The Best Matchups In The Big Ten Each Week: Weeks 0-6

The Best Matchups In The Big Ten Each Week: Weeks 0-6

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The Best Matchups In The Big Ten Each Week: Weeks 0-6
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Aug 30, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) makes a catch over Texas Longhorns defensive back Malik Muhammad (5) in the first half at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images | Source: Lastwordonsports.com – Drew Crabtree

College football is finally here! Week 0 is just days away, and the Big Ten is looking to win its fourth consecutive national championship, a feat the conference hasn’t accomplished since Michigan won in 1933, followed by a Minnesota three-peat. Can it happen? Well, there are a few teams at the top that have great arguments with the number-one-ranked Buckeyes, number-two Ducks, and the defending champion Hoosiers.

This year, there are some great matchups on the docket. What are the best matchups each week in the conference?

The Best Matchups In The Big Ten: Weeks 0-6

Sep 20, 2025; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) is stopped by Washington State Cougars linebacker Caleb Francl (9) and Washington State Cougars defensive tackle Max Baloun (97) in the first half of Apple Cup at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images

Week 0: San Jose State at USC

All-time: USC 6-0 San Jose State
Last Meeting: USC won, 56-28, in 2023

The only game in Week 0 featuring a Big Ten is, by default, the best! USC kicks off the season at home against San Jose State in what will be the seventh meeting between the two programs. The Trojans have CFP aspirations this year, led by Lincoln Riley and Jayden Maiava, but will they finally reach those heights?

USC has never made the CFP and has a great opportunity to do so this year if it can get a few wins over the usual suspects. Kicking off the year against a Group of 6 Pac-12 opponent (which is still weird to say about San Jose State) will give the Trojans a great opportunity to kick 2026 off on the right foot.

Week 1: Washington State at Washington

All-time: Washington 77-34-6 Washington State
Last Meeting: Washington won, 59-24, in 2025

There are a few interesting matchups in the Big Ten in Week 1. UCLA travels to Cal, Northwestern hosts South Dakota State, Oregon hosts Boise State, and there are two MAC-vs-Big Ten matchups, but none are bigger than the Apple Cup.

A series that has been played since 1900, the Apple Cup has historically been dominated by the Huskies. Last year was the first time the two faced off in September, and this year is no different. Week 1 seems odd for a rivalry game, but with conference realignment – plus Washington’s rivalry with Oregon, who also moved to the Big Ten – the Apple Cup has to be played early.

Will this year be the year Washington breaks through? Jedd Fisch and the Huskies have been good, but not great over the last couple of seasons. Demond Williams will be an interesting one to watch at quarterback; that’s for sure.

Week 2: Ohio State at Texas

All-time: Ohio State 3-2 Texas
Last Meeting: Ohio State won, 14-7, in 2025

Week 2 pits the Buckeyes against the Longhorns again. Last year, it was a low-scoring defensive battle in Columbus. This year, what’s in store?

The Week 2 slate is solid. Buckeye fans and Sooner fans will be teaming up, as will Longhorn fans and Wolverines, as Oklahoma travels to the Big House. Duke travels to Illinois, which could be a fun litmus test for the Illini, but we would be remiss not to mention Iowa State at Iowa. The Battle for the Cyhawk is another prestigious rivalry; unfortunately, it takes a back seat to this Big Ten-SEC showdown.

There are going to be few matchups with as much NFL talent as Ohio State at Texas. Arch Manning vs. Matt Patricia’s defense. Julian Sayin and his offensive line vs. that vaunted Texas defensive line. This is going to be a good one.

Week 3: Michigan State at Notre Dame

All-time: Notre Dame 47-29-1 Michigan State
Last Meeting: Notre Dame won, 38-18, in 2017

One of the biggest rivalries in the Midwest, Notre Dame-Michigan State was on hiatus for nearly a decade. This year, it’s back!

There aren’t many titillating matchups on the schedule, despite a few Power 4 foes. Michigan State is looking to get back to the level it expects to be with Pat Fitzgerald taking over. Notre Dame will be a tough task, considering the Irish are one of the favorites to win it all.

Week 4: Oregon at USC

All-time: USC 38-24-2 Oregon
Last Meeting: Oregon won, 42-27, in 2025

One of the handful of high-profile matchups on Oregon’s schedule, the Ducks get to travel to one of their former Pac-12 rivals. The other matchups on the schedule feature a handful of teams getting into Big Ten play as well, most notably Iowa at Michigan, but Oregon vs. USC has to be the marquee.

While USC has owned the series all time, Oregon has won four in a row and eight of the last ten. Dante Moore is a Heisman favorite, but Maiava is a dark horse. This could be one of the first looks at how the Big Ten will shake out.

Week 5: Washington at USC

All-time: USC 51-32-4 Washington
Last Meeting: Washington won, 26-21, in 2024

There is one other matchup of preseason-ranked teams with Ohio State heading to Iowa. However, it’s another USC game that has our eye. Fresh off that matchup with Oregon, USC gets another former Pac-12 rival.

Another matchup historically owned by the Trojans, Washington has won each of the last three and four of the last five. By this point, we should be able to get a glimpse of what these teams should be in 2026. It should be a good one!

Week 6: USC at Penn State

All-time: USC 6-5 Penn State
Last Meeting: Penn State won, 33-30, in 2024

We were going to go with Iowa at Washington here, but there are only a few decent teams on Penn State’s schedule, and this is the first. In reality, the Nittany Lions miss out on the top of the conference and get USC, Michigan, and Washington.

What is Penn State going to be this year? It finally moved on from James Franklin after one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory, so Matt Campbell gets a shot. Campbell was solid at Toledo and Iowa State, and he won a fair bit with lesser resources. Penn State is a step above ISU.

This is going to be the first real test. If Penn State can beat at least one of USC, Michigan, and Washington, it could be a sneaky at-large for the CFP.

In an attempt to keep this under 3,000 words, we will have a part two in which we look at Weeks 7 through 13 in the Big Ten coming soon!

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Main Image: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

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