By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
CHICAGO — With the last three College Football Playoff national championships won by Big Ten schools, the conference opened its 2026 Football Media Days this week with plenty of confidence and even higher expectations.
The annual gathering showcased some of the nation’s premier players, introduced several new head coaches and reinforced the Big Ten’s growing reputation as college football’s deepest conference.
Among the biggest storylines entering the season are coaching changes at several marquee programs. New faces include Matt Campbell at Penn State, Kyle Whittingham at Michigan and Pat Fitzgerald at Michigan State.
The league also featured some of its biggest stars, including Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, both expected to be among the nation’s top players this fall.
USC Eyes College Football Playoff
USC was represented by head coach Lincoln Riley, quarterback Jayden Maiava and defensive linemen Jide Abasiri and Alex VanSumeren.
The Trojans enter the season ranked No. 4 in the Big Ten preseason poll but face one of the nation’s toughest schedules, playing each of the three teams ranked ahead of them in conference play.
Despite the challenge, Riley believes this year’s roster is the strongest of his USC tenure.
“Our team is more equipped to be a College Football Playoff team than at any point since I’ve been here,” Riley said.
His confidence stems from a roster that includes the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class, several freshmen expected to contribute immediately, and a defense expected to take a significant step forward after the addition of longtime TCU head coach Gary Patterson to the coaching staff.
“The ball has been tougher to move in practice,” Riley said, crediting Patterson’s defensive influence.
Riley also praised Maiava’s development entering his third season with the Trojans.
“Of all the guys I’ve been fortunate enough to coach, I don’t know if I’ve had anyone improve from day one to this point as much as Jayden,” Riley said.
Maiava made significant strides between his first and second seasons under Riley, who has built a national reputation for developing elite quarterbacks.
New Era Begins at UCLA
UCLA introduced first-year head coach Bob Chesney, quarterback Nico Iamaleava, defensive back Cole Martin and linebacker Samuel Omosigho.
Chesney arrives in Westwood after posting a 21-6 record in two seasons at James Madison, leading the Dukes to a College Football Playoff appearance in 2025.
He has brought much of that success with him. Ten former James Madison players transferred to UCLA, joining a transfer class of 42 newcomers and a 20-player 2026 recruiting class.
One of the biggest questions entering preseason camp will be how quickly Iamaleava develops under new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dean Kennedy and how the Bruins build chemistry with an influx of 62 newcomers while establishing Chesney’s culture.
Martin, an Oklahoma transfer and Pasadena native, returns after starting all 12 games in UCLA’s secondary last season. He was one of only three Bruins defensive players to start every game in 2025.
Martin helped UCLA limit opponents to 196.6 passing yards per game last season, ranking 34th nationally. That marked a dramatic improvement from 2024, when the Bruins allowed 244.7 passing yards per contest.
High Expectations Across the Conference
With defending national champion Ohio State leading the preseason rankings, followed by Oregon and Indiana, the Big Ten enters the 2026 season with multiple teams expected to contend for the College Football Playoff.
Media Days made one thing clear: after producing the last three national champions, the Big Ten expects to remain at the center of the college football conversation this fall.