Portnoy puts Indiana atop Big Ten power rankings
Dave Portnoy has ranked Indiana first in his Big Ten power rankings, with USC ninth, ahead of the 2026 season.
Dave Portnoy unveiled his Big Ten power rankings on the 2026 debut of Fox Sports’ “Big Noon Kickoff”, placing Indiana at No. 1 and USC at No. 9.
The rankings are Portnoy’s assessment rather than official Big Ten standings. The supplied ranking also identifies Ohio State, Michigan and UCLA among the teams assessed, but does not provide a reliable full order.
Portnoy’s list included each team’s 2025 record and betting odds for the 2026 season, including projected win totals and odds to win the Big Ten. Those figures are supplied market information, not guarantees of performance.
The Big Ten has 18 teams and enters the season with a strong recent record on the national stage. According to Fox Sports, a Big Ten school has won the national championship in each of the previous three seasons.
Three Big Ten teams reached the previous season’s College Football Playoff, with two advancing to the semifinals. Portnoy’s rankings offer one view of the conference’s competitive outlook as the 2026 season begins.
