (2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) has claimed five titles, while Michigan has won three Big Ten Championship Games (2021, 2022, 2023). Wisconsin (2011 and 2012) and Michigan State (2013 and 2015) have each won two Big Ten Championship Games, while Oregon earned its first title in 2024 and Penn State was victorious in 2016. Ohio State leads all schools with seven Big Ten Championship Game appearances, followed by Wisconsin with six, Michigan State with three, Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern and Penn State with two each, and one title game berth each for Nebraska, Oregon and Purdue.

BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME HISTORY
Date	Game	Location	Grange-Griffin MVP
Dec. 4, 2011	Wisconsin 42, Michigan State 39	Lucas Oil Stadium	Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin
Dec. 2, 2012	Wisconsin 70, Nebraska 31	Lucas Oil Stadium	Montee Ball, QB, Wisconsin
Dec. 7, 2013	Michigan State 34, Ohio State 24	Lucas Oil Stadium	Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
Dec. 6, 2014	Ohio State 59, Wisconsin 0	Lucas Oil Stadium	Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State
Dec. 5, 2015	Michigan State 16, Iowa 13	Lucas Oil Stadium	Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
Dec. 3, 2016	Penn State 38, Wisconsin 31	Lucas Oil Stadium	Trace McSorley, QB, Penn State
Dec. 2, 2017	Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 21	Lucas Oil Stadium	J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
Dec. 1, 2018	Ohio State 45, Northwestern 24	Lucas Oil Stadium	Dwayne Haskins Jr., QB, Ohio State
Dec. 7, 2019	Ohio State 34, Wisconsin 21	Lucas Oil Stadium	Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Dec. 19, 2020	Ohio State 22, Northwestern 10	Lucas Oil Stadium	Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State
Dec. 4, 2021	Michigan 42, Iowa 3	Lucas Oil Stadium	Aidan Hutchinson, DE, Michigan
Dec. 3, 2022	Michigan 43, Purdue 22	Lucas Oil Stadium	Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan
Dec. 2, 2023	Michigan 26, Iowa 0	Lucas Oil Stadium	Mike Sainristil, DB, Michigan
Dec. 7, 2024	Oregon 45, Penn State 37	Lucas Oil Stadium	Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon
Dec. 6, 2025	Indiana 13, Ohio State 10	Lucas Oil Stadium	Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game: Clear Bag Policy

Unknown — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

A clear bag policy, similar to that used by the NFL, College Football Playoff, and other conference championship games will be in effect for the Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The clear bag policy affects the type and size of bags that are permitted into the stadium - not the items that fans normally need to bring to a game. Each fan may bring in items such as keys, makeup, combs, phones, wallets and credit cards. Fans may still bring items such as binoculars and cameras, provided they are not in cases, and may also carry a jacket into the stadium.

Bags must satisfy the guidelines below in order to be taken into Lucas Oil Stadium:

Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" or 30.5 x 15.25 x 30.5 cm. This includes clear backpacks, clear fanny packs, and clear cinch bags that fit within the permissible dimensions.
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziplock bag or similar)
Small bags, non-clear bags that do not exceed 4.5" x 6.5" in size, with or without a handle or strap can be taken into the stadium with one of the clear plastic bags.
An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at the following gates: Northwest corner (employee entrance) OR Southeast corner (adjacent to Ticket Office)

Bags containing medical devices and related supplies, including breast pumps, are not subject to the clear bag policy, but will be subject to security screenings, including search, at the gates. All other bags, including diaper bags, must adhere to the clear bag policy. Diapers can be carried in a clear bag. Each member of a family, including children, is allowed to carry an approved clear bag into the stadium. Breast milk and required medications are permitted inside the stadium in clear bags or clear containers.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: coolers (unless medically necessary), briefcases, non-clear backpacks, non-clear fanny packs, diaper bags (unless medically necessary), non-clear cinch bags, non-approved seat cushions (unless medically necessary), luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera or binocular bags or any non-clear bag larger than the permissible size (4.5" x 6.5").

The Big Ten is encouraging fans to arrive early and leave any unnecessary items at home or in their cars. Gates at Lucas Oil Stadium will open at 6:00 p.m. ET on the day of the championship game to accommodate early arriving fans.

Working personnel, including media, will continue to enter Lucas Oil Stadium through designated gates where they will be subject to screening and bag inspections already in effect for the Big Ten Football Championship Game.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game: Parking

Unknown — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

PARKING

Lucas Oil Stadium is located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, with close proximity to restaurants, bars, hotels, shopping, attractions, and parking. Indianapolis features arguably the most walkable downtown area in America. Utilize one of the downtown's more than 73,000 parking spaces and then enjoy the Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game and all of the fan events. To explore parking options in advance of this event, click Game Day Parking .

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

USC Gets Week 0 Win, Three Big Ten Teams Open on Thursday

Unknown — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

College football season is officially underway with Week 0 this past Saturday. No. 14 USC, the lone Big Ten team playing, defeated San Jose State in Los Angeles behind three touchdowns from quarterback Jayden Maiava and strong performances on both sides of the ball.

The Trojans’ Week 0 win has set the slate for the 2026 Big Ten season, with three more teams starting their campaigns this Thursday night.

Maiava, New Options Jumpstart Trojans’ 2026

USC kicked off the Big Ten football season with a high-scoring 42-26 win over San Jose State at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Quarterback Jayden Maiava started off the campaign on a high note, completing 25-of-29 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns, while also adding a score on the ground. Freshman wideout Trent Mosley made an explosive debut, catching seven passes for 118 yards and a touchdown. Maiava hit 10 different targets while cruising to the win, showing promise for a Trojan offense that lost star receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane to the NFL.

On the other side of the ball, Gary Patterson’s Trojan defense gave up just three points in the first three quarters. While late scores softened the final 42-26 margin, the first-team unit set a dominant, physical tone to open the season.

Check out Mosley’s first career touchdown, and read the full recap .

Thursday Night Previews

This week, the remaining 17 Big Ten teams begin their seasons, including three games on Thursday night before more games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Before the action begins, dive deep into the top storylines, quarterback battles, and title contenders in our 2026 Big Ten Season Plotlines & Preview.

Rutgers vs. UMass (6:00 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network)

Greg Schiano’s Scarlet Knights kick off Week 1 under the lights at SHI Stadium against UMass. Rutgers returns elite playmakers in wideout KJ Duff and running back Antwan Raymond, who are both coming off top-15 national finishes in receiving and rushing yards, respectively. But with new quarterback Dylan Lonergan at the helm, the Scarlet Knights’ signal-caller will be the primary storyline to watch against the Minutemen.

Minnesota vs. Eastern Illinois (8:00 p.m. ET on Peacock)

Minnesota hosts EIU at Huntington Bank Stadium looking to jumpstart a successful campaign in P.J. Fleck’s 10^th season with the Golden Gophers. With NFL Draft prospect Drake Lindsey leading the Golden Gophers' revamped air attack, along with running back Darius Taylor returning for his senior season, Minnesota looks to set an aggressive offensive tone early.

Illinois vs. UAB (9:00 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network)

Bret Bielema’s squad faces a run-first UAB offense under the lights at Gies Memorial Stadium. After 10-3 and 9-4 seasons that both ended in bowl game wins, Illinois will look to add on with East Carolina transfer Katin Houser at the helm, backed by dynamic running back Ca’Lil Valentine and wide receiver Hudson Clement.

Get Ready

The three Thursday night matchups will set the stage for a jam-packed opening weekend, which includes No. 6 Indiana opening its title defense against North Texas and No. 2 Oregon hosting the defending Mountain West Champion Boise State.

Check out the complete Week 1 football schedule for the Big Ten here .

Big Ten Announces Changes To Football Availability Reporting Process

Unknown — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Big Ten Conference on Friday announced updates to the Football Availability Reporting Process for the upcoming 2026 season.

Beginning this year, schools will submit four availability reports per week, beginning three days before a contest and concluding with a gameday report. Institutions will submit reports by 8pm ET/7pm CT/5pm PT three days (e.g., on Wednesday for a Saturday game), two days, and one day before scheduled kickoff. A final gameday submission will be due two hours before kickoff.

Midweek status designations will identify student-athletes as Probable, Questionable, Doubtful, Out or Out (1st Half). Gameday availability reports will include three categories: Game Time Decision, Out, and Out (1st Half) on gameday. Student-athletes not listed on a report are considered Available.

Due to travel party limitations, visiting teams will indicate the availability status of players who either a) were part of the travel squad, or b)were not part of the travel squad but are (or have been) included in the two-deep on offense, defense, or special teams or otherwise regularly participate in games.

This policy will apply to all competition against conference opponents only, with the first reports of the Big Ten season due in advance of the USC at Rutgers and Purdue at UCLA games on Sept. 19. All availability reports will be published on BigTen.org.

The 2026 campaign gets underway this weekend when USC hosts San Jose State at 3pm ET/2pm CT/12pm PT on NBC. The Big Ten enters the season having won each of the last three College Football Playoff National Championships, with three schools ranked in the Top-6 of the preseason AP poll and eight teams ranked among the Top-22.

Setting the Tone in LA: USC Opens Season Against San Jose State in Week 0

Unknown — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

College football Week 0 is officially here, and on Saturday in Los Angeles, USC kicks off its season hosting San Jose State at 3 p.m. ET on NBC. The Trojans are the lone Big Ten team to play this week and have an opportunity to set the scene for a campaign with high expectations.

Lincoln Riley’s Trojans enter the 2026 season looking to make the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, and the team has all the ammunition to do so. USC returns an FBS-high 15 starters across both sides of the ball, including quarterback Jayden Maiava, who steps back into the spotlight following a breakout campaign where he ranked fourth nationally with 3,711 passing yards, along with 24 passing touchdowns, 6 rushing scores and a nation-leading 91.2 QBR. Alongside Maiava, the Trojans have running backs Waymond Jordan and King Miller back in Los Angeles.

On defense, the trio of Kameryn Crawford, Desman Stephens II, and Braylan Shelby creates a formidable core for new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson to build around. During his tenure at TCU, Patterson's defenses led the nation in total defense five separate times — including three consecutive seasons from 2008 to 2010. With veterans returning at all three levels, the Trojan defense is primed to take a major step forward.

Ranked No. 14 in the AP Top 25, the Trojans will certainly have their chance to prove their mettle against the country's elite this fall, with home tests against Oregon, Washington, and Ohio State alongside road trips to Penn State and Indiana. But the path to a special season begins Saturday afternoon in L.A., giving Riley and his squad their first official platform to showcase that potential.

Before kickoff, catch up on every major plotline, team transformation, and key storyline across the conference in our 2026 Big Ten storylines preview.

2026 Week 0 Football Release

Unknown — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

BIG TEN FOOTBALL RELEASE - WEEK 0 | STANDINGS | SCHEDULE | WE GIVE BLOOD DRIVE

• The 130th season of Big Ten football will commence this week, as USC kicks off the season on Saturday. The Trojans welcome San Jose State to Los Angeles at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.

• Take a look inside fall camp around the Big Ten.

• The Big Ten welcomes four new head coaches to the sidelines for the 2026 campaign in Michigan’s Kyle Whittingham, Michigan State’s Pat Fitzgerald, Penn State’s Matt Campbell and UCLA’s Bob Chesney. The Big Ten’s 18 head football coaches combine for 202 seasons of head coaching experience and more than 1,500 wins.

• The Big Ten opens the 2026 season having claimed three consecutive College Football Playoff championships by three different universities (Indiana 2026, Ohio State 2025, Michigan 2024).

• The Big Ten finished last season with six teams ranked in the AP Top 25, the second-most of any conference, including three teams ranked in the top five. The 2026 AP Preseason Poll features eight Big Ten teams in No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Oregon, No. 6 Indiana, No. T14 USC, No. 16 Michigan, No. 17 Washington, No. 18 Penn State and No. 22 Iowa, while Illinois and Minnesota received votes.

• A trio of Big Ten teams have had the highest win percentages in the FBS the last two seasons -- Indiana (27-2, .931), Oregon (26-3, .897) and Ohio State (26-4, .867).

• Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza was the first Hoosier selected at No. 1 since Corby Davis (1938), first Big Ten player to go No. 1 since Jake Long (2008) and first Big Ten quarterback picked No. 1 since Jeff George (1990). The Big Ten had 68 players taken in the NFL Draft, including three in the top five -- Mendoza, Ohio State’s Carnell Tate (No. 4) and Arvell Reese (No. 5) -- and a conference-leading 10 picks in the first round.

• The 2025 Discover Big Ten Championship Game between Indiana and Ohio State set an attendance record with 68,214 fans inside Lucas Oil Stadium. The game was broadcast on FOX and was the most-watched football conference championship game of any conference or network with 18.33 million viewers.

• The Big Ten featured schools in eight of the 10 most-watched college football games during the 2025 season.

Football's 10 Biggest Storylines Heading into the 2026 Season

Unknown — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Big Ten has stood at the mountaintop of college football over the past three seasons, with a team in the conference hoisting the College Football Playoff trophy in three consecutive years. But as the league enters 2026, the question isn't whether the Big Ten is the center of the college football universe, but which programs will anchor its next chapter?

The 2026 season is filled with big stories spanning 3,000 miles, stretching from the Pacific coastline to the Midwest and all the way to the Atlantic seaboard. With coast-to-coast travel, relentless weekly matchups, and an 18-team footprint, the conference has never been deeper.

Between high-profile coaching transitions, returning superstar quarterbacks, and transfer portal re-tools, here are the 10 biggest storylines shaping the Big Ten landscape this season.

1. Michigan, Ohio State, Indiana: Who’s next?

Will 2026 be the season where a Big Ten team wins the national championship for the fourth consecutive season? In 2023, 2024 and 2025, three different programs were at the top of college football in Michigan, Ohio State and Indiana, and in 2026, a Big Ten team could be the final one standing.

The biggest contenders for the national championship are Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana, who all made the College Football Playoff in 2025 and start the 2026 season top 10 in the AP Poll. Beyond that trio, however, the depth of contenders within the league is staggering, with other ranked teams like USC, Michigan, Washington, Penn State and Iowa all figuring to be in the mix for the playoff.

Whether it’s Ryan Day or Curt Cignetti vying for their second national title or Dan Lanning’s Ducks going for their first, these three are being viewed nationally as prime contenders.

2. Which teams not in the AP Top 10 will contend for the College Football Playoff?

There are plenty of Big Ten programs who can make noise late in the season.

Whether it’s Lincoln Riley’s No. 14 USC — who returns quarterback Jayden Maiava and a FBS- high 15 starters on both sides of the ball — or No. 18 Penn State under new coach Matt Campbell, who brought in 40 transfers this offseason, there is reason to believe there will be more than three Big Ten programs in the field.

Also gaining attention are Michigan and Washington, who are 16th and 17th in the preseason poll. Michigan enters a new era under head coach Kyle Whittingham with sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood and a top-tier defense; the Wolverines have the firepower to re-establish themselves as national threats after winning the national championship three seasons ago. Meanwhile, the Huskies enter year three in Seattle under Jedd Fisch, possessing one of the most explosive young offenses in the country, led by rising star quarterback Demond Williams Jr, who had 3,676 all-purpose yards and 31 touchdowns in 2025. You can also never count out Iowa. Ranked No. 22 in the preseason AP Poll, Kirk Ferentz’s defense and special teams always make the Hawkeyes a tough team to beat.

From traditional powerhouses reloading to dark horses knocking on the door, the Big Ten’s depth ensures the race for playoff spots will extend far beyond the preseason favorites.

3. Which new coach will make the fastest impact?

There are four new faces leading programs in the Big Ten in 2026, with Penn State hiring Matt Campbell, Michigan bringing in Kyle Whittingham, Michigan State tapping Pat Fitzgerald, and UCLA handing the reins to Bob Chesney.

All four programs have high ceilings for the future, but first, each will look to set a precedent for success. This includes in Happy Valley, where Campbell brought 24 transfers from Iowa State — including quarterback Rocco Becht, running back Carsen Hansen and wide receiver Chase Sowell — hoping to get the Nittany Lions back to the postseason. In Ann Arbor, Whittingham has former top recruit Bryce Underwood, running back Jordan Marshall and wide receiver Andrew Marsh as the offensive foundation behind a perennially strong defense.

While Fitzgerald and Chesney are inheriting programs with less recent success, there’s plenty of reasons for optimism. Fitzgerald spent 17 seasons building Northwestern into a consistent Big Ten contender, compiling 110 wins, two Big Ten Championship Game appearances, five AP Top 25 finishes and five bowl game wins. Out west, Chesney arrives at UCLA after leading James Madison to a 12-2 record and a berth in the 2025 College Football Playoff; the hope is that his winning will translate to Hollywood sooner rather than later with an experienced QB-RB duo of Nico Iamaleava and Wayne Knight.

4. How will the 2025 CFP teams make up for losses to the NFL?

The 2025 College Football Playoff featured three teams from the Big Ten in Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon, and all three are back in the fold again. Though, each will have to deal with notable losses.

Starting with the national champion Hoosiers, who saw Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza go No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders after leading IU to a 16-0 national championship run. Indiana lost a program-record eight players to the 2026 NFL Draft , including wideouts Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr., cornerback D'Angelo Ponds and lineman Pat Coogan. To replace these players, Curt Cignetti reloaded in the portal; he brought in quarterback Josh Hoover from TCU, wide receiver Nick Marsh from Michigan State, running back Turbo Richard from Boston College and cornerback A.J. Harris from Penn State, which highlights the eighth ranked class in the country.

Ryan Day and the 2024 champions Buckeyes saw a similar yearly migration to the NFL stage, especially on defense, where they lost All-Americans Arvell Reese (Giants), Sonny Styles (Commanders), and Caleb Downs (Cowboys), all of whom went in the top 15 of the 2026 NFL Draft. To answer this, Ohio State brought in key transfers in the portal, such as Alabama edge defender Qua Russaw and defensive tackle James Smith to bolster the front seven, alongside Duke safety Terry Moore to help reinforce a secondary that lost Davison Igbinosun and Lorenzo Styles Jr. With those high-impact additions joining top-tier developmental talent already on the roster, the Buckeyes have the depth to field another championship-caliber defense to complement their explosive offense.

On offense, the Buckeyes had yet another wide receiver drafted high with Carnell Tate going fourth overall to the Tennessee Titans. But Ohio State returns arguably the best QB-WR pairing in America in Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, plus running back Bo Jackson returns for his sophomore year after a 1,090-yard, six-touchdown freshman campaign. The biggest question lies beneath Smith on the wide receiver depth chart; No. 4 is considered the best receiver, if not player in college football, and it’s up to Brandon Inniss and UTSA transfer Devin McCuin — along with freshmen Chris Henry Jr. and Jerquaden Guilford — to make up for Tate’s departure.

Heading out west, Oregon has the most returning production out of the three. On offense, Dante Moore will start his second season in Eugene after forgoing the 2026 NFL Draft, and he’s surrounded by a collection of returning talent which includes running backs Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. and wide receivers Dakorien Moore, Evan Stewart and Jeremiah McLellan. On defense, it’s much of the same, with Matayo Uiagalelei, A'Mauri Washington, Bear Alexander and Brandon Finney Jr.

But the Ducks did not stop there, replacing some of their losses with star transfers, most notably wide receiver Iverson Hooks from UAB on offense and star safety Koi Perich from Minnesota on defense. Hooks is coming off a 900-yard, seven-touchdown season at UAB to give Moore another explosive weapon in the slot, while Perich steps in as one of the most dynamic ball-hawking safeties in the conference next to Aaron Flowers, who forced two fumbles and registered three passes defended in 2025.

5. What will the Big Ten’s quarterback landscape look like?

In 2026, the Big Ten has a blend of star returners, key transfers, and younger players looking to break out. The conference quarterback hierarchy starts with Ohio State’s Sayin and Oregon’s Moore, both of whom ranked near the top of college football in 2025, but this is one of the deepest quarterback classes the Big Ten has ever had.

The 2026 season brings a fresh wave of experienced Big Ten quarterbacks entering their second full year as starters in the conference. Jayden Maiava (USC), Demond Williams Jr. (Washington), and Nico Iamaleava (UCLA) head the group, each positioned to make a major leap forward. They aren't alone — Michigan's Bryce Underwood, Michigan State's Alessio Milivojevic, Maryland's Malik Washington, Minnesota's Drake Lindsey, and Purdue's Ryan Browne are all gearing up for year two at the helm.

Then, there are seven Big Ten schools that will probably have a transfer QB starting Week 1:

Indiana: Josh Hoover (TCU)
Illinois: Katin Hauser (East Carolina)
Nebraska: Anthony Colandrea (UNLV)
Northwestern: Aidan Chiles (Michigan State)
Penn State: Rocco Becht (Iowa State)
Rutgers: Dylan Lonergan (Boston College)
Wisconsin Colton Joseph (Old Dominion)

Hoover faces the steepest mountain to climb in Bloomington, tasked with replacing the Heisman winner Mendoza. Meanwhile, Colandrea brings his explosive playmaking ability to Lincoln to jumpstart the Huskers' offense, Hauser steps in to maintain Illinois' vertical passing threat after Luke Altmyer departed for the NFL, and Chiles provides Northwestern with mobility under new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Rutgers has officially locked in its starter after a high-stakes competition between AJ Surace and Dylan Lonergan. The Scarlet Knights ultimately opted for Lonergan's upside as an Alabama and Boston College transfer to lead the offense.

In Iowa City, the starting QB battle between Jeremy Hecklinski and Hank Brown could last into the season. Hecklinski flashed dual-threat potential late last season, while Brown possesses great arm strength and has impressed during camp. Either way, the Hawkeyes are leaning on internal growth to give their offense a spark.

With elite established stars, high-profile portal additions, and homegrown talent vying for starting spots across the board, the Big Ten’s 2026 quarterback landscape is as deep and diverse as any conference in the country.

6. Who are the biggest non-quarterback transfers?

Transfers play a massive role across the gridiron beyond the quarterback room, reshaping starting lineups at virtually every school in the expanded 18-team Big Ten. High-profile wideouts like Nick Marsh (Indiana) and Iverson Hooks (Oregon) are the headline grabbers, but the portal's biggest ripple effects came on defense and in the trenches.

At Ohio State, the Buckeyes re-tooled their front seven with former Alabama trench pieces (Russaw and Smith), pairing them with Duke transfer safety Moore, who had 10 passes defended, four interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2024, to anchor the secondary. Oregon landed arguably the portal's premier defensive prize in All-Big Ten safety Perich from Minnesota, giving Dan Lanning a ball-hawking playmaker on defense and special teams.

