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The Big Ten has emerged as arguably the best conference in the nation over the last half decade or so, having produced the last three national champions. In any given year, a handful of teams can make a case that they are legitimately in position to make a run at the national title.
That remains the case again this season, with Indiana looking to reload and repeat and Ohio State itching to get back on top. Throw in Oregon, which seems just a half step away from sealing the deal, and programs like USC, Michigan and Penn State and the league is truly cooking.
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That makes for a fascinating fall. The schedule should be one of the nation’s best… and Athlon Sports took a stab at projecting the best Big Ten games during each week of the season. Let’s break down the publication’s picks below.
Week 0: San Jose State at USC (Aug. 29)
There’s only one Big Ten team in action during the Week 0 slate, so naturally this was always going to be the pick. And it should provide a good early glimpse at Lincoln Riley‘s squad, which was one of the six teams noted above that’s usually considered a national title hopeful out of the league.
The real question for the Trojans is how the defense comes along. With a coordinator change and Gary Patterson stepping in, can the unit finally deliver a capable complement to the offense? If so, USC could be poised to make some noise.
Week 1: Boise State at Oregon (Sept. 5)
This matchup has been a sneaky good one over the years, and this year could prove that once again. Boise State is Athlon’s projected top Group of Six team, a threat to reach the College Football Playoff in its own right.
Oregon actually has a losing record against Boise State all time, down in the series 1-3. The Ducks did win the last one, a 37-34 affair in 2024. This will be a great early test for Dan Lanning‘s bunch.
Week 2: Ohio State at Texas (Sept. 12)
The biggest no-brainer on the list when it comes to the Big Ten schedule, this might be the legitimate game of the year in the entire sport. While last year’s game was a bit of a dull affair, both teams return Heisman-caliber quarterbacks this go-round and figure to be more willing to open things up.
The rest of the slate doesn’t offer a ton of competition this week, though Michigan hosting Oklahoma is a good one and Oregon at Oklahoma State could be more interesting than some might think. In any case, Ohio State easily gets the nod here.
Week 3: Virginia Tech at Maryland (Sept. 19)
There simply isn’t a ton on tap for the Big Ten this week, though there are a couple of conference games. Michigan State takes on Notre Dame, but they’ll be a decent-sized underdog in that one.
At least with Virginia Tech vs. Maryland you get what should be a pretty evenly balanced matchup with both teams itching to prove themselves. James Franklin obviously has some familiarity with the Big Ten, too, and even a little bit of a chippy history with Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley.
Week 4: Oregon at USC (Sept. 26)
One of the first great conference games on the Big Ten slate, Oregon will travel to USC to take on Riley’s bunch. There will be plenty on the line, as both teams have aspirations of reaching the College Football Playoff and this is a huge first test.
Like the Ohio State vs. Texas game, this one pits two excellent quarterbacks who could contend to lift the Heisman Trophy if everything goes right. It’ll be a test of that rebuilt USC defense under Patterson… and a test of whether Lanning can win more big games.
Week 5: Washington at USC (Oct. 3)
This one holds different meanings for both programs. Washington is very much on the come-up again under Jedd Fisch after a significant rebuild following Kalen DeBoer‘s departure. If the program wants to prove it’s “back,” beating USC is a great first step.
For USC, this is a game the Trojans probably should win. You don’t get into the playoffs unless you win the games you should. Can Riley’s squad hold serve as the conference slate begins to play out?
Week 6: USC at Penn State (Oct. 10)
A lot of games for USC, huh? Athlon clearly sees the Trojans as a pivotal outfit in Big Ten play this year. This is probably a nod to the job Matt Campbell is expected to do in his first year, too, because otherwise there are some other games on the schedule that could contend for best game in Week 6.
Indiana at Nebraska is one such contest, particularly if Matt Rhule has the Cornhuskers rolling. That’s a pretty big question, though, and perhaps why Athlon goes with USC at Penn State here.
Week 7: Ohio State at Indiana (Oct. 17)
This one doesn’t need much explanation. It’s the last two national champs going head-to-head. That’s enough to get the likes of ESPN College GameDay in the house more often than not, assuming things haven’t gone terribly awry for either program by the midway point.
Two other good games stand out on the Week 7 slate, though certainly not enough to contend for this spot. Penn State at Michigan is a traditional rivalry with new first-year head coaches, while Nebraska at Oregon features Dylan Raiola (though potentially on the bench) vs. his old program.
Week 8: Indiana at Michigan (Oct. 24)
Athlon points out that Indiana hasn’t won in Ann Arbor since 1967, so there’s a lot on the line in this one. Indiana will be coming off the Ohio State matchup, so it’s likely to be a bit beaten up even if it’s coming off a win.
Elsewhere in Big Ten action, don’t sleep on Oregon at Illinois as a potentially interesting game. That’s a tough road trip and Illinois seems to be close to putting it all together under Bret Bielema.
Week 9: Ohio State at USC (Oct. 31)
Who knows where USC will be sitting by the time this matchup rolls around. After all, Athlon already has them playing the Big Ten Game of the Week four times before this meeting.
That said, if USC is still alive and fighting at this point in the season, there’s no better way to put a stamp on things than knocking off Ohio State at home. This one spells major opportunity for Riley and his squad. The rest of the slate is pretty bland.
Week 10: Oregon at Ohio State (Nov. 7)
Another massive road trip for Oregon, which has basically beaten everyone except the national title participants over the last two seasons. But to reach the big game, sometimes you have to win the big game. That’s been the elusive step for the Ducks.
Can this one prove different? A road trip to Ohio State is not for the faint of heart. No major competition from the rest of the Big Ten slate on this one.
Week 11: Michigan at Oregon (Nov. 14)
Oregon has a tough task turning around and hosting Michigan one week after traveling to Ohio State. Kyle Whittingham is a pretty good coach and will likely have his team gelling this late in the season, so expect a competitive contest here.
That said, there is at least one other game that could push this one for Game of the Week. USC will play at Indiana. Assuming the Trojans have at least split the aforementioned games on this list and Indiana maintains at a decent level, that could very well be for a playoff berth.
Week 12: Indiana at Washington (Nov. 21)
It’s a reasonably quiet penultimate weekend in the conference, and Indiana’s trip to Washington represents a potential trip-up opportunity. The Huskies have a great quarterback and some continuity, and the Hoosiers have a long road trip to get there.
The only other game that looks of real interest — at least as of now, given current expectations — is Ohio State at Nebraska. That one could be decent.
Week 13: Michigan at Ohio State (Nov. 28)
In rivalry week there are a few other games that could offer some intrigue. USC vs. UCLA could be interesting if Bob Chesney is able to get the Bruins going. Nebraska at Iowa could be meaningful if either team is flirting with the playoff cut line. Washington at Oregon figures to be a notch above those previous two even.
Still, Michigan at Ohio State is clearly the best of the Big Ten offerings on the final weekend. That’s pretty much always the case. Just how good will Michigan be? What range will Ohio State be in? We’ll have to see how some of the other games of the week play out to determine those answers. But there’s certainly a lot to look forward to.
