Many Huge Ten groups have opted to take a conservative method to nonconference scheduling following the latest spherical of convention realignment and the growth of the School Soccer Playoff to 12 groups. Consequently, a number of packages do not have an influence convention opponent on their out-of-conference slate.
For instance, Penn State was initially scheduled to host Virginia Tech this season on the again half of a home-and-home sequence, however the first battle, imagined to happen in Blacksburg in 2020, was canceled as a consequence of COVID-19. After the preliminary matchup was canned, the 2 have been unable to discover a answer and eliminated the second sport as effectively. Different colleges face comparable conditions, whereas some simply opted to make their nonconference schedule as straightforward as doable, valuing wins as they battle for a playoff spot.
Nonetheless, there are a number of high-quality battles slated for the 2025 season, together with some extremely anticipated Huge Ten-SEC crossovers with bragging rights on the road. This is a have a look at the highest 10 nonconference matchups for Huge Ten groups heading into the season.
No. 10: Nebraska vs. Cincinnati, Aug. 28
The Cornhuskers are coming off their first bowl look since 2016, ending final season at 7-6 after defeating Boston School within the Dangerous Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. Hopes are excessive that Matt Rhule can do what he is carried out at a number of earlier stops, persevering with to raise a Cornhusker program that is failed to fulfill expectations in recent times. With star quarterback Dylan Raiola on the helm, Nebraska hosts Cincinnati, which made the transfer to the Huge 12 two seasons in the past and has struggled to compete. Although the Wildcats aren’t a giant model, this matchup nonetheless represents a battle between energy convention opponents, which has develop into more and more uncommon within the fashionable period.
No. 9: Minnesota at Cal, Sept. 13
The Golden Gophers spherical out their nonconference slate with a visit to the West Coast to tackle Cal, which enters its second season as a member of the ACC. The groups have met six instances beforehand, most not too long ago in 2009, with the Golden Bears holding a 4-2 benefit within the head-to-head sequence. Each groups went by ups and downs final season however earned bowl eligibility, leaving the potential for this to be an entertaining sport. Each head coaches need to return their program to the place it was a number of years again, with Minnesota profitable 9 or extra video games in three of 4 seasons from 2019-2022 and Cal peaking at eight wins below Wilcox in 2019.
No. 8: UCLA vs. Utah, Aug. 30
Two former Pac-12 comrades will meet as soon as extra, this time with the Bruins within the Huge Ten and Utah within the Huge 12. The 2 have a lot of latest historical past, and each are trying to find higher seasons after reaching simply 5 wins in 2024. Although they now put on totally different convention patches on their jerseys, this regional rivalry might present some fireworks in Week 1.
No. 7: Illinois at Duke, Sept. 6
Two conventional basketball powers will conflict on the gridiron in early September, with the Preventing Illini and Blue Devils each trying to proceed a latest string of soccer success. A couple of years in the past, each packages could be seen as bottom-dwellers inside their conferences, however that is modified not too long ago. Each groups common over seven wins throughout the final three seasons and are primed for extra success in 2025. Bret Bielema and the Preventing Illini are coming off a 10-win marketing campaign capped off with a Cheez-It Citrus Bowl victory over South Carolina, whereas the Blue Devils went 9-3 earlier than dropping to Ole Miss within the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
No. 6: Wisconsin at Alabama, Sept. 13
The Badgers have taken a step again throughout Luke Fickell’s first two seasons main this system, and a brutal convention slate leaves a bleak outlook in Madison. Nonetheless, if the Badgers present enchancment and get a number of bounces, they may give the Crimson Tide a run for his or her cash in a conflict between the 2 tremendous conferences. Whatever the obvious mismatch on paper, this matchup might be higher than most all through the early weeks of subsequent season.
No. 5: Oregon vs. Oklahoma State, Sept. 6
The Geese have been concerned in some large nonconference matchups in recent times, together with in opposition to Ohio State, Georgia and Auburn. This yr, they will host Oklahoma State from the Huge-12, a crew that struggled final yr however had persistently put collectively stable seasons all through the final couple a long time. If the Cowboys can return to their 10-win ways in which have develop into the norm below Mike Gundy, this might show to be a serious matchup and the primary actual take a look at of Oregon’s season.
No. 4: Iowa at Iowa State, Sept. 6
Although neither program is a blue blood, each might simply be ranked to start subsequent season, offering the potential for a giant sport. Although they took a slight step again in 2024, the Hawkeyes have gained at the very least eight video games yearly since 2016, and there is little purpose to imagine that pattern will not proceed in 2025. Pair that with the Cyclones, who’re coming off Huge-12 championship sport look, and this may very well be one of many greatest video games within the lengthy historical past of the rivalry.
No. 3: Michigan at Oklahoma, Sept. 6
It is honest to say neither crew lived as much as expectations final season, with the Wolverines following a nationwide championship season by dropping to 8-5 in Sherrone Moore’s first yr as full-time head coach, whereas the Sooners fell from 10-3 in 2023 to 6-7 in 2024. Nonetheless, these are two blue bloods who’ve solely met as soon as earlier than, an Oklahoma victory in 1976, making for a historic matchup. Each squads totally imagine they’ll push for a playoff look this season, and a win on this sport would go a good distance towards that objective or be the rationale one crew falls wanting it.
No. 2: USC at Notre Dame, Oct. 18
Regardless of latest headlines about their lack of ability to come back to an settlement on scheduling future matchups, the 2 blue blood packages are slated to conflict in 2025. The Trojans suffered a down yr in 2024 at 7-6, whereas Notre Dame made a run to the nationwide championship sport earlier than working into the buzzsaw that was Ohio State. Each colleges have stacked sturdy recruiting courses and are anticipated to compete for playoff bids, resulting in a possible top-25 matchup. Moreover, these two all the time are likely to play one another powerful in one of many nation’s most storied rivalries.
No. 1: Ohio State vs. Texas Aug. 30
In a rematch of final yr’s School Soccer Playoff thriller, the Buckeyes and Longhorns will conflict in Columbus in a extremely anticipated rematch, and simply the highest nonconference sport of the yr. Per most betting websites, these groups have the 2 finest odds to win the nationwide championship this season. With star energy throughout the board, large identify manufacturers and an thrilling rematch from final yr’s postseason, this sport figures to be electrical.