In Ann Arbor, Whittingham brought elite edge rusher John Henry Daley with him from Utah to immediately fuel the pass rush after an 11.5-sack campaign, while former Utes tight end JJ Buchanan will give Bryce Underwood a massive target in the passing game. Further east, Penn State reloaded with familiar talent that Campbell brought from Iowa State, headlined by tight end Ben Brahmer and running back Carson Hansen.

Out west, UCLA added the explosive James Madison transfer running back Wayne Knight, who ranked seventh in the FBS with 1,373 rushing yards in 2025, and Washington grabbed former Oregon tailback Jayden Limar to pair with Adam Mohammed in the backfield. Lincoln Riley boosted USC's perimeter with NC State standout receiver Terrell Anderson, while Wisconsin anchored its backfield with Iowa State transfer running back Abu Sama III.

Elsewhere, Iowa added FCS breakout receiver Tony Diaz, Michigan State landed UConn tackle Ben Murawski, Purdue added Penn receiver Bisi Owens, Nebraska brought in South Carolina tackle Tree Babalade, and Rutgers re-tooled its edge with Toledo’s Malachi Davis. From game-changing skill talent to veteran trench anchors, these moves could shift the balance of power across the conference.

7. Which coordinator changes will have the biggest impact on teams?

There have been some notable coordinator changes across the conference. Whether a flashy new addition or a key loss to head coaching jobs, these changes will have an impact on 2026.

The biggest news is out in Eugene, where Oregon lost both their coordinators to head coaching jobs, with Will Stein heading to Kentucky and Tosh Lupoi to Cal. Head coach Dan Lanning opted for continuity by promoting internally, elevating Drew Mehringer to OC and Chris Hampton to DC. While maintaining scheme familiarity helps prevent roster turmoil, both newly minted play-callers face immediate pressure to keep the Ducks in Big Ten contention.

Beyond Eugene, coordinator moves will have ripple effects across the conference landscape in 2026. USC landed head-coaching heavyweight and defensive mastermind Gary Patterson — the winningest coach in TCU history who led the nation in total defense five times with the Horned Frogs — to take over as defensive coordinator. Meanwhile, Northwestern brought in seasoned play-caller Chip Kelly to helm the offense. Kelly arrives in Evanston with a deep resume across both college and the pros, having served as head coach at Oregon, UCLA, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the San Francisco 49ers, alongside offensive coordinator stints at Ohio State and with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Both programs are betting on proven head-coaching minds to overhaul single units. If these high-profile choices pay off for a USC defense and a Northwestern offense, it could reshape the conference standings and fundamentally alter the trajectories of both programs.

8. How will Big Ten teams deal with hard schedules?

Before conference play starts, there are high-profile matchups across the conference, with 17 out of 18 teams having a top-40 strength of schedule in America, according to ESPN. Leading the way are the Ohio State Buckeyes, who have the eighth hardest schedule in the country; this includes a Week 2 trip to Austin to face Texas, October road trips to both Bloomington and Los Angeles to face Indiana and USC respectively, and November home games against both Oregon and Michigan.

But, the Buckeyes are not the only team with tough matchups before conference play starts. In Week 2, Oregon goes to Stillwater to face a scary Oklahoma State team led by new head coach Eric Morris; Michigan hosts Oklahoma in the second half of a home-and-home series, and Iowa hosts Iowa State in the Cy-Hawk rivalry.

In Week 3, Maryland welcomes old ACC rival Virginia Tech — led by former Penn State head coach James Franklin — to SECU Stadium in College Park for a regional clash, while Wisconsin collides with championship favorite Notre Dame at Lambeau Field on September 6 to open the season. Michigan State also travels to South Bend to renew its rivalry with the Fighting Irish, and Purdue tackles a tough early slate featuring home dates against both Wake Forest and Notre Dame.

A few other key early-season matchups adding to the gauntlet:

Oregon vs. Boise State (Sept. 5): A tough early season game in Eugene against a dangerous Group of 5 playoff contender before the Ducks head to Stillwater.
Minnesota vs. Mississippi State (Sept. 12): An SEC-Big Ten non-conference battle at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Northwestern vs. Colorado (Sept. 19): A high-profile non-conference clash in Evanston to wrap up the early slate.
Oregon at USC (Sept. 26): A massive early-season West Coast showdown that serves as an immediate Big Ten benchmark game.

The 18-team Big Ten landscape offers no safety nets once conference play begins. In a league where depth and physical endurance are tested weekly, whoever makes it to Indianapolis will have fought and earned that championship bid.

Consider USC. The Trojans face tough road tests at Happy Valley and Camp Randall, while defending home turf against powerhouses in Oregon and Ohio State. On the opposite coast, Penn State’s path is equally treacherous. Over a six-week stretch, the Nittany Lions collide with Wisconsin, USC, Michigan, and Washington.

9. Who can break program and conference records in 2026?

Heading into 2026, several Big Ten superstars are on the verge of rewriting both school and conference record books.

At the top of the list is Ohio State wideout Jeremiah Smith, who enters his junior season positioned to shatter virtually every major receiving milestone in Buckeye history. Through his first two years in Columbus, Smith has racked up 163 receptions, 2,558 receiving yards, and 27 receiving touchdowns — the most productive opening two seasons by any receiver in Big Ten history.

Smith enters the fall needing:

43 receptions to pass former teammate Emeka Egbuka (205) for Ohio State's all-time career catches record.
341 receiving yards to eclipse Michael Jenkins' program standard of 2,898 yards set in 2003.
9 receiving touchdowns to pass Chris Olave (35) as Ohio State's all-time leader in touchdown catches.

While capturing Ohio State's program crowns is virtually a foregone conclusion, Smith's trajectory puts several all-time Big Ten records within reach. Catching 12 touchdowns would move him past Michigan legend Braylon Edwards (39) as the most prolific TD target in conference history. He is also 1,230 yards shy of eclipsing Purdue icon John Standeford’s long-standing record (3,788) for the all-time yardage crown . Additionally, grabbing 90 receptions would vault him past Edwards into the Big Ten's top five.

Smith isn't the only Buckeye chasing history, either. Quarterback Julian Sayin returns after setting the Big Ten single-season completion percentage record (77.0%) in 2025 while throwing for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns. He returns with a chance to challenge Dwayne Haskins’ single-season Big Ten passing record (4,831 yards, set in 2018).

The record chases don’t stop at the top. Here are some of the other ones to watch across the conference.

Antwan Raymond & KJ Duff (Rutgers): Greg Schiano returns two of the league's most explosive skill players. Raymond is coming off a 1,241-yard rushing campaign (1,466 all-purpose yards), putting Ray Rice’s single-season all-purpose benchmarks within sight. Meanwhile, Duff caught 60 passes for 1,084 yards as a sophomore — one of only three Big Ten receivers to hit 1,000 yards in 2025 — putting him on pace to challenge Kenny Britt (1,371 yards) on Rutgers' single-season receiving chart.
Jayden Maiava (QB, USC): Led the entire Big Ten in passing yards in 2025. Returning for 2026 under Lincoln Riley, Maiava enters within range of Caleb Williams single-season USC passing mark (4,537 yards) after putting up 3,711 in 2025, which is sixth on the list.
Anthony Smith (DE, Minnesota): Fresh off leading the Gophers with 12.5 sacks and 17.5 TFLs in 2025 — finishing just 5 yards short of Karon Riley’s single-season sack yardage record — the Shippensburg, Pa. product has school history squarely in his sights. Smith is within striking distance of Lamanzer Williams’ single-season sack record (18.5), as well as Minnesota’s career benchmarks for sacks (Karon Riley, 29.0) and TFLs (Willie VanDeSteeg, 43.5).
Demond Williams Jr. (QB, Washington): One of the Big Ten's premier dual-threat weapons, Williams returns after leading the Huskies to nine wins in 2025. He takes aim at the top three for Washington's modern single-season quarterback rushing yards, while also holding the Huskies’ total offense record.
Charlie Becker (WR, Indiana): Becker steps up as the clear No. 1 target in Bloomington. After showing elite big-play efficiency during Indiana's national championship run, Becker is positioned to challenge the Hoosiers' single-season receiving touchdown benchmark of 16, set by James Hardy in 2007, and receiving yards record of 1,265 set by Ernie Jones in 1987.

10. What are some off-field storylines to watch this season?

The Big Ten storylines don’t stop on the field, with all 18 teams navigating a landmark era defined by unprecedented national momentum, elite program growth, and major infrastructure upgrades.

Coming off a magical postseason run, Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers enter 2026 as the reigning kings of college football. Bloomington has transformed into a premier football destination, fueling sold-out crowds, massive campus pride, and historic national optimism. On October 17, Indiana will have arguably the biggest game ever in Bloomington when it hosts Ohio State.

The conference will also see a major venue change, with Northwestern’s new Ryan Field set to open on October 2 against Penn State. The world-class facility gives Northwestern one of the most intimate, modern home environments in the nation.

Beyond Ryan Field, the conference is taking center stage in iconic sports venues across the region. Wisconsin headlines the neutral-site slate on Labor Day weekend when they clash with Notre Dame at historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay for the Shamrock Series, giving Badgers fans a bucket-list spectacle in their home state. Meanwhile, non-conference rivalry games — like Washington hosting Washington State in the Apple Cup and Iowa welcoming Iowa State for the Cy-Hawk Trophy — continue to capture the national spotlight, reinforcing how deep fan passion runs across every corner of the Big Ten.

At the same time, the 18-team coast-to-coast footprint is transforming how fans and teams experience the season. Supporters are embracing cross-country travel in record numbers, creating vibrant game-day atmospheres that blend classic Midwestern tailgating traditions with historic West Coast venues from Seattle to Los Angeles. Behind the scenes, athletic departments are operating at a professional level, deploying advanced sports science, sleep-tracking technology, and restructured schedules to help athletes handle the travel.

With prime-time broadcasts and sold-out stadiums spanning from New Jersey to Southern California, the Big Ten’s off-field momentum and national footprint will shape the college football conversation all season long.

Time for Kickoff

As college football continues to expand, the Big Ten will be at the center of all the action throughout the 2026 season. Will the conference take home the national championship for the fourth consecutive year? What teams and players will make history? Heading into the fall, Big Ten fans have plenty to be excited for.

The season kicks off on August 29 in Los Angeles where USC welcomes in San Jose State before the remaining teams get their 2026 campaigns started the following week. While these storylines might dictate the early part of the season, only a handful will emerge from the pack as the weeks go on.

For Big Ten fans, it’s time: Sit back and watch how football season unfolds. Check out the full schedule .

To get more features like this, click here and select football .

Big Ten Statement On Student-Athlete Eligibility

Unknown — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

“The Big Ten Conference announced Tuesday the unanimous adoption of a conference rule to prohibit football players who have signed a professional contract, were on a professional roster at any point or declared for the NFL Draft as an underclassman without withdrawing, from maintaining eligibility for athletic competition at a conference institution.

“The conference continues to evaluate potential rules restricting professional athletes in other sports from conference competition.”

2026 Big Ten Football Preseason National Awards Watch Lists

Unknown — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

As attention turns to the 2026 college football season, Big Ten student-athletes have earned national recognition on various preseason award watch lists. Below is a list of featured student-athletes.

Bednarik Award
Matthew Bailey, Illinois
Rolijah Hardy, Indiana
Isaiah Jones, Indiana
Tyrique Tucker, Indiana
Zach Lutmer, Iowa
Daniel Wingate, Maryland
Jyaire Hall, Michigan
John Henry Daley, Michigan
Jordan Hall, Michigan State
Anthony Smith, Minnesota
Robert Fitzgerald, Northwestern
Kenyatta Jackson, Ohio State
Earl Little Jr., Ohio State
Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon
Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
A’Mauri Washington, Oregon
Jeremiah Cooper, Penn State
Jontez Williams, USC
Mason Posa, Wisconsin

Davey O’Brien Award
Josh Hoover, Indiana
Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Dante Moore, Oregon
Rocco Becht, Penn State
Jayden Maiava, USC
Demond Williams Jr., Washington

Doak Walker Award
Ca’Lil Valentine, Illinois
Khobie Martin, Indiana
Turbo Richard, Indiana
Kamari Moulton, Iowa
DeJuan Williams, Maryland
Cam Edwards, Michigan State
Bo Jackson, Ohio State
Jordon Davison, Oregon
Carson Hansen, Penn State
James Peoples, Penn State
Fame Ijeboi, Purdue
Wayne Knight, UCLA

Biletnikoff Award
Jayshon Platt, Illinois
Charlie Becker, Indiana
Griffin Wilde, Northwestern
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Iverson Hooks, Oregon
Jamari Johnson, Oregon
KJ Duff, Rutgers

Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Amare Ferrell, Indiana
Jyaire Hill, Michigan
Earl Little Jr., Ohio State
Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon
Koi Perich, Oregon

John Mackey Award
DJ Vonnahme, Iowa
Dorian Flemming, Maryland
JJ Buchanan, Michigan
Luke Lindenmeyer, Nebraska
Hunter Welcing, Ohio State
Jamari Johnson, Oregon
Benjamin Brahmer, Penn State
Gabe Burkle, Penn State
Decker DeGraaf, Washington

Butkus Award
Rolijah Hardy, Indiana
Isaiah Jones, Indiana
Jayden Montgomery, Iowa
Daniel Wingate, Maryland
Troy Bowles, Michigan
Jordan Hall, Michigan State
Maverick Baranowski, Minnesota
Owen Chambliss, Nebraska
Kooper Ebel, Penn State
Sammy Omosigho, UCLA
Xe’ree Alexander, Washington
Mason Posa, Wisconsin

Ray Guy Award
Bryce McFerson, Maryland
Hunter Green, Washington

Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Amare Ferrell, Indiana
Rolijah Hardy, Indiana
Isaiah Jones, Indiana
Zach Lutmer, Iowa
John Henry Daley, Michigan
Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Ohio State
Jaylen McClain, Ohio State
Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon
Koi Perich, Oregon

Outland Trophy
Carter Smith, Indiana
Trevor Lauck, Iowa
Kade Pieper, Iowa
Andrew Sprague, Michigan
Ben Murawski, Michigan State
Greg Johnson, Minnesota
Carson Hinzman, Ohio State
Luke Montgomery, Ohio State
Austin Siereveld, Ohio State
Bear Alexander, Oregon
Iapani Laloulu, Oregon
A’Mauri Washington, Oregon
Alani Noa, USC

Lou Groza Award
Nico Radicic, Indiana
Eli Ozock, Iowa
Sean O’Haire, Maryland
Trey Butkowski, Michigan
Jackson Kleather, Northwestern
Connor Hawkins, Ohio State
Ryan Barker, Penn State
Ryon Sayeri, USC
Tyler Robles, Washington

Paul Hornung Award
Andrew Marsh, Michigan
Jacory Barney Jr., Nebraska
Brandon Inniss, Ohio State
Koi Perich, Oregon
Wayne Knight, UCLA

Rimington Trophy
Jake Renfro, Illinois
Bray Lynch, Indiana
Kade Pieper, Iowa
Mihael Hershey, Maryland
Jake Guarnera, Michigan
Ashton Beers, Minnesota
Justin Evans, Nebraska
Jake Carsello, Northwestern
Carson Hinzman, Ohio State
Iapani Laloulu, Oregon
Brock Riker, Penn State
Kilian O’Connor, USC
Landen Hatchett, Washington

Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
Brendon Henderson, Illinois
Charlie Becker, Indiana
Jayden Montgomery, Iowa
Malik Washington, Maryland
Jordan Marshall, Michigan
Jordan Hall, Michigan State
Anthony Smith, Minnesota
Donovan Jones, Nebraska
John Fussell, Northwestern
Jaylen McClain, Ohio State
Dante Moore, Oregon
Cooper Cousins, Penn State
CJ Madden, Purdue
Michael O’Connor, Rutgers
Halakilangi Muagututi’a, UCLA
Jayden Maiava, USC
Landen Hatchett, Washington
Chris Brooks Jr., Wisconsin

Walter Camp Award
Charlie Becker, Indiana
Tyrique Tucker, Indiana
Bryce Underwood, Michigan
Anthony Smith, Minnesota
Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Dante Moore, Oregon
KJ Duff, Rutgers
Jayden Maiava, USC

Maxwell Award
Josh Hoover, Indiana
Jordan Marshall, Michigan
Bryce Underwood, Michigan
Cam Edwards, Michigan State
Darius Taylor, Minnesota
Anthony Colandrea, Nebraska
Caleb Komolafe, Northwestern
Bo Jackson, Ohio State
Julian Sayin, Ohio State
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Rocco Becht, Penn State
Antwan Raymond, Rutgers
Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
Waymond Jordan, USC
Jayden Maiava, USC
Demond Williams, Washington

Players listed on three-or-more Watch Lists heading into the 2026 season:

4 Lists

Jayden Maiava, USC — Davey O'Brien, Wuerffel, Walter Camp, Maxwell

3 Lists

Rolijah Hardy, Indiana — Bednarik, Butkus, Nagurski
Isaiah Jones, Indiana — Bednarik, Butkus, Nagurski
Charlie Becker, Indiana — Biletnikoff, Wuerffel, Walter Camp
Jordan Hall, Michigan State — Bednarik, Butkus, Wuerffel
Anthony Smith, Minnesota — Bednarik, Wuerffel, Walter Camp
Julian Sayin, Ohio State — Davey O'Brien, Walter Camp, Maxwell
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State — Biletnikoff, Walter Camp, Maxwell
Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon — Bednarik, Thorpe, Nagurski
Dante Moore, Oregon — Davey O'Brien, Wuerffel, Walter Camp
Koi Perich, Oregon — Thorpe, Nagurski, Hornung

Eight Big Ten Football Teams Headline 2026 Preseason AP Top 25 Poll

Unknown — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The road to the national championship runs squarely through the Big Ten, which flooded the 2026 Preseason AP Top 25 Poll with eight teams — capped by a 1-2 punch in Ohio State and Oregon at the very top.

Not far behind the Buckeyes and Ducks are the Indiana Hoosiers, who come in at No. 6, fresh off their historic title run.

Beyond the top-10 heavyweights, the Big Ten dominates the middle of the rankings with a four-team block spanning spots 14 through 18. USC (No. 14) leads that pack, followed in rapid succession by Michigan (No. 16), Washington (No. 17), and Penn State (No. 18). Iowa (No. 22) completes the conference fleet, giving the Big Ten deep representation from the top spot all the way down the ballot.

Here is a closer look at each ranked Big Ten team, their official AP ranking, and what to watch for entering the 2026 campaign.

No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (40 first-place votes)

Claiming the top spot in the poll with 40 first-place votes, the Buckeyes enter the season as one of the national championship favorites, aiming to become the first preseason AP No. 1 team to go wire-to-wire and win it all since Alabama in 2017. With 2025 Heisman finalist quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith — widely considered the best player in college football — returning, Ohio State is looking to win its 10^th national championship and second in three years.

The Buckeyes, one of three Big Ten sports teams to be ranked preseason No. 1 this fall alongside Nebraska Volleyball and Washington Men’s Soccer, will have to deal with key losses on both sides of the ball, but Coach Ryan Day’s recruiting has left the program primed to reload rather than rebuild. Behind a veteran offensive line and a deep defense featuring playmakers at all three levels, the Buckeyes have every piece in place to handle a high-stakes schedule and claim college football’s ultimate prize.

No. 2 Oregon Ducks (14 first-place votes)

Holding down the highest preseason ranking in program history, Dan Lanning’s squad has strong continuity on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Dante Moore returns to command an explosive attack loaded with skill talent — highlighted by wide receivers Dakorien Moore, Evan Stewart, and Jeremiah McClellan along with sophomore running backs Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. On defense, proven disruptors Matayo Uiagalelei, A'Mauri Washington, and Teitum Tuioti anchor a physical front. Behind them, a secondary stacked with talent is headlined by a pair of preseason All-Americans in Minnesota safety transfer Koi Perich and returning standout Brandon Finney Jr. Packed with complete depth across the board, Oregon has every tool needed to capture a second Big Ten crown and hunt for its first national title.

Oregon has three total losses since joining the Big Ten, all to the eventual national champions in Ohio State in 2024 and Indiana in 2025-26. But, with arguably Lanning’s best roster ever and one of the best signal-callers in the country, this could be the season the Ducks finally reach the mountaintop.

No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers (eight first-place votes)

After a 16-0 season where Indiana won its first outright Big Ten title since 1945 and first ever national championship, completing one of the best stories in college football history, the Hoosiers are right back in the fold again in 2026. Curt Cignetti’s squad enters the fall holding the highest preseason ranking in school history at No. 6, even garnering eight first-place votes. While the Hoosiers lost key contributors from last year’s title run, including Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and wide receivers Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr., Cignetti reloaded swiftly through the portal — headlined by TCU transfer quarterback Josh Hoover, who steps under center to trigger an explosive passing attack alongside wideouts Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh.

Behind one of the Big Ten's elite offensive lines and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines’ disciplined unit, Cignetti’s retooled roster is primed to make more history.

No. 14 USC Trojans

Tied with BYU at No. 14, Lincoln Riley’s Trojans lead another wave of Big Ten contenders with eyes set firmly on a playoff berth. Quarterback Jayden Maiava highlights an FBS-high 15 returning starters on both sides of the ball; No. 14 will command an offense that should have no trouble putting up points, flanked by an upgraded offensive line and a retooled corps of perimeter weapons.

The real key to USC’s championship ceiling lies on the defensive side of the ball, where former TCU head coach Gary Patterson takes over as defensive coordinator. While at TCU, Patterson’s teams led the nation in total defense five times. If this translates to Los Angeles, the Trojans have the muscle to make noise in the Big Ten and navigate a grueling slate.

No. 16 Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines begin a new era with one of college football’s most decorated leaders at the helm as Kyle Whittingham takes the reins in Ann Arbor. Across 21 seasons at Utah, Whittingham established himself as a premier program builder — amassing 177 career wins , three conference championships (including back-to-back Pac-12 titles in 2021 and 2022), an undefeated 13-0 Sugar Bowl season in 2008, and three National Coach of the Year awards.

Whittingham inherits a physical roster, featuring a battle-tested line and a defense that ranks among the most talented in the conference. The engine of the offense will be sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood, running back Jordan Marshall and wide receiver Andrew Marsh, giving Whittingham some offensive foundations in his first season in Ann Arbor.

