The last two National Champions hail from the storied conference, which will once again have a slew of teams vying for this season’s crown.
The defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes get things going with the marquee game of the week, facing Texas in Columbus.
It’s a rare matchup of the No. 1 and No. 3 teams in the Preseason AP Poll, and a clash of Power Four Titans from the SEC and Big Ten.
All four West Coast Big Ten teams—Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington—host nonconference opponents in their openers this week, welcoming teams from the Big Sky, Big 12, Conference USA, and Mountain West, respectively.
In this column, I highlight the six most intriguing games on the Big Ten slate, with an emphasis on programs from the West, plus the next best two.
This week, those two feature the Huskers and the Buckeyes, with all games ordered by dates and times.
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
Thursday, August 28
6:00 PM PT, ESPN
Line: Nebraska –7
Over/Under Point Total: 52.5
In Year Three under Matt Rhule, the Huskers need to take the next step. Starting with a road loss to the Bearcats would be a huge blow to Nebraska’s much-needed progress this season.
Dylan Raiola has a year of experience under his belt, and some of the errors he made a season ago should be a thing of the past. They need to be in the past against this UC defense, which could cause some problems.
The Husker O-Line is seasoned, with 123 combined starts, the 13th most in the nation entering this season. Nonetheless, that experienced line will have its hands full in the opener.
The linebacker duo of Jack Golday and Jack Dingle could be one of the best LB units in the Big XII. They can make noise outside, but Dontay Corleone in the center of the D-line is the playmaker.
If Nebraska can get the ground game going, it should open things up for Raiola to shine.
Brendan Sorsby is a polished and experienced QB who can make plays for the Bearcats. He will need some players around him to step up, and I think they will this season.
But in this one, I like Nebraska’s defense to make plays and head home with a win.
—My Picks—
Against the spread: Nebraska
Points Total: Under
Outright winner: Nebraska
No. 1 Texas Longhorns at No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes
Saturday, August 30
9:00 AM PT, FOX
Line: Ohio State –1.5
Over/Under Point Total: 47.5
This is a rematch of the Cotton Bowl Playoff semifinal from last season.
Some key pieces from that semifinal will play on Sundays, but some remain in place; most notably for the Buckeye defense, Caleb Downs.
Ohio State will start freshman Julian Sayin at QB. The Longhorns will counter with Arch Manning.
While Manning is not a freshman and has the name recognition of a veteran, he only has two career starts to his credit.
He won both of those games, but the opponents went a combined 7-17 in 2024. This should provide an advantage for Downs and the Buckeye defense.
Look for Texas to rely heavily on the ground game.
That Texas defense is going to cause all sorts of fits for the OSU’s young QB.
In the Playoff tilt last season, the Horns limited Jeremiah Smith to just one reception for three yards. The All-American WR will need to be more productive for Sayin.
Texas has an All-American in the back end of their defense as well, and Michael Taaafe will need to be just as good as he was last January.
The Buckeyes are 6-0 both straight-up and against the spread vs. their last six ranked opponents.
Given that OSU is at home and Texas will need some time to gel on offense, I’m going with the Bucks in this one.
—My Picks—
Against the spread: Ohio State
Points Total: Under
Outright winner: Ohio State
Montana State Bobcats at No. 7 Oregon Ducks
Saturday, August 30
1:00 PM PT, Big Ten Network
Line: Oregon –27.5
Over/Under Point Total: 56.5
Some interesting parallels make this an intriguing matchup.
Both teams have explosive offenses that are replacing their starting QB from last season, and both programs possess a winning culture.
Now, can the Bobcats pull the upset? I don’t think so, but it is still an interesting game to look forward to.
Not only did MSU lose Tommy Mellott to the NFL, but the Bobcats also lost top RB Scottre Humphrey to New Mexico. Despite those losses, Montana State still has some firepower on offense.
Adam Jones is a 1,000-yard back, and Taco Dowler can stretch the field. We might need to wait a week to see those guys truly shine, as this Oregon defense should shut them down.
Dillon Thieneman leads a slew of talent at the back of the defense, and the Oregon linebackers should cause all sorts of problems for Montana State.
Matayo Uigalelei might live in the Bobcat backfield on Saturday.
Offensively, this should be a good one for the Ducks to get their feet wet and build chemistry between some of the new pieces of their attack.
Last season, in the early part of the year, Oregon struggled with the play of its offensive line. This season, that line looks loaded, and I’d be shocked if we see similar issues early.
Dante Moore might not be perfect in this one, but he probably doesn’t have to be.
