Another week down, another showing of the height of the Big Ten. Heading into the week, we had a rough, undefeated team. That unheralded, undefeated team nearly toppled the reigning national champions. The West Coast A competition has been renewed, but there have been a few key injuries around the league. Looking back at halftime, can the Big Ten catch a few teams in the CFP? Or will it be like two years ago, where he only got two in the conference, but had the champion crowned when all was said and done?
The 2026 Big Ten College Playoff Picture: Week 7
Locks
N/A
Our fighters are betting favorites to do it, but no one has applied anything here. Maybe next week? (Maybe not)
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Contenders
Oct 10, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches a short pass from Maryland Terrapins running back Trey Reddick (3) for a touchdown in the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
#4 Ohio State (5-1, 3-0)
Ohio State returns as the top-ranked team from the Big Ten. His only loss of the year came against a much lower (on paper) opponent last week, but that’s Red River for you! We are sure that one point loss will not return the investment, right?
The Buckeyes were inexperienced in their win over Maryland, but they still got the job done. Jeremiah Smith scored two more touchdowns, the defense’s attack showed again, and Ohio State is looking to get better each week. He still hasn’t played his best game yet, but it wouldn’t be a bad time this weekend.
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#5 Indiana (6-0, 3-0)
After the Buckeyes is Indiana. We’re still in the realm of “you’re a man until further notice,” and Indiana has won every game that way. Sure, the games against Northwestern and Nebraska were closer than expected, but maybe those two teams were better than we expected. After all, the Wildcats and Huskers only have one loss each…to Indiana.
Remember all the worry about Josh Hoover and his turnovers? Through six games he has thrown the ball 129 times and has yet to be intercepted. The passing attack is nice and balanced, with Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh posting nearly identical lineups to this point.
The team’s top ten rusher, Turbo Richard, and his running mate Lee Beebe will have a tougher test this weekend.
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#12 UCLA (5-0, 3-0)
The UCLA Bruins are undefeated and outside the top 10…IN Us.
UCLA’s toughest test this past year was before Oregon’s weekend and passed. But let him beware: What does it consist of?
Nico Iamaleava made it a year after the knee injury he received in winning. Ty Dieffenbach came in, completed three of his six passes for 43 yards, and that led to the game-ending touchdown. The future is a man of progress.
Defensively, the Oregon Bruins forced Dylan Raiola to the bench and allowed just 272 yards. The unit is going to come in again. Thankfully, at least on paper, the schedule looks bright.
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#17 Iowa (5-1, 2-1)
Well, that was one way to respond by losing to Ohio State! The Hawkeyes went to the Big West in College Football and dominated Washington, 41-24. Of course, 21 of those points came in the middle, so that’s something Kirk Ferentz is looking at.
Iowa did this without their starting quarterback. Jeremy Hecklinski stepped in for Hank Brown and threw 202 yards for three touchdowns while completing nearly 74% of his passes.
Keep an eye on Kamari Moulton on the ground. He set a career high with 200 yards and two touchdowns in the next six games against Ohio State.
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Talk to your kids about Iowa’s college football playoff team.
#19 USC (6-1, 3-1)
We still have concerns about USC’s defense, but the offense could look to score some points. Still, walking into Beaver Stadium, named the White E, and winning the program’s first state title at Penn State was impressive.
Jayden Maiava continued his impressive campaign with 301 yards and three touchdown passes. He leads the Big Ten in completions, receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, and has three catches with 20 receptions.
USC controls its own destiny, but it won’t be easy. It’s Wisconsin this week, then Ohio State and Indiana (with a bye in between), and closes with UCLA. If USC finishes 11-1, it should have an argument for the number, but the loss isn’t #QualityLoss, so it probably won’t be.
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Of course, that’s a lot if he’s left with so much football.
Well, we are intrigued
Oct 10, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Aidan Chiles (0) looks to pass the ball against the Cardinals State during the first half at New Ryan Field. Cool Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
#25 Northwestern
So, the Northwestern Wildcats are 4-1 and ranked first after 2020. Now what?