No. 17 Washington Huskies

Entering year three under head coach Jedd Fisch, Washington continues its steady climb up the Big Ten hierarchy following a promising 9-4 campaign. The Huskies are led by dynamic returning quarterback Demond Williams Jr., whose dual-threat playmaking ability makes Washington’s high-octane offense one of the most dangerous units to gameplan against in the country.

Defensively, coordinator Ryan Walters welcomes back a deep linebacker corps spearheaded by Xe'ree Alexander and a healthy Jacob Manu, alongside top tackler Alex McLaughlin in the secondary. With major home tests against Iowa, Penn State, and Indiana, Fisch’s battle-tested squad is primed to turn heads and establish itself as a legitimate conference title contender.

No. 18 Penn State Nittany Lions

After 12 seasons of James Franklin at the helm, former Iowa State coach Matt Campbell takes over in Happy Valley hoping to put Penn State back in national championship contention. Campbell brought 24 transfers from his 2025 Cyclones team to the Big Ten, highlighted by signal-caller Rocco Becht and running back Carson Hansen.

The transfer-laden Nittany Lions face a slate with massive hurdles this season. A crucial stretch featuring marquee games against USC, Michigan, and Washington will decide the Nittany Lions' season. If Penn State can rise to the occasion in those signature contests under Campbell, they’ll have a golden opportunity to reach the 12-team playoff for the second time.

No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes

Rounding out the Big Ten’s eight ranked teams, Kirk Ferentz’s Hawkeyes enter 2026 with their trademark formula intact: suffocating defense, elite special teams, and a methodical ground attack. Iowa’s defense remains one of the premier units in the country, returning key starters across the front seven and secondary that routinely frustrate opposing coordinators.

Ferentz, already the Big Ten’s winningest coach of all time, returns a veteran core tailored to Iowa's physical style. The defense is anchored by versatile defensive back Zach Lutmer, veteran corner Deshaun Lee, and linebacker Jayden Montgomery commanding the front seven. Offensively, running back Kamari Moulton takes over the backfield behind a reloaded line led by Kade Pieper and Trevor Lauck, while tight ends DJ Vonnahme and Addison Ostrenga offer reliable targets for whichever quarterback wins the summer competition between Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski.

Kickoff Coming Up Next

Having claimed each of the last three national titles, the conference enters 2026 as a huge threat again. But the league's stranglehold on the sport extends far beyond its top eight; programs like Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Illinois all received votes just outside the AP Top 25, giving the Big Ten a slew of teams capable of making noise this fall. From top-ranked national title favorites to dangerous unranked dark horses, every single week in the Big Ten will carry massive 12-team playoff implications.

From College Football to Canton: Drew Brees and Roger Craig Headline 2026 Hall of Fame Class

Unknown — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Earning a gold jacket and a bronze bust in Canton, Ohio, is the ultimate honor in professional football. Leading the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 are two Big Ten school legends who redefined their positions: former Purdue quarterback Drew Brees and Nebraska running back Roger Craig.

Long before punching their tickets to Canton in August, both stars built legacies that transformed the sport. Brees captivated West Lafayette as a Big Ten Champion before embarking on a 20-year NFL career where he amassed 13 Pro Bowl selections, over 80,000 passing yards, and a Super Bowl trophy with the New Orleans Saints. Alongside him stands Craig, the Husker powerhouse who revolutionized the modern running back position as a cornerstone of San Francisco’s 1980s dynasty — capturing three Super Bowl rings, earning 1988 NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors, and becoming the first player in league history to post 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.

From college football Saturdays to Canton’s sacred grounds, Brees and Craig now stand among the game’s immortal icons. Their enshrinement is only part of a legendary Class of 2026: joined by wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Luke Kuechly, and clutch kicker Adam Vinatieri, all five inductees have officially cemented their enduring legacies in pro football history.

Drew Brees: From Purdue Star (1997–2000) to NFL Legend (2001–2020)

Before he became one of the NFL’s all-time passing leaders, Brees put Joe Tiller’s “Basketball on Grass” offense on the map in West Lafayette. He departed Purdue holding virtually every major passing record in school and conference history, racking up 11,792 passing yards and 90 passing touchdowns. In 2000, Brees won the Maxwell Award as college football's most outstanding player, claimed Big Ten MVP honors, and guided Purdue to its first Rose Bowl berth in 34 years.

Drafted 32nd overall in 2001, Brees spent 20 seasons becoming one of the best quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen. He retired after the 2020 season ranking second in league history in career passing yards (80,358) and touchdown passes (571), only falling behind fellow Big Ten legend Tom Brady. A 13-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Brees topped 5,000 passing yards in a season five times — a feat no other quarterback in league history has accomplished more than twice.

Brees' crown jewel came in February 2010, when he earned MVP honors in Super Bowl XLIV after leading the Saints to their first championship in franchise history over the Indianapolis Colts.

Today, Brees still stands as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in Big Ten history. He led Purdue to a Big Ten Championship and a Rose Bowl berth while setting 13 conference records. Upon leaving West Lafayette, he held the Big Ten career records for passing yards (11,792), completions (1,026) and passing touchdowns (90), and he still ranks among the top passing leaders in conference history.

Roger Craig: From Nebraska Powerhouse (1979–1982) to 3-Time Super Bowl Champion (1983–1993)

Craig became the centerpiece of legendary coach Tom Osborne’s run scheme from 1979 to 1982. Over four seasons, he amassed over 2,400 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns in Lincoln, earning All-Big Eight (now Big 12) honors in 1981 after posting a 1,060-yard season.

Craig carried that dominance directly to the pros. Selected in the second round of the 1983 draft by San Francisco, he quickly emerged as the ultimate dual-threat weapon in Bill Walsh’s West Coast Offense. Across 11 NFL seasons, Craig amassed 8,189 rushing yards, 4,911 receiving yards, and 73 total touchdowns.

In 1985, Craig made NFL history by becoming the first player to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season (a club joined only by Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey). A four-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade Team, Craig won three Super Bowl titles with San Francisco and was named the 1988 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league with 2,036 scrimmage yards (tied Eric Dickerson).

Decades after transforming their positions on Big Ten Saturdays, Brees and Craig have reached the apex of football immortality. Whether through Brees' prolific passing that elevated Purdue and New Orleans or Craig's versatility that powered Nebraska and the 49ers dynasty, both legends set new standards for excellence. As their bronze busts take their permanent place in Canton alongside the rest of the Class of 2026, their journeys stand as a testament to the enduring impact of Big Ten greatness on the highest stage of the game.

What Every Big Ten Football Team Is Saying Heading Into 2026

Unknown — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

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.

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Big Ten Network Announces 2026 College Football Broadcaster Lineup

Unknown — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

With 43 game broadcasts bolstered by comprehensive studio programming and a full slate of coverage from coast to coast, the Big Ten Network’s on-air lineup features a roster of longtime personalities and exciting new voices as the network embarks on Season 20 covering Big Ten football.

Game Broadcasts:

Joining BTN as analysts for the upcoming season are Ryan Kerrigan, a four-time Pro Bowl honoree and the 2010 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year at Purdue; Kenjon Barner, a three-time Super Bowl champion and former All-American at Oregon; and Brett Hundley, former UCLA quarterback and NFL veteran.

BTN’s rotation of game analysts for this football season will include returners Jake Butt, a former All-American tight end at Michigan, veteran analyst and former Indiana wide receiver Rhett Lewis and former Iowa team captain Anthony Herron. Also scheduled to appear on the network throughout the season are Matt Millen, four-time Super Bowl Champion and All-American at Penn State; Brock Vereen, NFL veteran and All-Big Ten honoree at Minnesota; Marcel Reece, four-time Pro Bowler and Washington standout; Tanner Morgan, All-Big Ten quarterback at Minnesota; and Jared Thomas, former Northwestern offensive lineman.

They will work alongside an experienced collection of play-by-play talent, including Jeff Levering, Mark Followill, Jason Horowitz, Chris Vosters, Lisa Byington, Wayne Randazzo, A.J. Kanell and Joe Beninati.

On-field reporters, including Brooke Fletcher, Caroline Hendershot and Dannie Rogers, will provide updates and analysis from the sidelines. Additional on-air talent for BTN’s 43 football games may be added at a later date.

Studio Programming:

Throughout the month of August, all 18 Big Ten schools will be featured in Football Training Camp, one-hour episodes highlighting each program directly from campus. Dave Revsine, Gerry DiNardo, Howard Griffith and Butt, among others, will travel to all 18 campuses, providing expert analysis and interviewing coaches and student-athletes at each stop. The first training camp show debuts Thursday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m. ET from USC, followed by shows from Indiana (Aug. 14, 6 p.m. ET), Ohio State (Aug. 20, 6 p.m. ET) and the final show from Iowa (Aug. 24, 6 p.m. ET). A full schedule for all 18 stops on the training camp tour can be found at bigten.org/btn/btn-tv-schedule and is subject to change.

B1G Tailgate is back for its 10th season with on-site host Camryn Irwin alongside former Ohio State safety Tyvis Powell, who will travel to a different Big Ten campus each week for interviews with a rotation of guests and on-site analysis. Rick Pizzo, Vereen and Sydney Supple will join the duo from Chicago, with B1G Tailgate airing weekly at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday mornings.

B1G Tailgate’s on-site locations for the first three weeks of the season have been confirmed:

Saturday, Sept. 5 (12:30 p.m. ET)

Ball State at Ohio State

Saturday, Sept. 12 (Noon ET)

Howard at Indiana

Saturday, Sept. 19 (Noon ET)

Buffalo at Penn State

Following B1G Tailgate, fans can tune in to B1G Countdown to Kickoff, a 30-minute pre-game show looking at the day’s slate of Big Ten games. Following the day’s games, The Final Drive will air every Saturday night to recap the weekend’s action.

Mike Hall, Michele Steele, Revsine, Pizzo, Griffith, DiNardo, Butt, Herron, Reece, Lewis, Kerrigan, Barner, Hundley, Senior College Football Reporter for Yahoo Sports Ross Dellenger, former Michigan associate head coach Biff Poggi and long-time NFL and NCAA coach Dave Wannstedt will also appear across The B1G Show, B1G Today, B1G Countdown to Kickoff, B1G Live: Football Game Break, B1G Live: Football Postgame and The Final Drive.

Urban Analysis, featuring Urban Meyer and DiNardo, will also return this fall.

Big Ten Network Originals:

The Emmy-nominated franchise The Journey: Big Ten Football 2026 will debut its 15th season this fall. Additional Big Ten Network Originals programming will be announced at a later date.

Football Content on B1G+:

On B1G+ , BTN’s subscription streaming service, fans can access condensed game replays of Big Ten football games along with on-demand, full-length commercial free replays of televised football games from Big Ten television partners. Additionally, B1G+ has dedicated channels for all 18 Big Ten schools featuring on-demand access to BTN’s library of classic games and original content. Fans can subscribe to B1G+ with an annual pass for $89.99 per year or a monthly pass for $12.99 per month.

Digital Coverage of Big Ten Football:

Digital coverage of Big Ten Football will be available all season via the Big Ten Network’s X , Facebook , YouTube and Instagram platforms. Fans can also follow the @B1GFootball accounts on X , Instagram and YouTube . All television programming on BTN can be streamed via the web, smartphones, tablets and connected devices via FOX One .

Big Ten Announces Football Preseason Honors

Unknown — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced its 2026 football preseason honors on Tuesday ahead of the start of Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover® in Chicago. A media panel selected the 12-member preseason list.

Seven different schools placed students on this year’s preseason honors list, led by three honorees from Indiana.

Eight of this year’s Big Ten preseason honorees — Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker, Minnesota’s Anthony Smith, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, Oregon’s Dante Moore, USC’s Jayden Maiava, and Rutgers’ KJ Duff and Antwan Raymond — are scheduled to attend Big Ten Media Days this week.

The full list of Big Ten football preseason honorees is as follows:

2026 Big Ten Preseason Honors
WR Charlie Becker, IND
LB Rolijah Hardy, IND
DL Tyrique Tucker, IND
OL Kade Pieper, IOWA
DL Anthony Smith, MINN
QB Julian Sayin, OSU
WR Jeremiah Smith, OSU
QB Dante Moore, ORE
DB Koi Perich, ORE
QB Jayden Maiava, USC
WR KJ Duff, RU
RB Antwan Raymond, RU

Big Ten Network Presents On-Site Coverage of 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days Presented by Discover

Unknown — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Big Ten Network will kick off Season 20 with on-site coverage in Chicago for the 2026 edition of Big Ten Football Media Days Presented by Discover. BTN will present coverage of all 18 schools across the three-day format, from July 28-30, at the Hilton Chicago, including press conferences for every coach, analysis of each team and remarks from Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti.

On Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. ET to 2 p.m. ET, Mike Hall and Jake Butt will provide coverage of the first day of press conferences live on B1G Live: B1G Football Media Day Press Conferences.

Rick Pizzo and Butt will anchor the second day of press conference coverage on Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. ET to 2 p.m. ET, before Hall and Butt close out the week with coverage of the final day of press conferences on Thursday from 12:30 p.m. ET to 2 p.m. ET.

Commissioner Petitti will begin Tuesday’s press conferences and will be followed by Bret Bielema (Illinois), Kirk Ferentz (Iowa), Matt Campbell (Penn State), Greg Schiano (Rutgers), Lincoln Riley (USC) and Luke Fickell (Wisconsin).

Press conferences continue Wednesday with addresses from Pat Fitzgerald (Michigan State), P.J. Fleck (Minnesota), Ryan Day (Ohio State), Dan Lanning (Oregon), Barry Odom (Purdue) and Bob Chesney (UCLA).

Coverage of the coaches’ press conferences concludes on Thursday, including remarks from Curt Cignetti (Indiana), Michael Locksley (Maryland), Kyle Whittingham (Michigan), Matt Rhule (Nebraska), David Braun (Northwestern) and Jedd Fisch (Washington).

Four hours of live studio programming takes place each afternoon following the coaches’ remarks with B1G Live: B1G Football Media Day Special from 2 p.m. ET to 6 p.m. ET featuring interviews and analysis from Dave Revsine, Pizzo, Howard Griffith, Gerry DiNardo and Butt. Coaches and student-athletes from all 18 schools are scheduled to join the BTN set across the three-day event to preview the upcoming season.

The complete list of student-athletes attending can be found here .

Additional digital coverage will be available via the Big Ten Network’s X , Facebook , YouTube and Instagram platforms, along with the @B1GFootball accounts on X , Instagram and YouTube . All television programming also streams live via FOX One , with a complete schedule below.

2026 Big Ten Football Media Days Presented by Discover Programming Schedule:

Day 1: Tuesday, July 28: Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, Rutgers, USC, Wisconsin

Show	Time (ET)
B1G Live: B1G Football Media Day Press Conferences	11:30 a.m.– 2 p.m.
B1G Live: B1G Football Media Day Special	2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Day 2: Wednesday, July 29: Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Oregon, Purdue, UCLA

Show	Time (ET)
B1G Live: B1G Football Media Day Press Conferences	12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
B1G Live: B1G Football Media Day Special	2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Day 3: Thursday, July 30: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Washington

Show	Time (ET)
B1G Live: B1G Football Media Day Press Conferences	12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
B1G Live: B1G Football Media Day Special	2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Big Ten Recognizes 2025-26 Distinguished Scholar Award Recipients

Unknown — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Full Distinguished Scholar Recipient List

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced Monday that 1,962 students on varsity rosters have earned the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award. The list includes students from all 18 institutions, plus Johns Hopkins and Notre Dame and 41 sports who have recorded a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.7 or higher for the previous academic year.

The 2025-26 class of Distinguished Scholar Award Recipients includes 359 students who maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA during the previous academic year, represented in bold on the official list.

Big Ten Faculty Representatives established the Distinguished Scholar Award in 2008 to supplement the Academic All-Big Ten program. Distinguished Scholar Award recipients must have earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition in the previous academic year, must have been enrolled full time at the institution for the entire previous academic year (two semesters or three quarters) and earned a minimum GPA of 3.70 or better during the previous academic year, excluding any summer grades. The Academic All-Big Ten threshold is a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for a student's academic career.

A complete list of the 2025-26 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award recipients can be found above.

Big Life Series Showcases the Spirit of the Pacific Northwest

Unknown — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

PORTLAND, Ore. - As the sun set over the rolling hills of Cooper Mountain Vineyards on Saturday evening, “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest” concluded its immersive educational experience where student-athletes from all 18 Big Ten institutions learned firsthand about the rich culture and history of the Pacific Northwest.

Over the course of less than 48 hours, over 175 student-athletes and administrators engaged in programming that included visits to Multnomah Falls, the Oregon Historical Society, the Grande Ronde Reservation, and Cooper Mountain Vineyards. The event brought together participants from all 18 Big Ten institutions, creating opportunities for learning, dialogue, and relationship-building among student-athletes from across the conference.

“Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest was a remarkable experience that allowed attendees to better understand and interact with the history, culture, landscape, and people that give the Pacific Northwest its distinct identity,” said Big Ten Chief Operating Officer Kerry Kenny. “The unique opportunity to connect student-athletes from across the country to an immersive experience outside of their traditional element is what distinguishes the Big Ten in preparing these young men and women for life after campus.”

At the Oregon Historical Society on Saturday morning, student-athletes learned about how Oregon became the state it is today, including the often-untold Black, Native American, and Japanese history that has shaped the state. Participants also toured the Yasui Family exhibit, learning about the challenges Japanese Americans faced during World War II and the advocacy efforts that helped advance civil rights in the decades that followed.

The quote on the back of the Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest T-shirt: “What is done to the least of us can be done to all of us” was from Presidential Medal of Freedom winner Minori Yasui.

“I found his bravery in speaking out about these issues incredible,” said Indiana women’s track & field sprinter Kristina Vincic. “Having a voice isn’t an easy thing and it takes time to build one. That’s something we can definitely tie in to our teams.”

After learning about Native American history at the Oregon Historical Society, participants experienced its living impact firsthand at the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Veterans Powwow. Student-athletes learned about the traditional longhouse, witnessed cultural traditions, and took part in the Grand Entry ceremony.

Often competitors on the field, student-athletes joined together to dance with members of the Grande Ronde Confederation and in honoring Veterans. For many student-athletes, it is the moment they said they will remember most about the trip.

“It was beautiful seeing the tradition unfold right before my eyes and getting involved with it,” said Penn State football student-athlete Armstrong Nnodim. “As athletes we get caught up in the competitive world, so to come here and bond with everyone from different backgrounds was amazing.”

Launched in 2022, the Big Life Series is part of the Big Ten’s commitment to providing educational and developmental opportunities beyond competition. The Pacific Northwest program represented the latest installment of the initiative, connecting student-athletes with the people, places, and histories that shape communities throughout the conference’s expanded footprint.

For a full list of Big Ten student-athletes who participated in “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest”, click here .

Big Life Series Heads to the Pacific Northwest

Unknown — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. - As part of the “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest”, the Big Ten will host over 150 student-athletes, coaches and administrators from all 18 Big Ten schools in Portland, Ore. from Friday, July 10 to Sunday, July 12. The program is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the region’s rich history, culture and communities through an immersive educational experience.

Programming will begin Friday evening with a nature walk through Multnomah Falls to showcase the region’s deep ties to nature and the history of the Pacific Northwest landscape.

On Saturday, student-athletes will visit the Oregon Historical Society and have the chance to learn about the Japanese American West Coast experience and hear firsthand from a member of the Oregon Black Pioneers. Through discussions centered on resilience, community, and historical impact, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the individuals and stories that have shaped the Pacific Northwest.

The group will then travel to the Grand Ronde Reservation for a Veterans Powwow, which will provide an opportunity to engage with living cultural traditions and better understand the history, values and contributions of the Native American communities across the region.

The evening will conclude with a dinner at Cooper Mountain Vineyard, where student-athletes will have a hands-on discussion about the agricultural history of the region and the grape-growing operation.

The Big Life series is an immersive educational experience started in 2022 that focuses on engaging, educating, and empowering Big Ten student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. With trips to Selma, Alabama; Mount Vernon, Iowa; and Portland, Oregon attendees learn about the historical and cultural significance of the region. Since its inception, over 500 students-athletes have participated in these programs. Along with the educational component of the experience, the Big Ten uses these trips to leave a lasting impact in the communities it visits.

For a full list of Big Ten student-athletes attending “Big Life Series: Pacific Northwest”, click here .

Indiana’s Mendoza, UCLA’s Betts Named Big Ten Athletes of the Year

Unknown — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Indiana University football quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been selected as the 2025-26 Big Ten Conference Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year, and University of California, Los Angeles basketball center Lauren Betts has been recognized as the 2025-26 Big Ten Conference Female Athlete of the Year, the conference announced Wednesday.

Mendoza is the sixth Indiana student-athlete to earn the Big Ten Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year honor and the first since track and field student-athlete Derek Drouin in 2013. This is the second such honor for the Hoosiers’ football program, as Mendoza joins Anthony Thompson, who won the award in 1990.

Mendoza is the eighth football student-athlete to claim the honor, joining Iowa’s Chuck Long (1986), Thompson (1990), Michigan’s Desmond Howard (1992) and Charles Woodson (1998), Ohio State’s Eddie George (1996) and Chase Young (2020), and Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne (2000).

Betts becomes the first Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year award winner from UCLA and the 12^th basketball student-athlete to capture the honor.

Other basketball recipients have included Purdue’s Joy Holmes (1991), MaChelle Joseph (1992), Stephanie White (1999) and Katie Douglas (2001), Penn State’s Kelly Mazzante (2004), Ohio State’s Jessica Davenport (2007), Minnesota’s Rachel Banham (2016), Iowa’s Megan Gustafson (2019) and Caitlin Clark (2023, 2024), and USC’s JuJu Watkins (2025).

Mendoza led the Hoosiers to the first-ever 16-0 season in FBS history and Indiana’s first football national title during the 2025 season. The Miami native won the 2025 Heisman Trophy, the first player in program history to win the award and the first Big Ten player to receive the honor in 19 years. Following the campaign, Mendoza was taken as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, a feat not accomplished by a Big Ten student-athlete in nearly 20 years.

With his selection atop the NFL Draft, he is just the fourth player in the common draft era, and first from the Big Ten, to go No. 1 overall, win the Heisman Trophy, and claim a national title in the same season. He is among a group that includes Joe Burrow (LSU, 2019), Jameis Winston (Florida State, 2013) and Cam Newton (2010, Auburn).

