By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports activities
The opening week of the 2025 season was an enormous success for the Massive Ten, posting a 16-2 document and a pair of Energy 4 wins.
These victories included an enormous triumph for Ohio State over Texas, giving the league an early edge in convention supremacy over the SEC.
UCLA suffered the B1G’s lone loss towards a fellow P4 opponent, dropping an unpleasant one at residence towards Utah.
This week sees 5 matchups between the Massive Ten and different Energy Convention applications, together with one other showdown with the SEC and a pair of contests towards the Massive 12.
The opposite two energy matchups function Illinois and Michigan State squaring off with ACC opponents Duke and Boston School, respectively.
Right here’s a take a look at the six most intriguing video games on the Massive Ten slate beneath. As all the time, our focus is totally on the 4 groups within the West, plus the 2 subsequent finest contests.
Iowa at No. 16 Iowa State
Saturday, September 6
9:00 AM PT, FOX
Line: Iowa State –3
Over/Below: 41.5
We get the battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy in Ames this week, a rivalry that all the time appears to be shut, irrespective of how a lot better one crew seems on paper.
This season, the crew that seems higher on paper is the Cyclones, however the Hawkeyes have come away victorious in every of their final six conferences at Jack Trice Stadium.
Apparently, the highway crew has received the final 5 within the sequence.
Iowa showcased a punishing floor assault final week, rolling over Albany to the tune of 310 yards speeding. However the opponent was Albany.
The Greate Danes are a good distance from a Cyclone unit that seems to be able to battle TCU and Arizona State for the Massive XII crown.
The Cyclones restricted Ok-State to simply 110 yards on the bottom of their season-opening win in Dublin. Towards the cross, ISU has not been as stout.
Within the win over Ok-State, they allowed 273 yards by the air with a 70% completion fee. They have been higher within the dominant win over South Dakota, however once more, the opponent issues.
The Hawkeye passing assault guarantees to be higher this season with Mark Gronowski pulling the strings in Tim Lester’s offensive system.
We didn’t see that final week, with simply 48 passing yards within the win, however with 300-plus yards on the bottom, there didn’t appear to be a lot have to toss it round.
So, as soon as once more it is a rivalry that appears arduous to handicap. The one factor that appears to be a certainty is that we are able to count on a detailed one within the fourth quarter.
If the Hawks’ passing recreation can shine, they might lengthen the highway win streak within the sequence. I believe the Cyclones are only a bit higher. They pull out a detailed one and get a slender cowl.
—My Picks—
Towards the unfold: Iowa State
Factors Complete: Below
Outright winner: Iowa State
Oklahoma State at No. 6 Oregon 
Saturday, September 6
12:30 AM PT, CBS
Line: Oregon –28.5
Over/Below: 57.5
Mike Gundy can coach, no query. He additionally tends to be outspoken, by no means shying away from a sound chew.
This week was no completely different, with the OK State coach initiating an NIL dialogue with Dan Lanning.
However lest we overlook amid all he discuss of UO’s Nike benefit, the Cowboy program is constructed on T. Boone Pickens cash.
Finally, the backwards and forwards between the 2 head coaches this week is far ado about nothing.
Nonetheless, it makes this seemingly one-sided matchup appear a bit extra interesting, stirring up controversy and a spotlight.
Ultimately, an enormous Oregon win on Saturday can have of us saying they have been fueled with further motivation from the feedback made in the course of the week.
In actuality, Oregon is the superior crew. Any massive victory stems from the expertise hole between the 2 faculties.
Each of those groups picked up wins over FCS opponents final week. The Pokes prevailed by 20 factors over UT-Martin, whereas the Geese routed Montana State by 46.
If there was a query mark surrounding this Oregon crew coming into the season, it was the passing assault and—extra particularly—the efficiency of Dante Moore at quarterback.
Now, one week actually doesn’t make a season, however it positively can reply just a few questions, and Moore seemed sharp within the opening win.
If he continues to play like he did in Week One, the Geese will likely be arduous for any crew to beat, not to mention an OK State crew that appears more likely to wrestle shifting the ball this season.
Pregame hype or not, this one has blowout written throughout it.
—My Picks—
Towards the unfold: Oregon
Factors Complete: Over
Outright winner: Oregon
Georgia Southern at USC 
Saturday, September 6
4:30 PM PT, Massive Ten Community
Line: USC –28.5
Over/Below: 60.5
If nothing else, this recreation sparks intrigue with the return of Clay Helton to the Coliseum.
The previous USC head man brings his Georgia Southern crew to L.A., hoping the sport goes higher than his most up-to-date journey out West.
Final week towards Fresno State, the Eagles have been utterly outmatched. It might have been about as ugly because it will get, if not for Saturday’s date with the Trojans.
The Eagles yielded 537 yards to the Bulldogs, whereas USC produced 597 towards the Eagles.
The Trojans deployed a balanced within the assault towards the Bears, and determine to take action once more vs. Missouri State.
Offensively, the Trojans ought to have the ability to do absolutely anything they need.
It wouldn’t shock me to see SC put up 400+ yards by the air or 300+ on the bottom, relying on their method.
