2026 Big Ten Football Media Days: Questions for the Top Teams

It has become increasingly difficult to argue against the Big Ten as the premier football conference in America after three straight national championships. And entering 2026, it doesn’t seem like that will change much this season. The league is loaded with top-end talent, and a handful of teams will enter the fall having legitimate chances at title contention. With the 2026 Big Ten Football Media Days right around the corner, let’s take a look at how things are shaping up for the conference’s top programs in 2026.

2026 Big Ten Football Media Days Preview

Indiana Hoosiers

Coming off a historic 16-0 undefeated season and the program’s first national championship, the Indiana Hoosiers are aiming to reload for 2026. The biggest question for the Hoosiers this season is how the offense will look under veteran transfer quarterback Josh Hoover.

Head coach Curt Cignetti faces a heavy roster transition after a school-record eight players were selected in this year’s NFL draft, including Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Hoosiers’ roster was completely gutted of its primary playmakers, losing both top wide receivers, their starting tight end, and both starting running backs to the pro ranks.

• Fernando Mendoza (QB) – Round 1, Pick 1 | Las Vegas Raiders
• Omar Cooper Jr. (WR) – Round 1, Pick 30 | New York Jets
• D’Angelo Ponds (CB) – Round 2, Pick 50 | New York Jets
• Kaelon Black (RB) – Round 3, Pick 90 | San Francisco 49ers
• Elijah Sarratt (WR) – Round 4, Pick 115 | Baltimore Ravens
• Riley Nowakowski (TE) – Round 5, Pick 169 | Pittsburgh Steelers
• Pat Coogan (C) – Round 6, Pick 194 | Tennessee Titans
• Aiden Fisher (LB) – Round 7, Pick 243 | Houston Texans

Despite the mass exodus, expectations remain sky-high in Bloomington. Cignetti has continued his mastery of the transfer portal, notably bringing in the aforementioned Hoover from TCU. He also added former Michigan State receiver Nick Marsh to pair with returning rising star Charlie Becker out wide. The Hoosiers also brought in former Northwestern running back Turbo Richard to combine with returner Khobie Martin in the backfield.

Defensively, coordinator Bryant Haines will be tasked with maintaining one of the most aggressive units in the country. Last year, Haines won the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant, after the Hoosiers finished near the top of the FBS in sacks (46), and tackles for a loss (129). They also forced the third-most turnovers (30) in the country. Though the team lost key edge rusher Mikail Kamara, linebacker Aiden Fisher, and stud defensive back D’Angelo Ponds to the NFL, they return some critical pieces up front. That includes defensive tackles Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino, and also added high-end talents like edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi and cornerback AJ Harris in the portal.

Entering the season, the Hoosiers are ranked in the top-10 by the preseason ESPN Football Power Index (FPI). Despite enormous roster turnover, they should once again be one of the top team’s in all of college football in 2026.

Oregon Ducks

After a College Football Playoff semi-final appearance in 2025, head coach Dan Lanning and the Ducks have National Championship aspirations this season. Potentially the most talented roster in all of FBS, Lanning looks to have the best team he has ever assembled.

On offense, star quarterback Dante Moore returns after bypassing the NFL for one more college season. Among the favorites for this year’s Heisman, Moore has a chance to further improve his pro stock and potentially become the first overall pick in the 2027 NFL draft.

At running back, the “thunder and lightning” duo of Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. will lead the backfield. Meanwhile, sophomore standouts Dakorien Moore and Jeremiah McClellan are expected to step up alongside fellow returner Evan Stewart and UAB transfer Iverson Hooks at receiver. Highly-touted tight end Jamari Johnson will attempt to fill the void left by first-round draft pick Kenyon Sadiq. The Ducks offensive line retained it’s veteran leadership, with starting center Iapani Laloulu and right guard Dave Iuli anchoring the front, complemented by Yale transfer Michael Bennett.

Even with so much firepower on offense, Oregon’s ridiculously loaded defense will be the team’s key to a potential national championship run in 2026.

The Ducks defensive line and edge rushers are elite, with their fearsome front featuring standouts Matayo Uiagalelei, Teitum Tuioti, Bear Alexander, and A’Mauri Washington. Despite losing Dillon Thieneman to the NFL, Oregon reloaded in the secondary by adding Minnesota transfer Koi Perich and Baylor transfer Carl Williams IV to an already formidable unit featuring Brandon Finney Jr. and Aaron Flowers.