Mendoza led the FBS in passing touchdowns (41), passing efficiency (182.9) and points responsible for (288), behind an FBS-best 48 touchdowns accounted for. He was the only FBS quarterback with six games of four-plus touchdown passes and zero interceptions and accounted for at least one touchdown in all 16 games, including 14 with a touchdown pass.

Betts delivered one of the most dominant seasons in UCLA Bruins women's basketball history, leading the program to its first NCAA Championship title. Anchoring the Bruins on both ends of the floor, Betts recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds in the national title game and was named the 2026 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player.

Betts led the Bruins with 17.1 points and a Big Ten-best 8.8 rebounds per contest, as UCLA finished the season 37-1, including 18-0 in conference play. Betts became the third player in NCAA history to tally at least 600 points, 300 rebounds, 100 assists, and 75 blocks in a single season, joining Connecticut’s Breanna Stewart and USC’s Cheryl Miller. As one of 45 Division I women’s basketball players 6-foot-6 or taller to play at least 2,500 minutes since 2000, Betts is the only one to never foul out of a game.

The Bruin center was named the 2026 Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in conference history to claim both honors in the same season. Betts earned WBCA First Team All-America honors for the second time in her career and was named the Honda Sports Award winner for Basketball. The Centennial, Colo. native also collected her second Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award, her third All-Big Ten First Team honor, and was named a finalist for the 2026 Wade Trophy, Naismith Trophy, and Wooden Award.

Mendoza and Betts were among a high-powered field of 36 nominees (one male and one female per Big Ten school) that included 16 national champions, 31 All-Americans, 16 conference champions, 19 conference players of the year, 14 standouts who collected at least one national player of the year accolade, and three Olympic gold medalists.

The Big Ten Conference has recognized a Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year since 1982 and first honored a Female Athlete of the Year in 1983. The Big Ten Athletes of the Year are selected by a panel of conference media members from nominations submitted by each institution.

The complete list of 2025-26 Athlete of the Year nominations, as well as the list of all-time winners for each award, can be found below.

2025-26 Big Ten Athlete of the Year Nominees

SCHOOL	MALE NOMINEES	FEMALE NOMINEES
Illinois	Keaton Wagler, basketball	Sophia Beckmon, track & field
Indiana	Fernando Mendoza, football	Avery Parker, softball
Iowa	Bennett Stirtz, basketball	Hannah Stuelke, basketball
Maryland	Lasse Kelp, soccer	Kori Edmondson, lacrosse
Michigan	Yaxel Lendeborg, basketball	Bella Sims, swim & dive
Michigan State	Trey Augustine, ice hockey	Nikki Smith, gymnastics
Minnesota	Max McEnelly, wrestling	Anthonett Nabwe, track & field
Nebraska	Dyson Wicker, track & field	Jordy Frahm, softball
Northwestern	Nick Martinelli, basketball	Maddie Zimmer, field hockey
Ohio State	Caleb Downs, football	Joy Dunne, ice hockey
Oregon	Simeon Birnbaum, track & field	Aaliyah McCormick, track & field
Penn State	Mitchell Mesenbrink, wrestling	Tessa Janecke, ice hockey
Purdue	Braen Smith, basketball	Moriah Polar, softball
Rutgers	KJ Duff, football	Katie Buck, lacrosse
UCLA	Roch Cholowsky, baseball	Lauren Betts, basketball
USC	Makai Lemon, football	Jazzy Davidson, basketball
Washington	Richie Aman, soccer	Hana Moll, track & field
Wisconsin	Ben Dexheimer, ice hockey	Caroline Harvey, ice hockey

BIG TEN JESSE OWENS MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS
1982 – Jim Spivey, Indiana, cross country/track & field
1983 – Ed Banach, Iowa, wrestling
1984 – Sunder Nix, Indiana, track & field
1985 – Barry Davis, Iowa, wrestling
1986 – Chuck Long, Iowa, football
1987 – Steve Alford, Indiana, basketball
1988 – Jim Abbott, Michigan, baseball
1989 – Glen Rice, Michigan, basketball
1990 – Anthony Thompson, Indiana, football
1991 – Mike Barrowman, Michigan, swimming
1992 – Desmond Howard, Michigan, football
1993 – John Roethlisberger, Minnesota, gymnastics
1994 – Glenn Robinson, Purdue, basketball
1995 – Tom Dolan, Michigan, swimming
1996 – Eddie George, Ohio State, football
1997 – Blaine Wilson, Ohio State, gymnastics
1998 – Charles Woodson, Michigan, football
1999 – Luke Donald, Northwestern, golf
2000 – Ron Dayne, Wisconsin, football
2001 – Ryan Miller, Michigan State, ice hockey
2002 – Jordan Leopold, Minnesota, ice hockey
2003 – Amer Delic, Illinois, tennis and Matt Lackey, Illinois, wrestling
2004 – Damion Hahn, Minnesota, wrestling
2005 – Luis Vargas, Penn State, gymnastics
2006 – Peter Vanderkaay, Michigan, swimming
2007 – Cole Konrad, Minnesota, wrestling
2008 – Brent Metcalf, Iowa, wrestling
2009 – Jake Herbert, Northwestern, wrestling
2010 – Evan Turner, Ohio State, basketball
2011 – David Boudia, Purdue, diving
2012 – Draymond Green, Michigan State, basketball
2013 – Derek Drouin, Indiana, track & field
2014 – David Taylor, Penn State, wrestling
2015 – Logan Stieber, Ohio State, wrestling
2016 – Denzel Valentine, Michigan State, basketball
2017 – Kyle Snyder, Ohio State, wrestling
2018 – Kyle Snyder, Ohio State, wrestling
2019 – Bo Nickal, Penn State, wrestling
2020 – Chase Young, Ohio State, football
2021 – Luka Garza, Iowa, basketball
2022 – Gable Steveson, Minnesota, wrestling
2023 – Zach Edey, Purdue, basketball
2024 – Zach Edey, Purdue, basketball
2025 – Carter Starocci, Penn State, wrestling
2026 – Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, football

BIG TEN FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS
1983 – Judi Brown, Michigan State, track & field
1984 – Lisa Ishikawa, Northwestern, softball
1985 – Cathy Branta, Wisconsin, cross country/track & field
1986 – Stephanie Herbst, Wisconsin, cross country/track & field
1987 – Jennifer Averill, Northwestern, field hockey/lacrosse
1988 – Suzy Favor, Wisconsin, cross country/track & field
1989 – Suzy Favor, Wisconsin, cross country/track & field
1990 – Suzy Favor, Wisconsin, cross country/track & field
1991 – Julie Farrell-Ovenhouse, Michigan State, diving and Joy Holmes, Purdue, basketball
1992 – MaChelle Joseph, Purdue, basketball
1993 – Lara Hooiveld, Michigan, swimming
1994 – Kristy Gleason, Iowa, field hockey
1995 – Laura Davis, Ohio State, volleyball
1996 – Olga Kalinovskaya, Penn State, fencing
1997 – Kathy Butler, Wisconsin, track & field and Gretchen Hegener, Minnesota, swimming
1998 – Sara Griffin, Michigan, softball
1999 – Stephanie White-McCarty, Purdue, basketball
2000 – Lauren Cacciamani, Penn State, volleyball
2001 – Katie Douglas, Purdue, basketball
2002 – Christie Welsh, Penn State, soccer
2003 – Perdita Felicien, Illinois, track & field
2004 – Kelly Mazzante, Penn State, basketball
2005 – Jennie Ritter, Michigan, softball
2006 – Tiffany Weimer, Penn State, soccer
2007 – Jessica Davenport, Ohio State, basketball
2008 – Hannah Nielsen, Northwestern, lacrosse
2009 – Maria Hernandez, Purdue, golf
2010 – Megan Hodge, Penn State, volleyball
2011 – Shannon Smith, Northwestern, lacrosse
2012 – Christina Manning, Ohio State, track & field
2013 – Amanda Kessel, Minnesota, ice hockey 
2014 – Dani Bunch, Purdue, track & field
2015 – Taylor Cummings, Maryland, lacrosse
2016 – Rachel Banham, Minnesota, basketball 
2017 – Lilly King, Indiana, swimming
2018 – Lilly King, Indiana, swimming
2019 – Megan Gustafson, Iowa, basketball
2020 – Dana Rettke, Wisconsin, volleyball
2021 – Sarah Bacon, Minnesota, diving
2022 – Dana Rettke, Wisconsin, volleyball
2023 – Caitlin Clark, Iowa, basketball
2024 – Caitlin Clark, Iowa, basketball
2025 – JuJu Watkins, USC, basketball
2026 – Lauren Betts, UCLA, basketball

Big Ten Conference Announces List of 54 Football Student-Athletes to Appear at Football Media Days Presented by Discover®

Unknown — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. - Riding the momentum of three consecutive College Football Playoff championships, the Big Ten Conference on Wednesday announced the complete list of football student-athletes scheduled to be in Chicago next month for 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover®.

The three-day event returns to the Hilton Chicago on July 28-30, with Big Ten Network providing live coverage of all three days. Each of the conference’s 18 institutions will be represented by its head coach and three student-athletes.

This year’s lineup is highlighted by a pair of returning First Team All-Americans, 15 All-Big Ten selections from the 2025 season, three head coaches who led their teams to last year’s College Football Playoff, and four head coaches debuting for their schools this fall.

The conference season concludes in Indianapolis on Saturday, December 5, at the 2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium (8:00pm ET/7:00pm CT/5:00pm PT; FOX).

DAY 1 (July 28): Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, Rutgers, USC, Wisconsin

DAY 2 (July 29): Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Oregon, Purdue, UCLA

DAY 3 (July 30): Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Washington

Media intending to cover the event can apply for credentials here . All applications must be submitted by Friday, July 10 at 5 p.m. CT.

TUESDAY, JULY 28

ILLINOIS
Matthew Bailey, DB
Juice Clarke, DB
Katin Houser, QB
Bret Bielema

IOWA
Zach Lutmer, DB
Jayden Montgomery, LB
Addison Ostrenga, TE
Kirk Ferentz

PENN STATE
Rocco Becht, QB
Anthony Donkoh, OL
Tony Rojas, LB
Matt Campbell

RUTGERS
Kwabena Asamoah, OL
KJ Duff, WR
Antwan Raymond, RB
Greg Schiano

USC
Jide Abasiri, DT
Jayden Maiava, QB
Alex VanSumeren, DT
Lincoln Riley

WISCONSIN
Chris Brooks, WR
Sebastian Cheeks, LB
Matthew Jung, S
Luke Fickell

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29

MICHIGAN STATE
Jordan Hall, LB
Nikai Martinez, S
Alessio Milivojevic, QB
Pat Fitzgerald

MINNESOTA
Maverick Baranowski, LB
Drake Lindsey, QB
Anthony Smith, DL
P.J. Fleck

OHIO STATE
Jaylen McClain, S
Julian Sayin, QB
Jeremiah Smith, WR
Ryan Day

OREGON
Jamari Johnson, TE
Dante Moore, QB
Teitum Tuioti, OLB
Dan Lanning

PURDUE
Ryan Browne, QB
Charles Correa, LB
De’Nylon Morrissette, WR
Barry Odom

UCLA
Nico Iamaleava, QB
Cole Martin, DB
Samuel Omosigho, LB
Bob Chesney

THURSDAY, JULY 30

INDIANA
Isaiah Jones, LB
Carter Smith, OL
Tyrique Tucker, DL
Curt Cignetti

MARYLAND
Michael Hershey, OL
Malik Washington, QB
Daniel Wingate, LB
Michael Locksley

MICHIGAN
Jordan Marshall, RB
Trey Pierce, DT
Bryce Underwood, QB
Kyle Whittingham

NEBRASKA
Justin Evans, C
Luke Lindenmeyer, TE
Andrew Marshall, CB
Matt Rhule

NORTHWESTERN
Robert Fitzgerald, DB
Caleb Komolafe, RB
Griffin Wilde, WR
David Braun

WASHINGTON
Landen Hatchett, C
Jacob Manu, ILB
Demond Williams Jr., QB
Jedd Fisch

National Champions Pat Coogan and Omar Cooper Jr. Named Grand Marshals of 2026 BTN Big 10K

Unknown — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Big Ten Network today announced Pat Coogan and Omar Cooper Jr., members of the 2026 CFP National Champion Indiana Hoosiers and 2026 NFL draftees, as the Grand Marshals of the 2026 BTN Big 10K.

The 15th annual BTN Big 10K returns to Soldier Field on Saturday, July 11, where the in-person 10K and 5K races are approaching a sellout for the second consecutive year. The top five male and female 10K finishers overall will receive a cash prize.

Coogan was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft following his senior season with the Hoosiers in 2025. While with Indiana, Coogan started all 16 games at center and earned All-Big Ten Second Team accolades. During Indiana’s championship run, Coogan was named the Rose Bowl Offensive MVP, becoming the first offensive lineman to earn the honor since 1944.

Cooper, a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, played four seasons at Indiana (2022-25), totaling 1,798 career receiving yards and scoring 24 career touchdowns. Throughout Indiana’s championship 2025 season, Cooper earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors, tallying 937 receiving yards and notching 13 receiving touchdowns.

BTN Big 10K post-race festivities will include food and beverages, music, games, giveaways and photo opportunities with Big Ten mascots and cheerleaders. The Chicago-based Big Ten Alumni chapters will also be on hand to give away school-specific swag to their fans and alumni.

The official charity partner for the 2026 BTN Big 10K is Special Children’s Charities. Founded in 1969, Special Children’s Charities develops and funds a wide range of recreational, educational and social activities that encourage physical and mental health for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

To register for the race and learn more about the event, visit btnbig10K.com .

Big Ten Network Presents School Days June 6-25

Unknown — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Beginning this Saturday, the Big Ten Network will feature all 18 Big Ten Conference schools with a dedicated full day of programming. Over the next three weeks, BTN will highlight a different Big Ten school each day with an entire day of programming featuring the top moments from the 2025-26 athletic year, including NCAA Championships, replays of classic games, Big Ten championship moments and original programming.

Digital coverage of each day will also be available via the Big Ten Network’s X , Facebook , YouTube and Instagram platforms. All television programming also streams live via FOX One .

Select programming highlights for each day can be found below, with the schedule subject to change.

Saturday, June 6: Iowa

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Iowa Basketball Classic: NCAA Second Round: Iowa vs. Florida (3/22/26)	2 p.m.
Iowa Football Classic: ReliaQuest Bowl: Iowa vs. Vanderbilt (12/31/25)	10:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 7: Nebraska

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Nebraska Softball Classic: B1G Championship: Nebraska vs. UCLA (5/9/26)	Noon
Nebraska Basketball Classic: NCAA Second Round: Nebraska vs. Vanderbilt (3/21/26)	1 p.m.

Monday, June 8: Oregon

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
B1G Women’s Volleyball: Oregon at UCLA (11/6/25)	5:30 p.m.
Oregon Football Classic: Oregon at Penn State (9/27/25)	9:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 9: Wisconsin

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Wisconsin Hockey Classic: Women’s National Championship: Wisconsin vs. Ohio State (3/22/26)	Noon
Wisconsin Volleyball Classic: Florida at Wisconsin (9/21/25)	11 p.m.

Wednesday, June 10: Northwestern

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Northwestern Field Hockey Classic: NCAA Championship: Northwestern vs. Princeton (11/23/25)	1 p.m.
Northwestern Women’s Lacrosse Classic: B1G Championship: Northwestern vs. Maryland (4/26/26)	2 p.m.

Thursday, June 11: Indiana

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Indiana Football Classic: B1G Championship: Indiana vs. Ohio State (12/6/25)	9 p.m.
The Journey: Big Ten Football: Indiana	10 p.m.

Friday, June 12: USC

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
USC Water Polo Classic: NCAA Women’s National Championship: USC vs. California (4/26/26)	2 p.m.
USC Football Classic: Michigan at USC (10/11/25)	10:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 13: Ohio State

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Ohio State Basketball Classic: Purdue at Ohio State (3/1/26)	2 p.m.
B1G Spring Football: Ohio State (4/18/26)	4 p.m.

Sunday, June 14: Michigan

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Michigan Basketball Classic: NCAA National Championship: Michigan vs. Connecticut (4/6/26)	11 a.m.
Michigan Hockey Classic: B1G Championship: Ohio State at Michigan (3/21/26)	10:30 p.m.

Monday, June 15: Washington

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Washington Soccer Classic: NCAA Championship: Washington vs. NC State (12/15/25)	1 p.m.
B1G Spring Football: Washington (5/1/26)	5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 16: Penn State

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Penn State Men’s Lacrosse Classic: B1G Championship: Johns Hopkins vs. Penn State (5/2/26)	10 a.m.
B1G Wrestling: Ohio State at Penn State (2/13/26)	2 p.m.

Wednesday, June 17: Rutgers

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
B1G Men’s Lacrosse: Johns Hopkins at Rutgers (3/29/26)	10 a.m.
B1G Football in 60: Maryland at Rutgers (11/8/25)	8:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 18: UCLA

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
UCLA Basketball Classic: NCAA Women’s National Championship: UCLA vs. South Carolina (4/5/26)	1 p.m.
B1G Baseball: USC at UCLA (4/5/26)	3 p.m.

Friday, June 19: Purdue

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
B1G Volleyball in 60: Purdue vs. Indiana (10/16/25)	3:30 p.m.
Purdue Basketball Classic: B1G Championship: Purdue vs. Michigan (3/15/26)	9 p.m.

Saturday, June 20: Michigan State

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Michigan State Basketball Classic: Illinois at Michigan State (2/7/26)	6 p.m.
B1G Men’s Ice Hockey: Michigan State at Penn State (1/31/26)	9 p.m.

Sunday, June 21: Illinois

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
Illinois Basketball Classic: NCAA Elite Eight: Illinois vs. Iowa (3/28/26)	4 p.m.
Illinois Football Classic: USC at Illinois (9/27/25)	6 p.m.

Monday, June 22: Maryland

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
B1G Men’s Lacrosse: Virginia at Maryland (3/14/26)	6 p.m.
B1G Football in 60: Maryland at Wisconsin (9/20/25)	8:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 25: Minnesota

Featured Programming (Event Date)	Time (ET)
B1G Basketball in 60: Women’s Basketball: Minnesota at Iowa (2/5/26)	2 p.m.
Minnesota Basketball Classic: Michigan State at Minnesota (2/4/26)	9 p.m.

Big Ten Conference Releases Television Schedule for Early 2026 Season Football Games

Unknown — Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference, in collaboration with partners FOX Sports, CBS Sports, NBC Sports and the Big Ten Network, announced on Wednesday kickoff times and network designations for the first three weeks of the 2026 football season, along with select additional contests.

Big Ten football will open the 2026 season riding the momentum of three consecutive College Football Playoff National Championships won by three different schools, including defending champion Indiana. Big Ten teams featured in the three most-watched college football games of the 2025 campaign and seven of the Top-10, including three games that matched conference teams against one another.

The 2026 conference calendar will culminate on Saturday, December 5, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis where No. 1 and No. 2 will meet in the Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game (FOX, 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT/5 p.m. PT). Last year’s title matchup between the Hoosiers and Ohio State drew 18,332,000 viewers on FOX — the most-watched college football conference championship game of all time.

Kickoff times and television designations not announced today will be determined and distributed according to the 12-/6-day in-season selection process. Exact Homecoming start times will be confirmed no later than 12 days in advance of kickoff.

Saturday, August 29, 2026
San Jose State at USC | NBC | 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT

Friday, September 4, 2026
Indiana State at Purdue | BTN | 7 p.m. ET
Toledo at Michigan State | FS1 | 8 p.m. ET
Fresno State at USC | FOX | 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT

Saturday, September 5, 2026
North Texas at Indiana | FOX | 12 p.m. ET
Ohio at Nebraska | FS1 | 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT
Ball State at Ohio State | BTN | 12:30 p.m. ET
Boise State at Oregon | CBS | 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT
Marshall at Penn State | FS1 | 3:30 p.m. ET
NIU at Iowa | BTN | 4:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. CT
Western Michigan at Michigan | NBC | 7:30 p.m. ET
Hampton at Maryland | BTN | 8 p.m. ET
South Dakota State at Northwestern | BTN | 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT
UCLA at Cal | ESPN | 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT

Sunday, September 6, 2026
Washington State at Washington | NBC | 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT
Wisconsin at Notre Dame | NBC | 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT

Friday, September 11, 2026
Rutgers at Boston College | ESPN2 | 7:30 p.m. ET

Friday, September 18, 2026
Portland State at Oregon | BTN | 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT

Friday, September 25, 2026
Howard at Rutgers | BTN | 7 p.m. ET
Northwestern at Indiana | FOX | 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT

Saturday, September 26, 2026
Wisconsin at Penn State | TBD | TBD (HC)

Friday, October 2, 2026
Penn State at Northwestern | FOX | 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT

Saturday, October 3, 2026
Purdue at Illinois | TBD | TBD (HC)
Maryland at Nebraska | TBD | TBD (HC)
Michigan State at Wisconsin | TBD | TBD (HC)
Indiana at Rutgers | TBD | 8 p.m. ET (HC)
Washington at USC | TBD | TBD (HC)

Friday, October 9, 2026
Iowa at Washington | FOX or FS1 | 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

Saturday, October 10, 2026
Illinois at Michigan State | TBD | TBD (HC)
Ball State at Northwestern | TBD | TBD (HC)
Maryland at Ohio State | TBD | TBD (HC)

Friday, October 16, 2026
Washington at Purdue | FOX | 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT

Saturday, October 17, 2026
Rutgers at Maryland | TBD | TBD (HC)
Penn State at Michigan | TBD | TBD (HC)

Saturday, October 24, 2026
Iowa at Minnesota | TBD | TBD (HC)
Michigan State at UCLA | TBD | TBD (HC)

Saturday, October 31, 2026
Wisconsin at Iowa | TBD | TBD (HC)
Northwestern at Oregon | TBD | TBD (HC)
Minnesota at Indiana | TBD | TBD (HC)

Friday, November 6, 2026
Nebraska at Illinois | FOX | 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT

Saturday, November 7, 2026
Maryland at Purdue | TBD | TBD (HC)
Penn State at Washington | TBD | TBD (HC)

Friday, November 13, 2026
Illinois at UCLA | FOX | 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

Friday, November 20, 2026
Oregon at Michigan State | FOX | 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT

Friday, November 27, 2026
Nebraska at Iowa | CBS | 12 p.m. ET/11 a.m. CT
Minnesota at Wisconsin | NBC | 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT

Saturday, November 28, 2026
Michigan at Ohio State | FOX | 12 p.m. ET

Saturday, December 5, 2026
2026 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game | FOX | 8 p.m. ET^

HC denotes Homecoming
^ Game played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

Big Ten, FOX Announce 2026 Friday Night Football Lineup

Unknown — Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Illinois - In partnership with FOX, the Big Ten Conference on Friday announced the slate of FOX College Football Friday games for the upcoming 2026 season:

Friday, September 4: Fresno State at USC (9pm ET, FOX)

Friday, September 25: Northwestern at Indiana (8pm ET, FOX)

Friday, October 2: Penn State at Northwestern (8pm ET, FOX)

Friday, October 9: Iowa at Washington (9pm ET, FOX or FS1*)

Friday, October 16: Washington at Purdue (8pm ET, FOX)

Friday, November 6: Nebraska at Illinois (8pm ET, FOX)

Friday, November 13: Illinois at UCLA (9pm ET, FOX)

Friday, November 20: Oregon at Michigan State (8pm ET, FOX)

*TBD pending MLB Postseason.

