Big Ten football: 5 best games across first month of 2025 season

Big Ten football is finally right around the corner, with the month of August in front of us. Across the country, teams have hit training camp, and the first games of the 2025 season will soon kick off.

The first month of the season always proves especially noteworthy for many obvious reasons. A championship cannot be won in the first month of the season, but key teams can play themselves out of early contention by stumbling early in the season.

The B1G was a great example of that last season. Indiana came out of the woodworks with a 5-0 record through the month of September, blowing out opponents left and right to reach the AP Top 25 before eventually earning a College Football Playoff bid.

With that in mind, let’s dive into some of the key early-season matchups involving the B1G this year:

5. Michigan at Oklahoma — Sept. 6

The historical significance of this matchup jumps off the page. The 2 programs are top-10 in college football’s all-time wins list, yet they have just 1 all-time meeting.

Adding to this year’s matchup, the Sooners are the alma mater of Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore, and it will be his last game coached before serving a 2-game suspension in the middle of the calendar. This matchup also features a pair of programs looking to rebound from down years.

Despite those similarities, it is Oklahoma that enters the year with a star veteran quarterback in John Mateer who could challenge for the Heisman Trophy. Bryce Underwood should stabilize the position in Ann Arbor, but if he starts in Norman, it will be an especially challenging environment for the youngster.

If Michigan wants to build an early case that it can contend for a Playoff spot, the Wolverines need a win here.

Line: Oklahoma -3 (via BetMGM)

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4. Iowa at Iowa State — Sept. 6

The Cy-Hawk Rivalry continues to be a key early-season in-state rivalry in college football. This year, it will provide some especially significant answers for Kirk Ferentz and his Hawkeyes.

Has the offense really improved after some dreadful seasons? Will key transfer and former FCS star Mark Gronowski be the answer at quarterback?

Last season, it was the Cyclones closing the game with an epic comeback before rolling to 11 wins and a Big 12 Championship Game appearance. On the flip side, the Hawkeyes never found consistency before finishing 8-5.

To no surprise, the defense has remained one of the most consistent units in the entire country. If the offense ever catches up, Iowa will be a dark horse contender, and Iowa State represents a great measuring stick.

Line: Iowa State -1.5 (via DraftKings)

3. Michigan at Nebraska — Sept. 20

Both programs enter the 2025 season as legitimate dark horse contenders for the Playoff. This game should not be viewed as make-or-break by any means for both teams, but it will be very telling.

This game especially carries a bit more weight for Matt Rhule and his Cornhuskers. Nebraska has the 3rd-easiest strength of schedule in conference, according to ESPN’s FPI, so marquee matchups are a bit tougher to come by. (Michigan’s strength of schedule comes in at 11th-toughest in the conference.)

All the attention surrounding Lincoln has been about a potential Year 3 breakthrough for Rhule, and if that means 9 or 10 wins for the program, the Playoff is not a far-fetched possibility. We’ll learn more about whether or not a true breakthrough is in store with this game, especially with the matchup coming at home for Nebraska.

Line: Michigan -3.5 (Via FanDuel)

2. Oregon at Penn State — Sept. 27

Revenge games are about as good as it gets in college football, and this one has all the makings of a legendary matchup this season.

In last year’s Big Ten Championship Game, it was Oregon outlasting Penn State with clutch plays at every turn. Both teams still made the Playoff, but it was heartbreak in the end for each.

Now, the Nittany Lions get to host the Ducks for the first time since the 1960s, and it will be Oregon’s furthest trip to the East since joining the B1G. Add in the fact that it will be a White Out in Happy Valley, and it will be fantastic.

On a larger scale, this is likely to be a top 10 matchup, putting the big game question mark back on James Franklin. Considering Dan Lanning has to bring his group across the country (and Franklin’s group has a bye the week before), this is undeniably a pivotal game across the board.

Line: Penn State -4.5 (via BetMGM)

1. Texas at Ohio State — Aug. 30

Speaking of revenge games, Ohio State will host Texas squad that is sure to be angry over how last season ended.

On the doorstep of tying the CFP semifinal matchup between the two teams, Texas watched as Jack Sawyer iced the game with a scoop-and-score for the ages. The Longhorns likely feel they would have gone on to beat Notre Dame and win the title if they had gotten past Ohio State, and these 2 squads are the preseason favorites in the 2025 national title odds.

Even without the revenge game aspect, the storylines are plentiful. Arch Manning will be entering his first year as the premier starting quarterback in Austin, and Ohio State is also looking for a new starting QB.

Jeremiah Smith is also sure to have this game circled after the Longhorns limited the superstar to 1 catch for 3 yards in the Playoff. That was the only game for Smith last year without recording at leas 3 catches, and he’ll want to make a splash start on his potential Heisman Trophy campaign.

No matter how you slice it, this will be the must-see college football game of the first month of the season.

Line: Ohio State -2.5 (via BetMGM)

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