NCAAF · 1 hour ago

CBS Sports Reveals Predictions for Each Big Ten CFB Team Outlining Win Totals, Odds & Game Picks

John Canady

Host · Writer

Wisconsin Badgers
The pressure remains on Luke Fickell after a disappointing run through conference play over the last two seasons. Wisconsin's schedule is manageable, but the Badgers still need to prove they can turn favorable opportunities into wins.

"Now the question is whether that late momentum carries into 2026 or if the Badgers slide back." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 6.5 wins

Projected Wins: Western Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Michigan State, at Maryland,

Projected Losses: Notre Dame, at Penn State, at UCLA, USC, at Iowa, Rutgers, at Purdue, Minnesota

CBS Sports Prediction: Under 6.5 wins
Illinois Fighting Illini
Replacing Luke Altmyer won't be easy, but Illinois has a favorable schedule that should give Katin Houser a chance to settle in quickly. If the Fighting Illini take care of business in the games they're expected to win, another eight-win regular season is well within reach.

"Even if November brings a couple stumbles, the path sets up well for Illinois to clear the number." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 7.5 wins

Projected Wins: UAB, Duke, Southern Illinois, Purdue, at Michigan State, at Maryland, Nebraska, Iowa

Projected Losses: at Ohio State, Oregon, at UCLA, at Northwestern

CBS Sports Prediction: Over 7.5 wins
Indiana Hoosiers
Last season proved Indiana wasn't a fluke, and Curt Cignetti has again reloaded the roster through the transfer portal. The Hoosiers should remain one of the Big Ten's top contenders, but navigating a tougher schedule makes another 11-win campaign a much taller task.

"But with a tougher schedule this time, reaching 11 wins will be a difficult ask." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 10.5 wins

Projected Wins: North Texas, Howard, Western Kentucky, Northwestern, at Rutgers, at Nebraska, at Michigan, Minnesota, USC, Purdue

Projected Losses: Ohio State, at Washington

CBS Sports Prediction: Under 10.5 wins
Iowa Hawkeyes
No matter how much college football changes, Kirk Ferentz continues to keep Iowa in the win column. The Hawkeyes may have to replace key pieces up front, but the schedule lines up favorably enough for another season that meets the program's usual standard.

"Iowa remains one of the most stable programs in the country under Kirk Ferentz, consistently punching above projections." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 7.5 wins

Projected Wins: Northern Illinois, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, at Minnesota, Wisconsin, at Northwestern, Purdue, Nebraska

Projected Losses: at Michigan, Ohio State, at Washington, at Illinois

CBS Sports Prediction: Over 7.5 wins
Maryland Terrapins
There's more experience returning to College Park than there has been in recent years, and Malik Washington gives Maryland some reason for optimism offensively. Still, until the Terrapins prove they can consistently win conference games, expectations will remain tempered.

"Quarterback Malik Washington offers real upside, but it may not be enough to change the trajectory of Mike Locksley's tenure in College Park." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 4.5 wins

Projected Wins: Hampton, at UConn, UCLA, Rutgers, at Purdue

Projected Losses: Virginia Tech, at Nebraska, at Ohio State, Illinois, Wisconsin, at USC, Penn State

CBS Sports Prediction: Over 4.5 wins
Michigan Wolverines
The arrival of Kyle Whittingham brings plenty of intrigue to Ann Arbor, but the Wolverines aren't getting any favors from the schedule. With several heavyweight matchups stacked throughout the season, reaching nine wins could be a challenge even for a talented roster.

"That's a brutal path to try to reach nine wins." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 8.5 wins

Projected Wins: Western Michigan, UTEP, Iowa, at Minnesota, Penn State, at Rutgers, Michigan State, UCLA

Projected Losses: Oklahoma, Indiana, at Oregon, at Ohio State

CBS Sports Prediction: Under 8.5 wins
Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans aren't expected to contend near the top of the conference, but there are enough winnable games on the schedule to avoid a complete rebuild season. Pat Fitzgerald has made a career out of squeezing extra wins out of difficult situations, and Michigan State will need that formula again.