Additional information regarding game times and network designations for early-season contests and Homecoming dates will be announced later this month.

Big Ten institutions have captured each of the last three College Football Playoff Championships (Indiana 2026, Ohio State ’25, Michigan ’24), and this spring led all conferences with ten first-round selections in the 2026 National Football League Draft.

2026 NFL Draft Central

Unknown — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

NAME	BIG TEN SCHOOL	POSITION	ROUND	PICK	NFL TEAM
Fernando Mendoza	Indiana	QB	1	1	Las Vegas Raiders
Carnell Tate	Ohio State	WR	1	4	Tennessee Titans
Arvell Reese	Ohio State	LB	1	5	New York Giants
Sonny Styles	Ohio State	LB	1	7	Washington Commanders
Caleb Downs	Ohio State	SAF	1	11	Dallas Cowboys
Olaivavega Ioane	Penn State	OG	1	14	Baltimore Ravens
Kenyon Sadiq	Oregon	TE	1	16	New York Jets
Makai Lemon	USC	WR	1	20	Philadelphia Eagles
Dillon Thieneman	Oregon	SAF	1	25	Chicago Bears
Omar Cooper Jr.	Indiana	WR	1	30	New York Jets
Kayden McDonald	Ohio State	DT	2	36	Houston Texans
Denzel Boston	Washington	WR	2	39	Cleveland Browns
Derrick Moore	Michigan	EDGE	2	44	Detroit Lions
D'Angelo Ponds	Indiana	CB	2	50	New York Jets
Gabe Jacas	Illinois	EDGE	2	55	New England Patriots
Logan Jones	Iowa	C	2	57	Chicago Bears
Marlin Klein	Michigan	TE	2	59	Houston Texans
Max Klare	Ohio State	TE	2	61	Los Angeles Rams
Davison Igbinosun	Ohio State	CB	2	62	Buffalo Bills
Tacario Davis	Washington	CB	3	72	Cincinnati Bengals
Drew Allar	Penn State	QB	3	76	Pittsburgh Steelers
Ja'Kobi Lane	USC	WR	3	80	Baltimore Ravens
Will Kacmarek	Ohio State	TE	3	87	Miami Dolphins
Emmanuel Pregnon	Oregon	OG	3	88	Jacksonville Jaguars
Kaelon Black	Indiana	RB	3	90	San Francisco 49ers
Jaishawn Barham	Michigan	EDGE	3	92	Dallas Cowboys
Gennings Dunker	Iowa	OT	3	96	Pittsburgh Steelers
Caleb Tiernan	Northwestern	OT	3	97	Minnesota Vikings
Jalen Huskey	Maryland	CB	3	100	Jacksonville Jaguars
Jonah Coleman	Washington	RB	4	108	Denver Broncos
Jadon Canady	Oregon	SAF	4	109	Kansas City Chiefs
Drew Shelton	Penn State	OT	4	112	Dallas Cowboys
Elijah Sarratt	Indiana	WR	4	115	Baltimore Ravens
Jimmy Rolder	Michigan	LB	4	118	Detroit Lions
Dani Dennis-Sutton	Penn State	EDGE	4	120	Green Bay Packers
Kaden Wetjen	Iowa	WR	4	121	Pittsburgh Steelers
Carver Willis	Washington	OT	4	127	San Francisco 49ers
Bryce Boettcher	Oregon	LB	4	135	Indianapolis Colts
Ephesians Prysock	Washington	CB	4	139	San Francisco 49ers
Kamari Ramsey	USC	SAF	5	141	Houston Texans
Beau Stephens	Iowa	OG	5	148	Seattle Seahawks
Zakee Wheatley	Penn State	SAF	5	151	Carolina Panthers
Max Bredeson	Michigan	TE	5	159	Minnesota Vikings
Emmett Johnson	Nebraska	RB	5	161	Kansas City Chiefs
Nicholas Singleton	Penn State	RB	5	165	Tennessee Titans
Riley Nowakowski	Indiana	TE	5	169	Pittsburgh Steelers
Lorenzo Styles Jr.	Ohio State	SAF	5	172	New Orleans Saints
Zane Durant	Penn State	DT	5	181	Buffalo Bills
Karson Sharar	Iowa	LB	6	183	Arizona Cardinals
Kaytron Allen	Penn State	RB	6	187	Washington Commanders
J.C. Davis	Illinois	OT	6	192	New York Giants
Pat Coogan	Indiana	C	6	194	Tennessee Titans
Malik Benson	Oregon	WR	6	195	Las Vegas Raiders
Alex Harkey	Oregon	OG	6	206	Los Angeles Chargers
Anterio Thompson	Washington	DT	6	208	Atlanta Falcons
Matt Gulbin	Michigan State	C	6	209	Washington Commanders
Ryan Eckley	Michigan State	P	6	211	Baltimore Ravens
Caden Curry	Ohio State	EDGE	6	214	Indianapolis Colts
TJ Hall	Iowa	CB	7	219	New Orleans Saints
Athan Kaliakmanis	Rutgers	QB	7	223	Washington Commanders
Ethan Onianwa	Ohio State	OT	7	231	Atlanta Falcons
Zach Durfee	Washington	EDGE	7	233	Jacksonville Jaguars
Max Llewellyn	Iowa	EDGE	7	238	Miami Dolphins
Deven Eastern	Minnesota	DT	7	242	Seattle Seahawks
Aiden Fisher	Indiana	LB	7	243	Houston Texans
Miles Scott	Illinois	SAF	7	246	Denver Broncos
Rayshaun Benny	Michigan	DT	7	250	Baltimore Ravens
Evan Beerntsen	Northwestern	OG	7	253	Baltimore Ravens

Big Ten Conference Reveals School Schedule for 2026 Football Media Days Presented by Discover®

Unknown — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. –The Big Ten Conference announced today the school participation schedule for the 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover®.

This year’s event returns to the Hilton Chicago and will feature a three-day format, July 28-30, with Big Ten Network providing live coverage of all three days. Each of the conference’s 18 institutions will be represented by its head coach and three student-athletes.

DAY 1 (July 28): Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, Rutgers, USC, Wisconsin

DAY 2 (July 29): Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Oregon, Purdue, UCLA

DAY 3 (July 30): Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Washington

A limited block of hotel rooms have been reserved for media at Hilton Chicago for this event at a nightly room rate of $299 (plus tax). The reservation link was distributed via email to media, please contact the conference office if it was not received. The hotel reservation deadline is Friday, June 26. Please note that hotel room availability is extremely limited, and reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additional information regarding credentials, media schedules and student-athlete attendees will be announced at a later date.

Big Ten Announces 2026 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award Recipients

Unknown — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS – Margaret Johnson of the University of Southern California and Sam Edwards from Michigan State University have been selected as this year’s Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award recipients. All 18 Big Ten Conference member institutions were asked to nominate one female and one male student-athlete for the 2025-26 school year. The two honorees selected were each awarded a $10,000 scholarship for their achievements in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, and leadership.

In recognition of the Big Ten Conference’s leadership in fully integrating athletics into the academic mission of its member institutions, the Indianapolis Big Ten Community Partnership initiated the Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award in 2008. Over the last 19 years, the award has contributed more than $300,000 in scholarships.

The award is made possible by donations from local corporations and individuals who support intercollegiate athletics. The Big Ten Community Partnership is comprised of the State of Indiana, the City of Indianapolis, Indiana Sports Corp, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the Indianapolis Colts, and Visit Indy.

Johnson was voted team captain in her sophomore season, becoming just the third sophomore in program history to be voted captain. She has led the Trojans to the NCAA Women’s Water Polo Tournament Final twice in 2023 and 2025 as she pursues her undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering, while simultaneously working toward a master’s degree in engineering management, maintaining a 3.6 undergraduate GPA and a 3.85 graduate GPA. She has earned recognition as an MSPF Scholar-Athlete and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, in addition to receiving ACWPC All-Academic honors three times. Johnson has also earned Academic All-Big Ten and MPSF All-Academic honors. She has competed internationally, representing the United States on the U.S. Youth National Team, winning gold at the 2022 Junior Pan American Championships and capturing a championship at the Youth World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. Johnson also serves as a Student-Athlete Leader for the USC Shoah Foundation, engaging in initiatives that promote empathy, historical understanding, and moral courage.

Edwards was voted team captain by his teammates in his graduate season in 2025. While excelling on the field as both a long snapper and linebacker, Edwards made an equally significant impact in the classroom. In 2025, he was appointed student-athlete representative to the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, becoming just the fourth football player to serve on the board. He is a five-time Academic All-Big Ten, four-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, a three-time Academic All-District selection, and a three-time recipient of the team’s Scholar Athlete Award. Edwards graduated in May 2024 with a double major in political theory and Constitutional Democracy/International Relations, completed a minor in political economy in December 2024, and earned his master’s degree in marketing research in December 2025 with a 3.9 GPA. In preparation for a career in law, he has worked as an Ad Hoc Law Clerk at Nichols Law Firm in East Lansing.

“Indiana Sports Corp is proud to recognize Sam Edwards and Margaret Johnson as the 2026 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award recipients,” said Patrick Taly, Indiana Sports Corp President. “Their commitment to academic excellence, competitive achievement, and servant leadership embodies the spirit of this award and the values of the Big Ten Conference.”

The Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award is named for the late Big Ten Conference commissioner who served from 1971 to 1989. While leading the conference, Duke spent much of his time working to improve academic standards and graduation rates for students competing in conference athletics.

2026 Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award Nominees
University of Nebraska: Rienk Mast, Basketball; Axelina Johansson, Track & Field
Michigan State University: Sydney Doloszycki, Softball; Samuel Edwards, Football
University of Wisconsin: Ashley Martinez, Soccer
University of Iowa: William Ryan, Track & Field
University of Minnesota: Aiva Schmitz, Tennis; Andrew Bennett, Diving
Indiana University: Maxwell Weinrich, Diving; Avery Parker, Softball
University of Washington: Lucy Newlin, Soccer
Northwestern University: Samantha Serban, Fencing
The Ohio State University: Sloane Matthews, Ice Hockey; Mason Edmund, Swimming
University of Maryland: Allyson Williams, Volleyball; Mitchell Lloyd, Lacrosse
Rutgers University: Katherine Lang, Swimming & Diving; Noah Kriesman, Track & Field
Penn State University: Vasil Ivakimov, Fencing; Katie Dallas, Cross Country & Track
Purdue University: Maxwell Blume, Swimming & Diving; Akasha Anderson, Volleyball
University of Illinois: Tali Joelson, Gymnastics; Ryan Vanichtheeranont, Gymnastics
University of Southern California: Andrej Grgurevic, Water Polo; Margaret Johnson, Water Polo

Previous Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award Winners
2025: Teresa Ivan, Ohio State, Swimming & Diving; Micaylon Moore, Nebraska, Track & Field
2024: Trent DiCicco, Ohio State, Lacrosse; Ashley Harlock, Michigan State, Field Hockey
2023: Diana Brown, Illinois, Volleyball; Thomas Penola, Purdue University, Wrestling
2022: Blake Hayes, Illinois, Football; Gianna Glatz, Rutgers, Field Hockey
2021: Kieran Mullins, Rutgers, Lacrosse; Lea Mitchell, Michigan State, Gymnastics
2020: Scott Piper, Michigan State, Swimming & Diving; Sade Olatoye, Ohio State, Track & Field
2019: Anton Stephenson, Nebraska, Men’s Gymnastics; Olivia Rosendahl, Northwestern, Swimming & Diving
2018: Chris Weber, Nebraska, Football; Emily Mills, Rutgers, Golf
2017: Geno Morelli, Penn State, Wrestling; Lindsay Agnew, Ohio State, Soccer
2016: Cody Rush, Nebraska, Track and Field; Lindsay Mable, Minnesota, Gymnastics
2015: Campbell Sode, Rutgers, Lacrosse; Jessica Plant, Minnesota, Swimming & Diving
2014: Spencer Long, Nebraska, Football; Emily Wong, Nebraska, Gymnastics
2013: Sean Fisher, Nebraska, Football; Katelyn White, Nebraska, Cross Country and Track & Field
2012: Miguel Pineda, Penn State, Gymnastics; Margaux Farrell, Indiana, Swimming & Diving
2011: Mike Torchia, Minnesota, Cross Country and Track & Field; Allie Smith, Purdue, Swimming & Diving
2010: Mark Ison, Northwestern, Football; Chelsea Davis, Ohio State, Swimming & Diving
2009: Drew Ratner, Northwestern, Soccer; Lauren Mioton, Purdue, Basketball
2008: Kevin Trulock, Indiana, Football; Molly Crispell, Penn State, Swimming & Diving

Big Ten Receives 2026 NCAA/MOAA Opportunities & Impact Award

Unknown — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- The Big Ten Conference has been named the Division I winner of the 2026 NCAA/MOAA Opportunities and Impact Award, the NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association — an affiliate of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics — announced Thursday.

READ: NCAA and MOAA announce 2026 Opportunities and Impact Award recipients

The award recognizes and celebrates the initiatives, programs and efforts of athletics departments and conference offices in Divisions I, II and III that embrace environments of belonging and well-being and elevate the student-athlete voice in intercollegiate athletics communities. NCAA and MOAA representatives will present the awards June 7-10 in Las Vegas during the MOAA Symposium.

"We're proud to accept this honor on behalf of our 18 schools, whose support makes these initiatives possible," Big Ten Conference Commissioner Tony Petitti said.

Omar Brown, Big Ten senior vice president for community and impact, added, "This humbling recognition is a direct result of the leadership and alignment we have from Commissioner Petitti, throughout the conference office, and in collaboration with our campuses. Big Ten student-athletes always are aiming for excellence in competition, in the classroom and in their communities. We will continue to build on this foundation to create transformational opportunities for their development and deliver impact to the many locales we call home across the nation throughout the year."

The Big Ten Conference continues to engage, educate and empower its student-athletes, coaches, administrators and its broader community base with programs, initiatives and engagements that make a difference and encourage positive change. For four years, student-athletes from Big Ten schools have traveled to Alabama for an immersive journey that included learning about the Civil Rights Movement, visits to historic sites, community service projects and panel sessions with local leaders. The Big Ten has also added new elements to the transformative experience each year to deepen understanding and inspire civic responsibility.

WATCH: Big Ten Community & Impact makes a difference

Additionally, the conference creates leadership opportunities for its student-athletes. It partners with James Russell Lowell Elementary School in Indianapolis, connecting its 18 member schools with classrooms that include mentorship and encouragement via virtual meetings.

Another one of its many initiatives are structured conversations with administrators, coaches, athletes and employees to gather feedback and to inform future strategies. Examples include conducting student-athlete experience exit surveys and hosting standing committees, commissions and leadership councils to discuss progress, share feedback and assess strategic alignment. The conference also hosts numerous inclusive programs such as United as One, the B1G Fellows Program, the Student-Athlete Issues Commission, The Women's Volleyball Mentorship Program and the CBS Sports Ambassador Program & Sports Journalism Initiative. The conference also promotes several awards programs, which includes the Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award to recognize student-athletes who demonstrate leadership, service and volunteerism.

WATCH: Indiana honorees receive their Jackie Robinson Award jackets

WATCH: Purdue's Devin Mockobee dons his jacket while being recognized at Boilermakers basketball game

Along with the Big Ten, Saint Michael's College athletics department was recognized in Division II, and Occidental College's athletics department was the Division III honoree.

"This honor is an acknowledgment of NCAA member schools and conference offices that intentionally create spaces and opportunities for all student-athletes, coaches and administrators to feel seen, heard and valued," said Felicia Martin, NCAA senior vice president of inclusion, education and community engagement. "It is important to recognize these outstanding recipients who diligently embrace a commitment to positively impact their athletic communities and make a significant difference for all humanity."

"Congratulations to this year's recipients," said Timothy Wise, MOAA president and assistant general manager at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. "The outstanding work by the winners showcases the commitment to providing opportunities in the ever-changing landscape and making a significant impact on their campus and in conference communities. Each of the winners is worthy of this honor, and MOAA looks forward to partnering with the NCAA to recognize these achievements at the 2026 MOAA Symposium in June."

###

Discover, Big Ten Present Custom Jackets To Jackie Robinson Award Honorees

Unknown — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Presenting sponsor Discover will deliver custom letterwinner jackets to all 36 institutional winners of the 2025-26 Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award, the Big Ten announced Wednesday. Each university’s male and female honoree will receive a customized, one-of-one gift featuring unique school elements and visuals.

The first two custom jackets were presented in December at the Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game to 2025 national winners Dillon Fontus, from Maryland football, and Iowa wrestler Nanea Estrella.

Both of last year’s winners, and Sonya Pankey Robinson (Jackie Robinson’s granddaughter), attended the game as guests of Discover, seeing Indiana claim the title at Lucas Oil Stadium on their way to a perfect 16-0 campaign and CFP National Championship. The 2026 national winners will be announced later this spring from the cohort of 36 campus recipients.

In November, the Big Ten Conference announced the 36 student-athletes selected as institutional winners of the 2025-26 Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award presented by Discover. Now in its second year, the honor was created to recognize Big Ten student-athletes who strive to have a positive impact within their community in addition to excellence in competition.

Institution	Honoree	Sport
Illinois	TJ Griffin	Football
Illinois	Tali Joelson	Gymnastics
Indiana	Tyler Lillard	Wrestling
Indiana	Kristina Vincic	Track & Field
Iowa	Ava Bayless	Wrestling
Iowa	Will Ryan	Cross Country \| Track & Field
Maryland	Joey Schneck	Wrestling
Maryland	Madeline Komoroski	Gymnastics
Michigan	Kevin Kearns	Lacrosse
Michigan	Zoë Bormet	Field Hockey
Michigan State	Maddie Lawlor	Field Hockey
Michigan State	Jalen Thompson	Football
Minnesota	Charlie Sutherland	Baseball
Minnesota	Niamya (Nia) Holloway	Basketball
Nebraska	Katelyn Caneda	Softball
Nebraska	Michael Booker III	Football
Northwestern	Kansas Robinson	Softball
Northwestern	Najee Story	Football
Ohio State	Caleb Downs	Football
Ohio State	Makenna Webster	Ice Hockey \| Field Hockey
Oregon	Matt Bedford	Football
Oregon	Blessyn McMorris	Acrobatics & Tumbling
Penn State	Nick Dawkins	Football
Penn State	Elise DeWan	Field Hockey
Purdue	Devin Mockobee	Football
Purdue	Emma Bailey	Softball
Rutgers	Jude Essuman	Soccer
Rutgers	Caitlin Collins	Lacrosse
UCLA	Jordan Robinson	Track & Field
UCLA	Karson Gordon	Football \| Track & Field
USC	Maribel Flores	Soccer
USC	Robert Gref	Diving
Washington	Franck Kepnang	Basketball
Washington	Rhonda Newton	Track & Field
Wisconsin	Rico Hallman	Football
Wisconsin	Erin Connolly	Soccer

In recognition of their achievement and as an expression of the conference’s appreciation, each of the 36 campus winners will receive a medal bearing the likeness of Jackie Robinson and the logo of the Big Ten Conference in addition to their custom jacket.

WATCH: Indiana honorees receive their Jackie Robinson Award jackets

WATCH: Purdue's Devin Mockobee dons his jacket while being honored at Boilermakers basketball game

WATCH: Big Ten Community & Impact makes a difference

Jackie Robinson was a standout student-athlete at UCLA, where he was the school’s first four-sport letter winner, excelling in football, basketball, track and field, and baseball. Beyond his athletic prowess, he continues to be recognized and honored for his contributions off the field: integrating Major League Baseball and his lifelong commitment to social justice. He is the embodiment of the Big Ten's mission to develop strong student leaders, and this program honors his legacy and core values of courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment, and excellence. As Jackie famously said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

“It is our privilege and great honor to bestow this award in Jackie’s name upon these deserving Big Ten student-athletes and to express our appreciation for the support of the Jackie Robinson Foundation,” said Big Ten Conference Commissioner Tony Petitti.

Honorees were selected based on the following criteria:

Demonstrated Impact: Significant and tangible contributions to community projects or causes, including measurable outcomes or positive changes resulting from their involvement.
Collaboration and Teamwork: Ability to work effectively with others, including peers, organizations, and community members, to achieve common goals and enhance community impact.
Consistency and Commitment: Ongoing and consistent participation in community service activities over an extended period of time.
Visibility and Advocacy: Efforts to raise awareness and advocate for important groups or causes, leveraging their platform to promote positive change and engage others.

"The Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award celebrates Jackie’s legacy of excellence in community service,” said Sonya Pankey Robinson, Jackie’s first grandchild as well as Director and board member of the Jackie Robinson Foundation. "We are proud to recognize 36 outstanding men and women for the incredible impact they make in their community."

"Our student-athletes make significant contributions through competition, academics, and community impact,” said Big Ten Senior Vice President, Community & Impact, Omar Brown. “This award allows the Big Ten to recognize these efforts in improving communities, just as we do with their other athletic and academic achievements. Jackie Robinson embodies this award and our goal to honor student-athletes who positively affect others."

