We’re all in for a deal with when the Massive Ten soccer season kicks off this September with 4 former Pac-12 faculties becoming a member of the convention. UCLA and USC had been introduced as future members in the summertime of 2022, whereas Washington and Oregon joined originally of August.
With the extinction of the Pac-12 all however full, Massive Ten’s new look may be in for its most enjoyable season but. This previous yr, Oregon and Washington, and to some extent USC, had been among the nation’s prime offenses. Opposite to the standard Massive Ten convention recreation with low scores and gritty protection, the 4 newcomers had been recognized for scoring touchdowns up and down the sector.
The variations in kinds shall be fascinating to observe this yr and to see how the brand new or outdated Massive Ten groups adapt to unfamiliar opponents. What number of Massive Ten followers are wanting ahead to seeing an anemic Iowa offense go up in opposition to Lincoln Riley’s USC or Dan Lanning’s Oregon Geese? We’ll have to attend for these precise matchups, however perhaps Kirk Ferentz will decelerate the Washington Huskies and introduce them to typical Massive Ten soccer. These new matchups will now be an everyday fixture come the autumn.
Undoubtedly, the Massive Ten is about to be so much stronger. There are not any extra divisions, simply the 2 prime groups going head-to-head for the convention title in December. Can it nonetheless be the Ohio State, Michigan present, or will the West Coast groups enter the fray with a vengeance? Solely time will inform, however one factor is certain: going 9-0 in convention play shall be subsequent to not possible.
Let’s check out the highest 20 Massive Ten convention matchups this season, and there are fairly a couple of thrilling ones.
Ohio State at Oregon (Oct. 12)
No Bo Nix and no Marvin Harrison Jr., however this matchup nonetheless has all of the makings of a top-2 matchup within the Massive Ten. Dan Lanning and Ryan Day hit the switch portal laborious, and the expertise must be on full show in a possible high-scoring affair.
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Michigan at Ohio State (Nov. 30)
“The Sport” all the time delivers, and the Buckeyes must be favored to finish their three-game skid in opposition to the Wolverines at residence in Columbus.
Oregon at Michigan (Nov. 2)
Arguably, Michigan’s hardest residence recreation this season. Can Dan Lanning and the Geese throw a wrench into the Wolverines’ back-to-back title hopes? The Geese shall be on their very own title problem, so this one has the makings of a basic.
USC at Michigan (Sept. 21)
An outdated Rose Bowl rivalry shall be renewed in Ann Arbor this fall. Though the Trojans won’t begin the season off ranked, their offense beneath Lincoln Riley must be enjoyable to observe in opposition to a proficient Michigan protection.
Michigan at Washington (Oct. 5)
A rematch of the nationwide title recreation, signal me up! Each groups will look so much totally different when the Sherrone Moore-led Wolverines head to Seatle to face the Jedd Fisch-led Huskies. However make no mistake, this matchup ought to nonetheless be one of many convention’s finest subsequent season.
Penn State at USC (Oct. 12)
Rematch of the 2017 Rose Bowl, anybody? I’m tremendous excited to observe the Nittany Lions journey to Southern California to tackle the Trojans. A rematch of what transpired in January of 2017 could be robust for Penn State followers however a win for faculty soccer. If James Franklin can get his offense proper this one has an opportunity to be a thriller.
Washington at Oregon (Nov. 30)
The “Border Conflict” has change into a must-see TV for the previous few years within the Pac-12, and now this rivalry enters the Massive Ten. With two new quarterbacks, will probably be totally different than Michael Penix Jr. versus Bo Nix, however it would nonetheless ship.
Ohio State at Penn State (Nov. 2)
Can James Franklin lastly get the “can’t win an enormous recreation” monkey off his again? Ryan Day’s squad will journey to State Faculty this yr to play within the ever-so-raucous Beaver Stadium. Can that ambiance be the distinction? It’ll take a displaying from Drew Allar and Co., however positively one tuning in for.
