Breaking down the five most exciting football games on the Big Ten conference schedule.
With spring practice in the rearview mirror and the spring transfer portal window closed, it’s a great time to review the five most exciting games on the Big Ten football schedule. According to ESPN’s College football post-spring top 25 rankings, the Big Ten has six teams representing the conference (No. 2 Ohio State, No. 4 Oregon, No. 10 Michigan, No. 12 Penn State, No. 23 Iowa, and No. 25 USC) as the season slowly approaches. The Big Ten is now an 18-team super conference with the addition of Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington transferring from the Pac-12.
Five Most Exciting Games in the Big Ten
Week 1 – No. 25 USC Trojans at No. 14 LSU Tigers
On September 1, No. 25 USC and No. 14 LSU will face off in Las Vegas, Nevada to conclude Week 1. In this Week 1 showdown, each team will have a new quarterback conducting their offense with 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels leaving for the NFL.
The Tigers’ offense will look different with Daniels and star receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. leaving for the NFL. LSU’s new quarterback Garrett Nussmeier picked up from where he left off in last year’s bowl game, completing 7 of 7 passes for 187 yards with two touchdowns in LSU’s spring game. With USC moving to the Big Ten, head coach Lincoln Riley will try to get new quarterback Miller Moss ready for this Week 1 matchup.
The last time these two teams faced off was in 1984 when the Tigers defeated the Trojans 23-3. These two programs played each other twice throughout the years and both teams have captured a victory.
Week 2 – No. 3 Texas Longhorns at No. 10 Michigan Wolverines
On September 7, No. 3 Texas will travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to take on the No. 1o Wolverines. The last time these two programs faced off was in 2005 when the Longhorns defeated the Wolverines 38-37. After guiding the Longhorns to a 12-win campaign and a spot in the CFP in 2023, coach Steve Sarkisian’s challenge is sustaining that success in the SEC. The Longhorns’ first test in 2024 will be against the defending national champs.
With the departure of head coach Jim Harbaugh to the Los Angeles Chargers, it will be interesting to see if the Wolverines can continue their success. Harbaugh guided his alma mater to its first national title in 26 years and the Wolverines will look to capture back-to-back championships.
Week 6 – No. 10 Michigan Wolverines at Washington Huskies
On October 5, the Washington Huskies will host Michigan in a Big Ten showdown. The last time these two programs faced off was in the 2024 College Football National Championship when the Wolverines defeated the Huskies 34-13 to claim their 12th national title. The Wolverines lead the series over the Huskies with a 9-5 record and are riding a three-game winning streak.
Michigan’s largest victory came in 1953 with the Wolverines securing a 50-0 win over the Huskies. Washington will seek revenge for their loss earlier this year and are ready to snap Michigan’s three-game winning streak.
Week 6 – No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes at No. 4 Oregon Ducks
Heading into the 2024 season, Oregon’s Week 6 matchup against Ohio State could be a preview of the 2025 College Football National Championship. The Buckeyes control a series lead with a 9-1 record over the Ducks. Oregon did capture their first victory over Ohio State in 2021 with a 35-28 win and will look to continue that momentum.
Ohio State’s Head Coach Ryan Day has won 86.8 percent of his games since he took over the program at the start of the 2019 season. The Buckeyes have defeated every Big Ten opponent in the regular season the past three years except one, Michigan. Day and the Buckeyes will look to continue their winning trend when they face Oregon in Week 6.
Week 9 – No. 4 Oregon Ducks at No. 10 Michigan Wolverines
No. 10 Michigan has the toughest schedule in Big Ten football, facing off against No. 25 USC, No. 4 Oregon, Washington, and No. 2 Ohio State. Michigan’s opponents have a combined winning percentage of .624 and new head coach Sherrone Moore will have a tall task ahead of him.
The Wolverines hold the series lead with a 3-2 record over Oregon. The Ducks are riding a two-game winning streak with a 39-7 victory in 2007 and a 31-27 win in 2003 and will look to continue that trend in 2024.
Mike Cavallo
A sportswriter for The League Winners covering all Rutgers athletics. Follow my social media page for all coverage of Rutgers sports. X (Twitter): @M_Cavs55