The Big Ten Conference’s commitment to athletics, academics and service goes back to the conference’s founding. Coupling the academic goals set forth by leaders of the charter members of the conference with their steadfast commitment to athletics, the conference instituted the Big Ten Medal of Honor in 1915, the first award to demonstrate support for the educational emphasis placed on intercollegiate athletics. It is awarded annually by each member institution to one male and one female student of the graduating class who has attained the greatest proficiency in scholarship and athletics.

New “We Are Here” spot highlights student success, economic impact

Unknown — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. – Big Ten universities’ leading role in educating students and driving economic prosperity is featured the latest edition in the “We Are Here” series of :30 ads .

The new ad began airing during Big Ten basketball games and other winter sports in January. Students and alumni take center stage, sharing with viewers what their lives look like and what they have been able to accomplish thanks to their Big Ten university education. Seen on campuses and in communities nationwide, their experiences are living proof of the world-class educational opportunities they received, from learning alongside Nobel Prize–winning faculty to participating in internships and undergraduate research. The spot also highlights the universities’ broader impact through innovation, job creation and service.

Together, the 18 members of the Big Ten Conference are educating more than 810,000 students, preparing them for successful lives and careers. The Big Ten’s collective graduation rate is more than 20 points above the national average and the universities have more than 9.2 million living alumni.

The first ad in the “We Are Here” series began airing last fall and has generated more than 250 million impressions across Big Ten broadcasts to date, including during the College Football Playoff National Championship won by Indiana University. It focused on how Big Ten universities make America healthier, safer and more prosperous through everything from discovering new medical treatments to developing healthier foods to driving economic growth.

“The success of our students is our first priority, and Big Ten universities lead the nation in providing access to an excellent and valuable college education. And after graduation, our students go on to join the more than 9 million alumni who are making a difference in communities around the nation and world,” said University of Maryland President Darryll J. Pines, who chairs the Big Ten's Council of Presidents and Chancellors. “We’re proud to be part of a conference that shares a commitment to academic and athletic excellence, and that showcases both on a daily basis.”

"Big Ten universities are committed to wide-ranging achievement, from athletics to research to public service,” said Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti. “As millions of fans tune in to root for their favorite team, we have an opportunity to illustrate the countless ways our member institutions and alumni make an impact in their communities and around the world.”

The ad will air on linear and digital platforms during sporting events featuring Big Ten universities, utilizing airtime allocated to the Conference as part of its media agreements, including the Big Ten Network (BTN). This new initiative builds on other Conference efforts, including research vignettes highlighting the impact of university research that air during select BTN sporting event broadcasts.

As with the first ad, the second spot was developed by a creative team made up of staff from Big Ten member universities under the auspices of the Big Ten Academic Alliance. It is the second in a planned series of three ads, which over the course of the series will feature footage from all 18 universities.

About Big Ten Academic Alliance

The Big Ten Academic Alliance is the nation’s preeminent model for effective collaboration among research universities. For more than half a century, these world-class institutions have advanced their academic missions, generated unique opportunities for students and faculty, and served the common good by sharing expertise, leveraging campus resources, and collaborating on innovative programs. Governed and funded by the Provosts of the member universities, Big Ten Academic Alliance programs and initiatives are coordinated by a staff from its Champaign, Illinois headquarters.

About Big Ten Conference

The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The Big Ten Conference sponsors 28 official sports, 14 for men and 14 for women, and the broad-based programs of the 18 Big Ten institutions provide direct financial support for more than 14,000 student-athletes. For more information, visit www.bigten.org .

Media Contacts:

Paul Kennedy, Big Ten Conference, pkennedy@bigten.org

Jack Martin, University of Washington, jacktm@uw.edu

Big Ten Member Universities:

· Indiana University

· Michigan State University

· Northwestern University

· The Ohio State University

· Pennsylvania State University

· Purdue University

· Rutgers University-New Brunswick

· University of California Los Angeles

· University of Illinois

· University of Iowa

· University of Maryland

· University of Michigan

· University of Minnesota

· University of Nebraska-Lincoln

· University of Oregon

· University of Southern California

· University of Washington

· University of Wisconsin-Madison

Big Ten Conference Student-Athlete Issues Commission Calls for Limitations or Ban of Individual Prop Betting on College Athletics

Unknown — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. — [February, 10, 2026] — The Big Ten Conference Student-Athlete Issues Commission (SAIC) today sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging the NCAA to continue pushing for limitations or the outright elimination of proposition (“prop”) betting involving individual student-athletes competing in college athletics. The letter reinforces the Big Ten Conference’s unwavering commitment to protecting the well-being and safety of student-athletes across all 18 Big Ten campuses, and the integrity of intercollegiate athletics.

“The Big Ten Conference is proud to support our student-athletes in calling for the restriction or elimination of individual proposition wagers on college athletics,” said Big Ten Conference Commissioner Tony Petitti. "The Big Ten Conference appreciates the NCAA’s effort to eliminate these wagers and will continue to assist student-athletes as they deal with the challenges that result from proposition bets in college sports.”

President Baker recently sent letters to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and to State Gambling Commissions calling for amended state laws and regulations to better-protect student-athletes.

The letter from the Big Ten Conference SAIC outlines the growing concerns around the rise of individual performance prop wagering in college sports, including:

Increased harassment student-athletes experience because of wagers on individual-performance proposition wagers
Negative impact individual-performance proposition betting has on student-athletes’ mental health
Accusations of impropriety, even when unfounded, damage the student-athlete experience
Potentially jeopardizing the integrity of athletic competition

“While we understand that sports betting is becoming increasingly more common across the country and allows for states to generate increased tax revenue, prop betting represents unique risks at the college level,” the Big Ten Conference Student-Athlete Issues Commission wrote. “We believe protecting student-athletes must be a priority. Limiting or eliminating prop betting on college athletics would be a meaningful step toward reducing harassment, protecting mental well-being, and preserving the integrity of college competition.”

The Big Ten Conference SAIC was founded in 1994. SAIC members take an active role in monthly meetings discussing the issues most important to Big Ten Conference student-athletes and highlighting ongoing initiatives on their respective campuses. SAIC executive leadership members also represent Big Ten student-athletes in front of the Conference’s Joint Group council and represent the Big Ten Conference on the NCAA’s Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, where they review NCAA activities, proposed legislation and offer feedback on behalf of the Big Ten’s student-athletes. Student-athletes are nominated by their institution and appointed by the Conference’s Joint Group Executive Committee to serve on the commission for one academic year.

The Big Ten Conference SAIC members signing the letter include:

Callin Hake, SAIC Chair, University of Nebraska Women’s Basketball
Mia Rogan, SAIC Internal Vice Chair, Women’s Cross Country & Track, Michigan State University
Michael Long, SAIC External Vice Chair, Men’s Swim & Dive, University of Wisconsin
Nya Robinson, SAIC Secretary, Women’s Swim & Dive, Penn State University
Samuel Edwards, NCAA Board of Directors, Men’s Football, Michigan State University
Abigail Lynch, NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Women’s Soccer & Track, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Demetrious Allen, Men’s Football, Rutgers University
Javiera Baeza, Women’s Field Hockey, Indiana University
Ava Bayless, Women’s Wrestling, University of Iowa
Josh Eernisse, Men’s Ice Hockey, University of Michigan
Taji Flynn, Men’s Lacrosse, The Ohio State University
Jordan Hall, Men’s Football, Michigan State University
Tali Joelson, Women’s Gymnastics, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Franck Kepnang, Men’s Basketball, University of Washington
Nuala Macfarlane, Women’s Rowing, University of Minnesota
Ava Morales, Women’s Soccer, University of Maryland
Myranda Quinton, Women’s Golf, Penn State University
Kansas Robinson, Women’s Softball, Northwestern University
James Rowley, Men’s Wrestling, Purdue University
Jaidin Russell, Men’s Volleyball, University of California, Los Angeles
Russell Soohoo, Men’s Tennis, University of Oregon
Madison Whyte, Women’s Track & Field, University of Southern Californi

Big Ten Conference Announces 2026 Football Schedule

Unknown — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference unveiled its 2026 football schedule on Tuesday during a special edition of B1G Live with Dave Revsine and Anthony Herron on the Big Ten Network.

The conference will enter the 2026 campaign on the strength of three consecutive College Football Playoff Championships, most recently Indiana’s first-ever title to conclude a historic 16-0 season last week in Miami. The Big Ten kicks off conference play on Saturday, September 19, with two games, while the remaining 14 teams begin their league schedules on Saturday, September 26.

The schedule is highlighted by an October 17 matchup between the last two College Football Playoff champions – and a rematch of the 2025 Discover Big Ten Championship Game - as Indiana welcomes Ohio State to Bloomington. Four head coaches will make their debut in conference games when Bob Chesney and UCLA welcome Purdue on Sept. 19, while Michigan’s Kyle Whittingham (vs. Iowa), Michigan State’s Pat Fitzgerald (vs. Nebraska) and Penn State’s Matt Campbell (vs. Wisconsin) open play on Sept. 26.

All roads lead to Indianapolis where the 2026 season will conclude with the Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, December 5.

As in previous seasons, select Saturday games during the 2026 season may be shifted in coordination with the Big Ten’s television partners. Games may be moved to Fridays or other special dates, including Labor Day Sunday and Black Friday, to fit national broadcast schedules. Additional details regarding kickoff times and television designations will be announced at a later date.

Football season in the conference will kick off at the 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover from July 28-30 at Hilton Chicago on Michigan Avenue overlooking Grant Park and Lake Michigan. Information on school schedules and student-athlete attendees will be distributed in the coming months.

Indiana Football's Championship Run: Inside the Perfect Season

Unknown — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Do you believe in miracles? Or was it just pure grit all along? The Indiana Hoosiers have completed college football's most impressive turnaround tale, capping off a perfect 16-0 record with the program’s first-ever national championship.

Head coach Curt Cignetti told the world he wins. He told us to Google him. But after a dominant playoff run and a gutsy finale against Miami, the trophy case now speaks for itself.

Let’s dive into how the Hoosiers rose on the game's greatest stage.

The Road to the CFP

Indiana Football finished the 2024 regular season 11-1 and earned the program’s first bid to the College Football Playoff. Even after falling to Notre Dame in the first round, many were already calling it the greatest turnaround in the history of college football.

But head coach Curt Cignetti and the returning Hoosiers knew that the job wasn’t done.

With every win of the 2025-26 season, the number of people who doubted Indiana dwindled. In most contests, the Hoosiers were dominant. Prior to the national championship, they ranked second nationally in both scoring offense (42.6 points per game) and scoring defense (11.07 ppg). They steamrolled Alabama in the CFP Quarterfinals, 38-3.

Even in tight contests, Indiana faced every challenge and found a way to win:

In its first road test of the season, Indiana trailed Iowa, 13-10, in the fourth quarter. Kicker Nico Radicic nailed a 44-yard field goal before Fernando Mendoza drove the Hoosiers 76 yards and sealed the comeback with a 49-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt.
The Hoosiers were tied with Oregon in the fourth quarter in a top-10 battle in Eugene. The defense came away with two massive interceptions from Isaiah Jones and Louis Moore to secure a 30-20 win.
Indiana was down to its last drive again at Penn State, where the Hoosiers had never won a game. That is, until Mendoza took the offense from its own 13-yard line all the way downfield and tossed the game-winning touchdown to Omar Cooper Jr.
Hanging on to a narrow 13-10 lead over Ohio State, Mendoza threw a 33-yard reception on third and six from his own 24-yard line, allowing the Hoosiers to run out the clock and clinch their first Big Ten Football Championship since 1967.

All that prepared Indiana for its final test against Miami in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

The Championship Game

The Hoosiers’ movie-like season wouldn’t be complete without an instant classic championship game.

Locked down

One of the major keys for IU was to stop Miami’s run game. In the first half, Indiana’s defense stifled the Hurricanes, holding them to just 20 yards rushing and forcing consecutive punts on their four opening possessions. On the fifth, Miami kicker Carter Davis hit the upright to seal the Hoosiers’ first-half shutout and a 10-0 lead.

Physicality

Miami’s pass rush was its biggest asset coming into this game, and it showed early. Senior Pat Coogan called Miami’s defensive line “the most physical front [he's] ever played.” Throughout the course of the game, Mendoza was sacked three times, hit three other times, scrambled twice, and had four hurried throws thanks to Miami’s pressure. And he had the bruises to prove it.

But the Hoosiers were ready for war. “We came into this game knowing that the more physical team was going to win,” Aiden Fisher said.

“I would die for my team,” Mendoza said. “Whatever they need me to do... I’m going to die for my team out there, and I know they’re going to do the same for me.”

Miami bounces back

After being silenced in the first half, Miami broke out in the third quarter, opening with a 57-yard rushing touchdown and forcing three consecutive Hoosier punts. After six scoreless minutes, the momentum was anyone’s for the taking.

Queue, Indiana special teams.

With the Hurricanes set to punt from their own 16-yard line, Indiana’s Mikail Kamara blocked Miami’s kick, and Isaiah Jones fell on top of the ball in the end zone to extend the Hoosiers' lead to 17-7.

“We didn't have a block called,” Cignetti said. "But [Kamara] saw it, felt it and gave it great effort and turned it into a touchdown... A big special teams play can change the momentum of a game more so than offense or defense.”

Playing to win

The most pivotal moment of the championship game came in the fourth quarter. On fourth and four and clinging onto a 17-14 lead, the Hoosiers’ offense was at Miami’s 12-yard line. Just before the Indiana field goal unit got situated, Cignetti called time out.

“We’re going for it.”

OC Mike Shanahan and Cignetti called a QB draw against one of the toughest defensive lines in college football. Mendoza plowed through a linebacker, dodged three other Miami defenders, and took a shot from a fifth as he dove into the end zone for the touchdown . The play will go down in Indiana lore forever.

“We were all putting our bodies on the line,” Mendoza said. “Any player on our team, if they had that opportunity, they would put their body on the line too... It was the least I could do for my brothers.”

“[Mendoza] has the heart of a lion when it comes to competition,” Cignetti said. “Can’t say enough about his effort on that play.”

Calling game

Down by six, Miami had one final drive with 1:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Carson Beck marched the Hurricanes 34 yards down to Indiana’s 41-yard line. On first and 10, Beck threw a deep ball near the end zone, but Jamari Sharpe leaped to grab a championship-winning interception with under a minute remaining.

Plotlines All Over

The championship game was clearly a monumental moment for the Hoosier program, but there were also a handful of individual plotlines that make the story that much sweeter.

Charlie Becker wasn’t a key player in Indiana’s offense until he had an opportunity in the Penn State game due to injuries. He made a clutch catch on IU’s game-winning drive, and he’s been one of Mendoza’s most reliable targets ever since. All eight of his catches in the CFP were for first downs, two of which were momentum-grabbers in the championship game.
On Mendoza’s iconic, fourth down, fourth quarter, diving touchdown, one of the Miami defenders who tried to tackle him – Wesley Bissainthe – landed a big hit on Mendoza back when he was at Cal. Plowing past him in the CFP championship game? Safe to say Fernando got his revenge.
Mendoza’s father played with Miami head coach Mario Cristobal in high school, and his mother played tennis for the Hurricanes.
Sharpe, who made the natty-sealing interception in the game, is not only from Miami, but his uncle, Glenn Sharpe, was a defender for the Hurricanes.
Both team’s head coaches, Cignetti and Cristobal, worked under former Alabama head coach Nick Saban. Both won national titles with the Crimson Tide.
Multiple Hoosiers are from Miami, including Fernando Mendoza (who lived just two miles from the stadium), D’Angelo Ponds, and Jamari Sharpe. Both Mendoza and Sharpe wanted to play at Miami, but weren’t recruited.
Cignetti’s first national championship as head coach is its own Cinderella story. He knew he wanted to be a head coach since the third grade, but didn’t get his first lead position until he spent 27 years as a position coach, assistant, or coordinator. The 2024-25 season at Indiana was his first in a Power Four conference.

Making History

Not only is this Indiana’s first national championship, but...

IU is the first new national champion since 1996 (Florida)
The Hoosiers are the only 16-0 team since 1894 (Yale)
This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the Hoosiers’ undefeated men’s basketball NCAA Championship season (1975-1976, 32-0)
Curt Cignetti is just the fourth active head coach to win a national title in the playoff era
At 27-2, Indiana has the best record over the last two seasons in college football
Only five schools have won both a football and basketball championship since 1960. Four of them are Big Ten schools: Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State. (The fifth is Florida).

The Hoosiers never trailed in their three CFP games, leading for 152:28 out of 180 minutes. They outscored their opponents 62-7 in the first half and scored in 11 of 12 quarters. Indiana is also the sixth undefeated CFP Champion – the last was Michigan in 2023.

It’s All about Belief

Curt Cignetti’s big post-game message? “If you keep your nose down in life and keep working, anything is possible.” Cignetti managed to ingrain that mindset into every person on his staff and his roster.

“It starts with belief,” Coogan said. “Sometimes that belief has to be a little bit irrational, especially at a place that hasn’t had success... but when Coach Cig got here, he believed, and he got people to believe.”

But belief doesn’t just come magically. It’s earned. “It starts in the weight room during the winters, the 6:00 a.m. workouts, and then the summer workouts in the hot, grueling sun,” Kamara said. “That's when you start to realize what type of team you have.”

The keyword there? Team. Cignetti has said time and time again that it comes down to having the right, like-minded people with a common goal and a plan.

“We're 16-0, national champions at Indiana University, which I know a lot of people thought was never possible,” he said. “It probably is one of the greatest sports stories of all time. But it's all because of these guys and the staff.”

But there’s more to The Cignetti Effect than wins. Coach’s impact goes beyond the white lines of a football field.

“Coach changed my life,” Fisher said. “From a kid that felt like I was underrecruited... the amount of confidence he built in me, the trust and belief he had in me... I owe a lot to him. He's an unbelievable coach, but he's an unbelievable person.”

From his Heisman QB: “On the visit, [coach] sold me on developing and that I could become the best Fernando Mendoza possible and with a great group of guys, and at that point I knew it was a no-brainer. I can't thank Coach Cig, Coach Shanahan, and Coach Whitmer enough.”

What’s Next?

As for Indiana – Cignetti’s right back to the process. “We'll continue to take it one day at a time, one meeting at a time, one practice at a time and just keep improving and committing to the process and showing up prepared, trying to put it on the field and see where it takes us.”

As for Big Ten Football? The 2026 schedule drops next Tuesday, January 27^th. Click here to get it .

Big Ten Three-peat: Indiana Claims CFP Championship

Indiana Athletics — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Indiana's Not-So-Secret Sauce: The Process

Unknown — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The bright lights and big stage of the College Football Playoff National Championship Game can be a lot to take in. Yet, No. 1 Indiana seems as cool, calm, and collected as they have been before any matchup this season.

The Hoosiers are one win away from completing arguably the greatest turnaround in college football history. How have they done it?

The answers come through in their pre-championship press conferences alone. See – or read – for yourself.

"Unmatched" Preparation

If you've listened to any Hoosier talk about their mentality this season, you've heard about their intentional approach to preparation. Heading into Monday's championship game is no different.

"I've done everything possible to prepare for this game," Heisman-winner Fernando Mendoza said. "When I step on that field, I am confident because I know that my preparation is unmatched... I'm confident that my process has taken me here and that I can compete at the highest level.”

On his QB specifically, Cignetti said, “[Mendoza] prepares unlike anybody I've ever been around collegiately and at the quarterback position... He's somebody that can channel all his energy into one thing and has the discipline to do that."

Offensive lineman Pat Coogan echoed: "The game is between the white lines. We have done a good job of... having that mindset, never making it bigger than it is, and really just making sure we're putting in the work and putting in the prep so that when we get to game day, we put our best foot forward."

“I'm going to put every ounce of my body into preparation going into this game,” Mendoza said. And we already know that the rest of the Hoosiers will too.

Consistency, No Matter the Stage

Cignetti's steadfast leadership has kept the Hoosiers confident, no matter the stage. In a week that should feel anything but routine, the Crimson and Cream are operating business as usual.

Senior linebacker Aiden Fisher said, "At the end of the day, we're going to prepare the same way we prepared for Old Dominion in week one, just because that's the way we're wired, the way we do things. And if not, it's a disservice to yourself, to your team."

Coogan added, "Even starting back in January, February, [Cignetti is] saying the same stuff he's saying before we walk out for the Peach Bowl, right? I think that's why we see that success. It's ingrained in our minds."

"We really are starting a normal week here... It's going to be a great week of prep. We just got to put in the work."

"[Cignetti] really values... being in our normal schedule," tight end Riley Nowakowski said. "We're trying our best this week to continue that normal schedule... That's the best way to do it, approach every game the same way."

From wide receiver Elijah Sarratt: "We understand it's the national championship and a lot of people are going to be watching, but we're going to treat this practice week the same. Go in, work every single day leading up to that game."

“It stems down from the coach's mindset," defensive back D'Angelo Ponds says. "Coach Cig does a great job keeping us steady, keeping us moving one week at a time... Success or failure. We don't look back at it. We just keep moving forward.”

No Complacency

There's a lot of talk when you're the undefeated, top-ranked team in the country. But the Hoosiers aren't listening.

"We understand that outside noise is exactly what it is. It's outside," Coogan said. "It has no impact on our ability to go perform on the football field. It's not going to score us any touchdowns. It's not going to convert any third downs... Certainly, Coach Cig instills that mindset of ‘eliminate all noise and clutter.’"

From Nowakowski: "Every single time [Cignetti] talks to us, he's going to hammer on the point that nothing we got before is going to earn us anything in the future."

On Indiana’s success so far, Fisher said, "It won't mean really anything unless we walk away with a win in this game. I'm proud of where the team's at right now. I think we're playing well all together, and we got to put it on the field Monday night."

"We understand our goal," Sarratt said. "We understand how we're going to get to our goal, and it's just by doing what we've been doing, staying in the moment... Nothing really matters too much unless we win that game."

Mendoza put it simply: “There isn’t any time to celebrate because this is what everybody dreams of.”

People as the Cornerstone

Cignetti himself summed everything up best after a reporter asked him what he'd say to those who call Indiana a "Cinderella Story".

"I think that's a fact. If you look at the record since Indiana started playing football and relative to the success we've had the last two years, we've broken a lot of records here... So it's been kind of surreal, but you get it done with the right people, properly led."

"You've got to have a blueprint, plan in process," he continued. "You've got to have the right people on your staff and the right people in the locker room. We've been fortunate to have great staff continuity."

