Top 10 Big Ten Football Games to Watch in 2025
From historic rivalries to playoff-shaping clashes, take a look at this season’s must-watch, calendar-worthy games
From Week 1 blockbusters to rivalry weekend showdowns, this year's Big Ten football schedule delivers must-watch games that will shape the College Football Playoff. Here are the 10 must-see matchups we have on our calendars.
Week 1: Texas vs. Ohio State
Saturday, August 30th at 12 p.m. ET on FOX
2024 records:
Texas: 13-3 overall, 7-1 SEC
Ohio State: 14-2 overall, 7-2 Big Ten
The season kicks off with a rematch of the 2024 College Football Playoff Semifinal in Columbus. Ohio State's 28-14 victory last season was highlighted by quarterback Will Howard's nearly perfect 24-for-26, 289-yard performance and Jack Sawyer's game-sealing 83-yard fumble recovery touchdown. Full recap here.
This marks just the fifth meeting between these programs, with the all-time series tied 2-2. The Buckeyes haven't hosted Texas since 2005-06, when the Longhorns escaped with a 25-22 victory.
Texas enters 2025 with the nation's top-ranked recruiting class, while Ohio State sits at No. 5 (via ESPN). The Longhorns are chasing their first national championship since 2005, but they'll face a Buckeye defense determined to stifle new starting quarterback Arch Manning. (Yes, that Manning).
The defending CFP champions - who were the only team to have three members featured on the EA Sports College Football 26 Cover - will come out hot, hoping to start a run for the Buckeyes' first back-to-back national titles.
All eyes on week one.
Week 2: Michigan at Oklahoma
Saturday, September 6th at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
2024 records:
Michigan: 8-5 overall, 5-4 Big Ten
Oklahoma: 6-7 overall, 2-6 SEC
It's been nearly five decades since we saw a Wolverines-Sooners matchup. Their previous encounter came in 1976, when Oklahoma defeated Michigan 14-6 at the Orange Bowl to clinch a national title.
The Wolverines are coming off strong finishes in the last two seasons. They defeated No. 11 Alabama in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl, the season after their 2023 College Football Playoff Championship run. Oklahoma, meanwhile, showed flashes of brilliance last season with a 24-3 victory over Alabama before falling to Navy 21-20 in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada, the 2024 Bakken-Andersen Big Ten Kicker of the Year, earned Walter Camp Preseason All-America first team honors and could be a difference-maker in what promises to be a close contest.
This non-conference, powerhouse matchup will have College Football Playoff implications come December. Mark your calendars.
Week 3: Wisconsin at Alabama
Saturday, September 13th at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC
2024 records:
Wisconsin: 5-7 overall, 3-6 Big Ten
Alabama: 9-4 overall, 5-3 SEC
The Badgers head to Tuscaloosa for the first time in program history, seeking revenge after Alabama's 42-10 victory in Madison last season. These programs have only met three times in nearly 100 years, with the Crimson Tide holding a 2-1 advantage.
With a stacked winter transfer class (19 commitments with several top-rated prospects) and a promising new hire in offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, this is a massive opportunity for Wisconsin to stake an early claim to the national stage. Alabama, the 18-time national champions, will provide the first test on a Wisconsin schedule that contains nine teams in the nation's top 40.
This one will be a harbinger of what Badgers fans should expect for the rest of the season. Don't miss it.
Week 5: Oregon at Penn State
Saturday, September 27th at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC
2024 records:
Oregon: 13-1 overall, 9-0 Big Ten
Penn State: 13-3 overall, 8-1 Big Ten
Arguably the most anticipated rematch of the 2025 Big Ten season, Penn State and Oregon face off for the first time since the 2024 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game.
Last year's title match was an offensive masterpiece, recording the highest-scoring first half in the game's history. Behind Heisman finalist Dillon Gabriel’s four touchdown passes, Oregon outslugged Penn State, 45-37, to take home the trophy in its inaugural season. The Nittany Lions kept pace until Nikko Reed's late interception sealed the victory for the Ducks. Full recap here.
Oregon set a new program record with 10 NFL Draft selections in 2025, including Gabriel. The Ducks enter this season with running back Makhi Hughes and defensive back Dillon Thieneman both earning Walter Camp Preseason All-America second team recognition.
Penn State, who Sports Illustrated predicted to be the best team in 2025, returns with vengeance on their minds... particularly quarterback Drew Allar and running back Nicholas Singleton, who were both stellar in last year's championship game.
Safe to say the White Out at Beaver Stadium (and the fans watching from home) will be loud for this one.
Week 7: Michigan at USC
Saturday, October 11th (time and network TBA)
2024 records:
Michigan: 8-5 overall, 5-4 Big Ten
USC: 7-6 overall, 4-5 Big Ten
In a classic matchup (which has primarily been played at the Rose Bowl), the Wolverines travel west to face USC. The Trojans lead the all-time series 6-5, but Michigan won most recently with a thrilling 27-24 comeback victory in 2024...
The Wolverines trailed by four points with four minutes remaining before mounting a spectacular 10-play, 89-yard touchdown drive. Kalel Mullings' 63-yard rush highlighted the decisive drive, capped by a gutsy, fourth-down touchdown run. Game story here.
With both teams boasting top-15 recruiting classes this season (via ESPN), this should be a start-to-finish thriller between two programs with championship aspirations.
