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 9

USA Today's Preseason Big Ten Quarterback Rankings: Stats Going Into Week 9

Ranking The Top 30 College Quarterbacks Right Now: Going into Week 9

ESPN Predicts Final Record for All 18 Big Ten Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 9

Dan Lanning&#039;s quarterback gamble nearly sank Oregon last week. With Dylan Rayola now starting, Illinois +10 is the pick as Oregon faces a tough road test.

Oregon vs. Illinois Betting Pick: Take the Illini +10

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Preview Miami-North Carolina, USC-Ohio State and Georgia-Florida, plus Heisman hopefuls, playoff pressure and Deion Sanders&#039; outlook at Colorado this season.

College Football Week 9 Previews: Miami, USC & Georgia

Lincoln Riley faces mounting pressure at USC as Ohio State visits the Coliseum, with critics arguing the fifth-year coach may be fighting to keep his job.

Lincoln Riley Faces Must-Win USC Showdown With Ohio State

Jeremiah Smith tops a Heisman ballot featuring Miami stars Malachi Tony and Darian Mensah, Notre Dame&#039;s CJ Carr, and Oregon State&#039;s Jesse Legree this year.

Heisman Trophy Top Five: Jeremiah Smith Leads the Race

Indiana&#039;s rise fuels debate over a 60-team college football super league, conference revenue sharing, and ESPN and Fox&#039;s grip on lucrative media rights.

College Football's Premier League and TV Monopoly Debate

LATEST VIDEOS

View the profile of Illinois Fighting Illini DB Mike Manning on SportsGrid. Get the latest news, stats, player prop picks, related players, and more on SportsGrid.com.

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LATEST Mike Manning

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#26 · ILL · DB

Mike Manning

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Mike Manning is a DB for the Illinois Fighting Illini in the NCAAF.

Illinois Fighting Illini

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HEADLINES

Lamar Jackson's Return Sets Up Ravens-Bills Shootout

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Titans' Risky Trade Gamble Puts Future on Draft Picks

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UNLV returns to &#39;Hardway Eight&#39; mode in 89-77 exhibition loss to BYU

NCAAB

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SPORTSGRID SHORTS

ESPN Predicts the Final Record For All 16 SEC Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 9

ESPN Ranks All 16 SEC Teams to Win the Conference Going Into Week 9

Checking Out Wins: Stanford’s ‘Library’ Has Bowl Ambitions

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Teams better be ready to pay up if the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes kick off

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Stanley Cup Showdown: Vegas vs. Carolina for the Title

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Cooper Black to Become Tallest Goalie in NHL History

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2026-27 NHL Season Begins: Key Teams and Betting Tips

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Spurs Lead in Western Conference Odds Over OKC & Denver

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TST Best Bets: October 28, 2026

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Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas lead No. 21 USC past San Diego State in 85-68 exhibition win

Mike Manning

#26 · ILL · DB

HT/WT

5’7”, 200 lbs

Birthplace

Frankfort, IL, USA

Class

Junior

LATEST Mike Manning NEWS

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