"Then down in the locker room, we've got a lot of older guys that have high character, great leadership traits. They can buy into the team vision. They're very consistent, day in and day out, in terms of being committed and disciplined and working hard toward improvement, staying focused on the goal, keeping the eye on the bull's-eye, so to speak."

"Being able to enter every Saturday prepared with the right mindset and then putting it on the field. It's all about people. And then you've got to have a blueprint and a plan. And I think there's no question about it, that's what's gotten us to this point.”

“Nothing Else Matters”

We’ll see if the Hoosiers’ preparation, consistency, grittiness, and character-centric culture earn Indiana its first-ever national title.

Watch No. 1 seed Indiana vs. No. 10 seed Miami on Monday, January 19^th at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Want more Insider content like this? Click here for every B1G moment .

Peachy Night in Atlanta

Indiana Athletics — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Big Ten Football CFP Semifinal Notes

Unknown — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

On Friday, January 9, at 7:30 p.m. ET, the No. 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers and the No. 5 seed Oregon Ducks will collide under the lights of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The winner will advance to the National Championship Game in Miami Gardens on January 19 and take on the Fiesta Bowl Champion in Ole Miss or Miami.
The Big Ten is guaranteed to play in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game for the third straight year, with the winner of the Peach Bowl becoming the third different team to do so in as many years, joining Michigan in 2023 and Ohio State in 2024.
Six different current Big Ten schools have earned half of the 12 available CFP semifinal spots in the last three seasons: Michigan, Washington [’24], Ohio State, Penn State [’25], Indiana, Oregon [’26].
Oregon makes its second semifinal appearance and first since the inaugural playoff in 2014 when the Ducks defeated Florida State in the Rose Bowl. Oregon is the only remaining team that has made the semifinals multiple times.
The Peach Bowl is an October 11^th Big Ten rematch when seventh-ranked Indiana won 30-20 against third-ranked Oregon in Eugene. This will be the ninth conference rematch taking place in a bowl game in a single season and the third this season. Teams that won the regular season game are 0-7 in the bowl game - including Oklahoma (lost to Alabama in the CFP First Round) and Georgia (lost to Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl).
Indiana has a chance to make history as they can become the second Big Ten team to win 15 games in a season, joining 2023 Michigan. Meanwhile, the Ducks can become the sixth Big Ten team to win 14 games in a season, which would be their most in a single season.
Three teams were ranked in the top 10 in scoring offense and defense this season and four teams have been in the College Football Playoff in each of the last two seasons. Indiana and Oregon have done both and are the only schools to win over 90% of their games since the start of 2024.
Indiana’s +439-point differential this season is the fifth biggest by any FBS team this century and the biggest by any FBS team since 2020.
The Hoosiers have allowed 60 or fewer rushing yards and 10 or fewer points in three straight games, tied for the longest such streak by any FBS team over the last 30 seasons.
Indiana is coming off its seventh win of the season by at least 35 points, tied with the 2019 Buckeyes for the most in a single season by any Big Ten team. The last team from any conference to have that many 35+ point wins in a single season was Oregon in 2023.
Fernando Mendoza has six games this season with at least three touchdown passes and no interceptions, tied for the second most by any Big Ten quarterback this century. The only one with more was Justin Fields, who did it nine times for Ohio State in 2019.
Oregon’s 23-0 win over Texas Tech marked its second-ever bowl game shutout (1917 Rose Bowl against Penn). It was the largest postseason shutout for a Big Ten school since Penn State defeated Texas A&M, 24-0, in the 1999 Alamo Bowl.
Oregon has won four straight games against teams ranked in the AP Top 5. That’s the second-longest win streak against top five teams this century by a Big Ten team (Ohio State – six straight to end this season).
Kenyon Sadiq leads Oregon and all FBS tight ends this season with eight TD receptions. The only other five Big Ten tight ends to have that many in any of the past 10 seasons are all in the NFL – Noah Fant, Mike Gesicki, Pat Freiermuth, Tyler Warren and Payne Durham.
At the conclusion of the 2025 regular-season, the Big Ten featured:
- FBS football’s only two unbeaten teams
- Four of the country’s Top-15 Scoring Offenses
- Four of the nation’s Top-10 in Offensive Points Per Possession
- Five of college football’s Top-16 Scoring Defenses
- Four of the Top-10 in Defensive Points Per Possession
- Three of the Top-5 (and 8 of the Top-25) in SportSource Analytics' ‘Strength of Record’
- Three of the Top-6 (and seven of the Top-22) in SportSource Analytics ‘Team Strength Ranking'
- Three of the Top-4 (and seven of the Top-20) in ESPN SP+ Ranking
- Six of the Top-16 Quarterback Ratings in the country
- Ten of the Top-18 least penalized teams in the country
Six of the top eight most watched college football games of the 2025-26 season so far have included a Big Ten team:

Indiana-Alabama, Rose Bowl -- 23.9 million
Ohio State-Miami, Cotton Bowl -- 19.0 million
Ole Miss-Georgia, Sugar Bowl -- 18.7 million
Ohio State-Michigan -- 18.4 million
Indiana-Ohio State, Big Ten Championship -- 18.3 million
Georgia-Alabama, SEC Championship -- 16.9 million
Texas-Ohio State -- 16.6 million
Oregon-Texas Tech, Orange Bowl -- 15.9 million

CFP Semifinal Preview: Indiana vs. Oregon for a Title Game Bid

Unknown — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

On Friday, January 9, at 7:30 p.m. ET, the No. 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers and the No. 5 seed Oregon Ducks will collide under the lights of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The stakes? A coveted ticket to the CFP National Championship game.

The plotlines here write themselves:

Both programs are chasing their first-ever national title.
Both teams absolutely dismantled their quarterfinal opponents—Indiana crushing Alabama 38-3 and Oregon blanking Texas Tech 23-0.
The quarterbacks leading these offenses are potentially the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
It's a rematch of one of the season's most pivotal games, where Indiana handed Oregon its only loss of the year in a 30-20 thriller in Eugene.

Since that day, the Ducks haven't lost, and Indiana has remained undefeated. If the Hoosiers win it all, they will etch their name in history as the first 16-0 team in college football. But to get there, they have to beat a team that has spent months stewing on that October loss.

Buckle up, college football fans. The road to the title runs through Atlanta. Let's break down the Big Ten battle in the national semifinal.

Oregon Peaking in Prime Time

Make no mistake: the Oregon team that will take the field in Atlanta is playing on a different level than the one that lost in October. Head coach Dan Lanning said, “Neither one of us is the same team that you saw earlier in the season when we played each other. I think we've grown in a lot of different ways... As your team changes, you change and adapt to your strengths.”

Now, Lanning has his squad firing on all cylinders, combining high-octane offense with suffocating defense.

The Road to the Semis

In the quarterfinals, the Ducks sent a loud message to the rest of the field. Facing a Texas Tech team that had dominated the Big 12, Oregon didn't just win; they shut them out 23-0. This came after a first-round performance against James Madison where the Ducks, despite winning 51-34, weren't entirely satisfied with their second-half execution. That dissatisfaction fueled a defensive masterclass against the Red Raiders.

Defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei put it bluntly when reflecting on that shutout: "Looking back, it's definitely cool to watch the film and be, like, there's a few plays where we could have done better. But overall, we dominated them."

“At the same time, we are playing the best team in the country. Last week stays back there. Now, I just focus on Indiana.”

A Wake-Up Call

For Oregon, the regular-season loss to Indiana wasn't just a blemish on the record; it was a catalyst. Linebacker Bryce Boettcher believes that stumble was necessary for the team's evolution.

"I believe everything happens for a reason," Boettcher said. "I think we needed that to kind of wake us up. We came out of a big Penn State win... Got a little lackadaisical with our prep, I think. It was a good wake-up call. The rest of the season leading up to this point is a pretty good testament to the way we responded to that loss."

Offensive Explosiveness

Statistically, Oregon is a nightmare to prepare for. They boast a top-10 offense and defense nationally. The Ducks' offense is dangerously explosive, leading the nation in 20+ yard play rate at 10.3%. When they have the ball, they average a staggering 6.95 yards per play and 3.15 points per drive.

Combine that with their rushing attack of Noah Whittington and Dierre Hill Jr. – each of whom has at least 570 yards this season – the Ducks’ arsenal can keep defensive coordinators up at night.

Defense on Lock

Defensively, Oregon is equally imposing. And according to safety Dillon Thieneman, the Ducks are hitting their stride at the perfect moment. "I know Lanning, coming into the Playoffs, he did a lot of research into March Madness, and... how you want to peak at the right time. I think as a defense, we're starting to hit that peak."

The Ducks rank in the top 10 for yards per play allowed and points per drive. They excel at forcing opponents into long-yardage situations and creating rhythmic disruptions that are hard to overcome. Furthermore, they are disciplined against the big play, ranking fifth in defensive marginal explosiveness by allowing just 4.1% of snaps to gain 20+ yards.

They’ve faced a gauntlet to get here, ranking ninth in strength of schedule. Aside from that single blemish against Indiana, they’ve been perfect. The Ducks are 13-1, and they are hungry for revenge.

Hoosiers: Precision and Power

The Hoosiers have looked precise, calm, and terrifyingly confident throughout their undefeated run. Now, coach Curt Cignetti hopes to cap off Indiana's unbelievable turnaround story with a national championship.

Balanced and Brutal

No team in the country matches Indiana’s balance. They are currently the only team in the FBS with over 3,000 yards both rushing and passing. This dual-threat capability makes them nearly impossible to defend. If you stack the box, they air it out. If you drop into coverage, they run it down your throat.

And it’s not just offense. Indiana is the only FBS team to rank in the top five of both scoring defense (No. 2) and scoring offense (No. 3). Their defense has been a stone wall, allowing only two touchdowns in their last four games and just a single rushing score in their last nine games. That is a level of dominance rarely seen in the modern era of high-scoring college football.

Even Dan Lanning acknowledged the complexity of preparing for Indiana's defense, calling it an "illusion defense."

"They show you one thing and they take something else away," Lanning explained. "They're really good at post-snap movement, which makes it difficult for the quarterback... Probably the best zone break defense I've seen this year in college football."

Preparation and Focus

Discipline is another hallmark of this squad. They commit the second-fewest penalty yards per game and the third-fewest turnovers per game. It’s this clean, razor-sharp brand of football that allowed them to capture the 2025 Discover Big Ten Championship over then-No. 1 Ohio State and dismantle the Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl.

Cignetti attributes this to the team's preparation. "I think confidence and belief come from when you're prepared, totally prepared and get the result you're looking for," he said. "And when they become successful, they develop more confidence and belief, and it becomes sort of a snowball effect."

The Quarterback Duel: Mendoza vs. Moore

It's no secret that all eyes will be on the center of the field, where two future NFL stars will orchestrate their respective attacks.

Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

The Heisman winner has been nothing short of spectacular. Mendoza leads the nation with 36 passing touchdowns and boasts a pristine 184.7 passer rating. Against Alabama, he completed 87.5% of his passes in a surgical performance where he had more touchdown passes than incompletions. “I’d give him an A plus,” Cignetti said.

But it’s not just his arm. Mendoza has consistently made the right reads and extended plays with his legs all season, rushing for 256 yards and six touchdowns. Even Oregon's defenders know they have to watch out for his legs. "I would say I think he's one of the best scramblers in the country as far as decision-making," Uiagalelei noted.

What really makes Mendoza different is his ability to close out wins and perform in big moments. Against Oregon, Ohio State, and Penn State, he made key late-game passes, proving that no stage is too big for him. When under pressure, Mendoza ranks 1st nationally in NFL passer rating and 2nd in passing grade.

Dante Moore, Oregon

On the other sideline stands Dante Moore, a quarterback who has evolved significantly since these two teams last met. In the October loss, Moore struggled, throwing for just 186 yards with two interceptions. But that version of Moore is long gone.

Since that game, Moore has thrown for at least 230 yards in five straight contests. He has been lights out, completing over 70% of his passes in four of his last five appearances. He balances a deep-ball threat—tossing 14 deep touchdowns—with incredible efficiency in the short game, completing 82.2% of his short passes.

Lanning emphasized Moore's growth through experience: "You gotta remember when we played earlier in the season, Dante hadn't played a ton of games, and as you play an entire season, you get exposed to a lot of different looks, and you learn from those moments... He's been obviously a great player for us and done an unbelievable job, and he's not the same player he was earlier this year."

The Battle in the Trenches

Aside from the QB comparison, this game will likely be won or lost at the line of scrimmage.

Oregon’s Rushing Offense

The Ducks deploy a ferocious duo in the backfield in Whittington and Hill Jr. – they both have five or more touchdowns on the season. However, Indiana’s defensive line has been a brick wall, holding Alabama and Ohio State to a combined 81 rushing yards. The Hoosiers rank No. 1 in points per drive allowed (0.86) and rarely give an inch.

Oregon will need to find a way through the IU blockade to open up the attack, which the Ducks are certainly capable of. If you ignore the sacks, they rushed for 116 yards against Indiana in October. If Oregon can improve on that, it’s in business.

Indiana's Pass Rush

In their first meeting, IU’s defensive line pressured Moore 24 times and recorded six sacks, which ultimately led to two game-changing, fourth-quarter interceptions. If Indiana can replicate that pressure, it could be a long night for the Ducks.

Conversely, if Oregon’s O-line can keep Moore clean as they have the rest of the season (just 1.14 sacks allowed per game), his deep-ball accuracy could expose the secondary.

Road to Victory: Indiana Hoosiers

For Indiana to punch their ticket to the National Championship, the formula is clear: Apply pressure and stay balanced.

1. Unleash the Pass Rush

The blueprint from the October win is still valid. In that game, Indiana’s six sacks and constant pressure rattled Dante Moore, leading to two crucial fourth-quarter interceptions. Defensive standouts like Rolijah Hardy (8 sacks) and Isaiah Jones (7) need to disrupt the line to keep Moore out of rhythm early.

2. Feed the Playmakers

Mendoza has options. No one runs routes quite like wide receivers Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr., and Charlie Becker has come up clutch for the Hoosiers on multiple occasions. In his presser, Sarratt showed he's ready for whatever Oregon throws at him, specifically noting Oregon's tendency to play press coverage. "It's a challenge that we're going to have to face this week," Sarratt said. "If you can't win those one-on-one matchups against press, you're not going to make it too far in this football world."

3. Break Their Will

Indiana certainly did that against Alabama, and running back Roman Hemby made it clear they're bringing that same philosophy on physicality to the Peach Bowl. "We want to make it a four-quarter fight where we impose our will," Hemby said. "At some point in the game, we feel we can potentially break the defense or make that play that helps us win."

Road to Victory: Oregon Ducks

For the Ducks to avenge their only loss and advance, they need to dictate the tempo and protect their quarterback.

1. Use the "Get Back" Mentality

The motivation in the Oregon locker room is palpable. The Ducks aren't just playing for a title; they are playing for redemption. Aaron Flowers, Oregon DB, didn't mince words: "We're just super hungry. This is a good opportunity for us to try to just get a get-back. That loss felt horrible, especially at Autzen."

It could give the Ducks a psychological edge. Even Cignetti admitted, "It's hard to beat a great team twice."

2. Protect Dante Moore

The offensive line must hold up better than they did in October. They need to pick up Indiana’s blitzes and give Moore time to find his targets, particularly tight end Kenyon Sadiq, whose big body could be a mismatch for Indiana’s secondary.

3. Win on Third Down

Defensively, Oregon has to get off the field and force the Hoosiers into long yardage situations. Indiana converts a nation-leading 56.5% of their third downs and is lethal in the red zone. If Dillon Thieneman and the Ducks' secondary can limit Mendoza's opportunities, the momentum could swing in their favor.

Who Advances to the Title Game?

This matchup has everything: star power, revenge narratives, and contrasting styles that are equally effective. Indiana has the momentum of a historic undefeated season and the quiet confidence of a squad that has already proven they can win this matchup. Oregon has the motivation of vengeance and a defense that is peaking at the exact right moment.

Can Indiana’s defense get to Moore again? Or will Oregon’s playmakers find the gaps that were closed in October?

Whoever wins, one thing is certain: they will have earned every inch of their spot in the National Championship game. Tune in Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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Cignetti, Lanning Talk College Football Playoff Semifinal Showdown

Unknown — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Indiana and Oregon will face off in the semifinal of the College Football Playoffs in the Peach Bowl on Friday, January 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti and Oregon leader Dan Lanning spoke in a press conference a week before the big game.

Opening statement

DAN LANNING: Honored to be here. Certainly honored to get to participate in the Peach Bowl. Gary, appreciate everything that you do. Got an unbelievable amount of respect for Coach Cignetti and the job that he's done at Indiana. You watch this team on film, obviously we got to experience it firsthand; this is one of if not the best coached teams in college football. They play with unbelievable technique. They challenge you in every facet; in special teams, defensively, offensively. They've got great quarterback play, which I think is a secret to being in this position that they're in. And you watch this group, they play together. They've got great answers. They do what they do extremely well. And on defense they challenge you in every way. They give you a lot of different looks. But this is just a group that's obviously playing their best football now. You saw that in their most recent game. And, again, just honored to get the opportunity to go share a field with Coach and the job that he's done there.

CURT CIGNETTI: Yeah. Excited to be a part of the Peach Bowl. Great cause; it will be a great venue. Playing a great opponent, Oregon, Coach Lanning. I said so before when we played earlier in the year, one of the young superstars in the coaching profession. I think they're 26-2 in the last two years. And really an excellent football team, offense, defense and special teams. Do a great job of coaching. Will be a big challenge. We were fortunate to win the game out in Eugene. It's hard to beat a great team twice. Very difficult. So edged Oregon there, but oughta be a great game. Looking forward to the challenge.

On improvement since their regular season meeting:

DAN LANNING: Yeah, I mean, in a lot of different facets. I won't get into every detail. You watch both of these teams. Neither one of us is the same team that you saw earlier in the season when we played each other. I think we've grown in a lot of different ways, found different strengths. As your team changes, you change and adapt to your strengths in your team, and you see the same thing with Indiana.

On Bryant Haines' defense:

DAN LANNING: Yeah. In a lot of ways you'd call it an illusion defense. They show you one thing and they take something else away. They're really good at post-snap movement, which makes it difficult for the quarterback. Their defensive line plays with relentless effort. They're tough to block up front. And then the technique continues to show up. They've got a guy basically playing quarterback there at linebacker that's able to get them lined up and execute. They've got a strong corner there in Ponds. They fly to the ball and they attack it in the air. Probably the best zone break defense I've seen this year in college football. They do an unbelievable job there, and they get hats. Obviously, it all starts with stopping the run. They do a great job with that.

On Devan Boykin:

CURT CIGNETTI: He's a really smart player. He knows all three safety positions. He's made a number of big plays for us. Played a lot of football at NC State, was a quarterback in high school, got great ball skills. Good special teams player as well. And he's a veteran. We've got a lot of veterans back there, which helps; played a lot of football. But he's one of the leaders in the back end.

On Dante Moore’s progression:

DAN LANNING: Experience. You know, experience. You gotta remember when we played earlier in the season, Dante hadn't played a ton of games, and as you play an entire season, you get exposed to a lot of different looks, and you learn from those moments, and Dante has certainly learned from a lot of those moments what he's seen. He's been obviously a great player for us and done an unbelievable job, but he's not the same player as he was earlier this year. What they do on defense is really difficult. You have to be willing to take what they give you at times. They do a great job of protecting against shots, but I think Dante's been a really good decision maker throughout the year, and that'll be something that's really important in this game.

On trying to beat a great team twice:

CURT CIGNETTI: Yeah. I think it's more of a psychological edge maybe; the one team that came up a little short, a little added edge, so to speak. But at the end of the day, it's determined by what goes on between the white lines. It will be a tremendous challenge because Oregon, they're very well coached, and they got good players. They're explosive on offense. They run the ball really well. They're very balanced. The line does a good job. And then they spread around the pass game, use all 52 yards. And, defensively, great speed, fly the ball, multiple hats. They've got a scheme where they keep you off balance with your pre-snap reads that are huge inside, and the edge guys can really rush the passer. And their teams are good.

So second time around, you know, we're both going to watch the tape of the first game, see what we did well, see what we didn't do well. And there may be some wrinkles. Both teams will have some wrinkles, obviously, and both teams have sort of morphed since that game, because it was a while back. And you put the best plan together you can, but at the end of the day, you know, it's which team executes the best play in, play out.

Lanning, on returning to Atlanta:

DAN LANNING: We're a different team now, but I remember that game very vividly. 49 to 3 wasn't fun. It was a good baptism into coaching. And we're a completely different group now. But this will be as much as of a challenge as that game was when you're playing a team like Indiana.

On their offensive lines:

CURT CIGNETTI: I think the one thing that helps us with pass protection is the balance that we have on the offense. We run the ball well. Oregon does, too. We both average over 200 yards a game. We both run it more than 50 percent of the time. So the pressure is not on the line to be in constant pass pro mode. And, obviously, the quick throws, advantage throws and RPOs are built in as well. So our line has been very consistent. We got a bunch of guys that have played together for a long time. Bob Bostad does a tremendous job with those guys. Our running backs do a nice job with pass pro as well. And we try to mix the passes up, so we got the quick stuff when we get out of the hand, and then the longer developing stuff. But I think when you can run the ball, that really helps your pass game.

DAN LANNING: Yeah, I certainly agree with Coach. I think you look -- if a team is good at one thing, there's the ability to take it away, and you look at both of our teams, you see a team that's multiple in the sense the way they're able to run it, the way they're able to throw screen game. We both have intermediate passing game as well as shots.

I think it's about when you are going to take those plays and make those plays, making sure that you're protected, and that's something that Indiana has done a great job. People that have tried to be aggressive against them, you see them take advantage of that. They get the hats in there to protect, and they take advantage of one-on-one matchup, but our O line, Coach Terry has done a great job all season, our entire offensive staff, of game planning those opportunities. This last game against Texas Tech, their rush was able to take advantage of us at times, so I think that will be a little bit of a chip on our guys' shoulders. There's some opportunities that we can be better there in how we hold the pocket and how we take care of the ball. But ultimately you see two teams that are really complete. And like coach said, it really starts with the run game.

