Big Ten Forecast Revealed
Big Ten Preseason Polls: Purdue Projects Last, Indiana Third, Michigan Fifth Amid New Leaders
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Key Points
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Purdue is forecast to finish 18th in the Big Ten in 2026 by both USA Today and Cleveland.com, marking a third straight dead-last projection and extending an 18-game conference losing streak. The Boilers will be represented at Big Ten Media Days by quarterback Ryan Browne, linebacker Charles Correa, and wide receiver De’Nylon Morrissette, with Correa the sole Purdue player named to USA Today’s preseason All-Big Ten honorable mention.
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Indiana enters the season with notable national buzz: USA Today projects IU to finish third in the Big Ten behind Ohio State and Oregon, and Rolijah Hardy is named the preseason Defensive Player of the Year while Josh Hoover is the preseason Newcomer of the Year. Seven Hoosiers earned preseason All-Big Ten first-team honors, including Charlie Becker, Carter Smith, Tyrique Tucker, Isaiah Jones, Amare Ferrell, and Nico Radicic.
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Michigan was pegged to finish fifth in Cleveland.com’s 2026 Big Ten preseason poll, released by 31 voters. Ohio State and Oregon sit atop the standings, Indiana is third, USC fourth, and Michigan received no first-place votes despite a roster reboot under new leadership and a mix of returning starters on offense and defense.
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Minnesota is predicted to finish 10th in the 2026 Big Ten per Cleveland.com’s 16th annual poll, with 268 total points. The projection comes as the Gophers return a high percentage of production (about 68%), with 71% of offensive production and 65% of defensive production returning, under head coach P.J. Fleck and staff.
Purdue has been projected to finish dead last in the Big Ten for the third straight year, with both Sports Illustrated and Cleveland.com forecasting the Boilermakers 18th in the 2026 preseason polls. The projection extends a brutal stretch for the program, which is riding an 18-game conference losing streak heading into the season.
Meanwhile, Indiana enters 2026 with serious national buzz. Sports Illustrated projects the Hoosiers to finish third in the Big Ten, behind only Ohio State and Oregon, with seven players earning preseason All-Big Ten first-team honors.
Purdue Faces Third Straight Last-Place Forecast
Both USA Today and Cleveland.com picked Purdue to finish 18th — dead last — in the Big Ten for 2026, according to Sports Illustrated. That matches their 2025 projection and marks a third consecutive year the Boilermakers land at the bottom of preseason polls. The program has not won a Big Ten game in 18 tries.
Purdue will send three players to Big Ten Media Days in Chicago: quarterback Ryan Browne, linebacker Charles Correa, and wide receiver De'Nylon Morrissette. Correa is the only Boilermaker to earn preseason All-Big Ten recognition, landing on USA Today's honorable mention list.
Indiana Loaded With Preseason Honors and High Expectations
Indiana is generating real national attention. USA Today slots IU third in the Big Ten, trailing only Ohio State and Oregon. Rolijah Hardy earned preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors, and transfer quarterback Josh Hoover was named preseason Newcomer of the Year, per Sports Illustrated.
Seven Hoosiers landed on the preseason All-Big Ten first team: Charlie Becker, Carter Smith, Tyrique Tucker, Isaiah Jones, Amare Ferrell, Nico Radicic, and Hardy himself. That kind of recognition across the roster signals that IU's 2024 breakthrough has reshaped expectations around the program.
Michigan Picked Fifth, Gets No First-Place Votes
Michigan lands fifth in Cleveland.com's 2026 Big Ten preseason poll, which drew 31 voters. Ohio State sits first, followed by Oregon, Indiana, and USC. Michigan received zero first-place votes despite returning a mix of starters on both offense and defense under new leadership.
The Wolverines are in the middle of a roster reboot, and voters are not yet sold on their ceiling. Finishing fifth would likely mean missing the College Football Playoff, according to Yahoo Sports.
Minnesota Projected 10th Despite Strong Returning Numbers
Minnesota is forecast to finish 10th in the Big Ten, per Cleveland.com's 16th annual preseason poll. The Gophers totaled 268 points in the voting. That ranking may surprise some — Minnesota returns about 68% of its production overall, including 71% on offense and 65% on defense under head coach P.J. Fleck.
Nebraska was picked 11th, just ahead of the Gophers, per KRNY. The poll gives a clear picture of how media voters view the Big Ten's middle tier heading into the 2026 season.
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