The 2026 Big Ten College Football Playoff Picture: Week 6

Through five weeks of the Big Ten season, we’ve seen contenders separate themselves, other contenders fall off, and a few surprising starts from projected bottom dwellers. Now that we are firmly in Big Ten play, the conference has been showing just how deep it is, with all of its impressive programs just beating up on one another, further proving that it’s the best conference in college football. Is the sarcasm thick enough, or do we need to lay it on any thicker?

There is plenty of football left to play, with each of the top programs slated to face off in the coming weeks. As for how it looks now, there are only a few programs positioned to try and extend the Big Ten’s championship streak to four.

Now that we are under a month until the first official College Football Playoff Committee rankings, things are starting to shape up.

The 2026 Big Ten College Football Playoff Picture: Week 6

Locks

N/A

For a few programs, hitting nine wins will likely clinch a spot in this year’s dance. Nobody is close to that just yet.

Contenders

#5 Ohio State (4-1, 2-0)

The Buckeyes keep on rolling behind new Heisman front-runner Jeremiah Smith. After setting the program records for receptions, yards, and touchdowns, he’s turned his eyes onto the Big Ten career numbers. There are things to nitpick from the win over Iowa, but the defense looked significantly better, and the offense is still the Ohio State offense. The Buckeyes still need a reliable WR2, but having the best player in college football at your disposal isn’t a bad thing.

#7 Indiana (5-0, 2-0)

The Hoosiers were coming off an impressively tough fight with Northwestern heading into Week 5. Josh Hoover and the defending champions got a get-right game in the form of Rutgers. The rushing attack is one of the best in the Big Ten. Add in the fact that Hoover has Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker, and this offense is going to be formidable for the long haul.

#13 Oregon (3-1, 1-0)

Oregon was idle last week, but it’s probably time to slide them back into the “contenders” crowd. Of course, the schedule presents a couple of opportunities to win its way into the field. The question will be whether or not Dante Moore suits up this week and whether or not he’s the same player coming off that nasty concussion. Oregon has the talent to get by, but having a potential top-five pick at quarterback is never a bad thing.

Just Outside

#19 USC (5-1, 2-1)

Last week, USC struggled at Washington, but still came away with a four-point victory. While the defense was a bit of a weakness in the first five games, it came up big in the win, thanks to a Jahkeem Stewart scoop-and-score. The Trojans get one more matchup against the flailing Penn State Nittany Lions before their bye. After that, things get a bit more difficult with three matchups with currently-ranked teams over the final five weeks.

#20 Iowa (4-1, 1-1)

Losing to Ohio State is never the end of the world. However, while the score was fairly close in the first half, the game was wholly in control by the Buckeyes from the jump. Iowa only managed 39 rushing yards and allowed Ohio State’s Julian Sayin-Jeremiah Smith connection to catch fire again.

Iowa is a good, well-coached team. As of now, no teams remain on the schedule that are currently ranked (though you could argue that Northwestern and Nebraska should be ranked). If Iowa can take care of business, it may have a case not only for the Big Ten Championship but for the CFP as well.

#21 UCLA (4-0, 2-0)

At 4-0, UCLA leads the pack of “wow, that’s surprising” teams from the Big Ten. Bob Chesney in year one is vying for Coach of the Year, but there’s so much football left to be played. The Bruins were idle this week after thoroughly dismantling Maryland. Looking forward, if UCLA can continue its hot start, 10-2 is very much in play. Only two teams left on the schedule are ranked, starting with Oregon this weekend.

Nebraska (5-0, 2-0)

One of the handful of unranked 5-0 teams, Nebraska has passed each and every test to this point. The Huskers got off to a slow start, but ultimately shut down Maryland, 48-23, thanks to a few well-timed splash plays from the defense. Nebraska was without its star freshman running back, so Anthony Colandrea picked up the slack by leading the way with 108 yards and 10 carries. His top target on the day was Kwazi Gilmer with 147 yards and two touchdowns.

We know, we know, Nebraska? Matt Rhule? The path to the CFP is there for the Huskers if they want it. However, with four ranked teams on the schedule, Nebraska is going to need to upset at least two to get into the conversation, starting with this week.