On adapting and changing since their last meeting:

CURT CIGNETTI: Well, I'll be honest with you. I'm seeing some different things, some different techniques, but also, with the college football calendar the way it is, we have 13 portal guys on campus right now. So from 10:00 till 2:00 my Oregon prep got cut a little bit short. So, you know, I'm going to pick up on that later this evening. But philosophically, core base, they look very similar to what they did. There are some new things showing up. But the bottom line is, you know, they got guys inside. You know, good job stopping the run. They don't give up many yards rushing. They can put heat on the passer outside and with their pressure package, and they do a good job covering and swarming the ball and they do a nice job pre-snap of disguising their coverages.

DAN LANNING: Yeah. And just to build off that sentiment first, I'll tell you, Coach Cignetti, keep focusing on those portal guys. We're going through the same thing here. Sorry, I did a breakfast with some recruits this morning. It is what it is. Right? But I think on defense you always have to adapt a little bit more to the team you're playing, and I'd say regardless of what the game is, you want to try to take away their strengths. Some of the stuff that we did previous game was built to the strengths of Texas Tech. Some of the stuff we'll do in this game have to be built around the strengths of Indiana and what we have to do there. Hopefully we are multiple and can pitch different looks, but you also have to ride the horse that got you here and do what you do well.

On Dante Moore’s mindset:

DAN LANNING: I think when games don't go your way, you're always trying to look for answers and reasons why. And it's really simple. They blocked better. They tackled better. They moved the ball and controlled the clock. They converted third downs. You know, and it was all relatively close going into the fourth quarter, and then we turned the ball over. So you try to find all these moments that, okay, this was the difference. It's every play, right? Every play added up and every play mattered. When you're playing a team with great technique that has great scheme like Indiana, that's the edge. But, again, I know Dante is trying to find, okay, what are the things that didn't go right and how can he be better. I have a lot of confidence in Dante and the way he preps, and knowing he maybe felt like he forced some things in this first game. He's not the same guy, like I said earlier, at this point in the season.

On lessons learned:

DAN LANNING: Yeah. I won't get into great detail, but more than anything, stick to your process. I think Coach Cignetti would share the same sentiment of our team with Coach Saban, one thing you learned about is process. And it's all about process. It's all about making sure -- you don't go into a game, when you're sitting in the position that Indiana is sitting in or that we're sitting in, and say, okay, I'm going to change a lot of the things that we do. You gotta buy in to what you've done the whole year to get you where you're at and really double down. So more than anything, double down on our process. Our guys have been a part of big games. When you play in the Big Ten, you're going to be a part of big games. And every game can go different. Every game has a life of itself. So that's what we have to be able to do is focus on our process, be really obsessed with the details going into a game like this and put your players in a position to have success.

On Coach Nick Saban’s impact, having mentored each of the four remaining CFP teams’ head coaches:

CURT CIGNETTI: Well, yeah. Four for four. I think everybody learned a lot from Nick. He was a great mentor, very organized, detailed; had a plan for everything. Managed lead, how to stop complacency, game day, recruiting, recruiting evaluation, player evaluation. I mean, he had it all. And if you were serious about your career and wanted to be a head coach one day, you took great notes or great mental notes. So I felt like after one year with Coach Saban, that I had learned more about how to run a program than I maybe did the previous 27 as an assistant coach, and stayed with him for three more years. So there's a lot of disciples out there doing well, and that's why he's the greatest of all time.

DAN LANNING: Yeah, I just echo that. In my time, I was working at Sam Houston State before I went to Alabama and was going to take a pay cut to go be a GA there. And when anybody asked me why, I said, I'm going to get my doctorate in football. And that's what I feel like working for Coach Saban, just like Coach said, you learn so much. Things I thought I knew, I realized I didn't know anything. And I got to really carry that over with the opportunity to work with Coach Smart, who built off of that as well at Georgia. And that was an unbelievable experience for me, and obviously it shows here as we enter the semifinals.

On both recruiting and competing in January:

DAN LANNING: Yeah. What I'll say is our players -- you know, I don't know if it makes you better dealing with what we're dealing with, but what it has made football teams and what it's made coaches and players is we can handle chaos, and we're really malleable. We understand that college football right now is about change. There's going to be a lot of change. The teams that can do the best at adapting and handling what's thrown at you. We don't make the rules; we just have to adapt to them, and our guys handle that. They're tough kids. They can handle the chaos of a schedule. As much as we can keep it similar and consistent for them, as much as we can be open and honest with them, I think they can handle almost anything you pitch at them, and really, coaching staffs are built that way now, too. There's a lot of things going on. We're dealing with two coaches on our staff that are going on to be head coaches, and the timing isn't necessarily perfect, but it's been done before, and it's a great challenge. So I think if you look at the chaos in football and look at it as a challenge for your players and for your coaching staff, you build people that are resilient; you build people that are adaptable, and you build an organize that withstand a lot of the changes that exist.

CURT CIGNETTI: Yeah. I'd agree with that totally. You gotta adjust, adapt and improvise and be light on your feet. I'm not sure it necessarily affects the current team at all because the schedule will be the schedule. It obviously influences the '26 roster quite a bit. I think that's what you're seeing is a lot of new faces on every team across the country. Players have a lot more options and the ability to improve their brand. It puts a little more stress on the coaching staff. Right now this time of year, if you're still playing -- and there's only four of us really playing in the playoffs. There might be a couple other bowl games remaining. So I guess the teams that aren't playing maybe have a little bit more of an advantage right now from a recruiting standpoint. But you gotta make time for it. You gotta get it done, do the best you can. But the focus primarily has to be on preparation for this game.

On the defense’s evolution:

DAN LANNING: Growth has been pretty standard. It's been pretty consistent for our team throughout. Like I said, none of the teams that are still around have not gotten better. We've improved. We're tackling at a higher clip. But it wasn't even two games ago that we didn't tackle that well versus JMU. So we got a lot to work on. We got a lot to improve. We're nowhere near the finished product, and that's part of what makes the game of football great is that there's always room to get better. Even in the game, you could look at the scoreboard of our last game and say, oh, we played unbelievable defense, and I can tell you five things we gotta do better right now from that game. So for us it's about consistent improvement and continue to attack what we can do better as a staff and as a team.

On managing the portal:

CURT CIGNETTI: Yeah. We've had a few players go in the portal, and we would like them to continue to practice. A few have chosen to go home and won't be with us this week. I don't think that's going to present a problem for us in terms of our preparation. The thing about the portal guys, they're a little different than the high school guys. They don't need 48 hours on campus. It's usually one night, they're making a business decision. They're normally older guys. They've been through it. They know what they're looking for. Either you're a fit or you're not. And so, from a coach's standpoint, like yesterday, because we got back at 3:30 in the morning from the Rose Bowl, I gave the coaches and players off. Now, I came in. I was in the office about eight or nine hours because I knew what I was looking at here. The position coaches may have one, two, three guys in at their position that they'll have to have a position meeting with, whereas, I'm going to have to visit with 12, 13 guys, right? So I knew I was going to lose six, seven, eight hours, so I tried to make that up yesterday. And I have a few meetings this evening and a few tomorrow morning, and then it'll be 100 percent focus on our prep.

On developing confidence:

DAN LANNING: Players create confidence. Coaches support it. Right? They go out there by doing it, and winning and failing. You make mistakes, and then you challenge yourself to say, okay, I don't want to make the same mistake again. And mistakes can be a really good thing, especially when you have the self-awareness to recognize it. And you'd like those mistakes to happen in practice, and then you'd like to have guys that are hungry enough to say, okay, I'm really good at this. Let me not spend all my time in practice working on this. Let me go work on what I'm not good at. And once you start doing that, whether it's a quarterback seeing the coverage or it's a defensive lineman trying to work a certain technique and you can create repetition, you can create confidence.

CURT CIGNETTI: I think confidence and belief come from when you're prepared, totally prepared and get the result you're looking for. That's why it's important to have a blueprint and a plan. This business is all about development, recruiting and retention. Gotta have high standards, expectations, accountability throughout your entire organization. Gotta have the right people on your staff and in the locker room. And you improve every single day. Like this week, it'll be important that we can stack meetings, practices and days so that, you know, we're totally prepared to play one to 150 at 7:30 on Friday night and then play the way we want them to play. And I think when guys prepare correctly, that's their best chance to be successful. And when they become successful, they develop more confidence and belief, and it becomes sort of a snowball effect. And that's the way it's worked for us, but it's always been in the here and now, controlling the controllables, focused on your preparation, eliminating the noise and the clutter so that you go in 100 percent prepared, which gives yourself the best chance of being successful.

On Fernando Mendoza’s Rose Bowl performance:

CURT CIGNETTI: Yeah. He did a great job preparing, likes he always does. He was the same guy. We had not played a game in three-and-a half weeks. So maybe the speed of the game, the first play of the game, you know, was a play he normally would have made, and then they did an all-out blitz and kind of got us on third down. But after that, I mean, he was tremendous. He had more touchdown passes than incompletions. He used his legs to make plays like he's done all year, and he was 100 percent on point. And then we got the run game going and we didn't need his arm quite as much. He hit the clock, get out of the game. And I'd give him an A plus. He's player of the game on offense.

On managing potential transfers:

DAN LANNING: Each one is different. There's some guys that come in, and I share the same sentiment as them, you know, that they might have an opportunity to be able to make an impact somewhere else. Some guys come in and you hate to see them go. We've been really fortunate to be able to hang on to the players that we really want to be here and have success. And some of them you see them walk out the door and you just hope that they have a better opportunity wherever they move next. The grass isn't always greener, and that's something you have to figure out in life at times, but that's one of the life lessons that exists right now in college ball. But every conversation is different. The one thing that I expect from our guys is to have that conversation.

On Pat Coogan and his offensive MVP honors in the Rose Bowl:

CURT CIGNETTI: Yeah, the MVP of the Rose Bowl, in my mind, was the whole offensive line, and Pat Coogan is one of the leaders on the offensive line. I think Kirk Herbstreit said that he had a big role in choosing him, and he made a good decision. But I thought our line played really well, very aggressive, snapped the whistle, finished plays. And Coogan, of course, is making all the calls and a key guy there, and he played well. He played well also, but in general, we did a really nice job of protecting the quarterback. There were a couple of situations. But in the run game we got that going. Our backs ran really hard. Our receivers blocked. And it was a good day on offense.

On Mendoza’s ability to extend plays:

CURT CIGNETTI: To me that's the winning edge. I mean, when you look at a quarterback, obviously he's got to have throwing ability and be able to process, but the ability to extend plays, whether it's with his legs or once he's out of the pocket with his arm, his eyes down field, I mean, that's the key. A guy that cannot extend plays, you really become vulnerable. And Fernando's ability to make plays with his legs, boy, I can't even count the number of times in big games this year where his legs have come through and extended drives.

On the Big Ten’s strength on the CFP stage:

CURT CIGNETTI: Well, I've only been in the league two years. So I'm not sure I'm the one to answer this question. I know that Michigan won it three years ago. That was a great football team. Ohio State was equally as great last season. You got two teams playing in the semis. So one of us is going to be in the National Championship game, and I certainly hope the Big Ten can claim that prize. Oregon is a great football team. But the Big Ten is a great conference, a lot of good teams top to bottom. And that's a great thing about the playoffs. You give 12 teams a chance to win it all, and at the end of the day there's one standing.

DAN LANNING: Yeah, I just share the sentiment. I've been a part of the SEC, just like Coach Cignetti has. I've been a part of the old PAC-12. I've been a part of a bunch of different conferences, and it's hard to argue that anybody is doing it better right now than the Big Ten. There's some quality from top to bottom.

Obviously, the National Championship teams have come from this conference the last two years, and the landscape has changed. Certainly five years ago there wasn't a conference that was rolling and dominating, and I think the way you indicate that is the success of the teams in the conference. And there's a lot of teams that have had success, and a variety of different teams. Coach just mentioned it, but we saw Michigan, and Washington a couple years ago in the National Championship game. You see Ohio State. This year you'll see a different Big Ten team. And I think that speaks to the quality and the strength of the conference overall.

On the travel schedule:

DAN LANNING: It's not bad.

CURT CIGNETTI: I'll echo that sentiment.

On creating culture:

CURT CIGNETTI: I think when you look at our team, you got a number of veterans, guys that have played a lot of football, but high-character guys that are good players. And this is a very, very close team, that plays for one another, trusts one another. And I mean, we got a lot of guys on this football team that are going to do real well in life. And this is a special group.

DAN LANNING: Yeah, I'd share the same sentiment. I think to get to this point in the season, culture is a word that's overused, certainly, in our sport. But you don't get to this point if you're not able to be selfless, and those are the lessons you try to teach in football. You have to think of the group and the team over yourself. And to be at this point, that means there's a lot of players that made that decision, and you have to realize that individual success is going to come from team success. I think if you look at both of our teams, you see a lot of guys that are having a ton of individual success, and it all started with somebody else around them helping them have that success. There's no great quarterback without great O line players. There's no great secondary play without great D line play, and that's what's great about the sport of football is the quicker your team can realize that, the team and connection are going to be separating factors, the quicker you're going to have success. And we've certainly been able to create some of that here at Oregon, and obviously Indiana has been able to create the same thing.

Find out who will advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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Bryce Boettcher: The Heart of a Duck

Unknown — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Bryce Boettcher is a standout on two of Oregon's teams – football and baseball – both of which are top 10 programs nationally. Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, Boettcher embodies what it means to be a Duck. From his humble beginnings as a walk-on to becoming the 2024 Burlsworth Trophy winner, his journey is a testament to perseverance and heart. Whether dominating on the football field or the baseball diamond, Bryce has left an indelible mark on Oregon Athletics.

In this exclusive interview, the senior linebacker opens up about his walk-on mentality, his love for his hometown, being a two-sport athlete, and what the future holds as he prepares to take off the Oregon jersey for the last time.

Host (Andrew McDevitt): Welcome to Oregon senior linebacker and 2024 Burlsworth Trophy winner Bryce Boettcher. Bryce, that's kind of where I want to start. Burlsworth Trophy given to the best player that started their career as a walk-on. What does it take to have a walk-on mentality and what did that award mean to you?

Bryce Boettcher: Yeah, that award meant everything, man. There's a lot more days in my college football career that looked like they weren't going to pan out. I wasn't going to get the opportunity I wanted, but I kind of just stacked the days and kept the faith. And, obviously it worked out last year, had a solid season and the team had a good season. It's a mindset that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. Once a walk-on, always a walk-on. And it's just a greedy mindset.

You were born and raised in Eugene, Oregon. Was there ever a chance you were going to go anywhere else?

No, man. I mean, I had an offer from the University of Utah in baseball. That was really my only scholarship offer for any sport. But then obviously Oregon offered me a walk-on spot for baseball originally. And as soon as that was the case, I was coming here.

I heard both Coach Lanning and Coach Wasikowski say that you wearing an Oregon jersey just means more. Why is that?

Just being from here, you know, all my family and friends are from the Oregon, Pacific Northwest area. When you grow up watching the games and really know what it means to be a Duck fan and bleed green and yellow, when you put the jersey on, it means more because you've been a part of it for longer.

Which was your first love? Did you love baseball first or football?

Oh man, I'd say probably baseball. That's what I started playing first. But I started playing football too when I was in second, third grade. So both fairly early, but I'd say baseball.

You were drafted in 2024 by the Houston Astros. Did that make the decision to return for football challenging, or was that kind of something that you knew you had there, and it was worth pursuing the football situation regardless?

Yeah, it was certainly challenging. You know, that's a pretty cool opportunity to get drafted and have that option. But knowing that I had one more year of football eligibility and being a Duck fan, I feel like I'd regret it down the road if I didn't give it one more year. And obviously the Astros wanted to be there, but they understood. And that door's open down the road if I want to pursue baseball.

I heard Coach Lanning say that you have a little bit of crazy in you. I think that he has a little bit of crazy in him. What's the relationship like between the pair of you?

Yeah, it's a good relationship, man. It's definitely evolved over the years. I respect the guy, the way he works, the way he coaches. Yeah, I'd say it's a fair analysis. We both are a little crazy in our own regard. Before the games, walking out of the tunnel, he'll kind of look at me and I'll look at him. We'll make eye contact for a split second and kind of just smile because we both know we're on the same wavelength.

That craziness has resulted in a pretty quality start. Do you enjoy going on the road to difficult environments?

I love it personally. When we went to Penn State, that was super cool. It's a new opportunity, a new place you get to play. Having come from the Pac-12, pulling out these new places in the Big Ten is pretty neat, so I enjoy it.

Do you have a favorite away stadium that you've played in thus far?

I mean, I'd say Penn State has to be up there.

You've played in massive moments both on the baseball diamond and on the football field. Regional wins, Big Ten Championship wins. Is there a win that is better than another win, or are all wins the same?

I mean, I'd be lying to you if I said all wins are the same. Obviously, there's some that feel a little better than others. I'd say the Big Ten Championship win from last year was up there. The Pac-12 Tournament win in baseball, that was pretty special against Arizona. And obviously some other sprinkled in there. Baseball against the Beavers. My senior year, we ended up beating them in my last game ever on a Tuesday. And this last Oregon State game at home was pretty special as well.

At some point in the next three months, you are going to take off that Oregon jersey for the last time. What do you want the Ducks fans to remember the most about Bryce Boettcher?

Man, good question. Someone who just gave it his all for the green and yellow and the university. That's why I came back. I love this place. I love what the University of Oregon stands for, and its athletic program. Just a guy who gave it 100%, left nothing else on the table, who was there for his teammates, and played hard.

I love the video from last year where you go from the football spring game straight over to the baseball field. What's that experience like? And you know, there are very few guys that have the talent to do that at the level you're doing it.

Yeah, that was a pretty cool opportunity. It was cool that they asked me to throw out the first pitch this year. And then obviously, a couple of years ago, I ended up playing in both, which was obviously really cool as well.

You know, I'm just blessed to be able to do both and have both coaches support me through both sports and communicate well enough to where I was able to do both of them. So, yeah, I'm just blessed.

What do we got to do to get the neck brace back?

It's funny. I was actually talking to my mom about that yesterday. She was like, “I was in the stands, and the fans want you to bring back the neck brace.” You know, I was having neck issues last year and the year before. So that's why I was wearing it. This year I kind of readjusted how I hit it and move around. So I wasn't having as many neck issues. And you know, the neck brace, it looks good, but it kind of leaves me a little stiff. It's hard for me to maneuver with that thing on. So I figured the functionality of play and finesse was a little more important than looks.

Fair, fair. In a couple of months, you're going to be in a great spot. You're going to have options. What do you hope the future looks like for you?

Man, I mean, what do I hope it looks like for me? Hopefully I get a shot to go play in the NFL and once that road comes here, maybe go do that, or I go play some baseball, depending on what my opportunities look like. But right now, I'm really just focused on the now and enjoying my last couple of months as a Duck.

Favorite athlete growing up?

Derek Jeter.

Is there a Dan Lanning saying that you particularly stick to?

I mean, he's got a lot of good ones. But I like “The grass is damn green in Eugene.”

Fitting for you. Last one would be, what's your favorite part about being a Duck?

Probably running out in Autzen Stadium, seeing the fans and the green and yellow.

Bryce, great meeting you, man. Best of luck the rest of the way.

Sweet. Appreciate you, Andrew.

Catch Boettcher and the Ducks in their first College Football Playoff game against James Madison on Saturday, December 20^th at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, truTV, or Max.

2025 Football Bowl Release

Unknown — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

BIG TEN FOOTBALL RELEASE - BOWLS | STANDINGS | SCHEDULE | MEDIA GUIDE

Fifth-ranked Oregon leads off the Big Ten CFP lineup this weekend, when the Ducks host No. 12 seed JMU in first-round action at Autzen Stadium. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by TNT. A win would send Oregon to the Orange Bowl against Texas Tech on Jan. 1 at noon ET at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The complete bowl schedule can be found to the right.
Oregon is making its third CFP appearance overall and is one of just four teams (Georgia, Indiana, Ohio State) to make the field each of the last two years. This will be the first meeting on the gridiron between Oregon and James Madison, the Sun Belt Conference champion.
Demond Williams Jr. threw three of his four touchdown passes in the second quarter, and Washington’s defense had five interceptions as the Huskies kicked off bowl season with a 38-10 victory over Boise State in the LA Bowl on Dec. 13. Denzel Boston made a 78-yard TD catch for Washington’s first score before Dezmen Roebuck, Raiden Vines-Bright and Quentin Moore caught TD passes for the Huskies (9-4) in the school’s fourth victory in its last five bowl games.
Six Big Ten standouts took home a combined 11 national awards this season, highlighted by Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza capturing the Heisman Memorial Trophy. The Hoosier quarterback’s accolade marks the 30th Heisman winner overall from a current or former Big Ten institution (including the University of Chicago), and first since 2022.
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti took home the Home Depot Coach of The Year Award and the Walter Camp Coach of The Year Award, Iowa’s Logan Jones won the Rimington Trophy, Ohio State’s Caleb Downs captured the Jim Thorpe Award and Lott Impact Trophy, Buckeyes’ Archie Griffin was honored with the NCFAA Contributions Award, USC’ Makai Lemon earned the Fred Biletnikoff Award, and Hoosiers’ Mendoza also claimed the Davey O’Brien Award, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award.
A total of 7,989,716 fans attended Big Ten home games this season. Excluding 2020, this marks the 12th consecutive season and 13th time in 14 seasons that more than six million fans have attended Big Ten home football games.
Indiana was crowned Big Ten Champion following a 13-10 win against Ohio State in the Discover Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Hoosiers extended the best season in school history to 13-0, snapping a 30-game losing streak against the Buckeyes that stretched to 1988, ending major college football’s longest winning streak at 16 and moving to the precipice of earning the first No. 1 ranking in school history.
The 2025 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game drew 18,332,000 viewers on FOX — the most-watched college football conference championship game of all time. At the broadcast’s peak, 19,993,000 viewers witnessed Indiana capture the program’s first Big Ten championship in 58 years. With the historic championship viewership, the Big Ten Conference is now home to the top three most watched college football games this season.
A total of 800 football student-athletes were named Academic All-Big Ten honorees on December 10, including unblemished GPAs for 10 honorees. The full list of fall Academic All-Big Ten honorees can be found at bigten.org.

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No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers

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No. 17 Washington Huskies

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2. Which teams not in the AP Top 10 will contend for the College Football Playoff?

3. Which new coach will make the fastest impact?

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No. 2 Oregon Ducks (14 first-place votes)

No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers (eight first-place votes)

No. 14 USC Trojans

No. 16 Michigan Wolverines

No. 17 Washington Huskies

No. 18 Penn State Nittany Lions

No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes

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Time for Kickoff