The defending national champions are riding a wild wave right now, pulling off back-to-back overtime wins against Michigan and Minnesota. But don’t let those clutch finishes fool you, folks, because there is real talk of a quarterback change brewing. Josh Hoover’s play has been inconsistent, and head coach Curt Cignetti is reportedly eyeing alternatives. This is huge, considering the high stakes for a reigning champ early in the season.
Big Ten Battles Are Already Getting Wild
The CBS Sports college football schedule for 2026 is absolutely loaded, with 14 Big Ten games hitting the airwaves, mostly at that classic 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff. We are talking marquee matchups that could completely flip the College Football Playoff picture.
Take Week 10, for example: Oregon is heading to Ohio State on November 7. This is not just another game; it is a pivotal moment for the Buckeyes in the CFP discussion, especially since they are coming off a loss at USC. You have to wonder how that loss is affecting their mindset heading into such a critical conference showdown.
Speaking of the Trojans, Lincoln Riley’s squad is out here controlling their own destiny. They have multiple chances to impress the selection committee and they are traveling to Indiana on November 14 for CBS’s featured game. USC at Rutgers kicks off the CBS Big Ten slate on September 19, and Iowa at Michigan on September 26 is another one to circle. The Buckeyes will also face Iowa on October 3. These games are not just for bragging rights, they are straight up playoff qualifiers.
The Pac-12 Is Back, Baby, And Rivalries Continue
Beyond the Big Ten fireworks, the return of the Pac-12 on CBS Sports is a storyline you cannot overlook. We are getting coverage of the new-look league, including some high-profile nonconference games and, yes, the Pac-12 Championship Game on CBS on December 4. That championship game is going to be appointment television. We will also see Arizona at Washington State on September 26 and UCLA at Oregon on October 10.
And who can forget those timeless rivalries? CBS Sports is bringing us three games for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. The Army-Navy game, a tradition unlike any other, is set for December 12 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Before that, we will see Navy at Air Force on October 3 and Air Force at Army on November 7. Plus, the Black Friday rivalry game between Nebraska and Iowa goes down on November 27 at noon ET, hosted in Iowa City. The schedule wraps up the Big Ten regular season on November 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on December 31.
This 2026 season is already shaping up to be a wild ride, with championship dreams on the line, rivalries heating up, and major shake ups happening even before the biggest games are played. Keep your eyes on that defending national champion QB situation; it could define their season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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