College football is back and the Big Ten Conference had 18 games played in the first week of the 2026 college football season with the result of many being blowouts.
The anticipation for the season has finally come to an end and most of the teams played as advertised. However, some teams hit the snooze button and it took them a moment to get into the game. Here is the Big Ten Roundup of each game involving a Big Ten Conference team.
Thursday: 37-21 Massachusetts vs Rutgers
Rutgers started the season off with a loss as the Minutemen dominated the Scarlet Knights from start to finish. The turning point in the game came in the second quarter as the Scarlet Knights turned the ball over twice, which gave Massachusetts the chance to create a massive 17-point second lead entering the second.
Rutgers could be in for a long season.
Thursday: 59-7 Minnesota vs Eastern Illinois
The Golden Gophers flew past the Panthers with ease as they controlled the game on offense, defense and special teams. Senior wide receiver Javon Tracy started the Golden Gophers season with a bang with two punt return touchdowns to cap off Minnesota's exhilarating blowout.
Thursday: 42-23 Illinois vs UAB
The Fighting Illini's new senior quarterback Katin Houser took over Illinois' offense exceptionally as they moved up and down the field at will. Illinois' defense also held strong as they limited the Blazers' scoring opportunities with senior linebacker Ismael Kante getting a late-game pick-six.
Friday: 39-0 USC vs Fresno State
The Trojans continued where they left off against San Jose State, as they muzzled the Bulldogs with a shutout. USC's star quarterback Jayden Maiava completed all but two of his 25 pass attempts and slung the ball all around the field for 349 passing yards for three touchdowns. Two of those came in the Trojans monster 23-point second quarter.
Friday: 44-19 Purdue vs Indiana State
The Boilermakers start the season off right as they cut down the Sycamores. The game was never in doubt with as Purdue's 10-point lead entering the second half grew to a 31-point lead beginning the fourth. Junior quarterback Ryan Browne put up two of his three touchdowns in Purdue's 21-point third quarter to put the game out of reach for Indiana State.
Friday: 30-20 Michigan State vs Toledo
The Spartans were able to hold off the Rockets in a closely fought battle. Michigan State had accrued a 10-point lead in the first quarter, but they found themselves behind 20-19 early in the fourth. The Spartans mustered a seven play, 70-yard drive to regain the lead and added another three in their next drive to seal the win.
Saturday: 56-3 Ohio State vs Ball State
Unsurprisingly, the No. 1 ranked team in the country had their way with the Cardinals as junior quarterback Julian Sayin carved the birds up for 320 passing yards and three touchdowns with just four incompletions on 25 pass attempts. Their star quarterback also tacked in another touchdown on the ground for four touchdowns in the season opener.
Saturday: 34-27 Oregon vs Boise State
The Ducks found themselves in uncharted territory as they were down by three at home entering the half to the Broncos. Oregon recalibrated and were able to tie the game up at 24 points each entering the final quarter of the game. Ducks senior quarterback Dante Moore launched a 62-yard bomb to sophomore wide receiver Dakorien Moore for the win.
Saturday: 52-16 Indiana vs North Texas
The Hoosiers new senior quarterback Josh Hoover left no doubt that he was up for replacing Fernando Mendoza. Hoover completed 13-of-16 passes for 231 passing yards and four touchdowns against the Mean Green with his running back room gaining three touchdowns of their own. Curt Cignetti's group looks to be just as competitive this season.
Saturday: 13-12 Michigan vs Western Michigan
The Michigan Wolverines hung on to a nailbiter with sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood's second attempt at a hail mary with one-second left on the clock connecting with sophomore wide receiver JJ Buchanan to steal the upset away from the Broncos. Western Michigan played well and the Wolverines are fortunate not to be starting the season off with a loss.
Saturday: 45-0 Penn State vs Marshall
The Nittany Lions might be under new leadership, but their defense remains fierce. They created two turnovers and held the Thundering Herd scoreless as former Iowa State signal caller Rocco Becht sliced up Marshall's defense for 271-passing yards and four touchdowns while completing 13-of-18 pass attempts.
Saturday: 40-0 Iowa vs Northern Illinois
The Hawkeyes defense remain dangerous as they engulfed the Huskies offense and sacked Northern Illinois' quarterback six times. On top of that, Iowa's senior running back Kamari Moulton had himself a day with 11 carries leading to 183 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Saturday: 49-21 Nebraska vs Ohio
The Bobcats attempted to put up a fight in the first half as they entered the second down 14-13. The Cornhuskers had different plans as they scored 35 points in the second half. New senior starting quarterback Anthony Colandrea threw two touchdowns and ran for another to do his part in the blowout victory.
Saturday: 62-0 Maryland vs Hampton
The Terrapins defense stifled the Pirates as they took down Hampton's signal caller five times and shut them out. Maryland's ground game ran away with the win as they scored six touchdowns with sophomore DeJuan Williams leading the group with two touchdowns and 116 rushing yards on three carries.
Saturday: 34-18 Northwestern vs South Dakota State
Despite the Wildcats holding the Jackrabbits to just field goals in the first three quarters, they found themselves in a close game in the fourth. South Dakota State scored their first touchdown in the fourth and the games was 20-18. The Wildcats offense answered the call and scored two touchdowns in the final seven minutes of play, including an 80-yard touchdown run by senior running back Joseph Himon II.
Saturday: 45-24 UCLA vs California
The Bruins entered the Chesney era and took the fight to the Golden Bears with a gritty performance that ended in a 21-point fourth quarter blowout. The Bruins will need to stack wins, but they appear to have a team and coaching staff that will be able to compete over the course of the season as they try to put Bruins football back on the map.
Sunday: 41-13 Notre Dame vs Wisconsin
The Badgers start their season off with a loss as the Fighting Illini awoke in the second half. Wisconsin managed to keep it a three-point game going into the half, but Notre Dame limited them to just four drives in the next two quarters. The Badgers were only able to get one field goal, as the Fighting Illini marched towards three touchdowns and a pick-six.
Sunday: 24-10 Washington vs Washington State
The Huskies defense kept the Cougars in check as they were held scoreless in the first three quarters. Washington State's offense were able to put together drives in the fourth that made the game closer, but junior quarterback Demond William Jr. led two drives, which resulted in 14 points in the fourth to put the game out of reach.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: 2026 Big Ten Roundup-- Week 1 filled with shocks and blowouts
