B1G Preview: Week One

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Hello BSD readers, it’s Bennett here in a new spot: previewing each week’s Big Ten action. We’ll go about this in the following manner: I’ll organize the games by viewing windows, I’ll write a paragraph previewing the game, I’ll tell you if you should watch said game, I’ll give you the spread (taken from whatever day I wrote the post and not necessarily up to date). I won’t be making predictions. I’m wrong enough in other things with life, so we’ll leave you folks to give your best educated guesses. But this isn’t even the prediction thread! Lastly, Penn State games won’t be mentioned here, because well, you know, we have tons of other articles letting you know that the Lions are home on Saturday against Marshall.

Well, it’s Week 1 in the conference with games spread out over a few nights. There are a lot of games. Get ready to watch!

THURSDAY NIGHT

UMass (0-0) at Rutgers (0-0), 6 p.m. on BTN

Details: After back-to-back seven-win seasons, the Scarlet Knights missed a bowl and went 5-7 last season. You might remember that seventh loss was in a wild game against Penn State a couple of days after Thanksgiving. If Rutgers hopes to get back a bowl, this is a must win against a team that went winless in 2025 and was picked to finish last in the MAC.

Line: Rutgers -29.5, O/U 52.5

Should I watch this one: Sure, for a bit. It’s football. Right? Kind of? Sort of?

Eastern Illinois (1-0) at Minnesota, 8 p.m. on Peacock

Details: Minnesota seems to be a team worth monitoring – mostly because they’ll make a trip to Beaver Stadium later in the season, but also because they have a quarterback that is getting some NFL draft buzz in Drake Lindsey. Speaking of NFL quarterbacks, Tony Romo isn’t walking through that door for EIU, but the Panthers are off to a 1-0 start after a win against Murray State last week.

Line: Minnesota -43.5, O/U 51.5

Should I watch this one: Throw it on in the Quad Box, but ESPN’s 8 p.m. offering of Colorado at Georgia Tech seems a bit more appealing.

UAB (0-0) at Illinois (0-0), 9 p.m. on BTN

Details: The Illini have settled nicely into being an 8-9 win caliber team in the conference. They’ll have to replace quarterback Luke Altmeyer, but their defense should carry them. UAB, meanwhile, is just looking for some stability under interim turned head coach Alex Mortensen. Last year, the Blazers struggled, fired coach Trent Dilfer, and even had a stabbing take place at their team facility. Yikes.

Line: Illinois by 28.5, O/U 55.5

Should I watch this one: Yes, as in you’re watching it as you fall asleep on your couch.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Indiana State (0-1) at Purdue (0-0), 7 p.m. on BTN

Details: Purdue is predicted by most to finish in the basement of the Big Ten. The transfer heavy Boilers also have a tough schedule. They should get this one against an in-state FBS program that lost a heartbreaker to Southeast Missouri State in their opener last week.

Line: Purdue -35.5, O/U 56.5

Should I watch this one: Go to a high school game instead.

Toledo (0-0) at Michigan State (0-0), 8 p.m. on FS1

Details: It’s the Pat Fitzgerald era in East Lansing. Undoubtedly, it will be strange seeing Fitzgerald, who outside of a few early one-season stops in his coaching career has always been in purple, on the sideline for the Spartans. Like other teams with new coaches, Fitzgerald has gone transfer crazy in the portal and he’ll be up against what’s historically been the best program in the MAC. The Rockets do have a new coach as Jason Candle left for UConn. One name worth watching for Toledo: former Penn State running back Corey Smith.

Line: Michigan State -10, O/U 49.5

Should I watch this one: At least the second half. Don’t rush back from that high school game, but this one could be interesting.

Fresno State (0-0) at No. 14 USC (1-0), 9 p.m. on Fox

Details: USC got on the field during Week 0, cruising to a win against San Jose State. Jayden Maiava was clean, throwing for nearly 300 yards and accounting for three scores. However, the Trojan second string defense was bad, allowing a couple of late scores. Also, the crowd was pretty bad, too. Look for both to be better in their second game.

Line: USC -23.5, O/U 51.5

Should I watch this one: A little, but don’t stay up too late – you’re busy on Saturday.

SATURDAY NOON WINDOW

North Texas (0-0) at No. 6 Indiana (0-0), Noon on Fox

Details: The defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers open up at a sold out Memorial Stadium on FOX’s Big Noon Saturday. It still doesn’t seem real. A reloaded Indiana squad will face off against a quarterback, Tayven Jackson, who played for them back in 2024. College football, folks.

Line: Indiana -40.5, O/U 55.5

Should I watch this one: No, it will probably just make you kind of sad.

