Week 1 Big Ten Preview

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Big Ten football is back this week! Yes, technically it started last week with USC blowing out San Jose State during week 0, but USC is not really in the Big Ten and hopefully one day very soon they will go back to the Pac-12 where they belong (at least in all other sports, because I know football is changed forever).

This week is very light on marquee matchups, as everyone gets a nice cupcake to start the year. If there is a week where the league goes 18-0, this is it. With 18 games, space is limited, so this preamble is officially done. Let’s look at the schedule.

Thursday

UMass at Rutgers – 6pm, BTN

Contrary to popular belief, Purdue does not have the longest active losing streak in the country. UMass was last year’s unwinfeated team and they have not won a game since beating Wagner 35-7 on October 26, 2024. That is a 16 game losing streak, and they have not beaten an FBS level team since October 28, 2023 over Army. That’s a 24 game losing streak to FBS level teams. Rutgers 38, UMass 7

Eastern Illinois at Minnesota – 8pm, Peacock

EIU did beat Murray State last night, but they were 3-9 last season and even got blown out by the Mighty Trees of Indiana State. As always, there is no valid excuse for a Big Ten team to lose to an FCS team. Minnesota 52, Eastern Illinois 3

UAB at Illinois – 9pm, BTN

Illinois is a team worth keeping an eye on, because they are the type of middle of the pack Big Ten team that Purdue needs to beat if it wants to have any measure of success this year. We probably won’t learn a lot here, but at least the Illini are playing a semi-decent team.  Illinois 41, UAB 13

Friday

Indiana State at Purdue – 7pm, BTN

I can say with confidence that the 10-gme losing streak will end Friday night, as Purdue will beat Indiana State. The Boilers shouldn’t have too much trouble, either. Indiana State is already 0-1 after a season opening loss to Southeast Missouri State, and Purdue isn’t so down bad they can lose to an FCS team. For a week at least we can celebrate looking good. Purdue 49, Indiana State 0

Toledo at Michigan State – 8pm, FS1

Welcome back to the Big Ten, Pat Fitzgerald. When we last saw him, he was going 1-8 in the Big Ten and 1-11 over. They still won the (Ireland) National Championship that year. Now he takes over a middle Michigan State team that has to face an always feisty Toledo team that has won at least eight games for four straight seasons. That could make this one interesting. Michigan State 24, Toledo 21

Fresno State at #14 USC – 9pm, FOX

USC has playoff aspirations, but as Purdue learned a few seasons ago, Fresno State is a tough team for anyone to play. They were 9-4 a year ago, so this is not a bad team. Is USC really good? They kind of farted around against San Jose State and got outscored 23-7 in the fourth quarter last week. They took their foot off the gas after leading 35-3 last week, and that could bite them later. USC 41, Fresno State 17

Saturday

North Texas at #6 Indiana – B1G NUDE SATURDAY, FOX

I am still not used to the phrase “Defending National Champion Indiana” and I don’t think I ever will be. I don’t think there is any excuse to doubt the Hoosiers, either. Until proven otherwise they are going to be among the elite of college football because Curt Cignetti is just that good. I am also not going to go with the “easy non-conference schedule” narrative, either. North Texas was really good last year, going 12-2. They probably won’t beat Indiana, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they hang around a bit (as Old Dominion did last year in the season opener vs. IU). Indiana 45, North Texas 21

Ohio at Nebraska – Noon, FS1

Another middling Big Ten team hosting a perennial solid MAC team. Ohio has won 30 games in the last three seasons despite always being decimated by the transfer portal. They should be able to compete against a Nebraska team that was 7-6 a year ago, but had six games decided by a TD or less. This is a strong MAC-over-B1G possibility. Nebraska 31, Ohio 21

Ball State at #1 Ohio State – 12:30pm, BTN

This is not a MAC-over-B1G possibility and there will be blood everywhere. The Cardinals lost to Purdue last season 35-0 and Ohio State is at least slightly better than the Boilermakers. Ohio State 70, Ball State 0

Boise State at #2 Oregon – 3:30pm, CBS

Oregon is the sexy pick to win it all this year and the Ducks are absolutely loaded. They are so loaded they could finish third in the Big Ten behind Indiana and Ohio State and they would still have a shot at a deep playoff run. Boise only lost to the Ducks by three in Eugene two years ago, but this Oregon team is better. Oregon 38, Boise State 21

Marshall at #18 Penn State – 3:30pm, FS1

Since Penn State should not be allowed to have a football program, especially after their incredibly tone deaf opening of “The Paterno Family Football Experience”, they will not be getting any analysis going forward, as they are unworthy of my coverage as an entire institution. They get a score only going forward, and I hate them as a program more than anyone else. Penn State 31, Marshall 6

Northern Illinois at #22 Iowa – 4:15pm, BTN

Because when you hear “Northern Illinois” you think “Mountain West Conference”. Their coach quit in February and the program is probably a mess. Still, it is Iowa, so expect a prime number score. Iowa 39, Northern Illinois 8

Western Michigan at #16 Michigan – 7:30pm, NBC

Western Michigan won 10 games last year. Michigan had a season from hell and almost lost to Purdue at home. Surely that means this is an upset candidate, right? Pencil this in for being a little closer than expected. Michigan 42, Western Michigan 24

Hampton at Maryland – 8pm, BTN

It is September and Maryland is playing. Maryland 52, Hampton 10

FCS #2 South Dakota State at Northwestern – 8pm, BTN

NORTHWESTERN, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!?!?! Now that North Dakota State is at the FBS level the Jackrabbits have become the “Don’t schedule a Dakota school as your FCS opponent. They blasted Stetson last week 70-7, too. I don’t know if Northwestern can score that much in three games. The Wildcats are a two TD favorite, so HAMMER the Jackrabbits. South Dakota State 24, Northwestern 21

UCLA at California – 10:30pm, ESPN

UCLA got the hottest coach of the offseason and there is a lot of hype around the program. Bob Chesney kept Cignetti’s machine rolling at James Madison, and the Bruins are hoping that magic continues. UCLA 27, California 24

Sunday

Washington State at #17 Washington – 4pm, NBC

A season opening Apple Cup? Sure. Whatever. I hate realignment and getting 17 games into the preview with frickin’ Washington as a Big Ten team has made me tired. Washington 40, Washington State 10

Wisconsin vs. #4 Notre Dame at Lambeau Field – 7:30pm, NBC

Notre Dame is rightfully pissed after getting snubbed by the playoff last season. Luke Fickell might be a dead coach walking. Since Purdue plays both in West Lafayette this year it is a fun little game to watch. Notre Dame 45, Wisconsin 13

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