The 2026 Big Ten preseason poll, released by Cleveland.com, placed the Michigan Wolverines fifth among the conference’s 18 teams. Ohio State topped the poll with 15 first‑place votes, while Oregon followed with 11 and Indiana with five, rounding out the top three.
USC managed to edge ahead of Michigan for the fourth spot, a placement that reflects the competitive depth of the league and the shifting power dynamics within the Big Ten.
Key Storylines
Michigan’s new head coach Kyle Whittingham, a veteran of the sport, takes over after a period of transition, bringing a fresh philosophy to Ann Arbor and aiming to restore the program’s traditional dominance.
On offense, the Wolverines return eight starters, including quarterback Bryce Underwood, running back Jordan Marshall and receiver Andrew Marsh, giving the unit continuity and experience that should translate into a potent attack.
Defensively, Michigan will need to replace several key contributors, returning only three starters from the previous season; however, Utah transfer John Henry Daley earned a defensive player of the year vote, highlighting emerging talent on that side of the ball.
The poll also highlighted individual accolades, with Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith emerging as the consensus offensive player of the year candidate, while Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, a Detroit native, received eight first‑place votes for the same honor.
Minnesota defensive lineman Anthony Smith was selected as the defensive player of the year, edging out Oregon cornerback Brandon Finney Jr., underscoring the defensive talent spread across the conference.
Overall, the preseason projections suggest a tightly contested Big Ten race, with Michigan poised to challenge the traditional powerhouses and potentially break through to the championship game.