The Wildcats enter the 2026 season projected to finish 14th in the Big Ten preseason media poll. Northwestern will aim to exceed expectations behind new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, quarterback Aidan Chiles and one of the conference's most experienced returning rosters.
With Big Ten Media Days set to begin this week in Chicago, preseason expectations for the conference are officially taking shape.
Since the Big Ten does not release an official preseason poll, several media outlets, including Cleveland.com, USA TODAY and The Bill and Doug Show, publish their own projected order of finish based on votes from media members who cover the conference.
Cleveland.com's annual preseason media poll was released Monday, with 31 writers voting on the conference standings ahead of the 2026 season.
Northwestern was projected to finish 14th in the 18-team conference.
While the Wildcats aren't expected to contend for a Big Ten title entering the year, the ranking places them ahead of Maryland, Michigan State, Rutgers and Purdue. Considering Northwestern's difficult schedule and the addition of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator, the projection represents a respectable starting point for a program entering a new offensive era.
Unsurprisingly, Ohio State claimed the top spot in the preseason poll once again, followed by Oregon and defending Big Ten champion Indiana.
Ohio State received 15 first-place votes, while Oregon earned 11 and Indiana collected the remaining five. Every ballot featured some combination of those three teams reaching the Big Ten Championship Game.
For Northwestern, however, the focus isn't on preseason predictions.
Head coach David Braun enters the 2026 season with plenty of optimism after retaining much of last year's core while adding one of college football's most respected offensive minds in Chip Kelly.
The Wildcats also enter the season with an experienced quarterback in Aidan Chiles, breakout running back Caleb Komolafe and one of the conference's more intriguing offenses.
Kelly's arrival has generated excitement throughout Evanston after helping lead Ohio State to a national championship in 2025. His reputation for developing quarterbacks and maximizing offensive talent gives Northwestern reason to believe it can take another step forward despite one of the conference's toughest schedules.
Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive coordinator Chip Kelly celebrates after winning against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesThe Wildcats also return 27 of the 30 players who logged more than 100 meaningful snaps last season, providing continuity that Braun emphasized throughout the offseason. Combined with the highly anticipated opening of the new Ryan Field on Oct. 2, expectations around the program continue to rise even if the preseason poll places Northwestern in the lower half of the conference.
Preseason polls rarely tell the full story. Every season, teams outperform expectations, and Northwestern will look to be one of those surprises in 2026.
If Chiles settles into Kelly's offense, Komolafe builds on last year's breakout campaign and Northwestern continues its upward trajectory under Braun, the Wildcats could outperform their preseason projection and climb the Big Ten standings by season's end.
For now, Northwestern enters the season projected to finish 14th in the conference. With an experienced roster, a new offensive coordinator in Kelly and quarterback Aidan Chiles leading the offense, the Wildcats will have every opportunity to outperform expectations once the 2026 season kicks off.
