By Spencer McLaughlin, SuperWest Sports activities
The Huge Ten convention schedule will get underway with a pair of video games this week, each involving a West Coast faculty heading east.
USC will go to Purdue whereas Oregon goes to Evanston to fulfill Northwestern.
Bye weeks additionally start this week, and the lone Huge Ten faculty not taking part in is the Washington Huskies.
All advised, now we have a 15-game slate with six coming in opposition to FC foes. Wisconsin will head to Alabama within the third Huge Ten vs SEC matchup in as many weeks.
On this column, we’ll check out the six most attention-grabbing video games within the Huge Ten.
These six sometimes embrace the 4 faculties from the West, however with Washington off, we check out the video games involving UCLA, USC, and Oregon video games plus the three most attention-grabbing nonconference matchups.
New Mexico Lobos at UCLA Bruins
Friday, September 12
7:00 PM PT, Huge Ten Community
Line: UCLA –15.5
Over/Underneath: 53.5
For the second week in a row, now we have a Huge Ten vs Mountain West matchup. And for the second straight week, the competition entails UCLA.
The Bruins must hope this week’s recreation within the Rose Bowl goes higher than final week’s journey to Las Vegas.
UCLA completed sturdy in opposition to the Rebels, racking up 318 yards within the second half, nevertheless it was not sufficient to beat a gradual begin.
New Mexico can also be dealing with a Huge Ten opponent for the second time this season, and the end result ends higher the their season opener at Michigan.
Just like the Bruins, the Lobos had been additionally gradual out of the gate, falling behind to the Wolverines 17-0 within the second quarter earlier than getting issues going a bit.
The Bruins ought to be capable to carry the sturdy offensive efficiency they ended final week into this one. After two video games, the Lobos are 111th within the nation in opposition to the move, surrendering 252.5 yards per outing.
UNM has additionally been fairly dangerous in opposition to the run to open the season, rating one hundred and first within the nation in that class.
If Nico Iamaleava and the UCLA offense aren’t capable of get going early and sometimes, issues are lots worse than they seem for the winless Bruins.
The UCLA protection has additionally had its struggles this season, permitting 421.5 yards per recreation, rating 111th within the nation.
The Lobos struggled to get the bottom recreation going in opposition to Michigan, however had been capable of transfer the ball via the air.
Now, the Blue and Gold of the Bruins is not going to be confused with the Maize and Blue of that Wolverine run protection. UCLA has but to cease anybody this season on the bottom, permitting 217 yards per recreation.
Within the win in opposition to Idaho State final week, the Lobos ran the ball at will. This might be a check for the UCLA run protection.
We are going to see the place each of those items—the UNM offense and UCLA protection—actually stand this week, and that would give us some insights into how the remainder of the season could play out.
Both method, I like each offenses to maneuver the ball and rating some factors. That 53.5 factors whole appears excessive, however I believe it goes over. This one looks as if a 38-20 sort of recreation, through which UCLA pulls away late.
In opposition to the unfold: UCLA
Factors Whole: Over
Outright winner: UCLA
No. 4 Oregon Geese at Northwestern Wildcats
Saturday, September 13
9:00 AM PT, FOX
Line: Oregon –27.5
Over/Underneath: 48.5
The Huge Ten opener for each faculties sees one of many hottest groups within the nation heads east for an early kickoff.
Oregon has been dominant this season and was practically excellent in all phases of the sport of their beatdown of Oklahoma State final week.
The Geese are averaging 64 factors per recreation and have scored at the very least 50 factors in consecutive video games for the primary time since 2018.
UO has been simply as spectacular defensively, permitting simply 10 factors per recreation. The Geese are the one FBS group within the nation to rank within the Prime 10 in each scoring offense and protection.
Final season, the problems early had been retaining the QB protected; this season, that situation is lengthy gone. Oregon has but to permit a sack and has solely given up three tackles for loss in two video games.
Dante Moore has thrived in a clear pocket. Northwestern has produced three sacks of their two recreation this season however two of these got here in opposition to lowly Western Illinois. Moore ought to be capable to choose aside the Wildcats protection.
In opposition to Tulane, NU was solely capable of produce simply 3.8 yards per play on offense because the manufacturing was not there. The Oregon protection will make it tough for Northwestern to mount a lot of an assault in any respect.
The Geese have but to lose a Huge Ten regular-season recreation, I don’t assume the primary one is coming on this one.
In opposition to the unfold: Oregon
Factors Whole: Over
Outright winner: Oregon
Wisconsin Badgers at No. 19 Alabama Crimson Tide
Saturday, September 13
9:00 AM PT, ABC
Line: Alabama –20.5
Over/Underneath: 46.5
This one contains a pair of coaches who discover themselves sitting on seats which might be on the very least warming. The groups met final season in Madison, leading to a 42-10 win for the Crimson Tide.
I don’t assume we’ll see that many whole factors on this one.
The Wisconsin protection has allowed simply 10 whole factors this season. Granted, the opposition has not been nice. Alabama scored a bunch in opposition to ULM, however the offense was stagnant within the opener at Florida State.
The massive situation within the loss to FSU for the Tide was the protection, and the linebackers specifically. Wisconsin misplaced Billy Edwards within the opener, and his standing is doubtful for this one.