"For a coach who more often than not produced more with less, why shouldn't Michigan State expect the same?" — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 3.5 wins

Projected Wins: Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Northwestern, at Rutgers

Projected Losses: at Notre Dame, Nebraska, at Wisconsin, Illinois, at UCLA, at Michigan, Washington, Oregon

CBS Sports Prediction: Over 3.5 wins
Minnesota Golden Gophers
P.J. Fleck has built a program that rarely stays down for long, and this year feels much the same. The Golden Gophers have enough returning production to grind out bowl eligibility, even if their ceiling remains limited against the conference's top teams.

"Only twice in eight full seasons under P.J. Fleck has Minnesota failed to reach six wins, establishing a consistent baseline." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 6.5 wins

Projected Wins: Eastern Illinois, Akron, at Purdue, UCLA, Northwestern, at Wisconsin

Projected Losses: Mississippi State, at Washington, Michigan, Iowa, at Indiana, at Penn State

CBS Sports Prediction: Under 6.5 wins
Nebraska Cornhuskers
For once, Nebraska enters a season without overwhelming offseason drama, which may be a positive sign. Whether it's TJ Lateef or Anthony Colandrea under center, the Cornhuskers have a chance to take a modest step forward and finally stack together a winning campaign.

"This is the quietest offseason Nebraska football has had in a while." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 6.5 wins

Projected Wins: Ohio, Bowling Green, North Dakota, at Michigan State, Maryland, Washington, at Rutgers

Projected Losses: Indiana, at Oregon, at Illinois, Ohio State, at Iowa

CBS Sports Prediction: Over 6.5 wins
Northwestern Wildcats
A new offensive approach under Chip Kelly should make Northwestern one of the more interesting teams in the league. The problem is the Wildcats drew one of the conference's toughest schedules, leaving very little margin for error in their push for another bowl appearance.

"But a brutal schedule -- including road trips to Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon -- makes that climb steep." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 5.5 wins

Projected Wins: South Dakota State, Colorado, Ball State, Rutgers, Illinois

Projected Losses: at Indiana, Penn State, at Michigan State, at Oregon, Iowa, at Ohio State, at Minnesota

CBS Sports Prediction: Under 5.5 wins
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes once again look like a safe bet to reach double-digit wins, even with one of the most demanding schedules in the country. Ryan Day has plenty of talent to work with, and Ohio State remains the standard every Big Ten team is chasing.

"Still, the Buckeyes have too much talent not to clear this number." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 9.5 wins

Projected Wins: Ball State, Kent State, Illinois, at Iowa, Maryland, at Indiana, at USC, Oregon, Northwestern, at Nebraska, Michigan

Projected Losses: at Texas

CBS Sports Prediction: Over 9.5 wins
Oregon Ducks
The Ducks look built for another run at the top of the Big Ten, even after losing both coordinators this offseason. With Dante Moore stepping into the spotlight and a veteran defense returning, Oregon has all the pieces to spend the season firmly in the national title conversation.

"That trip to Columbus now looms as the most probable loss, but it could be the only one." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 10.5 wins

Projected Wins: Boise State, at Oklahoma State, Portland State, at USC, UCLA, Nebraska, at Illinois, Northwestern, Michigan, at Michigan State, Washington

Projected Losses: at Ohio State

CBS Sports Prediction: Over 10.5 wins
Penn State Nittany Lions
The schedule sets up favorably for Matt Campbell's first season in Happy Valley, but there are still plenty of unknowns surrounding a roster loaded with transfers. Penn State should be competitive right away, though a few swing games could be the difference between a strong debut and a double-digit win season.

"Matt Campbell couldn't have asked for a better schedule for his debut at Penn State." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 8.5 wins

Projected Wins: Marshall, at Temple, Buffalo, Wisconsin, at Northwestern, Purdue, Minnesota, Rutgers, at Maryland

Projected Losses: USC, at Michigan, at Washington

CBS Sports Prediction: Over 8.5 wins
Purdue Boilermakers
It's been a rough stretch for Purdue, and Barry Odom inherits one of the toughest rebuilding jobs in the conference. The Boilermakers may be more competitive this fall, but turning that progress into wins won't be easy against a schedule loaded with difficult matchups.

