Most Improved Big Ten Teams in 2026: Bruins, Badgers Could Prove Big Surprises

There are several great candidates for the most improved Big Ten teams in 2026, simply based off who they don’t have to face. The Big Ten might be home to the past three national champions, but it’s a very top-heavy conference.

If a school has Ohio State and Indiana on its schedule, it’s going to be hard-pressed to win 10 games. Conversely, getting to face Purdue and Rutgers is a big step in the right direction for a big year.

These teams appear to have the right combination of schedules, talent and coaching to make some noise in 2026. None of them won more than seven games last year, making for an excellent value play on their win totals this season.

UCLA Bruins (3-9 Last Season)

DeShaun Foster wasn’t ready to be a head coach. Some former NFL players are ready to make that transition immediately; others need to become coordinators first. Foster was in the latter camp, and UCLA suffered for it. The Bruins went 5-10 under him overall, including 0-3 last season before pulling the plug.

Bob Chesney comes in after continuing Curt Cignetti’s good work at James Madison. Chesney isn’t likely to take the Bruins to Indiana’s heights, but he should have UCLA back in a bowl game. The Bruins played much better after Foster’s firing, winning three of their next six and only failing to compete against Indiana.

This year, Indiana and Ohio State leave the schedule, and UCLA starts Big Ten play with Purdue and Maryland. The Bruins only leave the West Coast once before November, and they have 10 returning starters and a coach who knows what he’s doing. UCLA can realistically think about winning eight or nine games.

Wisconsin Badgers (4-8 Last Season)

Maybe things would have been different for Wisconsin if Billy Edwards hadn’t been lost for the year in the season opener. The Badgers collapsed from there, going 2-8 against Power Four competition.

Having stability under center should make a difference. Wisconsin finished minus-11 in turnovers; fixing that alone would make them one of the most improved Big Ten teams. The Badgers’ situation also helps; Luke Fickell knows he’s coaching for his job. And the schedule sets up well for him to save it; Wisconsin doesn’t play any of the Big Ten’s behemoths.

The opener is dramatically tougher; the Badgers start with Notre Dame in Green Bay. But after that, Wisconsin’s schedule gets much softer. The Badgers face Maryland and Purdue on the road, and they play Rutgers and Minnesota in November. As long as they don’t get buried early, Wisconsin has the potential to make a run to a bowl game.

Penn State Nittany Lions (7-6 Last Season)

Like Wisconsin, Penn State lost its starting quarterback to injury. Unlike Wisconsin, Penn State fired its coach. The Nittany Lions gave up on the season early, but their finish showed what they could be. Penn State nearly had Indiana beaten before the Hoosiers rescued their unblemished year in the final minute. Penn State responded by thumping Michigan State, Nebraska and Rutgers to get to a bowl.

Matt Campbell takes over with a team looking to prove itself. The expectations are always high at Penn State, and both the fans and the Nittany Lions themselves are anxious to bury last year’s disappointment. Like Wisconsin, cleaning up the turnovers would make a difference. Penn State lost the turnover battle five times in Big Ten play, and all five ended in a loss.

The schedule doesn’t include any of Ohio State, Oregon or Indiana. The Nittany Lions have all the pieces to be one of the most improved Big Ten teams this season.

Michigan State (4-8 Last Season)

Pat Fitzgerald has a history of doing more with less. He overachieved consistently at Northwestern, and he;’ll have to do the same this year in East Lansing.

Sometimes, a culture fit makes a real difference. In Jonathan Smith, Michigan State had a fish out of water running things. Fitzgerald fits with Michigan State far better, as he’s a Midwestern guy who is used to the Big Ten.

A bowl will be a tough ask with an inexperienced squad. But Michigan State does get seven home games, and Fitzgerald is motivated to prove he still has it. The Spartans have an outside chance to be one of the most improved Big Ten teams.