The Big Ten opened its 2026 campaign with a mixture of unexpected defeats and convincing victories, setting a tone of parity that promises a competitive year ahead.
Early Upsets Rock the Conference
Among the most striking surprises, UMass ended a 16-game losing streak by toppling Rutgers, while Western Michigan delivered a historic upset against Michigan in the iconic Big House. Additional unexpected outcomes included Illinois’ dramatic Hail Mary catch that secured a 42‑23 win, Maryland’s crushing margin over lower‑division opponents, and Minnesota’s two punt‑return touchdowns by Javon Tracy that sparked a rally.
Other games underscored the league’s volatility: Wisconsin rallied in the second half after a 41‑13 setback at Notre Dame, Michigan State edged Toledo 30‑20 to avoid another upset, and Nebraska’s offense surged with four touchdowns from Anthony Colandrea in a 49‑21 victory over Ohio. Meanwhile, Rutgers endured a heavy 37‑21 loss that ranked among the worst defeats in program history, and Michigan’s 12‑7 defeat to Western Michigan ignited widespread criticism of the officiating.
Conversely, several programs began the season with commanding performances. Ohio State cruised past Ball State 56‑3, Indiana routed North Texas 52‑16, and USC improved to 2‑0 with a 39‑0 shutout of Fresno State, positioning itself as a potential playoff candidate. UCLA recorded a 45‑24 road win over California, while Oregon edged Boise State 34‑27, and Iowa’s offense exploded for 20 points in the opening quarter en route to a 40‑0 victory. Penn State opened under new leadership with a 45‑0 shutout of Marshall, and Northwestern surprised by beating South Dakota State 34‑18.
The early slate of games highlighted a balanced competitive environment, where traditional powerhouses faced genuine challenges and emerging contenders began to assert themselves. With USC, Ohio State, and UCLA among the early leaders, the conference appears poised for a tightly contested race that could reshape the playoff picture as the season unfolds.