Big Ten sets 2026 early-season slate with five pivotal September clashes
Television schedule release highlights high-stakes rematches and playoff implications for Ohio State, Michigan, and USC ahead of the 2026 college football campaign.
The Big Ten conference has released its television schedule for the opening weeks of the 2026 college football season, identifying five critical matchups before the end of September that are expected to significantly influence the College Football Playoff race. This season marks the second year of the Big Ten's current expansion configuration, with the conference seeking its fourth consecutive national title.
Among the highlighted fixtures is the contest between Illinois and Ohio State. This represents the second meeting between the two programs since the 2018 season, with Ohio State winning the most recent encounter 34-16 in Champaign last year. Despite historical dominance by the Buckeyes, Illinois has recorded 19 wins in the Big Ten since the conference's expansion, ranking fifth in the conference. The outcome could serve as a significant resume booster for the Illini should they secure an upset against their traditional rivals.
Oregon faces a rematch against Boise State, revisiting their 2024 season encounter where Oregon secured a narrow 37-34 victory. This marks Oregon's first-ever win against the Broncos, having lost the first three meetings in the series. Boise State is expected to be a top Group of Six program this season, making the game a critical opportunity for both sides to establish their standing ahead of the playoff selection process.
The schedule also features a high-profile clash between USC and Oregon. USC enters the 2026 season with high expectations to qualify for the playoff for the first time in the 13-year history of the format, despite previous appearances by programs such as Texas Tech, Tulane, SMU, and James Madison. The Trojans view this home game against Oregon, the team that previously held the title of premier Pac-12 program before both joined the Big Ten, as a decisive step toward their goals.
Michigan takes on Oklahoma in a rematch of last year’s 24-13 defeat, which contributed to the Wolverines finishing the season 9-3. Michigan, which won a national title three years ago, has installed a new coaching staff and hopes for improvement from quarterback Bryce Underwood, who made his first road start in that previous contest. The Wolverines are expected to compete for the playoff annually and must secure victories in games of this magnitude to maintain their trajectory.
Rounding out the key September matchups is the rematch between Ohio State and Texas. The two teams previously met in a 14-7 defensive struggle last year, with Ohio State emerging victorious. This year's encounter in Austin will feature returning Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin against Texas’ Arch Manning, alongside some of the top wide receivers in the country. With both programs featuring strong defenses, the game is projected to be a potential indicator of the top two teams in the major polls at the start of the season.
