Big Ten Goes Bowling: Your 2025 Bowl Game Preview
Breaking down the nine postseason football matchups outside of the College Football Playoff
Is there anything better than the holiday season mixed with college football?
After a historic regular season, the 2025 bowl schedule is locked in, and the Big Ten is ready to make some noise on the postseason stage. Beyond the conference's three College Football Playoff contenders (No. 1 Indiana, No. 2 Ohio State, and No. 5 Oregon), nine squads have their sights set on ending the year with bowl game hardware in hand: No. 16 USC, No. 18 Michigan, No. 23 Iowa, Illinois, Penn State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, and Washington.
This isn't just about exhibition games; it's about bragging rights, recruiting momentum, and setting the tone for next season. Take a look at every Big Ten bowl matchup outside of the CFP.
No. 16 USC vs. TCU – Valero Alamo Bowl
USC is set for its first-ever trip to the Valero Alamo Bowl, facing off against TCU (8-4, 5-4 Big 12). The No. 16 Trojans (9-3, 7-2 B1G) bring one of the nation’s most explosive offenses to San Antonio. Quarterback Jayden Maiava leads the Big Ten with over 3,400 passing yards and a nation-best 91.2 QBR, and he has a wealth of weapons at his disposal, including Biletnikoff finalist Makai Lemon. Lemon has been a nightmare for defenses, racking up over 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns, and his chemistry with Maiava will be the key to dissecting a TCU defense that has been prone to giving up big plays. The Horned Frogs allow over 240 passing yards per game, which doesn’t break the top 100 nationally.
On the other side of the ball, the Trojans' defense holds its opponents to just 22.4 points per game – its best mark in nearly a decade. Watch for safety Bishop Fitzgerald, an All-American candidate with a second-in-the-nation five interceptions, to be a difference-maker against TCU’s aerial attack led by QB Josh Hoover. If the offensive line can keep Maiava clean – he’s only been sacked 11 times all year – and the defense can force a few turnovers, USC has all the ingredients to cap off their season with a statement victory in Texas.
Watch USC-TCU on December 30th at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
No. 18 Michigan vs. No. 13 Texas – Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
Get ready for a New Year’s Eve showdown in Orlando! No. 18 Michigan (9-3, 7-2 B1G) is set to clash with No. 13 Texas (9-3, 6-2 SEC) in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, marking the Wolverines' seventh appearance in the game. This matchup pits two 9-3 powerhouses against each other, both looking to cap off their seasons with a signature win. Michigan has won five of its last six contests, powered by a suffocating defense that ranks among the nation's elite. The Wolverines break the top 20 in rushing defense (101.7 ypg), scoring defense (18.7 ppg), and interceptions (13). On the other side, Texas is also riding high, winning six of its last seven, including an impressive victory over CFP No. 7 seed Texas A&M.
The Wolverines will lean on their dominant ground game, led by the dynamic duo of Jordan Marshall and Justice Haynes, who combined for over 1,700 rushing yards this season. Defensively, first-team All-Big Ten edge rusher Derrick Moore terrorizes offenses (10.0 sacks this season) and will be key to disrupting Arch Manning and the Longhorns' rhythm. For Michigan to secure its 10th win of the season, it'll need to control the line of scrimmage and contain a potent Texas offense that has proven it can compete with top-ranked teams. This will be the second postseason meeting between the two storied programs, with Texas narrowly winning the 2005 Rose Bowl in a 38-37 thriller. Expect another hard-fought battle as these two titans collide.
Watch December 31st at 3 p.m. ET on ABC.
No. 23 Iowa vs. No. 14 Vanderbilt – ReliaQuest Bowl
No. 23 Iowa (8-4, 6-3 B1G) is set to clash with No. 14 Vanderbilt (10-2, 6-2 SEC) in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year's Eve, marking a historic first-ever meeting between these two programs. Coming off gritty back-to-back wins against Michigan State and Nebraska, Kirk Ferentz’s squad enters the postseason with serious momentum and a chance to secure its fifth win in its last eight bowl appearances. It’s a classic Big Ten vs. SEC showdown to close out 2025 at Raymond James Stadium.