David Braun’s team can read it. The best win on the schedule so far is probably a toss-up between beating Penn State or a close loss to Indiana, because that’s #QualityLoss if you’re in another conference.
Aidan Chiles leads the Big Ten in rushing percentage, and the total rushing attack averages 203 yards per game and 5.2 carries per carry. Chip Kelly as just a magician. In 2024, he overturned Ohio State’s offense, and now, he’s made Northwestern’s offense rumble.
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The slate will be tough starting Halloween, but if the Wildcats go 2-1 against Oregon, Indiana, and Ohio State, while winning the other four ties, we could be looking at a CFP North slot.
Nebraska
As with Indiana, Nebraska’s best win to this point is Indiana’s narrow loss. Of course, if Nebraska were in another conference, it would still be 5-1, but we digress.
The Huskers look solid. That defense reads, and Anthony Colandrea’s expertise is as fierce and exciting as it can be, for better or for worse.
To be very sad. If he can get the job done this weekend, there is a strong possibility that Nebraska will be in position to make the Big Ten Championship with Ohio State and Iowa at the end of the schedule.
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Wisconsin
Things are going to be interesting for Luke Fickell’s Badgers. Wisconsin responded well after being upset by Notre Dame. Right now, it’s on a four-game winning streak, but the next three weeks will determine what kind of team this is.
A three-game run at UCLA, vs. USC, and at Iowa is tough, but Wisconsin will be fresh off its strength and ready to make some noise.
If Wisconsin can go 2-1 over the next three weeks, we can put it in the contender category.
Gotta win
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning anticipates his final kickoff running from the sideline as the Oregon Ducks host the UCLA Bruins on Oct. 10. 2026, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
Oregon (3-2, 1-1)
What is going on in Eugene? Losing Dante Moore hurts, yes, but this Oregon roster is supposed to be one of the deepest and most talented teams can have. Now, at 3-2 (with only one loss WITHOUT Moore), Oregon’s CFP hopes may be the key to winning. If the Ducks were to lose to anyone, it would have to be competitive with a loss to Ohio State, but they would need to beat a three-loss Big Ten champion team. If that happens, what will Oregon be able to hang its hat on? Boise State? USC? Northwestern? Nebraska?
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There’s no trick to decorating the property, but it’s really close to keeping the ducks at bay. Considering Oregon’s ability this weekend to extend its Big Ten dominance at the top (at least, among non-Ohio State Big Ten teams), things aren’t looking great.
Minnesota (4-2, 2-1)
If the Golden Gophers win, they are the playoff team. Why? Well, the final six games are on the schedule vs. Iowa, at Indiana, vs. UCLA, at Penn State, vs. Northwestern, and Wisconsin. There are four or even five opponents there (depending on what the Badgers do).
Minnesota Cell doesn’t have to lose another game, even if they manage to run the gauntlet through it. It is necessary to defeat all the enemies in numbers, and to lose the competitive game in Indiana to stay close. Unfortunately, Minny has two record beatdowns against Mississippi State (which is pretty good with a Heisman-worthy freshman quarterback) and Purdue (which isn’t good).
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eliminated
Joining the ranks of the rejected after last week are Penn State and Washington. Both programs hit home quickly. The Nittany Lions came into this year with an easy schedule on paper. There was a question of whether or not it was going to happen after James Franklin was too likely to beat Matt Campbell and his Iowa State team. Turns out, it was.
Washington returned 41 to Iowa…at home. The Hawkeyes rebounded well after the loss to Ohio State, but you’d like to think Jedd Fisch’s team had more success than allowing 200 yards rushing.
Michigan State (2-4, 0-3)
Week 7 Big Ten Schedule
Boston at Purdue (Friday, 8:00 p.m., FOX)
#4 Ohio State at #5 Indiana (12:00 pm ET, FOX)
#25 Northwestern at Michigan State (12:00 pm ET, Peacock)
Rutgers at Maryland (12:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network)
Penn State at Michigan (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
Wisconsin at #12 UCLA (7:30 pm ET, NBC)
Nebraska at Oregon (11:00 pm ET, FOX)
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