SiriusXM Big Ten Radio’s Pre Season Football Power Rankings
The Ohio State Buckeyes are as usual loaded and enter the season as the top team in the country.
Ryan Day leads the Buckeyes into the new season as the No. 1 team in the country.
Pete Pistone and the rest of the SiriusXM Big Ten Radio team will unveil “Power Rankings” each week of the college football season. Check out their Pre Season “Power Rankings” below, and start listening to SiriusXM Big Ten Radio (Ch. 257) on car radios and the SiriusXM app now.
Here’s how the SiriusXM Big Ten Radio team voted to shape this week’s edition of the “Power Rankings” heading into kickoff for the 2026 season.
- OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes are as usual loaded and enter the season as the top team in the country.
NEXT: Home versus Ball State on Saturday
- OREGON
The Ducks have been so close in recent years and look to give the conference its fourth straight national title.
NEXT: Home versus Boise State on Saturday
- INDIANA
The remarkable National Championship season a year ago now begs the question of what this team can do for an encore?
NEXT: Home versus North Texas on Saturday.
- USC
Lincoln Riley feels he has his best team since coming to USC and tries to get the Trojans to the College Football Playoff.
NEXT: Home versus Fresno State on Friday.
- MICHIGAN
New head coach Kyle Wilingham will try to get the Wolverines back on track after much turmoil.
NEXT: Home versus Western Michigan on Saturday.
- WASHINGTON
The Huskies want to prove they belong in the upper echelon of the conference.
NEXT: Home versus Washington State on Sunday.
- PENN STATE
New head coach Matt Campbell looks to bring some Iowa State magic to Happy Valley.
NEXT: Home versus Marshall on Saturday.
- IOWA
Defense will lead the Hawkeyes as always in pursuit of a solid season.
NEXT: Home versus Northern Illinois on Saturday.
- MINNESOTA
Offensive firepower under coach PJ Fleck will be the focus in Minneapolis.
NEXT: Home versus Eastern Illinois on Friday.
- ILLINOIS
The Fighting Illini will have to fill the offensive hole left by last year’s quarterback Luke Altmyer
NEXT: Home versus UAB on Friday.
- NORTHWESTERN
The Wildcats new stadium doesn’t open until October and the team would love to christen it with an early season winning streak.
NEXT: Home versus South Dakota State on Saturday.
- NEBRASKA
Husker fans are praying for a return to glory after several mediocre seasons.
NEXT: Home versus Ohio on Saturday.
- RUTGERS
Coach Greg Schiano has his sights set on at least a six win season and a bowl berth.
NEXT: Home versus UMASS on Thursday.
- MICHIGAN STATE
Pat Fitzgerald is the new head coach in East Lansing looking to change things both on and off the field for the Spartans.
NEXT: Home versus Toledo on Friday.
- MARYLAND
Can Mike Locksley’s squad make some ground this year after scuffling in recent campaigns?
NEXT: Home versus Hampton on Saturday.
- WISCONSIN
A challenging year ahead for the Badgers gets off to a tough start against Notre Dame Opening Weekend.
NEXT: Notre Dame Sunday at Lambeau Field.
- UCLA
Bob Chesney is the new head man in Westwood tasked with the challenge of building nearly from the ground up.
NEXT: At California on Saturday.
- PURDUE
Second year coach Barry Odom and the Boilermakers have only one way to go but up in West Lafayette this season.
NEXT: Home versus Indiana State on Friday.
