Big Ten Unveils 2026 Schedule, Five Early CFP Games
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- Big Ten released its television schedule for the first weeks of the 2026 season.
- Illinois will travel to Ohio State on Sept. 26, the second meeting since 2018 when Ohio State won 34‑16 and the Illibuck trophy is at stake.
- Illinois posted 19 wins over the past two seasons, ranking fifth in the Big Ten ahead of Michigan and USC.
- Oregon will host Boise State on Sept. 5 and USC on Sept. 26, giving both programs a solid resume opportunity as Boise State is expected to be among the best Group of Six programs and USC pursues its first CFP appearance in 13 years.
Why it matters: Illinois and Boise State gain early‑season credibility while Ohio State and USC risk a derailment; networks lock in high‑viewership slots before Sept. 30, boosting ad revenue and influencing the CFP selection committee’s early rankings.
