Big Ten football opens with a full slate of nonconference matchups, and the conference is expected to come out swinging in Week 1. The headline games are there, the blowouts are there, and so is the one upset that could shake up the opening weekend. For the most part, though, this looks like a clean run for the league against outside opponents.
Rutgers gets things started Thursday against UMass, and this is projected to be the Scarlet Knights’ only convincing win of the season. Even with offensive talent on the roster, the quarterback play is still a concern. Still, KJ Duff and Antwan Raymond are expected to boost their draft stock with strong debuts, and Rutgers is picked to roll 30-14.
Illinois also takes the field Thursday, hosting UAB. Bret Bielema’s team is described as well-coached, even if it is not viewed as a contender near the top of the conference. UAB is not expected to offer much resistance, and the Fighting Illini are projected to win 40-6.
Friday brings a tighter one in East Lansing, where Toledo visits Michigan State. The Spartans are still sorting things out under Pat Fitzgerald, and that is not expected to show up immediately in the opener. Alessio Milivojevic is projected to do enough for a 21-17 Michigan State win.
Later Friday, USC hosts Fresno State in a game that should feature more fireworks from the Trojans’ freshmen. Jayden Maiaca is expected to connect often with Ethan Feaster, and USC is picked to win big despite a defense that still needs to finish stronger. The Trojans are forecast to take it 45-10.
Indiana opens against North Texas, and the Hoosiers are expected to control the game with their defense. North Texas lost too much in the offseason to inspire much confidence, and new quarterback Josh Hoover is projected to run into trouble. Indiana is favored 30-7.
Nebraska’s opener against Ohio is expected to be a win, but not a clean one. Another frustrating year is anticipated for Matt Rhule and the Cornhuskers, who are projected to survive 21-14.
Ohio State is expected to make an early-season statement against Ball State. The Buckeyes are viewed as a team on a mission, playing with a chip on their shoulder, and this one is forecast to get out of hand fast. A 70-10 final is not ruled out.
Oregon gets a marquee test against Boise State, but the Ducks are expected to handle it with authority. After beating arguably the best team in the country, Oregon is being backed to show off an elite roster and win 55-10.
Penn State’s matchup with Marshall is another game where the Big Ten side is expected to cruise. The Nittany Lions are projected for a 40-10 win, with Rocco Becht expected to build confidence in Game 1 with an impressive showing.
The upset pick of the week comes in Iowa City, where Northern Illinois is favored to knock off Iowa. The Huskies are being backed as a team with fresh energy, and the new-coach bump is part of the logic. With lingering questions at quarterback for the Hawkeyes, Northern Illinois is picked to win 21-14.
Michigan’s opener against Western Michigan is expected to be one-way traffic. The Wolverines are projected to steamroll the Broncos 50-14 as the Kyle Whittingham era begins with a win.
One of the closest games on the board is UCLA vs. California, and it is expected to turn into a shootout. Both quarterbacks are projected to have strong nights, but Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is picked to win the duel and help California pull away 38-30.
Sunday’s Washington State at Washington game is another one with plenty of scoring expected. Demond Williams Jr. is projected to start fast, Washington’s offense is expected to look prolific again, and the Huskies are picked to win 40-20.
The week closes in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with Wisconsin vs Notre Dame. The Badgers are seen as a team that could make things uncomfortable early, but Notre Dame enters with its best roster in a long time and is considered the fourth-best team in the country. The game is expected to be close at first before Notre Dame pulls away in the second half for a 38-20 win.
In Other News...
USC Is About To Get An Early Test Up Front
USC is getting a useful measuring stick early, and it comes in the form of a Fresno State defense that was the best unit in the Mountain West a year ago. The Bulldogs held opponents to just 286 yards and 19 points per game, and the strength starts up front under defensive coordinator Nick Benedetto, who brought his system over from Northern Illinois and has plenty of experience to lean on in the trenches.
The matchup should tell plenty about where the Trojans are on the line of scrimmage, especially against a front that has made life hard on the run game. Fresno State went 9-0 last season when it kept opponents under 140 rushing yards, and linebacker Tytus Khajavi is expected to be one of the key players helping set the tone. Against a USC offense that wants to establish itself early, that kind of resistance can reveal a lot quickly. [Read more 🡒]
USC Fans May Not Love This Name In The Next Coaching Cycle
The next college football coaching cycle is already taking shape, and USC will be watching closely as a familiar set of names begins to surface. Kliff Kingsbury, Mike Norvell and Kalani Sitake are all being discussed as possible candidates for upcoming openings, a reminder that the sports carousel never really stops spinning once the season gets going.
For Trojans fans, the part worth tracking is not just who lands where, but which coaches remain in the conversation if jobs at the top of the market open up. Kingsbury, Norvell and Sitake each bring a different profile and a different recent track record, which is why speculation around them is starting to build now, well before any actual vacancy is filled. [Read more 🡒]
USC Already Has One Clear Strength And One Growing Concern
USCs season opener against San Jose State offered an early look at what this roster might already do well, and which parts still need work. Jayden Maiava handled his first game of the year with plenty of positives, while defensive tackle Jide Abasiri also stood out in a performance that gave the Trojans something to build on. There were encouraging contributions, too, from wide receiver Trent Mosley and running back King Miller, suggesting the offense has multiple pieces ready to matter right away.
The concern showed up on the other side of the ball, where the secondary and some individual defenders had a rougher time keeping things clean. Kam Crawford was among the players who struggled, and that mattered because USCs defense is still trying to sort out its identity as the schedule moves forward. One game does not settle the bigger picture, but it did give the Trojans a pretty clear snapshot of where the strength is and where the questions are likely to linger. [Read more 🡒]