Iowa will rely on its stout defense in the top 25 bout. Eyes will be on defensive tackle Aaron Graves, a finalist for the Pop Warner Award and William V. Campbell Trophy, to disrupt the backfield. The ultimate test will be containing Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia, the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, who led the SEC in total offense (334.8 ypg), pass efficiency (171.5), touchdown passes (27), and completion percentage (71.2%).
On the other side of the ball, Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski looks to cap off a record-setting year where he broke the school records for rushing touchdowns (15) and rushing yards (491) by a QB. If the Hawkeyes can control the tempo on the ground and unleash Big Ten Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year Kaden Wetjen in the return game, they have a prime opportunity to take down a 10-win SEC opponent and finish 2025 on a high note.
Tune in on December 31st at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Illinois vs. Tennessee – Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl
In another Big Ten-SEC postseason game, the Fighting Illini (8-4, 5-4 B1G) will play in the 2025 Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl in Nashville, where they'll face off against the Tennessee Volunteers (8-4, 4-4 SEC). This marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs and Illinois' debut in the Music City Bowl. A win would give the Illini back-to-back nine-win seasons for the first time in program history and make Bret Bielema the first Illinois head coach to win bowl games in consecutive years.
To secure that historic victory, Illinois will lean on quarterback Luke Altmyer, who finished in the top seven in the Big Ten in passing TDs, yards, and completion percentage. He'll have plenty of support from first-team All-Big Ten selection J.C. Davis, who anchors the offensive line. On the defensive side, second-team All-Big Ten pick Gabe Jacas, who led the conference in sacks, will be tasked with containing Tennessee's explosive offense. The Volunteers boast the SEC's leading passer in Joey Aguilar and the conference's Freshman of the Year, Braylon Staley, making this a must-watch showdown between two powerful units.
Catch this Big Ten-SEC showdown on December 30th at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Penn State vs. Clemson – Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
Penn State (6-6, 3-6 B1G) is heading to Yankee Stadium to face ACC powerhouse Clemson (7-5, 4-4 ACC) in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. It’s a battle of iconic brands as the Nittany Lions look to cap off their season with a statement win against a tough Tigers squad. This marks only the second meeting ever between these two programs and the first since 1988. Penn State is hungry to repeat their Pinstripe Bowl magic from 2014, when they defeated Boston College, 31-30, in overtime.
We'll be watching Penn State's ground game vs. Clemson’s rushing defense. The Nittany Lions are led by the dynamic duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, but the Tigers are 14th nationally in rushing defense (102.8 ypg). Allen averages more than that alone (108.6 ypg). He has been an absolute force, racking up over 1,300 yards this season and becoming the program's all-time leading rusher. He’ll be running behind a rock-solid offensive line featuring All-Big Ten standouts like Olaivavega Ioane. For the Nittany Lions to hoist the trophy, they’ll need to control the clock and let their relentless rushing attack wear down the Clemson defense.
Watch this Big Ten-ACC clash on December 27th at 12 p.m. ET on ABC.
Minnesota vs. New Mexico – Rate Bowl
Gophers in the desert? For the third time in program history, Minnesota (7-5, 5-4 B1G) will compete in the Rate Bowl, facing off against the New Mexico Lobos (9-3, 6-2 MWC). This marks the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Under P.J. Fleck, the Gophers have been postseason perfectionists with a 6-0 bowl record. Minnesota will look to extend that dominance against a gritty New Mexico squad making their first bowl appearance since 2016.
For the Gophers to secure their ninth consecutive bowl victory – their current eight straight is the best active streak in the nation – all eyes will be on the offensive backfield. Quarterback Drake Lindsey (2,235 passing yards) and standout running back Darius Taylor (554 rushing yards) will need to find a rhythm early against a Lobos defense eager to prove itself on a big stage. Head coach Jason Eck has led New Mexico to its first nine-win campaign in nine years in his first year with the program.