Ohio (0-0) at Nebraska (0-0), Noon on FS1

Details: Who exactly is Nebraska? They limped down the stretch last season, but the floor has been raised from where it was. How much better can they be? I really don’t know and I don’t think the Frank Solich bowl is going to answer that either.

Line: Nebraska -23.5, O/U 47.5

Should I watch this one: Out of curiosity, sure…in the Quad Box.

Ball State (0-0) at No. 1 Ohio State (0-0), 12:30 p.m. on BTN

Details: After faltering down the stretch last year and losing to Indiana and the Big Ten Championship game and Miami in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff, the pollsters put Ohio State right back at No. 1. Now, there is good reason as this figures to be one of the most talented teams in the country. We’ll know a lot more about them after they travel to Austin in Week 2.

Line: Ohio State -50.5, O/U 56.5

Should I watch this one: No.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON WINDOW

Boise State (0-0) at No. 2 Oregon (0-0), 3:30 p.m. on CBS

Details: Oregon lost to Indiana twice last season, including in the Semifinals of the College Football Playoff. So, the Ducks reloaded their roster and welcome back Dante Moore, who would probably have been the second quarterback taken in last year’s NFL draft. It’s title or bust for the Ducks, who will open against the always intriguing Broncos.

Line: Oregon -24.5, O/U 51.5

Should I watch this one: You’re watching another game, but check in during commercials.

Northern Illinois (0-0) at No. 22 Iowa (0-0), 4:15 p.m. on BTN

Details: Iowa sneaks into the Top 25 based on its defense and special teams. The Hawkeyes haven’t yet named a quarterback starter and their offense will remain a question as always. NIU is no longer in the MAC. The team that straddles the Illinois and Wisconsin border is clearly a perfect member of the Mountain West Conference.

Line: Iowa -31.5, O/U 45.5

Should I watch this one: You’re busy and, even if you weren’t, you’re not that much of a Sicko

SATURDAY NIGHT WINDOW

Western Michigan (0-0) at No. 16 Michigan (0-0), 7:30 p.m. on NBC

Details: Kyle Whittingham came out of that two week retirement to take the Michigan job. The Wolverines were limited offensively last year, but a year of experience should help Bryce Underwood and so should what ought to be a pretty good defense.

Line: Michigan -27.5, O/U 47.5

Should I watch this one: Clemson/LSU is on opposite, but I’d keep an eye on this one.

Hampton (0-0) at Maryland (0-0), 8 p.m. on BTN

Details: It’s make or break once again for Mike Locksley in College Park. After back-to-back 4-8 seasons, a lot is being put on the shoulders of highly touted quarterback Malik Washington. It’s September, so of course this will be an easy Terrapin win.

Line: Maryland -45.5, O/U 56.5

Should I watch this one: Absolutely not.

South Dakota State (1-0) at Northwestern (0-0), 8 p.m. on BTN

Details: Chip Kelly at OC for the Wildcats. Aidan Chiles, who started at Michigan State, at QB for Northwestern. The last few games in the “by the lake” stadium. Oh, and the opposition is one of the dominant powers at the FCS level. There’s actually some intrigue in this game, despite it likely being buried on an overflow channel.

Line: Northwestern -12.5, O/U 46.5

Should I watch this one: This is a sneaky interesting game as Penn State preps for a trip to Evanston later this month.

UCLA (0-0) at California (0-0), 10:30 p.m. on ESPN

Details: It’s the Big Ten/ACC Challenge – with two teams whose campuses border the Pacific Ocean playing in the old Pac-12 after dark slot. Again, college football – there’s nothing like it. But really, this game has the closest line of the week and Bob Chesney has brought some buzz to Bruin land. Now, let’s see how it plays out on the field.

Line: UCLA -1.5, O/U 53.5

Should I watch this one: Yes. First off, it’s an actual competitive game on paper. Second, you’ll be chasing down lost bets from earlier in the day.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON/EVENING

Washington State (0-0) at No. 17 Washington (0-0), 4 p.m. on NBC

Details: It’s the Apple Cup in September, as the college football gods intended. Washington fits in the crowded “maybe they can think about a playoff berth” tier with USC, Michigan, and Penn State. Meanwhile, it’s a full rebuilt for the Cougars with a new coach, new roster, and part of the revamped Pac 12.

Line: Washington -23.5, O/U 50.5

Should I watch this one: Yes. It’s football on a Sunday afternoon.

No. 4 Notre Dame (0-0) vs. Wisconsin (0-0), 7:30 p.m. on NBC

Details: The Badgers and Fighting Irish face off in Lambeau Field. It’s likely a do-or-be fired season for Luke Fickell in Madison. This isn’t the way you want to get the party started as the Fighting Irish figure to be legitimate national title contenders.

Line: Notre Dame -20.5, O/U 47.5

Should I watch this one: 100 percent you should. Enjoy your weekend!

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