Danny O’Neil, previously of San Diego State, stepped in final week and delivered essentially the most passing yards ever in a Badger QB beginning debut with 283 in opposition to the Blue Raiders.
Now, Center Tennessee is a nasty group, so gradual response from the linebackers could possibly be the distinction. Alabama has but to report a sack this season, so if the QB can ship, the Badgers may pull the upset.
The Tide will roll with Ty Simpson at QB, who was an ideal 17 for 17 within the win final week. In opposition to FSU, he was pressured and sacked thrice, and his completion charge was simply 53%.
Evidently, the road play on each side of the ball might be large on this one.
Alabama has received 85 consecutive video games in opposition to unranked opponents at Bryant-Denny Stadium, with the final loss coming in 2007 to ULM. I believe that streak runs to 86 on Saturday.
In opposition to the unfold: Wisconsin
Factors Whole: Underneath
Outright winner: Alabama
USC Trojans at Purdue Boilermakers
Saturday, September 13
12:30 PM PT, CBS
Line: USC –21
Over/Underneath: 58.5
Is Purdue a greater group than they had been final season? In all probability.
Is USC a greater group than they had been final season? Most positively. USC was a a lot better squad than the Boilers in 2024, and this season, they’re far superior.
Via two video games this season, the Trojans have scored 132 factors and outscored their opponents by 99. The offense is clicking with explosive performs, and Jayden Maiava has been pretty much as good because it will get up to now.
In simply over 5 quarters of play this season, the QB has thrown for 707 yards and 6 TDs. He has essentially the most passing yards within the Huge Ten by 100 yards and has completed so on the second fewest passing makes an attempt within the league.
Purdue has gotten good play at QB from Ryan Browne up to now this season and the veteran appears to be in good command of Odom’s offense however the actual key to the offense is RB Devin Mockobee.
He’s adequate that he’ll churn out some yards, however the Trojans ought to hold the explosive runs at bay.
Along with his two wins to open his tenure at Purdue, Barry Odom is the primary head coach to open with a 2-0 mark in his debut season in West Lafayette since Cleo O’Donnell did so in 1916.
O’Donnell misplaced recreation three that season, Odom can also be going to lose Recreation Three.
In opposition to the unfold: USC
Factors Whole: Over
Outright winner: USC
Western Michigan Broncos at No. 9 Illinois Preventing Illini
Saturday, September 13
4:00 PM PT, FS1
Line: Illinois –27.5
Over/Underneath: 50.5
Well, they inform me to select six video games to spotlight every week. This one is the sixth one.
Out of the doable choices to select from, these gave the impression to be essentially the most intriguing, solely as a result of I’ve not written about Illinois but.
Of the opposite FBS solely matchups I’ve already lined Iowa, Michigan and Ohio State in some unspecified time in the future….So right here we’re.
Illinois has received six in a row, tied for the longest lively streak within the nation. The Illini are coming off a giant win over Duke final week through which they scored 45 factors, essentially the most in a highway recreation for this system since 2015.
Subsequent week, the Illini have a giant one at Indiana. Do I scent a entice recreation?
Illinois has compelled six turnovers this season and has but to present it away. WMU isn’t forcing many takeaways. The Broncos have fallen twice this season at Michigan State and at residence to North Texas.
Luke Altmyer and this offense ought to be capable to produce at will, whereas the protection ought to restrict WMU at each flip. This is not going to be a entice recreation for Illinois.
Search for a dominant efficiency, the cake might be baked early and the Illini will relaxation the starters.
In opposition to the unfold: Illinois
Factors Whole: Over
Outright winner: Illinois
Minnesota Golden Gophers at California Golden Bears
Saturday, September 13
7:30 PM PT, ESPN
Line: Minnesota –1.5
Over/Underneath: 42.5
This one is a enjoyable nonconference matchup. The Bears and Gophers have each been Golden this season as they’re off to a pair of 2-0 begins.
Cal is beginning scorching for the second straight season and coming off a defensive efficiency in opposition to Texas Southern, through which they allowed simply 194 yards of offense, the fewest they’ve allowed in a contest since 2021.
Minnesota’s protection has been much more potent. Minnesota is permitting simply 96.5 yards per recreation this season. Sure, that’s whole yards—65 passing and 31.5 on the bottom.
That venerable passing protection will get a check this week from Cal and their true freshman sign caller Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. The Bears are thirty first within the nation throwing the ball for 264 yards per recreation this season.
The true key to this one would be the Minnesota dashing assault in opposition to the Cal run protection. Pretty much as good because the younger QB has been for the Bears, the power of this squad is in the midst of the protection.
Cade Uluave and that LB unit might be examined by a Gopher group that likes to pound the ball on the bottom. The Gophers are averaging 205.5 yards on the bottom, led by Darius Taylor and Grant Washington.
Taylor is banged up and his stutus in up within the air. That could possibly be large plus for Cal, however Minnesota has a secure of proficient ball carriers. The Bear protection has held opponents to only 58.5 yards dashing per recreation in 2025.
Whoever wins this battle of dashing assault vs. run protection will possible win the sport.
In opposition to the unfold: Minnesota
Factors Whole: Underneath
Outright winner: Minnesota
[Next Read: Week 3 Big 12 Previews]
Spencer McLaughlin contributes movies to SuperWest Sports activities and is the host of “Locked on Faculty Soccer.”