Regardless of the lopsided loss final week, the Eagles have been capable of transfer the ball.
I don’t suppose they’ll have the ability to so this week.
—My Picks—
Towards the unfold: USC
Factors Complete: Over
Outright winner: USC
UCLA at UNLV 
Saturday, September 6
5:00 PM PT, CBS Sports activities Community
Line: UCLA –2.5
Over/Below: 53.5
The Bruins obtained torched of their opener towards a wonderful Utah crew.
The Rebels have two video games underneath their belt and have come away with a pair of wins, however haven’t seemed nice in both victory.
That brings us to this one, with the Massive Ten squad a slender favourite on the highway.
The largest drawback for UCLA final week was working right into a much-improved Utah crew. The Bruins are usually not but on the stage of growth wanted to problem superior applications.
UCLA’s offensive line didn’t maintain up towards the Utes, permitting 5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks of Nico Iamaleava within the blowout defeat.
If the Bruins can’t do a greater job of protecting their QB upright, they are going to be in for an extended season.
UNLV’s efficiency in Week One was higher than within the earlier week. The 4 interceptions thrown by Idaho State within the opener saved the Rebels.
The Las Vegas crew carried out a lot better towards Sam Houston, particularly on the QB place, as Anthony Colandrea accomplished 82.6% of his passes for 249 yards towards the Bearkats.
UCLA is competent on the again finish of the protection and will make issues tougher for the Insurgent passing recreation.
The massive query is whether or not UNLV can deal with the Bruins the best way a few of the higher Energy 4 groups would possibly?
This can be a probability for the Rebels to make a press release, particularly with each San Jose State and Boise State falling flat.
With a win, the Rebels can lay declare because the crew to beat within the MW this season.
The Bruins have a possibility to get an enormous non-con highway win and take an enormous step towards six wins and a bowl.
I believe UCLA will get higher line play on this one, permitting Iamaleava to play nearer to expectations.
—My Picks—
Towards the unfold: UCLA
Factors Complete: Below
Outright winner: UCLA
No. 15 Michigan at No. 18 Oklahoma 
Saturday, September 6
7:30 PM PT, ABC
Line: Oklahoma –5.5
Over/Below: 46.5
This looks as if an enormous one, and it’s. Will it’s all the things we think about once we consider a Michigan vs. Oklahoma matchup? Most likely not. However it seems like it’s getting nearer.
The Wolverines struggled final season in a transition 12 months, however Bryce Underwood would possibly simply be a ok QB to complement the always-dominant Michigan protection.
The Brent Venables period in Norman has not taken off fairly just like the Sooners had deliberate, however there have been glimpses of enchancment.
And the expertise this season seems to be by the roof.
Underwood’s debut gave Michigan followers cause to be optimistic, with the true freshman throwing for 251 yards. Final season, the Wolverines recorded simply two 200+ yard passing video games, and the high-water mark was 208.
Likewise for the Sooners, the play of John Mateer is the principle cause for optimism. The WSU switch threw for 392 yards in his OU debut.
Each QBs will face stiffer competitors this week, and whichever performs higher will stroll away with the win.
So, may this be a Playoff preview? Perhaps a Playoff elimination recreation for the loser? Or maybe we’ll look again on this recreation in November and say, “What occurred to these groups?”
I wish to suppose we’re wanting on the first possibility, however wouldn’t be stunned if any of these situations play out.
Regardless, I’m wanting ahead to this one.
I believe Michigan retains it shut with their protection, however the home-team Sooners will notch an SEC victory over their Massive Ten opponent this week.
—My Picks—
Towards the unfold: Michigan
Factors Complete: Below
Outright winner: Oklahoma
UC Davis at Washington 
Saturday, September 6
8:00 PM PT, Massive Ten Community
Line: Washington –28.5
Over/Below: 53.5
UC Davis is an excellent soccer crew on the FCS stage. The Huskies actually is not going to need to overlook the Aggies, however they need to even have little hassle shifting to 2-0 on the season.
Merely put, Washington’s working recreation will likely be far an excessive amount of for UC Davis to resist. And in a worst-case situation, if the sport is shut late, UW figures to put on down an Aggie crew with far much less depth.
Demond Williams stepped into his starring position within the season-opening win over Colorado State final week. The signal-caller accounted for 294 yards, with 68 of them approaching the bottom.
Jonah Coleman seemed as punishing and elusive as any again within the nation, averaging 7.4 yards per carry as he ran for 177 on the evening.
Denzel Boston confirmed why he’s destined to play on Sundays, knocking down 5 receptions for 92 yards, together with a spectacular TD that when once more appeared ho-hum.
It was his tenth within the final two seasons.
UC Davis merely is not going to have a solution to Washington’s firepower on offense.
The Huskies will have the ability to beat groups in a lot of methods this season.
The Aggies will be unable to remove a weapon from one side of the UW assault with out being inclined to a different.
—My Picks—
Towards the unfold: Washington
Factors Complete: Below
Outright winner: Washington
writes about numerous subjects for SuperWest sports activities, together with stats and data, faculty sports activities, and motorsports. He additionally based and runs the Sports activities and Leisure Analysis Middle (SERC).
