College football 2026: Big Ten goes for 4th straight national championship. Is it Oregon’s turn?

The Big Ten football season of 2026 is captivated by the possibility of the conference clinching its fourth consecutive national championship in a row, a first occurrence in the modern poll era. Michigan secured the title in 2023, Ohio State followed suit in 2024, and Indiana claimed the crown in 2025. Now, Oregon is eyeing its turn at the top spot, led by star quarterback Dante Moore and a strong roster of returning starters and incoming transfers.

Their coach, Dan Lanning, expresses high expectations and pride in the team's efforts. A fourth consecutive Big Ten title would tie the SEC's streak from 2019-2022 but fall short of their record of seven consecutive titles from 2006-2012. Ohio State, returning players Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, enters the season as the No. 1 team in the AP Top 25, while Oregon occupies the No. 2 position.

The SEC, which had not fielded a team in the championship game since 2022, ranks five of the top ten teams in the preseason poll. The conference includes returning SEC title contenders Georgia and Texas, as well as Notre Dame, who have not won a national title since 1988 but are making a strong return after a successful 2025 season.

Miami, currently the top team in the Atlantic Coast Conference, is also a potential contender, with Miami's Malachi Toney and Notre Dame's CJ Carr being the top Heisman Trophy contenders.