A loaded Large Ten schedule kicks off with a bang in 2025, that includes a sequence of heavyweight bouts within the season’s first month. Highlighting the early-season showdowns is a matchup between playoff frontrunners Oregon and Penn State on CBS — a recreation that almost all imagine will issue closely into the convention title race.
Not each group’s schedule is created equal, although. And a few groups are merely not outfitted to deal with the week-to-week grind that comes from taking part in in one of many nation’s best conferences. After boasting 4 playoff qualifiers final fall and successful a second straight nationwide championship, the Large Ten may see as many as eight groups included within the preseason prime 25 later this summer time.
So which groups are arrange for achievement, and which may have a tricky street going into 2025? We picked out the Large Ten’s 4 most favorable and hardest schedules.
What would an SEC vs. Large Ten sequence appear to be? 16 tasty potential matchups as schedule alliance rumors swirl
Brad Crawford
Most Favorable
1. Maryland
2025 slate: FAU, NIU, Towson, at Wisconsin, Washington, Nebraska, at UCLA, Indiana, at Rutgers, at Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State
The Terrapins’ preseason win whole is simply 4.5, in keeping with FanDuel Sportsbook. However it’s not going to take a spectacular season out of Mike Locksley’s group to achieve bowl eligibility and hit the over. Illinois and Michigan are the one groups inside our post-spring prime 25 on Maryland’s slate and the Terrapins are the one group within the Large Ten that won’t play Ohio State, Penn State or Oregon.
2. Oregon Geese
2025 slate: Montana State, Oklahoma State, at Northwestern, Oregon State, at Penn State, Indiana, at Rutgers, Wisconsin, at Iowa, Minnesota, USC, at Washington
The reigning Large Ten champions have a yellow brick street again to Indianapolis and a playoff look if all goes in keeping with plan. The deliberate whiteout at Penn State the ultimate weekend of September is the one recreation the place Dan Lanning’s group will doubtless be an underdog. Oregon is not going to cope with Ohio State or Michigan and the open weeks come earlier than Iowa and USC.
3. Nebraska Cornhuskers
2025 slate: Cincinnati, Akron, HCU, Michigan, Michigan State, at Maryland, at Minnesota, Northwestern, USC, at UCLA, at Penn State, Iowa
This program may take a significant leap ahead if quarterback Dylan Raiola continues his growth below Dana Holgorsen and Matt Rhule’s handpicked portal class exhibits out. The Huskers have put a ton of sources into this two-deep roster and drew a schedule conducive to success. The Large Ten opener towards Michigan at house in Week 4 may outline the Huskers’ season.
4. Michigan State Spartans
2025 slate: Western Michigan, Boston School, Youngstown State, at USC, at Nebraska, UCLA, at Indiana, Michigan,at Minnesota, Penn State, at Iowa, Maryland
Sure, Michigan State performs Michigan and Penn State, however each of these video games are available in East Lansing. MSU’s final two wins over the Wolverines and Nittany Lions have come at Spartan Stadium. Michigan State has an opportunity to get off on the proper foot at 3-0 after three favorable nonconference house video games earlier than touring to Los Angeles for the league opener.
5 Large Ten video games that can form School Soccer Playoff race earlier than October begins
Tom Fornelli
Hardest
1. Wisconsin
2025 slate: Miami College, Center Tennessee, at Alabama, Maryland, at Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State, at Oregon, Washington, at Indiana, Illinois, at Minnesota
The Badgers are praying prime 15 switch class pays fast dividends contemplating most of their most tough video games come on the street this season. Along with taking part in Michigan, Oregon and Indiana away from Camp Randall Stadium, Wisconsin goes to Alabama early. There may very well be extra stress on Luke Fickell and workers if the Badgers sink below the burden of this schedule.
2. Rutgers
2025 slate: Ohio, Miami College, Norfolk State, Iowa, at Minnesota, at Washington, Oregon, at Purdue, at Illinois, Maryland, at Ohio State, Penn State
What did Greg Schiano do to the Large Ten to deserve this nightmare of a second-half stretch that features Oregon, Illinois, Ohio State and Penn State over a five-week span? That’s three potential top-10 groups for a squad that doesn’t evaluate roster-wise and may very well be combating to remain above water in November.
3. Purdue
2025 slate: Ball State, Southern Illinois, USC, at Notre Dame, Illinois, at Minnesota, at Northwestern, Rutgers, at Michigan, Ohio State, at Washington, Indiana
If there’s a silver lining for first-year coach Barry Odom it’s he’ll have a good suggestion the place this group stand by the tip of the opening month — the Boilermakers will entertain USC earlier than a street nonconference showdown with Notre Dame. Maybe an open date earlier than internet hosting doubtless ranked Illinois on Oct. 4 will profit Purdue for the reason that Preventing Illini shall be taking part in for the sixth straight week with Ohio State looming.
4. USC
2025 slate: Missouri State, Georgia Southern, at Purdue, Michigan State, at Illinois, Michigan, at Notre Dame, at Nebraska, Northwestern, Iowa, at Oregon, UCLA
This was a tricky name within the No. 4 spot, however we’re not going to know a lot in regards to the Trojans till Week 5 once they take their present on the street to Illinois. That’s the primary of three straight video games towards potential top-20 competitors. In November, USC goes to Nebraska and battles Oregon on the street. Lincoln Riley’s season will flip instantly bitter if the Trojans fail to win their first two Large Ten matchups with Purdue and Michigan State, respectively.