USC at UCLA (Nov. 23)
Though the expertise may be missing within the Bruins, the Los Angeles rivalry recreation is usually tight. Two large powerhouses now going at it within the Massive Ten on the Rose Bowl. Signal us up!
Washington at Penn State (Nov. 9)
I feel this recreation has the recipe to be a improbable one. Penn State has a couple of alternatives for the annual White Out recreation, however the nationwide runner-ups appear to be pretty much as good a wager as anyone. What’s to not like about introducing the Huskies to Beaver Stadium, with probably the greatest atmospheres in faculty soccer?
Oregon at UCLA (Sept 28)
Some would possibly name this the Chip Kelly recreation, and with the stage of the Rose Bowl, it must be a improbable watch. I don’t see the Geese fully walloping the Bruins, and with nice climate in retailer for a September in Southern California, Massive Ten followers ought to tune into this basic Pac-12 matchup.
Oregon at Wisconsin (Nov. 16)
Wisconsin has the power to shock some folks this season with Luke Fickell in his second yr on the helm. They might not beat the Geese in Madison, however will probably be a very good recreation. Watching the 4 new West Coast play in mid to late November video games within the chilly shall be certainly one of my favourite issues to observe come this fall. This one positively falls into that class.
Wisconsin at USC (Sept. 28)
One other recreation that options the Badgers, and one other recreation pitting the outdated Massive Ten in opposition to the brand new Massive Ten. I feel the video games with matchups that we as followers haven’t seen fairly often are, by nature, extra intriguing, ending into subsequent season. For me, one thing about faculty soccer makes this matchup really feel so proper. I’m positively wanting ahead to this one.
Penn State at Wisconsin (Oct. 26)
It appears wild that the final time the Badgers and the Nittany Lions confronted off was in 2021. This yr, it must be a very good matchup in Madison in opposition to two groups that appear all the time to play one another shut lately.
Nebraska at USC (Nov. 16)
I’ve a sense that Dylan Raiola and the Cornhuskers will give Lincoln Riley’s Trojans a run for his or her cash in mid-November. Perhaps USC blows them out, however I don’t actually see it. A tough-fought contest between two enormous soccer applications sounds extra possible.
Iowa at Ohio State (Oct. 5)
The Buckeyes will welcome the Hawkeyes for his or her first convention residence recreation of the season. Whether or not Iowa can problem Ohio State offensively stays to be seen, however early within the season, with each groups nonetheless figuring issues out, units this as much as be an intriguing matchup.
Washington at UCLA (Nov. 16)
One other Pac-12 matchup is now being performed within the Massive Ten. Each applications are going by way of some roster overhaul, which is why the sport is kind of a bit down the checklist, however it nonetheless must be an thrilling matchup.
Nebraska at Iowa (Nov. 29)
The annual Black Friday custom between these two prototypical Massive Ten faculties which can be nearly 300 miles aside. It’s a recreation that Iowa has dominated in current reminiscence, with the Cornhuskers successful simply as soon as within the final 9 seasons. Nebraska appears to be on an upward trajectory with Matt Rhule and now Dylan Raiola within the fold. A chilly one, however a very good one appears to be on faucet in Iowa Metropolis.
UCLA at Penn State (Oct. 5)
It’s a matchup that hasn’t been performed since 1967 however one that ought to convey some new reminiscences to Massive Ten followers. UCLA having to make the trek all the way in which to State Faculty shall be an attention-grabbing factor to watch.
Wisconsin at Iowa (Nov. 9)
The battle for the Heartland Trophy is all the time a detailed contest in typical Massive Ten trend, a low-scoring affair. The Badgers have misplaced the previous two matchups, and this yr’s iteration is heading again to Iowa Metropolis, so Wisconsin should cope with being at Kinnick Stadium. The Badgers lead the sequence 49-46-2, and each groups mission to be round related spots within the convention standings, offering all of the elements for a contested matchup.
Story initially appeared on Nittany Lions Wire
