Big Ten preseason poll 2026 puts Ohio State over Oregon
Ohio State is No. 1 in the unofficial Big Ten media poll, with Oregon and Indiana close behind before media days in Chicago.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
Ohio State sits on top of the Big Ten preseason poll 2026, an unofficial media vote compiled by Cleveland.com and reported by CBS Sports ahead of the conference’s media days in Chicago.
The Buckeyes were picked first in a crowded race, with Oregon second and Indiana third. CBS Sports reported that the poll reflects a league with national title ambitions after Big Ten teams won the past three national championships.
According to CBS Sports, Ohio State, Indiana and Michigan combined for that three-year championship run, raising the stakes around the conference chase and the road to Indianapolis this season.
Who is picked to win the Big Ten in 2026?
Ohio State is the media pick to finish first in the Big Ten, according to the unofficial Cleveland.com poll cited by CBS Sports. Oregon is ranked No. 2, while Indiana lands at No. 3 after receiving five first-place votes in the poll.
The vote puts the Buckeyes and Ducks at the front of the conference race, with Indiana no longer treated as a novelty contender after its rise on the national stage, according to CBS Sports.
CBS Sports also pointed to Oregon’s quick climb under coach Dan Lanning as one reason the Big Ten race looks broader than a traditional power struggle. The Ducks enter the season as one of the league’s most prominent challengers in the media rankings.
What is the full Big Ten predicted order of finish?
The unofficial media poll ranks all 18 Big Ten football teams. CBS Sports listed the projected standings this way:
- 1. Ohio State
- 2. Oregon
- 3. Indiana
- 4. USC
- 5. Michigan
- 6. Penn State
- 7. Washington
- 8. Iowa
- 9. Illinois
- 10. Minnesota
- 11. Nebraska
- 12. Wisconsin
- 13. UCLA
- 14. Northwestern
- 15. Maryland
- 16. Michigan State
- 17. Rutgers
- 18. Purdue
The top seven show how packed the league’s upper tier looks on paper. USC is fourth, Michigan fifth, Penn State sixth and Washington seventh in the Cleveland.com media poll as reported by CBS Sports.
That order places several recognizable programs outside the top three before a snap is played. Penn State and Washington sit just behind Michigan, while Iowa leads the next group at No. 8.
What does an unofficial preseason poll mean?
An unofficial preseason poll is a media projection, not a conference result or binding selection. It is a snapshot of how voters expect teams to finish before the season starts.
The timing gives the rankings extra attention, with Big Ten media days set for Chicago. The poll frames early questions around Ohio State’s favorite status, Oregon’s challenge and Indiana’s attempt to stay in the league title conversation.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.