Many Big B1G Football Games in 2025, But Give Me 5!

[Jon Joseph]

 

It's Week 5, when the rubber starts to meet the B1G conference road.

 

Before Week Five, we have these out-of-conference (OOC) games versus our Advisory Committee 'buddies' to look forward to. 

 

(The Sporting News Preseason Top 25 Rankings are used below.)

 

Week 1 - August 30, 2025 - No. 1 Texas at No. 2 Ohio State. 

 

If this rematch of the 2025 Cotton Bowl Playoff game was not already B1G enough, Columbus, Ohio, where Lee Corso made his first headgear pick, Brutus to win, is the likely spot for the venerable Corso to make his last pick before retirement. 

 

It's No. 2 Ohio State that is favored by -4.5 to win this game. 20 to 22 million CFB fans are expected to tune into this matchup. 

 

Week 2 - September 6, 2025, No. 19 Michigan -2.5 at NR Oklahoma.

 

January 1, 1976 - Orange Bowl - Oklahoma 14, Michigan 6.

 

That's all, folks, for games played between Michigan, the college program with the most wins, 1,012, and Oklahoma, the program with the longest win streak, 47 games from 1953 through 1957, before being upset in Norman by Notre Dame.

 

The Oklahoma coach during 'The Streak' was Bud Wilkinson, who played on Minnesota's three championships in a row teams.

 

Week 3 - September 13, 2025 - NR Wisconsin +16.5 (Gulp!) at No. 9 Alabama

 

Hide the Badgers Women and Children!

 

In addition to the most difficult conference schedule in 2025, the Fickle Finger of Fate, and a sadistic AD, add this game to the Badgers' coach Luke Fickle's already hot seat. 

 

On to the B1G Week 5, where it would have been serendipitous to have five big B1G games, but the four games below should give OBD fans a B1G Time Show.

 

September 27, 2025 - No. 21 Indiana at NR Iowa - The second difficult game in a row for a Hoosiers team that plays Illinois the week prior in Bloomington. 

 

Indiana and Iowa should be no worse than 3-1 coming into this game. And if Indiana defeats No. 14 Illinois the week prior, and Iowa can win on the road at No. 24 Iowa State in Week 2, both teams could be 4-0 with both ranked in the Top 25.

 

September 27, 2025 - No. 2 Ohio State at NR Washington - If the Buckeyes get past the Longhorns in Week 1, they will come into Seattle 3-0, a Buckeyes Bye before this game, and the likely No. 1 ranked team in the nation.

 

UW was undefeated last season in Husky Stadium, and if UW does not drop two in a row to the Pac-7 + Gonzo Wazzu Cougars, this will be a matchup of undefeated teams. 

 

September 27, 2025 - NR USC at No. 14 Illinois. Coming off its game at Indiana the week before, this will be another Prove-It Game for the Illini, a team that returns 18 starters from last season.

 

USC went 1-5 last season in one-score games. SC took Penn State into overtime and had Notre Dame on the ropes before throwing two costly interceptions at the goal line, both returned by the Irish for 90+ yard TDs.

 

With games versus 'old friend' Clay Helton's Georgia Southern, at Purdue, Michigan State, and the home opener against MO. State (No Larry or Curly? ), 4-0 USC will come into Champaign, ready to drink post-game champagne and move into the Top 25.

 

September 27, 2025 - No. 6 Oregon at No. 3 Penn State - Week 5's Main Event!

 

At least SC plays the Domers OOC, Penn State plays Nevada, FIU, and Villanova in Happy Valley, and takes an undeserved 3-0 nap before the 4-0 (knock on a decoy) Mighty Oregon Ducks, accompanied by Sir Charles and other OBDers, come to town. 

 

Vegas has OBD -3.5. 10,000 games were simulated on ESPN, with Oregon winning 53.7% of the games. (Don't ask me what happened in the .03% game PSU won .)

 

A White Out game would be a boon. Unfortunately, I think the kickoff will happen at B1G Noon .

 

OBD, TCB in Weeks 1-4, please, beginning with a Beat Down of the Bobs!

 

Let's have more B1G Fun  13-0, anyone?

 

 

 

 

 

[Steven A]

On 5/4/2025 at 11:52 AM, Jon Joseph said:

A White Out game would be a boon.

For PSU.  I like the idea of a nooner!

[Jon Joseph]

On 5/4/2025 at 3:33 PM, Steven A said:

For PSU.  I like the idea of a nooner!

 

I too like the idea, but ... The other day with a come hither look, my spouse asked if I'd like to walk upstairs and make a little love?

 

I replied: 'I think I can do one, but not the other.'

[30Duck]

On 5/4/2025 at 11:52 AM, Jon Joseph said:

 

Week 1 - August 30, 2025 - No. 1 Texas at No. 2 Ohio State. 

Because of this game, Finebaum doesn't suggest, but declares, that both teams are viable for the CFP with 9 wins. 

 

Speaking on The Paul Finebaum Show, the veteran analyst highlighted the season-opening clash between Ohio State and Texas as a pivotal moment. “Take Ohio State or Texas. Both of those could get in with nine [wins] because they play each other to start the year,” Finebaum stated, suggesting that an early loss won’t doom either team’s playoff chances due to the strength—or relative weakness—of their remaining schedules.