Ohio State Tops 2026 Big Ten Preseason Media Polls as Clear Favorite

Ohio State enters the 2026 college football season as the consensus favorite in the Big Ten according to multiple preseason media polls.

The Buckeyes claimed the top spot in Cleveland.com’s 16th annual Big Ten media poll, collecting 15 first-place votes and 540 points from 31 voters. Oregon finished a close second with 11 first-place votes and 527 points, while defending national champion Indiana landed third with five first-place nods.

The early rankings set the stage for what is expected to be another highly competitive Big Ten race.

Cleveland.com Big Ten Media Poll 2026: Full Top of the Standings

Ohio State’s narrow victory in the Cleveland.com poll highlights both its perceived strength and the respect given to Oregon. The six-point gap between the top two teams shows how tightly the conference is viewed at the top.

Behind Indiana, the next tier includes USC, Michigan, and Penn State. This order closely mirrors results from other early polls, including The Bill and Doug Show and USA Today’s preseason rankings, reinforcing Ohio State’s status as the team to beat.

ESPN Football Power Index Backs Ohio State’s Championship Odds

Beyond media ballots, advanced metrics also favor the Buckeyes. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Ohio State a 76% chance of reaching the 12-team College Football Playoff and a 17% chance of winning the national championship.

Those numbers place Ohio State among the strongest teams in the country heading into the season and give quantitative support to the media’s top ranking.

Fan Reaction and Ranking Debates Heat Up

As expected, the early rankings have sparked discussion across the conference. Some Oregon supporters have questioned whether media bias played a role in Ohio State finishing ahead of the Ducks despite the close point totals. Meanwhile, Nebraska fans are closely watching their team’s placement near the bottom of the top 12, noting a difficult upcoming schedule that could make climbing the standings challenging.

These debates are typical of preseason polls and often fuel early-season storylines once games begin.

What the 2026 Big Ten Preseason Rankings Mean

Being ranked No. 1 in the major Big Ten media polls brings both prestige and pressure. Ohio State will be expected to control its conference schedule while positioning itself for a deep playoff run. Oregon, Indiana, USC, Michigan, and Penn State all sit close enough that any slip could quickly reshuffle the order.

With fall camp approaching and the season still months away, these preseason rankings serve as an early measuring stick. Ohio State currently sits alone at the top of the Big Ten in the eyes of the media and the advanced metrics — a position the Buckeyes will look to defend once the games start counting.