A.J.

@Genetics56 UMDs gonna suprise alot of ppl. Malik has another yr under his belt w a new dynamic OC and the D will take a huge step thx to Elee. And the sked is pretty easy.

Start of the 2026 football season power rankings for Big Ten football. Legit playoff contenders: 1: Oregon - stronger O than D. Potential for the best O and D in the conference, if not the entire country. I'm expecting the O to be better than the D. 2: Ohio State -balanced team. I'm expecting a step forward on O but a step back on D. Potential for top 3 or 4 on both sides in the conference. 3: USC - potential as the best O in the country, should be at minimum avg D in the Big Ten, if not a top 5 D in the conference 4: Indiana - expecting a small step back on O, stronger D. Potential is there for the best defense in the Big Ten and in the entire country. 5: Washington - balanced team, potential is there for a top 5 O and top 5 D but not to the top 3 level within the conference, but should be no worse than a top 7 on either side. 6: Penn State- looking for a team that is above average in the conference on both sides of the ball, with improvements O efficiency compared to the past 2 seasons. 8 or 9+ win potential: 7: Michigan - I'm expecting some hiccups as the O matures into the new era. 8: Illinois - I'm concerned the talent will take a step back, putting the team in a tough challenge to win 9 games. D should be good with the former FCS HC now the DC. 9: Iowa - Never doubt Iowa. that's all I will say. 6-6 to 7-5 win potentials (likely 1 will surprise for their season win total being higher than expected) - in no order: Nebraska - gotta show the QB play can get the job done and the edge of the defense can stop anyone before we start talking more than 7 wins. Need to prove things on the field. Minnesota - if there is to be a national surprise, it would be the DL being one of the better in the country, but if they aren't, then this isn't a 9 win team. UCLA - This will be the most improved team to start the season. 4 wins to 7-5 type of win potentials - in no order (1 school is likely to surprise and be better than expected): Northwestern - can they not start slow? Maryland - need to see the D Wisconsin - need to see the O Rutgers - need to see the D Michigan State - need to see team talent Purdue - need to see the D

@Genetics56 Yup. And UNC.....maybe get serious abt FB and move on from Beli if its another joke season. And Duke....keep the momentum going. Man the B1G would be all the way turnt bringing those 4 in. But they've got to do their part.

Coming back to this - during the NIL/rev share era, the time to shine isn't 6 years from now, it was yesterday. Schools like Stanford, Cal, and others, the time to show you can thrive in the NIL era is today...for that potential Big Ten membership for next TV deal.

@Black41Reverse @Genetics56 Rather have Calford and or UNC-Duke.

@Genetics56 FSU & GT would be huge gets for BigTen.

The Big Ten conference made $490 million in NEW revenue by adding Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA!!! WOW! that is OVER projected valuations. Massive revenue increase. You are up next, Florida State. Adding the state of Florida would be another major revenue increase

@Genetics56 And eventually, the 20th team. (Cmon Calford, pick it up!)

Making good progress. Long ways to go for the conference as a whole to reach its full potential. I want the conference to get to the point where the 18th team can beat anyone in another conference.

@Genetics56 Not sure but I trust Harbs to make the right move there. And the AFCN just became at least a 2 team race w this trade, Steelers wont run away with it now. Back to NYG...assuming they take Mauigoa 5 could they double down on OL w like Vega or someone? Gotta protect Jax.

For the drafte folks out there, how will this impact a potential pick for 10th compared to the previous projections?

@buckeye__nick @B1OBEY0ND @Genetics56 Well we let uscw in so I guess there's precedent lol.

@B1OBEY0ND @Genetics56 We don't need Miami. We don't need an outlaw program. NFL city as well. They are trash and I don't care how much money and viewers they bring in. I just don't want them. Their academics would be in the bottom half of the Big Ten based on US News.

Pretty much. A lot will depend on how the governance stuff shakes out. That will impact things. Once we know where that is heading it will be pretty obvious, IMO, what comes next.

@CharlesGrisafi @Genetics56 if the uni prezes had their way it would be Calford and Duke/UNC. Nice and neat. And all 4 are additive IMO.

@Genetics56 I can’t imagine any schools other than ND, FSU, Miami, and UNC being under consideration at this point. Would you say that is accurate @Genetics56?

They already passed on Utah. A lot of schools would have to say no to the Big Ten for Utah even get a call or a phone answered. Going south/east would be the priority, just like it was before OR/WA made a choice to leave due to the TV deal they were presented with.

@KRoach32 @Genetics56 UMDs been a great and additive addition. Look at the B1G titles (reg szn and tourney), the academics, DC, the history. ACC hasn't been the same since they left either.

