10 important Big Ten games that will impact College Football Playoff race

January 27, 2026

By Cody Nagel, CBS Sports: With the Big Ten releasing the full 2026 football schedule, teams can finally start circling the dates that will shape the conference race and influence College Football Playoff positioning. While the opponents have been known since October 2023, the order of games and the context of the new season make certain matchups especially critical. The Big Ten has dominated college football recently, winning each of the last three national championships — including the first two under the current 12-team playoff format.

Seven Big Ten teams appear in CBS Sports’ way-too-early top 25, including contenders like Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State and Oregon all among the top 10. Penn State, USC, Washington round out the ranked group, with Iowa among those considered.

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2026 Big Ten football schedule: 10 important games that will impact the CFP race

With seven Big Ten teams ranked in CBS Sports' way-too-early top 25, these key matchups will shape the postseason picture for the conference in 2026

CBS Sports

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