On the other side of the ball, Minnesota's defense, anchored by First Team All-Big Ten edge rusher Anthony Smith (10.5 sacks), must disrupt a Lobos offense that averaged 27.92 points per game this season. If Smith can wreak havoc in the backfield and the Gophers maintain their disciplined, high-energy style of play, Fleck and his squad have a prime opportunity to bring another trophy back to Minneapolis.
Watch Gophers-Lobos on December 26th at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Nebraska vs. No. 15 Utah – SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
The Cornhuskers (7-5, 4-5 B1G) are headed to the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl to take on the No. 15 Utah Utes (10-2, 7-2 Big 12). This marks a massive opportunity for Coach Matt Rhule’s squad to face a ranked opponent in one of the nation's premier venues. It’s the first time these two programs have clashed since 1992, and Nebraska will be looking to keep its perfect 4-0 all-time record against the Utes intact while chasing a momentum-building postseason upset.
The key to this matchup? The ground game. Nebraska’s offense will ride the legs of Emmett Johnson, the newly crowned Big Ten Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year. Johnson racked up 1,821 yards from scrimmage (second nationally) and leads all FBS running backs in receptions. The Huskers will look to take advantage against a Utah defense that allows 182.8 rushing yards per game but loves to force turnovers in the air (14 interceptions).
On the flip side, Nebraska has its work cut out containing Utah’s high-octane offense, led by a rushing attack averaging a second-nationally 269.8 yards per game. It’s going to be a physical battle in the desert.
Watch the Big Ten-Big 12 matchup on December 31st at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Northwestern vs. Central Michigan – GameAbove Sports Bowl
Motor City, here come the 'Cats! Northwestern (6-6, 4-5 B1G) is hunting its sixth consecutive bowl victory as it heads to Ford Field to take on Central Michigan (7-5, 5-3 MAC) in the GameAbove Sports Bowl. Coach David Braun has this program humming, securing a postseason bid for the second time in three seasons. The Wildcats are looking to extend a bowl winning streak that dates back to 2016 and is currently tied for the third-longest in the nation.
The road to a Wildcat win starts with defense. With All-Big Ten standouts like Robert Fitzgerald (a conference-best 68 solo tackles) and linebacker Mac Uihlein patrolling the field, Northwestern has the power to stifle the Chippewas' attack. On the other side of the ball, running back Caleb Komolafe fueled a late-season surge, finishing the regular season with ten touchdowns and nearly 900 yards. The offensive line, led by All-Big Ten honoree Caleb Tiernan, will need to lock down against CMU’s Michael Heldman, who’s eighth in the nation in sacks (10.5). If Northwestern can control the line, the Wildcats look primed to bring another trophy back to Evanston.
Catch the ‘Cats on December 26th at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Washington vs. Boise State – L.A. Bowl
The Washington Huskies (8-4, 5-4 B1G) are descending on the City of Angels this Saturday to cap off their 2025 campaign against Mountain West Champions Boise State (9-4, 6-2 MWC) in the Bucked Up L.A. Bowl. It’s a massive opportunity for Jedd Fisch’s squad to secure a nine-win season, but they’ll have their hands full against a Broncos team riding a three-game winning streak.
The keys to victory? The Huskies will need to be disciplined on defense, specifically against the run; Washington is winless this year when allowing more than 140 rushing yards, a mark the Broncos have hit in all nine of their wins. On offense, quarterback Demond Williams Jr. has been the catalyst for the Dawgs all season. When he is sharp and the offense is completing over 63% of its passes, Washington is nearly unbeatable (8-1). Look for the Huskies to try and control the tempo to keep Boise State's offense off the field. If the defense can stuff the run and Williams Jr. finds his rhythm, the Huskies could bring some shiny hardware back to Seattle.
Watch the Huskies-Broncos bout on December 13th at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
The Stage is Set
From the high-stakes College Football Playoff clashes to the traditional New Year's showcases, the Big Ten has a massive opportunity to assert its dominance on the national stage again (...who won the last two championships?). These games represent a culmination of months of hard work, a chance to send seniors out with hardware, and a springboard into the 2026 campaign.
We’ve given you the breakdown and plotlines to watch—now sit back with some cocoa and enjoy the postseason football.
Want to see how the games shake out? Click here .