In the mega-expanded Big Ten, having an elite mind on the sidelines is the ultimate difference between contending for a national championship and scrambling for bowl eligibility. USA Today ran a comprehensive audit to rank every single Big Ten head coach heading into the 2026 season. From Curt Cignetti crowning an incredible national title run in Bloomington to top Ryan Day and Dan Lanning, to blockbuster moves like Kyle Whittingham taking over Michigan and Matt Campbell landing at Penn State, we break down the entire 18-team hierarchy. Check out our complete tactical breakdown to see where your favorite team's head coach lands entering 2026.

USA Today's Big Ten College Football Head Coaches Ranked 1-18: Going Into Week 8

USA Today's Big Ten Starting Quarterback Rankings: Going Into Week 8

Ranking the Top 10 Most Disappointing College Football Teams Going Into Week 8

ESPN Predicts the Record for All 18 Big Ten Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 8

Ranking the Top 50 College Football Running Backs Right Now

As the 2026 college football season approaches, USA TODAY Sports assembled a 10-voter panel to power rank the top 25 head coaches in the country. Following a chaotic expanded playoff season and a wild coaching carousel, the master list features major shifts across every power conference. From established heavyweights holding down the top tier to rising program builders like Rhett Lashlee, Jon Sumrall, Clark Lea, Josh Heupel, and Sonny Dykes cracking the rankings, we break down every coach's career record, key achievements, and 2026 outlook. Check out our full 25-coach power rankings to see where your team's leader sits.

USA TODAY's Top 25 College Football Coaches Going Into Week 8

Going 12-0 in modern college football is arguably the hardest feat in sports. As kickoff for the 2026 season approaches, ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) supercomputer simulated thousands of regular-season scenarios to calculate the exact win-out probabilities for every FBS program. Factoring in roster depth, efficiency ratings, and schedule difficulty, we expanded our master index to power rank the 10 teams most likely to finish the regular season undefeated. From Notre Dame, Texas Tech, Georgia, Indiana, and Ohio State leading the unblemished board to Miami, Oregon, Texas, Penn State, and UNLV lurking, we break down every program's FPI profile, team record, and path to perfection. Check out our full 10-team breakdown to see who could run the table.

ESPN Ranks College Football's 6 Undefeated Teams From Most to Least Likely to Win Out Ahead of Week 8

Michigan and Penn State enter winless in Big Ten play, with shaky offenses and coaches under pressure. The betting pick targets over 42.5 total points.

Michigan vs. Penn State Betting Pick: Over 42.5 Total

LATEST Curtis Jacobs NEWS

Alabama looks to rebound after losses to Georgia and Tennessee against a struggling Texas A&amp;amp;M team, with the falling 50.5 total offering betting value.

Alabama vs. Texas A&M Betting Preview & Prediction

LSU faces Auburn in a pivotal SEC matchup, with uneven wins, narrow losses and a brutal schedule ahead making this a must-win game for Lane Kiffin&#039;s team.

LSU vs. Auburn Preview: Can LSU Finally Find a Win?

Michigan hosts Indiana as Kyle Whittingham&#039;s Wolverines seek an upset, while questions grow over benched quarterback Bryce Underwood&#039;s future at Michigan.

Michigan vs. Indiana: Game Preview & Bryce Underwood's Future

Ole Miss fights to stay in the SEC race as Texas seeks a rebound, raising questions about blown leads, coaching, hype and Arch Manning&#039;s overall consistency.

Ole Miss vs. Texas: SEC Stakes & Arch Manning Debate

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View the profile of Penn State Nittany Lions LB Curtis Jacobs on SportsGrid. Get the latest news, stats, player prop picks, related players, and more on SportsGrid.com.

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LATEST Curtis Jacobs

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# · PSU · LB

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Curtis Jacobs is a LB for the Penn State Nittany Lions in the NCAAF.

Penn State Nittany Lions

NCAAF

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HEADLINES

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Colts Trade Rumors: Fantasy Impact on Taylor and Downs

Chiefs vs. Seahawks: Sunday Night Betting Outlook & Odds

Raiders vs. Rams Betting Pick: Back the Home Underdog

Sharp Money Backs Texas A&M & BYU in Key Week 8 Matchups

Ole Miss vs. Texas: Betting Odds & Expert Money Trends

Predicting the 1st Loss for the Remaining 5 Undefeated College Football Teams Heading Into Week 8

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NBA Opening Night Blowouts Fuel Regular-Season Backlash

The letter that will set the tone for the Lakers

Clippers dethrone the Sacramento Kings in regular-season opener

Ranking the 15 Worst NHL Free Agency Signings of the 2026 Offseason

Ducks bedeviled again on the road, drop 5th straight

Kings edge Islanders 3-2 on Clarke goal in overtime

Cooper Black to Become Tallest Goalie in NHL History

Nick Martinez and Long-Shot MVP Bets for Tampa Bay

Milwaukee Brewers Favored to Win 2026 World Series

Rays' Game 1 Pitching Surprise: Martinez Gets the Start

Brewers' World Series Odds Look Inflated vs. Tampa Bay

Ranking the Top 20 Players in College Basketball Right Now

Hoosiers and Tar Heels Meet in Indy for Exhibition Match

For Pastner, Rebels, it&#39;s about a chemistry test

TST Images: UCLA Men&#39;s Basketball Media Day

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UFC Prelim Parlays: Chopurov, Dawson and Murzakanov

Alexander Volkov Poised for UFC Heavyweight Title Shot

Kavanagh vs. Temirov Fight Preview: Odds, Picks and KO Prediction

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Sean Strickland Threatens UFC Exit Over Pay and Boxing

Kai Stewart vs. Bryan Duran Headlines BKFC Bruise Cruise

Jimmie's Passion Fuels a Triumphant New Jersey Return

Jimmie Rivera Breaks Down His Epic BKFC Knockout Win

USA TODAY's Top 15 College Football Quarterbacks Going Into Week 8

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College Football Chaos Fuels 24-Team Playoff Debate

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Rays and Milwaukee Set for a Thrilling World Series

SPORTSGRID SHORTS

Ranking the NFL's 15 Most-Likely Playoff Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 7

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Week 7 Start &#39;Em, Sit &#39;Em Fantasy Defenses/Kickers

ESPN Predicts the 14-Team NFL Playoff Field Right Now: Going Into Week 7

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Why the Packers Are a Super Bowl Value Bet at 30-1

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Bears Face Must-Win Thursday Night Game as Vikings Lead NFC North

49ers Hype, Mahomes Magic & Eagles Injury Concerns

12-Team College Football Playoff Bracket Based on the AP Poll Going Into Week 8

ESPN's Playoff Predictor Projects 12-Team College Football Playoff Field Going Into Week 8

ESPN Ranks College Football's 36 2-Loss Teams by Most Likely to Make the CFP

UCLA at 80-1: A College Football Playoff Value Bet

ESPN Predicts the Final Record For All 16 SEC Teams Going Into Week 7

College Football Picks: Miami, Georgia and Top Props

Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith Now the Heisman Trophy Favorite

Nico Expected to Surpass 184.5 Passing Yards Against Ducks

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College Football Playoff Chaos as Texas Doubts Grow

College Football Playoff Expansion and Florida's Future

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Spurs Lead in Western Conference Odds Over OKC & Denver

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Curtis Jacobs

# · PSU · LB

HT/WT

6’1”, 241 lbs

Birthplace

Glen Burnie, MD, USA

Class

Junior

LATEST Curtis Jacobs NEWS

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