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Big Ten Releases Early 2026 Television Schedule
The conference announced broadcast details for its first weeks of play. Five September games were identified as most relevant to the College Football Playoff picture.
May 27, 3:30 PM·1m read1 source
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The Big Ten released its television schedule for the opening weeks of the 2026 season. CBS Sports identified five games scheduled before the end of September that it said would carry the largest implications for the College Football Playoff race.
Fifth on the list is Illinois at Ohio State on Saturday, Sept. 26. The teams last met in 2025, when Ohio State won 34-16. Illinois recorded 19 conference wins over the prior two seasons. Fourth is Boise State at Oregon on Saturday, Sept. 5. The result is viewed by the outlet as a potential résumé line for either program.
26. USC has not appeared in the College Football Playoff in its first 12 years of existence. Second is Oklahoma at Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 12. Michigan lost 24-13 at Oklahoma in 2025 and finished 9-3. Oklahoma reached the playoff after finishing 10-2.
12 as the game with the greatest projected effect. Last year’s meeting ended with Ohio State winning 14-7. The 2026 matchup will feature quarterbacks Julian Sayin and Arch Manning along with wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Cam Coleman.
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