"Even if Purdue finds a way to steal one against Wisconsin, it's hard to see four wins." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 3.5 wins

Projected Wins: Indiana State, Wisconsin

Projected Losses: Wake Forest, at UCLA, Notre Dame, at Illinois, Minnesota, Washington, at Penn State, Maryland, at Iowa, at Indiana

CBS Sports Prediction: Under 3.5 wins
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Rutgers returns some proven talent, but replacing Athan Kaliakmanis leaves a major question mark on offense. The Scarlet Knights should remain competitive most weeks, though finding five wins feels like a challenge with so much uncertainty surrounding the roster.

"There are still too many questions on both sides of the ball to trust this group to reach five wins." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 4.5 wins

Projected Wins: UMass, at Boston College, Howard, at Northwestern

Projected Losses: USC, Indiana, at Maryland, Michigan, at Wisconsin, Nebraska, at Penn State, Michigan State

CBS Sports Prediction: Under 4.5 wins
UCLA Bruins
Year 2 with Nico Iamaleava gives UCLA a solid foundation offensively, and the Bruins should be more dynamic under the new staff. The issue is that bowl eligibility may require stealing a road game or two, something that's often easier said than done in the Big Ten.

"There's enough here to steal one like Illinois, but the Bruins likely need one, maybe two, road upsets to reach a bowl." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 6.5 wins

Projected Wins: San Diego State, Purdue, Michigan State, Nevada, Illinois

Projected Losses: at California, at Maryland, at Oregon, Wisconsin, at Minnesota, at Michigan, USC

CBS Sports Prediction: Under 4.5 wins
USC Trojans
This feels like a pivotal season for Lincoln Riley, especially with a roster talented enough to compete for a playoff spot. The Trojans won't have much margin for error with a demanding schedule, but their overall talent should keep them in the hunt for nine or more wins.

"This is a prove-it season for Lincoln Riley and USC." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 8.5 wins

Projected Wins: San Jose State, Fresno State, Louisiana, at Rutgers, Washington, at Penn State, at Wisconsin, Maryland, at UCLA

Projected Losses: Oregon, Ohio State, at Indiana

CBS Sports Prediction: Over 8.5 wins
Washington Huskies
The Huskies have quietly positioned themselves as one of the conference's most intriguing dark horses. If Demond Williams settles in and the offense takes another step forward, Washington could spend much of the season hanging around the playoff conversation.

"The Huskies should be a legitimate Big Ten dark horse." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 7.5 wins

Projected Wins: Washington State, Utah State, Eastern Washington, Minnesota, Iowa, at Purdue, Penn State, at Michigan State, Indiana

Projected Losses: at USC, at Nebraska, at Oregon

CBS Sports Prediction: Over 7.5 wins
Wisconsin Badgers
The pressure remains on Luke Fickell after a disappointing run through conference play over the last two seasons. Wisconsin's schedule is manageable, but the Badgers still need to prove they can turn favorable opportunities into wins.

"Now the question is whether that late momentum carries into 2026 or if the Badgers slide back." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 6.5 wins

Projected Wins: Western Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Michigan State, at Maryland,

Projected Losses: Notre Dame, at Penn State, at UCLA, USC, at Iowa, Rutgers, at Purdue, Minnesota

CBS Sports Prediction: Under 6.5 wins
Illinois Fighting Illini
Replacing Luke Altmyer won't be easy, but Illinois has a favorable schedule that should give Katin Houser a chance to settle in quickly. If the Fighting Illini take care of business in the games they're expected to win, another eight-win regular season is well within reach.

"Even if November brings a couple stumbles, the path sets up well for Illinois to clear the number." — Cody Nagel

Over/Under 7.5 wins

Projected Wins: UAB, Duke, Southern Illinois, Purdue, at Michigan State, at Maryland, Nebraska, Iowa

Projected Losses: at Ohio State, Oregon, at UCLA, at Northwestern

CBS Sports Prediction: Over 7.5 wins

CBS Sports Reveals Predictions for Each Big Ten CFB Team Outlining Win Totals, Odds & Game Picks

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