Ranking the Big Ten's top 10 nonconference games in 2025
Many Big Ten teams have opted to take a conservative approach to nonconference scheduling following the recent round of conference realignment and the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams. As a result, several programs don't have a power conference opponent on their out-of-conference slate.
For example, Penn State was originally scheduled to host Virginia Tech this season on the back half of a home-and-home series, but the first battle, supposed to take place in Blacksburg in 2020, was canceled due to COVID-19. After the initial matchup was canned, the two were unable to find a solution and removed the second game as well. Other schools face similar situations, while some just opted to make their nonconference schedule as easy as possible, valuing wins as they battle for a playoff spot.
Still, there are several high-quality battles slated for the 2025 season, including some highly anticipated Big Ten-SEC crossovers with bragging rights on the line. Here's a look at the top 10 nonconference matchups for Big Ten teams heading into the season.
No. 10: Nebraska vs. Cincinnati, Aug. 28
The Cornhuskers are coming off their first bowl appearance since 2016, finishing last season at 7-6 after defeating Boston College in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. Hopes are high that Matt Rhule can do what he's done at several previous stops, continuing to elevate a Cornhusker program that's failed to meet expectations in recent years. With star quarterback Dylan Raiola at the helm, Nebraska hosts Cincinnati, which made the move to the Big 12 two seasons ago and has struggled to compete. Though the Wildcats aren't a big brand, this matchup still represents a battle between power conference opponents, which has become increasingly rare in the modern era.
No. 9: Minnesota at Cal, Sept. 13
The Golden Gophers round out their nonconference slate with a trip to the West Coast to take on Cal, which enters its second season as a member of the ACC. The teams have met six times previously, most recently in 2009, with the Golden Bears holding a 4-2 advantage in the head-to-head series. Both teams went through ups and downs last season but earned bowl eligibility, leaving the potential for this to be an entertaining game. Both head coaches are looking to return their program to where it was a few years back, with Minnesota winning nine or more games in three of four seasons from 2019-2022 and Cal peaking at eight wins under Wilcox in 2019.
No. 8: UCLA vs. Utah, Aug. 30
Two former Pac-12 comrades will meet once more, this time with the Bruins in the Big Ten and Utah in the Big 12. The two have lots of recent history, and both are searching for better seasons after reaching just five wins in 2024. Though they now wear different conference patches on their jerseys, this regional rivalry could provide some fireworks in Week 1.
No. 7: Illinois at Duke, Sept. 6
Two traditional basketball powers will clash on the gridiron in early September, with the Fighting Illini and Blue Devils both looking to continue a recent string of football success. A few years ago, both programs would be viewed as bottom-dwellers within their conferences, but that's changed recently. Both teams average over seven wins across the last three seasons and are primed for more success in 2025. Bret Bielema and the Fighting Illini are coming off a 10-win campaign capped off with a Cheez-It Citrus Bowl victory over South Carolina, while the Blue Devils went 9-3 before losing to Ole Miss in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
No. 6: Wisconsin at Alabama, Sept. 13
The Badgers have taken a step back during Luke Fickell's first two seasons leading the program, and a brutal conference slate leaves a bleak outlook in Madison. Still, if the Badgers show improvement and get a few bounces, they could give the Crimson Tide a run for their money in a clash between the two super conferences. Regardless of the apparent mismatch on paper, this matchup will be better than most throughout the early weeks of next season.
No. 5: Oregon vs. Oklahoma State, Sept. 6
The Ducks have been involved in some big nonconference matchups in recent years, including against Ohio State, Georgia and Auburn. This year, they'll host Oklahoma State from the Big-12, a team that struggled last year but had consistently put together solid seasons throughout the last couple decades. If the Cowboys can return to their 10-win ways that have become the norm under Mike Gundy, this could prove to be a major matchup and the first real test of Oregon's season.
No. 4: Iowa at Iowa State, Sept. 6
Though neither program is a blue blood, both could easily be ranked to begin next season, providing the potential for a big game. Though they took a slight step back in 2024, the Hawkeyes have won at least eight games every year since 2016, and there's little reason to believe that trend won't continue in 2025. Pair that with the Cyclones, who are coming off Big-12 championship game appearance, and this could be one of the biggest games in the long history of the rivalry.
No. 3: Michigan at Oklahoma, Sept. 6
It's fair to say neither team lived up to expectations last season, with the Wolverines following a national championship season by dropping to 8-5 in Sherrone Moore's first year as full-time head coach, while the Sooners fell from 10-3 in 2023 to 6-7 in 2024. Still, these are two blue bloods who've only met once before, an Oklahoma victory in 1976, making for a historic matchup. Both squads fully believe they can push for a playoff appearance this season, and a win in this game would go a long way toward that goal or be the reason one team falls short of it.
No. 2: USC at Notre Dame, Oct. 18
Despite recent headlines about their inability to come to an agreement on scheduling future matchups, the two blue blood programs are slated to clash in 2025. The Trojans suffered a down year in 2024 at 7-6, while Notre Dame made a run to the national championship game before running into the buzzsaw that was Ohio State. Both schools have stacked strong recruiting classes and are expected to compete for playoff bids, leading to a likely top-25 matchup. Additionally, these two always tend to play each other tough in one of the nation's most storied rivalries.
No. 1: Ohio State vs. Texas Aug. 30
In a rematch of last year's College Football Playoff thriller, the Buckeyes and Longhorns will clash in Columbus in a highly anticipated rematch, and easily the top nonconference game of the year. Per most betting sites, these teams have the two best odds to win the national championship this season. With star power across the board, huge name brands and an exciting rematch from last year's postseason, this game figures to be electric.
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