Big Ten on CBS 2026 schedule: Michigan vs. Iowa, Ohio State vs. Iowa headline

The CBS Sports college football schedule for the 2026 season is loaded with marquee matchups this fall, highlighted by 14 appearances of the Big Ten on CBS at the usual kickoff of 3:30 p.m. ET. 

College football’s Week 4 slate includes two unbeatens squaring off in Ann Arbor as 17th-ranked Iowa battles 18th-ranked Michigan, offering an early separator, of sorts, within the league standings. The Hawkeyes are featured again on Oct. 3 when they entertain Ohio State at home.

CBS will also broadcast the Black Friday rivalry game between Nebraska and Iowa, this year set for Iowa City on Nov. 27 at 12 p.m. ET, before the final Big Ten on CBS game of the regular season on Nov. 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET.  

Of the many storylines to follow this season in college football that will not be overlooked is the return of the Pac-12. CBS Sports will be bringing you coverage of the new-look league on CBS and CBS Sports Network, including some high-profile nonconference games and the Pac-12 Championship Game at the end of the season on CBS. 

Of course, in addition to the Big Ten games and Pac-12 games on the docket, CBS Sports will also feature three games in the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy rivalry between Army, Navy and Air Force, which will conclude with the Army-Navy game in its traditional spot on the calendar, this year being hosted at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 

Check out the full schedule below of games on CBS and Paramount+ and a closer look at the top matchups that will be featured as part of the early CBS college football schedule.  

2026 CBS college football schedule

CBS will announce additional details on its 2026 roster of games and studio announcers at a later date. 

Now let’s highlight the top games set for CBS this season.   

Sept. 26: Iowa at Michigan

Points coming at a premium

Considering the defensive strength of these two teams at the line of scrimmage, the ability to extend possessions and execute in the red zone will be paramount when the Hawkeyes and Wolverines get together at Michigan Stadium. Michigan has won four straight in the series dating back to the 2019 season, two of which have come in the Big Ten Championship Game. Iowa’s lone touchdown against the Wolverines over that stretch came four years ago in Iowa City during a 27-14 setback.

After failing to produce a starting quarterback during fall camp, Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski shared snaps in the opener before Brown separated himself during a Week 2 victory at Iowa State. The former Auburn transfer is in his second season in Tim Lester’s offense. Michigan has its own quarterback situation brewing with sophomore Bryce Underwood, whose first couple of starts this fall have left much to be desired in the passing game.

Oct. 3: Ohio State at Iowa

Danger zone for Buckeyes

Ohio State has won 15 of its last 17 games in this matchup, but both losses came in Iowa City (2017; 2004). The second road game for the Buckeyes this season after they squandered a 20-point fourth-quarter lead at Texas in Week 2, this one’s a must-win for a team with Big Ten championship and CFP expectations. Kirk Ferentz’s squad is playing lights out defensively, only yielding 13 total points after the first three games of the season.

Keep an eye on Iowa’s rushing attack in this one. Kamari Moulton’s the bell cow for a backfield averaging 7.4 yards per carry behind a veteran offensive front. The Buckeyes’ last Big Ten road loss in the regular season came in 2023 when Michigan clipped Ohio State, 30-24.

Nov. 27: Nebraska at Iowa

A guaranteed Black Friday grinder 

There’s so much passion and history in this rivalry that was reignited by Nebraska’s move to the Big Ten. And since 2011 this game has not only been a late November fixture on the calendar but almost every game seems to be close. Of the 15 meetings as Big Ten foes, 10 of the games have been decided by eight points or less and six have come down to a field goal. 

Last season’s 40-16 rout by Iowa was indicative of two teams that were finishing their campaigns in far different positions from a health perspective, as the Hawkeyes were wrapping up a successful top-25 season while the Cornhuskers were down to backup quarterbacks and barreling towards a 2-5 finish to the season. If both Nebraska and Iowa are playing for stakes late in the year, history suggests it’ll be another close one for the corn rivals.