The college football season is just around the corner as we head into August. With the last three national champions coming from the Big Ten, it's hard to argue that any conference is stronger in college football right now. Here are five storylines that will define the Big Ten in the 2026 college football season. This group features a wide variety of players who will heavily influence how the 2026 season plays out. There is also Nico Iamaleava (UCLA), who once led Tennessee to the College Football Playoff but a year later won just three games at UCLA.