​The Big Ten has expanded three times since 2011, adding Nebraska in 2011, Rutgers and Maryland in 2014, and adding UCLA, USC, Washington and Oregon in 2024. The era of divisions in the Big Ten is over, and the strength of schedule in football has grown considerably for nearly every school.Coming off a season where three Big Ten schools made the College Football Playoff and six total schools finished in the top 25, the conference has never been more competitive. Entering the 2026 season, the West Coast schools are beginning to settle into the new norm of cross-country travel multiple times per year, and the remaining 14 schools are enduring the newfound increased strength of schedule.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBelow, we will rank every Big Ten team’s most important regular season game heading into 2026.Illinois: vs Iowa, November 21stIllinois has a considerably easier strength of schedule compared to last season. Although the Fighting Illini have to face off against both Ohio State and Oregon, the rest of the schedule won’t pose too much of a threat. A loss to those two teams is likely inevitable, but a win over a good Iowa team at home could keep Illinois in the conversation for one of the better teams in the conference.Indiana: vs Ohio State, October 17thComing off of the program’s first national championship in program history and first Big Ten Championship since 1967, Indiana is going to be circled on every team’s schedule. But I don’t think any team will have the Hoosiers circled more than Ohio State, looking to avenge a conference title game loss. Indiana can prove midway through its schedule that it’s looking to compete for titles yet again with a win at home over the Buckeyes.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIowa: at Michigan, September 26thFinishing at No. 17 in the final rankings last season, Iowa has a chance early on to prove that this season might finally be the season the Hawkeyes compete for titles again. With moderate games against Illinois and Washington on the road, a road win over Michigan in September can provide a huge boost of confidence for the rest of the season.Maryland: vs Rutgers, October 17thMaryland won its first four games last season and then lost every game the rest of the season. Although the Terrapins are returning 71% of their production from a season ago, early games against UCLA, Nebraska and Ohio State could lead to a similar fate to a season ago. An October win over Rutgers could break that spell and potentially lead to more wins down the road against the likes of Purdue or Wisconsin.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMichigan: vs Oklahoma, September 13thNow before Michigan fans start coming for my head saying it should be Ohio State because it always is, this year is a little different off the bat. The Oklahoma game in Week 2 will set the tone for the Whittingham era. The Wolverines’ loss to the Sooners set the tone last season of winning the winnable games and losing the