The biggest question for the Ducks entering the 2026 season is how the team transitions under two new play-callers. Chris Hampton was promoted to defensive coordinator and Drew Maringer takes over offensive coordinator duties, with head coach Dan Lanning expected to remain heavily involved on defense. If the staff can get the most out of their star-studded roster, this could be the year Oregon finally puts it all together.

Ohio State Buckeyes

After winning the national championship two seasons ago, the Buckeyes are hoping to get back the promised land in 2026. Coming off a 12-2 campaign and CFP appearance, Ohio State will again be one of the best teams in the Big Ten and the entire FBS. Head coach Ryan Day returns a ludicrously talented roster which was only reinforced in the transfer portal, headlined by redshirt sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin and rising junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

In 2025, Sayin emerged as a Heisman Trophy finalist in his first year as the starter, while Smith cemented his status as one of the top receivers in the country. The Buckeyes offense brings back roughly 70-percent of its returning production from a season ago, and that continuity should help them immensely. Among the returners eyeing starring roles in 2026 are sophomore running back Bo Jackson, and senior wide receiver Brandon Inniss. Innis will pair with Smith to lead a perpetually stacked Ohio State pass-catching stable that now includes freshman sensation Chris Henry Jr. as well as UTSA transfer Devin McCuin and LSU transfer Kyle Parker.

While the Buckeyes offense looks to be a juggernaut, the biggest questions concerning Ohio State entering 2026 all center on their new-look defense. Despite losing top talents like Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, and others to the NFL draft, the Buckeyes have rebuilt the defense through the transfer portal. The defensive line is widely expected to be the team’s strongest unit on defense, anchored by end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Alabama transfer James Smith. In the secondary, Florida State transfer Earl Little Jr. and Duke transfer Terry Moore join returners Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Jaylen McClain, while transfer linebacker Christian Alliegro comes over from Wisconsin. Only time will tell if defensive coordinator Matt Patricia can integrate all the new pieces successfully, but the talent is definitely there.

Despite the considerable questions on defense, Ohio State enters the 2026 season ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) and will get every chance to prove worthy of their ranking with one of the country’s toughest schedules.

Michigan Wolverines

After finishing the 2025 season with a 9-4 record and losing to Texas in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, Michigan enters this fall as a massive question mark. Kyle Whittingham begins his first year as the Wolverines head coach following the unceremonious exit of Sherrone Moore after yet another scandal surfaced in Ann Arbor. With a proven track record of success at Utah, Whittingham will try to steady the ship and catapult Michigan back in championship contention. His presence will be a major focus for the 2026 Big Ten Media Days.

At quarterback, Bryce Underwood returns under center following an up and down true freshman season. Joining him in the backfield are running backs Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter. Marshall led the Wolverines in rushing last season, while Hiter is an electric five-star freshman phenom who will attempt to replace Justice Haynes, who transferred to Georgia Tech. As usual, Michigan will lean on a punishing ground game behind an offensive line looking to take a leap after struggling with consistency last season. Among the smattering of Utah transfers that followed Whittingham to Ann Arbor, wide receiver JJ Buchanan will combine with returning leading target Andrew Marsh to pace the Wolverines passing attack.

The other side of the ball projects to be Michigan’s strength in 2026, with the revamped defense boasting impressive experience with nine senior starters.

All-American edge rusher John Henry Daley also comes over from Utah to anchor the defensive line. Meanwhile, cornerbacks Jyaire Hill and Zeke Berry return alongside Utah transfer Smith Snowden and Memphis transfer safety Chris Bracy in the secondary.

With a whole new coaching staff and plenty of fresh faces on both sides of the ball, it may take some time for Michigan to find it’s identity. Unfortunately, with a brutal schedule featuring Oklahoma, Penn State, Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State on tap, Whittingham has his work cut out for him in Year 1 with the Wolverines.

2026 Big Ten Football Media Days Schedule

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

• July 28: Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, Rutgers, USC, Wisconsin
• July 29: Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Oregon, Purdue, UCLA
• July 30: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Washington