Week 8: USC at Notre Dame
Saturday, October 18th at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC
2024 records:
USC: 7-6 overall, 4-5 Big Ten
Notre Dame: 14-2 overall
The Trojans and Fighting Irish square off for the 95th time in 99 years this October. Notre Dame holds the momentum after winning six of the last seven meetings. The Trojans last defeated the Irish in 2022, when Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 232 yards along with four total touchdowns. Recap here.
Behind Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award winner Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame had a magical 2024 season. The Irish defeated seven top-25 teams and made a run to the national championship game, where they fell to Ohio State.
But with a top-15 recruiting class, USC is positioned for a strong 2025 campaign. Quarterback Jayden Maiava enters his first full season with head coach Lincoln Riley, and their improved chemistry could be the key to taking down the Irish.
Week 9: Michigan at Michigan State
Saturday, October 25th (time and network TBA)
2024 records:
Michigan: 8-5 overall, 5-4 Big Ten
Michigan State: 5-7 overall, 3-6 Big Ten
A top-20 college football rivalry (according to The New York Times) takes center stage when these in-state foes meet for the 118th time.
Michigan holds a 74-38-5 advantage in the all-time series and has won the last three meetings. The Wolverines' roster is also stronger than it was last season. The QB duo of Bryce Underwood and Mikey Keene, alongside promising transfer receivers Anthony Simpson and Donaven McCulley, could make for a fun season in Ann Arbor.
But, Michigan State has come out on top in five of the last eight games in East Lansing. The Spartans hold 11 victories over top-seven ranked Michigan teams, including their miraculous 2015 win. (We'll never forget the last-second, fumble touchdown return that helped Michigan State secure a Big Ten title and playoff berth).
This is one of those rivalries where anything can happen. And we'll all be watching what 2025 has in store for the Great Lakes State.
Week 10: Penn State at Ohio State
Saturday, November 1st (time and network TBA)
2024 records:
Penn State: 13-3 overall, 8-1 Big Ten
Ohio State: 14-2 overall, 7-2 Big Ten
This border-state rivalry has been dramatic since Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993. In just 32 meetings, they have faced off as top-10 opponents 12 times and as ranked teams 25 times.
Last season, No. 4 Ohio State stunned No. 3 Penn State in front of 111,030 roaring fans at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead, but Ohio State scored 17 unanswered points en route to a 20-13 win.
Penn State hoped to have another shot at the Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff Championship, but the Nittany Lions fell to Notre Dame in a heartbreaker in the semifinal.
History favors the defending national champions, who hold a 24-8 all-time advantage and have won eight straight meetings. However, two of those wins came by just one point, and most came down to the fourth quarter.
Penn State is hungry coming into 2025. And if the Nittany Lions have one regular season game circled on their calendar... It's this one.
Week 13: Illinois at Wisconsin
Saturday, November 22nd (time and network TBA)
2024 records:
Illinois: 10-3 overall, 6-3 Big Ten
Wisconsin: 5-7 overall, 3-6 Big Ten
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema faces his former team, returning to Camp Randall Stadium with hopes of breaking his 1-1 record against the Badgers.
In 2022 - Bielema’s first time in Madison as an opposing coach - Illinois defeated Wisconsin, 34-10. His mindset now remains the same: "What's behind us is behind us. What’s in front of us is what matters."
Wisconsin fans remember Bielema's impressive tenure, including his historic 12-win rookie season, three straight Big Ten titles (2010–2012), and six consecutive bowl appearances. Now leading Illinois, he's gaining recognition, including a spot on the Dodd Trophy Preseason watch list.
While Wisconsin leads the all-time series 45-39, recent games have been intense. During Illinois’ 2023 homecoming, Wisconsin rallied from a 21-7 deficit to win 25-21 in the fourth quarter.
With both teams eyeing bowl appearances and the emotion behind Bielema's return, this matchup is crucial and makes for must-watch football.
Week 13: USC at Oregon
Saturday, November 22nd (time and network TBA)
2024 records:
USC: 7-6 overall, 4-5 Big Ten
Oregon: 13-1 overall, 9-0 Big Ten
USC heads to Eugene with a 39-23 all-time advantage over the Ducks. However, Oregon has had the upper hand lately, winning the last three meetings and five of the past six. The Ducks haven’t lost to USC at home since 2011, a streak they’re determined to keep alive.
The teams' 2023 meeting was an instant classic. Oregon committed 13 penalties, and USC scored the final 13 points of the game. But Heisman finalist Bo Nix threw for 412 yards and four touchdowns for Oregon. Tez Johnson, the future Big Ten Championship Most Outstanding Player, scored two touchdowns, and the Ducks won 36-27. Full story here.
Oregon enters as the defending Big Ten champions, but in 2024, USC was a few plays away from an outstanding season. Five of the Trojans' six losses were by seven points or less, with three decided by three points or fewer. The 2025 scales could easily tip in their favor.
Keep an eye out for this late-season, West Coast matchup - it could have CFP and Big Ten title implications.
The Ultimate Finale: Rivalry Weekend
Forget the conference standings and playoff implications. The bragging rights, trophy presentations, and emotions behind these games are what college football is all about. The Big Ten rivalry games kick off during the final weekend of the regular season:
Friday, November 28th
Iowa at Nebraska - The Heroes Trophy (12:00 p.m. ET on CBS)
Indiana at Purdue - The Old Oaken Bucket (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC)
Saturday, November 29th
Northwestern at Illinois - The Land of Lincoln
Ohio State at Michigan - "The Game" (rated college football's most iconic rivalry by The New York Times)
Oregon at Washington - The Cascade Clash
UCLA at USC - The Victory Bell
Wisconsin at Minnesota - Paul Bunyan's Axe