Week 1 Big Ten football staff picks

After getting a small appetizer with one Big Ten team in action in Week 0, the first weekend of the college football season is serving up a full course of Big Ten football. Week 1 of the 2026 season is upon us, and Penn State and the rest of the Big Ten teams will be in action to get the season started.

Going into the new season, there seems to be a trio of teams considered the favorites in the Big Ten. Unsurprisingly, they are Ohio State, Oregon, and defending national champion Indiana. All three will be in action in Week 1 with home games against non-power conference opponents. Oregon faces the toughest matchup of the three Big Ten heavyweights with a home game against Boise State, but all three are expected to prevail without too much trouble.