@Genetics56 Yeah man Rutgers and Maryland were AMAZING additions

The Big Ten's growth in being THE national conference has only begun. The fun is just getting started. Some great things are on the horizon.

@Genetics56 4-- solidify their status as THE academic-athletic (in that order) conf. Add Calford n UNC/Duke and call it a juggernaut. (NTM bring in some VERY affluent areas of the US)

Three things the Big Ten should do - 1: Push hard to get the revenue share cap removed 2: Mandate a minimal football spend of $60M annually and goes up each year 3: Launch the commericalization entity by football season

@Genetics56 UMich aaaaallllll the way. AZ hasn't played this type caliber team yet.

Alright, now Michigan vs Arizona. Winner wins the national title, IMO.

@joenole1986 @Genetics56 Cant leave Calford (or at least STAN) out in the cold this time though. But can only take but so many. (or so it would seem)

@Genetics56 FSU and Ga Tech to the B1G in the near-term would make a ton of sense, especially with Florida State on track for AAU acceptance. Miami's use of NIL and tampering with players (one being a Wisconsin athlete) certainly doesn't make the Canes look like FSU's future travel partner.

Florida State has been on Big Ten's offical expansion target list since Kevin Warren. They first came onto the list when Maryland joined the Big Ten. Back when Georgia Tech's leadership at that time said no to the Big Ten (what a mistake thatwas to say no).

@Genetics56 I felt all along like UNCs preference is the B1G and vice a versa. Makes sense on a number of levels.

I took a listen. That is an interesting comment, which is a new tidbit for me. If that is true, which I wouldn't think he would lie about such a thing, then the Big Ten could have a shot with UNC, UVA, Florida State, and Miami

@Genetics56 I mean every1 hates uscw tho.....

The "hate" between these two schools will only get stronger. And that is a good thing!

@Flydog92 @Genetics56 Ive got a feeling UMD is gonna have sumthin to say abt that.....

@Genetics56 Sadly, UConn going back 2 back tho

12 teams? Wow! Great job! I knew there were going to be a lot but to see 12 be the reality is one heck of an accomplishment.

@Genetics56 I wonder why UMD wasn't invited. Its the local rep of the premier NCAA conf (and a damn great school) with some great new leadership in place. I mean they're like right across the street.

Strategic seating position right here. Stanford + Big Ten 🤔

@Genetics56 It would be a helluva feather in our hat tho if we could pick off at least one of them. Imagine a Penn or Columbia or even a Princeton joining the B1G. (even if just for FB)

That isn't accurate. The Ivy stuff was of their own chosing. These days they seem to be warming back to the old days. I do not want to see those Ivy schools go all-in on this era because they would be a thorn to deal with.

@bjtcddjh @DanWetzel @CollegeGameDay @ReceDavis No they wouldn't.

@DanWetzel @CollegeGameDay @ReceDavis They (Michigan and Ohio State) would take USC with them before they took psu.

This part of @CollegeGameDay podcast with @ReceDavis has produced some “reaction” - would Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State ever bail on the Big Ten to do their own thing?

@Tigerpawz20 @TheVOCFB And if they're good enough the B1G will come calling quick.

@TheVOCFB Stanford with Andrew Luck as GM, investment and playing in the ACC has a shot. They are good at almost every sport other than FB so I could see it.

Kirk Herbstreit floated Vanderbilt, Northwestern, and Stanford as the next surprise programs. Be honest — is any of that realistic?

@Genetics56 I really doubt they beat UMD esp since it’s @ UMD.

If UCLA can beat Cal it can make a very interesting potential season for UCLA. San Diego State has to replace a lot of players they lost to the TP, lost their DC, and sets up an interesting game vs Purdue. UCLA and Purdue added a lot of new players to their rosters. If UCLA can get 2-1 in conference play after Oregon, then it is possible we could be talking about a 5-1 in conference play UCLA team. I'm not saying that will happen, but if the season went a certain way that would be the story of the season in the Big Ten. Very tough finish to the season though, with Illinois, Michigan and USC. But an impressive turnaround for UCLA is on the table.

@jazzvangogh I mean…..what’s wrong with wanting to be academically elite? That’s what a uni is (shld b) all abt. And they’re doing it organically, not gaming the system like uscw and others. The sports part will work itself out. You should be proud being an UMD alum.

Maryland Athletics as a whole is in the gutter attendance wise, and it starts with the university chasing education rankings. They ended up neglecting the students who care about sports and it shows. As an alumni I’m embarrassed. No pride, no connection, nothing…..