—My Picks—
Against the spread: Oregon
Points Total: Over
Outright winner: Oregon
Missouri State Bears at USC Trojans
Saturday, August 30
4:30 PM PT, Big Ten Network
Line: USC –35.5
Over/Under Point Total: 59.5
It seems odd to think that the Trojans might be that overlooked, but there is not a lot of hype around the program this season.
You get the feeling they are flying a bit under the radar.
But, of course, we will see how potentially dominant they are in what should be a tune-up in their season opener.
The Bears are making their debut as an FBS team this season, and what a debut it is, visiting the Coliseum.
If it is any consolation to the team projected to finish last in Conference USA, it is that the Trojans have some unknowns. Still, the offense should be productive.
Jayden Maiava steps into the unquestioned starting spot at quarterback and has a group of very talented wide receivers at his disposal.
In this one, though, it is the running attack that should be able to wear the Bears down. Look for the Trojans to establish the run early and often.
Missouri State has a very good QB in Jacob Clark, who was third in the FCS in passing efficiency a season ago. If he has time, he could pose a problem for the Trojan secondary.
Having time will be the key there. The Bears’ O-line will be undersized and had issues last season in pass protection. USC should control the line on both sides of the ball.
I think Clark will face a ton of pressure.
—My Picks—
Against the spread: USC
Points Total: Over
Outright winner: USC
Utah Utes at UCLA Bruins
Saturday, August 30
8:00 PM PT, FOX
Line: Utah –6
Over/Under Point Total: 51.5
Utah is coming off a 2024 season that devolved into a disappointing struggle.
The Bruins are looking to improve on a transition first-year campaign for DeShaun Foster, which ended much better than it began.
The Bruin roster features 57 new names, 36 of them via the transfer portal. None of those names loom larger than Nico Iamaleava.
The former Tennessee QB will lead the new-look Bruin offense, but how much firepower will he have to work with in the early part of the season?
Utah’s defense, especially the line, was not the problem last season, so UCLA’s offensive front will need to hold up and produce more on the ground.
The Bruin rushing attack ranked 132nd in the nation in 2024.
Utah has playmakers in the back half of the defense that could force Iamaleava into some poor decisions, especially if UCLA fails to establish a run game.
Utah’s offense will look different than in 2024, and that will be a good thing, because last season, it did not look good.
Jason Beck takes over at OC for the Utes and looks to replicate his high-powered offense from New Mexico.
Bringing Devon Dampier along with him at QB definitely helps. Dampier is a playmaker, and the play is never over when he has the ball in his hands.
The Utes should control both lines but will have a significant edge on the offensive line. And should the pocket break down, that is when Dampier improvises better than almost anyone.
This game should stay close the entire way. I think Utah wins its, but the Bruins will keep things within a single score.
—My Picks—
Against the spread: UCLA
Points Total: Under
Outright winner: Utah
Colorado State Rams at Washington Huskies
Saturday, August 30
8:00 PM PT, FOX
Line: Washington –21.5
Over/Under Point Total: 53.5
It’s one of three matchups between the conferences in Week 1, with Michigan also hosting New Mexico and Nevada visiting Penn State.
In all three cases, the Big Ten host is a heavy favorite. Look for a Husky team with plenty to prove to come out ready to play Saturday night.
Last season, Demond Williams Jr. attempted just 105 passes. This season, the starting job is his, and the fate of this rebuilding Washington team is in his hands.
Fortunately, he will have a lot of help from talented pass catchers and one of the best backfields in the nation. Jonah Coleman might be the best back in America, and his running mate, Adam Mohammed, is no slouch either.
That duo, along with Williams’ ability to run, should create one of the best ground attacks in the country. It should be on full display in Husky Stadium this weekend after dark.
CSU allowed opponents to run for over 182 yards per game in their losses in 2024. The Rams will likely struggle to find a way to slow down the Huskies.
This could be a good one for Williams to get the passing game going as well, as CSU is breaking in an entirely new back half of their defense.
While Williams lacks a lot of experience at the collegiate level, Colorado State’s Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi brings a wealth of experience and talent into 2025.
With Fowler-Nicolosi at the helm, the Rams will always have a shot, but he will need to have time to operate. The Husky DBs should be stingy this season, but given time to operate, the veteran QB could carve up any defense.
Last season, UW was terrible against the run, but that should change this year. If it doesn’t, CSU’s Justin Marshal could make things difficult for Washington.
The Rams will score some points and keep this one closer than some think it should be.
Colorado State has not won a season opener since 2017, and that is a streak that will continue for at least one more season.
—My Picks—
Against the spread: Colorado State
Points Total: Under
Outright winner: Washington