Surprises Of The Year

Northwestern (3-1, 1-1)

Who would’ve thought we would be talking about Northwestern in October? At 3-1 – with the one loss being an impressively close loss at Indiana – Northwestern is firmly in “create chaos” mode. The Chip Kelly hire has revolutionized the Wildcats’ offense. To this point, Northwestern is seventh in total offense, fourth in rushing offense, and seventh in points per game.

Last week, the Wildcats opened up their brand-new, state-of-the-art Ryan Field with the program’s first win over Penn State since…last year (which prompted a coaching change). Aidan Chiles is progressing at quarterback, and Caleb Komolafe is an emerging star at running back. There’s a good possibility that Northwestern is 6-1 before it takes on its stretch of three straight ranked foes (two of which can be found in the “Contenders” section)

Wisconsin (4-1, 2-0)

Remember when Luck Fickell’s seat was so lit ablaze that the Wisconsin decision-makers had to put out a statement that it was keeping Fickell around for 2026 and would up its NIL game? Well, now the Badgers are 4-1 and on a four-game winning streak. Sure, getting smacked by Notre Dame wasn’t ideal, but well over 100 FBS programs would fare just as well.

Could you name a single player on that team? No, of course not, but that’s how Wisconsin likes to operate. It doesn’t have a Ron Dayne, Jonathan Taylor, or Melvin Gordon-type of player right now. Wisconsin has been in rebuilding mode for a while, and it’s starting to pay off. A bowl game is the minimum for this year, but if the Badgers can upset one or more of the next three opponents on the schedule, plus win Paul Bunyan’s Axe, there will be so much optimism surrounding the program heading into 2027.

Minnesota (4-1, 2-0)

Speaking of rivalry wins, Minnesota won the Little Brown Jug over Michigan for the first time since 2014, and it was the first win in Minneapolis since 1977! The final score isn’t indicative of how this game went. The Gophers’ defense smothered the Michigan offense and forced Bryce Underwood to throw two interceptions. The only reason Minnesota only won 20-14 was that one of Michigan’s scores was a pick-six.

Are the Gophers for real this year? Minny has Purdue this week, then a bye, followed by three straight matchups with currently-ranked teams. We will know what kind of program PJ Fleck has once November hits.

Thin Ice

Penn State (3-2, 0-2)

The only reason Penn State isn’t already in “Eliminated” is because after this week, the schedule lightens up. Of course, what does that matter when you’ve already lost to Wisconsin and Northwestern?

Penn State could finish 9-3 without a single good win. The Nittany Lions will remain on thin ice until it either hits the top 25 or loses once more.

Washington (3-2, 0-2)

We were quite bullish on the Washington Huskies this year, but that confidence may have been a bit misplaced. After struggling to get by Utah State, Washington fell to Minnesota and USC in back-to-back weeks. The saving grace for Jedd Fisch’s club is that it has a few matchups in which it can prove itself. Washington could lose this week to Iowa and still be on thin ice until it loses again because of the final two weeks against Indiana and Oregon. The Huskies could sneak back into contention with wins in those two games, but it’ll be close.

Eliminated

• Michigan (3-2, 0-2)
• Illinois (2-3, 0-2)
• Maryland (2-3, 0-2)
• Michigan State (2-3, 0-2)
• Purdue (2-3, 1-1)
• Rutgers (1-4, 0-2)

We reserve the right to have a “Back From The Dead” section down the line, but as of now, three losses in five games isn’t a good indicator of future success. Michigan currently has two officially recognized losses, but in the minds of those who make the polls, the Wolverines are 2-3. Time will tell if Illinois can claw its way back into contention, but we are fairly confident in saying that, as of now, six Big Ten teams are eliminated from CFP consideration.

Week 6 Big Ten Week Schedule

• #20 Iowa at Washington (Friday, 9:00 p.m. ET)
• #7 Indiana at Nebraska (12:00 p.m. ET, FOX)
• Ball State at Northwestern (12:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network)
• #21 UCLA at #13 Oregon (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
• Illinois at Michigan State (3:30 p.m. ET, FS1)
• Maryland at #5 Ohio State (4:15 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network)
• #19 USC at Penn State (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
• Minnesota at Purdue (8:00 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network)
• Wisconsin: Idle
• Michigan: Idle
• Rutgers: Idle

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