By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports activities
The 2025 Huge Ten soccer season begins this week, with all 18 groups in motion.
The final two Nationwide Champions hail from the storied convention, which is able to as soon as once more have a slew of groups vying for this season’s crown.
The defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes get issues going with the marquee sport of the week, going through Texas in Columbus.
It’s a uncommon matchup of the No. 1 and No. 3 groups within the Preseason AP Ballot, and a conflict of Energy 4 Titans from the SEC and Huge Ten.
All 4 West Coast Huge Ten groups—Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington—host nonconference opponents of their openers this week, welcoming groups from the Huge Sky, Huge 12, Convention USA, and Mountain West, respectively.
On this column, I spotlight the six most intriguing video games on the Huge Ten slate, with an emphasis on applications from the West, plus the subsequent greatest two.
This week, these two function the Huskers and the Buckeyes, with all video games ordered by dates and occasions.
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Cincinnati Bearcats
Thursday, August 28
6:00 PM PT, ESPN
Line: Nebraska –7
Over/Underneath Level Whole: 52.5
This is an enormous sport for the Cornhuskers. Nebraska reached bowl eligibility final season for the primary time since 2016.
In Yr Three below Matt Rhule, the Huskers have to take the subsequent step. Beginning with a street loss to the Bearcats can be an enormous blow to Nebraska’s much-needed progress this season.
Dylan Raiola has a yr of expertise below his belt, and a few of the errors he made a season in the past must be a factor of the previous. They should be previously in opposition to this UC protection, which may trigger some issues.
The Husker O-Line is seasoned, with 123 mixed begins, the thirteenth most within the nation coming into this season. Nonetheless, that skilled line can have its fingers full within the opener.
The linebacker duo of Jack Golday and Jack Dingle might be the most effective LB models within the Huge XII. They’ll make make noiose outdoors, however Dontay Corleone within the middle of the D-line is the playmaker.
If Nebraska can get the bottom sport going, it ought to open issues up for Raiola to shine.
Brendan Sorsby is a elegant and skilled QB who could make performs for the Bearcats. He’ll want some gamers round him to step up, and I believe they’ll this season.
However on this one, I like Nebraska’s protection to make performs and head residence with a street win.
—My Picks—
In opposition to the unfold: Nebraska
Factors Whole: Underneath
Outright winner: Nebraska
No. 1 Texas Longhorns at No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes
Saturday, August 30
9:00 AM PT, FOX
Line: Ohio State –1.5
Over/Underneath Level Whole: 47.5
Well, we definitely don’t have to attend lengthy for the “sport of the yr,” a minimum of from our present perspective.
It is a rematch of the Cotton Bowl Playoff semifinal from final season.
Some key items from that semifinal will play on Sundays, however some stay in place; most notably for the Buckeye protection, Caleb Downs.
Ohio State will begin freshman Julian Sayin at QB. The Longhorns will counter with Arch Manning.
Whereas Manning shouldn’t be a freshman and has the title recognition of a veteran, he solely has two profession begins to his credit score.
He gained each of these video games, however the opponents went a mixed 7-17 in 2024. This could present a bonus for Downs and the Buckeye protection.
Search for Texas to rely closely on the bottom sport.
That Texas protection goes to trigger all kinds of suits for the OSU’s younger QB.
Within the Playoff tilt final season, the Horns restricted Jeremiah Smith to only one reception for 3 yards. The All-American WR will should be extra productive for Sayin.
Texas has an All-American within the again finish of their protection as properly, and Michael Taaafe will should be simply nearly as good as he was final January.
The Buckeyes are 6-0 each straight-up and in opposition to the unfold vs. their final six ranked opponents.
Provided that OSU is at residence and Texas will want a while to gel on offense, I’m going with the Bucks on this one.
—My Picks—
In opposition to the unfold: Ohio State
Factors Whole: Underneath
Outright winner: Ohio State
Montana State Bobcats at No. 7 Oregon Geese
Saturday, August 30
1:00 PM PT, Huge Ten Community
Line: Oregon –27.5
Over/Underneath Level Whole: 56.5
Both of those groups are adequate to problem for nationwide titles this season—the Bobcats on the FCS degree and the Geese on the FBS degree.
Some attention-grabbing parallels make this an intriguing matchup.
Each groups have explosive offenses which can be changing their beginning QB from final season, and each applications possess a profitable tradition.
Now, can the Bobcats pull the upset? I don’t assume so, however it’s nonetheless an attention-grabbing sport to sit up for.
Not solely did MSU lose Tommy Mellott to the NFL, however the Bobcats additionally misplaced high RB Scottre Humphrey to New Mexico. Regardless of these losses, Montana State nonetheless has some firepower on offense.
Adam Jones is a 1,000-yard again, and Taco Dowler can stretch the sphere. We’d want to attend per week to see these guys really shine, as this Oregon protection ought to shut them down.
Dillon Thieneman leads a slew of expertise in the back of the protection, and the Oregon linebackers ought to trigger all kinds of issues for Montana State.
Matayo Uigalelei may stay within the Bobcat backfield on Saturday.
Offensively, this must be one for the Geese to get their ft moist and construct chemistry between a few of the new items of their assault.
Final season, within the early a part of the yr, Oregon struggled with the play of its offensive line. This season, that line appears loaded, and I’d be shocked if we see related points early.
Dante Moore may not be good on this one, however he in all probability doesn’t should be.
—My Picks—
In opposition to the unfold: Oregon
Factors Whole: Over
Outright winner: Oregon
Missouri State Bears at USC Trojans
Saturday, August 30
4:30 PM PT, Huge Ten Community
Line: USC –35.5
Over/Underneath Level Whole: 59.5
USC figures to be an excellent soccer group this season—dare I say sneaky good?
It appears odd to assume that the Trojans is perhaps that missed, however there’s not a number of hype across the program this season.
You get the sensation they’re flying a bit below the radar.
However, after all, we’ll see how probably dominant they’re in what must be a tune-up of their season opener.
The Bears are making their debut as an FBS group this season, and what a debut it’s, visiting the Coliseum.
Whether it is any comfort to the group projected to complete final in Convention USA, it’s that the Trojans have some unknowns. Nonetheless, the offense must be productive.
Jayden Maiava steps into the unquestioned beginning spot at quarterback and has a bunch of very proficient vast receivers at his disposal.
On this one, although, it’s the working assault that ought to be capable of put on the Bears down. Search for the Trojans to determine the run early and sometimes.
Missouri State has an excellent QB in Jacob Clark, who was third within the FCS in passing effectivity a season in the past. If he has time, he may pose an issue for the Trojan secondary.
Having time would be the key there. The Bears’ O-line shall be undersized and had points final season in go safety. USC ought to management the road on each side of the ball.
I believe Clark will face a ton of strain.
—My Picks—
In opposition to the unfold: USC
Factors Whole: Over
Outright winner: USC
Utah Utes at UCLA Bruins
Saturday, August 30
8:00 PM PT, FOX
Line: Utah –6
Over/Underneath Level Whole: 51.5
The former Pac-12 foes meet on the Rose Bowl in a Energy 4 nonconference matchup that appeared implausible just a few years in the past.
Utah is coming off a 2024 season that devolved right into a disappointing battle.
The Bruins want to enhance on a transition first-year marketing campaign for DeShaun Foster, which ended significantly better than it started.
The Bruin roster options 57 new names, 36 of them through the switch portal. None of these names loom bigger than Nico Iamaleava.
The previous Tennessee QB will lead the new-look Bruin offense, however how a lot firepower will he should work with within the early a part of the season?
Utah’s protection, particularly the road, was not the issue final season, so UCLA’s offensive entrance might want to maintain up and produce extra on the bottom.
The Bruin dashing assault ranked 132nd within the nation in 2024.
Utah has playmakers within the again half of the protection that might pressure Iamaleava into some poor choices, particularly if UCLA fails to determine a run sport.
Utah’s offense will look totally different than in 2024, and that shall be factor, as a result of final season, it didn’t look good.
Jason Beck takes over at OC for the Utes and appears to duplicate his high-powered offense from New Mexico.
Bringing Devon Dampier together with him at QB undoubtedly helps. Dampier is a playmaker, and the play is rarely over when he has the ball in his fingers.
The Utes ought to management each traces however can have a major edge on the offensive line. And will the pocket break down, that’s when Dampier improvises higher than nearly anybody.
This sport ought to keep shut your complete approach. I believe Utah wins its, however the Bruins will maintain issues inside a single rating.
—My Picks—
In opposition to the unfold: UCLA
Factors Whole: Underneath
Outright winner: Utah
Colorado State Rams at Washington Huskies
Saturday, August 30
8:00 PM PT, FOX
Line: Washington –21.5
Over/Underneath Level Whole: 53.5
We get to see a pair of West Coast foes go at it on this Huge Ten vs. Mountain West showdown.
It’s one among three matchups between the conferences in Week 1, with Michigan additionally internet hosting New Mexico and Nevada visiting Penn State.
In all three instances, the Huge Ten host is a heavy favourite. Search for a Husky group with loads to show to return out able to play Saturday evening.
Final season, Demond Williams Jr. tried simply 105 passes. This season, the beginning job is his, and the destiny of this rebuilding Washington group is in his fingers.
Happily, he can have a number of assist from proficient go catchers and the most effective backfields within the nation. Jonah Coleman is perhaps one of the best again in America, and his working mate, Adam Mohammed, is not any slouch both.
That duo, together with Williams’ capacity to run, ought to create the most effective floor assaults within the nation. It must be on full show in Husky Stadium this weekend after darkish.
CSU allowed opponents to run for over 182 yards per sport of their losses in 2024. The Rams will probably battle to discover a approach to decelerate the Huskies.
This might be one for Williams to get the passing sport going as properly, as CSU is breaking in a completely new again half of their protection.
Whereas Williams lacks a number of expertise on the collegiate degree, Colorado State’s Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi brings a wealth of expertise and expertise into 2025.
With Fowler-Nicolosi on the helm, the Rams will at all times have a shot, however he might want to have time to function. The Husky DBs must be stingy this season, however given time to function, the veteran QB may carve up any protection.
Final season, UW was horrible in opposition to the run, however that ought to change this yr. If it doesn’t, CSU’s Justin Marshal may make issues tough for Washington.
The Rams will rating some factors and maintain this one nearer than some assume it must be.
Colorado State has not gained a season opener since 2017, and that could be a streak that can proceed for a minimum of yet another season.
—My Picks—
In opposition to the unfold: Colorado State
Factors Whole: Underneath
Outright winner: Washington
writes about varied matters for SuperWest sports activities, together with stats and information, faculty sports activities, and motorsports. He additionally based and runs the Sports activities and Leisure Analysis Heart (SERC).
