Big Ten football predictions and expert picks for Week 1

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Aug 27, 2025 - 20:00
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Big Ten football predictions and expert picks for Week 1

It's tradition now. Every year (and every week of the season) we have a little friendly competition among our writers for world domination when it comes to picking the Big Ten football games and some of the bigger college football contests throughout the season once conference play gets into full swing.

Though we never really know, Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State, are getting a lot of national notoriety and were picked by media members to be the three teams contending for league superiority. You can't count out Michigan, and teams like Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska hope to also be upstarts and surprise folks.

So, just how will Week 1 play out in the Big Ten? Our writers take turns picking all the games in the Big Ten straight up and against the spread for your wagering and reading consumption — do with it as you wish.

As a reminder, if there’s an asterisk next to the pick, that means the team will win, but not cover. If there is a tie, rather than have a cage match or old-fashioned duel, we’ll settle it with less violence and go with the tried, yet true, coin flip where George Washington has the say.

EXAMPLE: If Ohio State is favored -3.5 over Michigan:

If you think Ohio State will win outright and cover: OSU

If you think Ohio State will win, but NOT cover: OSU*

If you think Ohio State will lose: Michigan

Here are our expert picks for Week 1 as we get our first look at all of the Big Ten teams.

Rutgers vs. Ohio

Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano reacts after losing to the Kansas State Wildcats in the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Thursday, Aug. 28

6:00 p.m. ET | Big Ten Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | Rutgers -15.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | RutgersMark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Rutgers*Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Rutgers

Minnesota vs. Buffalo

Thursday, Aug. 28

8:00 p.m. ET | FS1 (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | Minnesota -17.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | MinnesotaMark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | MinnesotaGriffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Minnesota

Nebraska at Cincinnati

Nov 23, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) throws against the Wisconsin Badgers during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Thursday, Aug. 28

9:00 p.m. ET | ESPN (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | Nebraska -7

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | NebraskaMark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | NebraskaGriffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Nebraska*

Wisconsin vs. Miami (OH)

Oct 28, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Chip Trayanum (19) gets tackled by Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Jake Chaney (36) and defensive end Gio Paez (94) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Camp Randall Stadium. Ohio State won 24-10.

Thursday, Aug. 28

9:00 p.m. ET | Big Ten Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | Wisconsin -17.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | WisconsinMark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | WisconsinGriffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Wisconsin

Michigan State vs. Western Michigan

Michigan State's offensive line, from left, Ashton Lepo, Dallas Fincher, Tanner Miller, Luke Newman and Brandon Baldwin huddle up during the fourth quarter in the game against Prairie View A&M on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

Friday, Aug. 29

7:00 p.m. ET | FS1 (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | Michigan State -20.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Michigan StateMark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Michigan StateGriffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Michigan State

Illinois vs. Western Illinois

Nov 23, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema looks on during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Friday, Aug. 29

7:30 p.m. ET | Peacock

BetMGM Line | OFF

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | IllinoisMark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | IllinoisGriffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Illinois

Ohio State vs. Texas

Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jordan Hancock (7) tackles Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (26) during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State won 28-14.

Saturday, Aug. 30

Noon ET | Fox (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | Ohio State -1.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Ohio StateMark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Ohio StateGriffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Ohio State

Maryland vs. Florida Atlantic

Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, Aug. 30

Noon ET | Big Ten Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | Maryland -14.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | MarylandMark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Maryland*Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Maryland

Purdue vs. Ball State

Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) celebrates after getting a tackle during the NCAA football game against the Fresno State Bulldogs, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Fresno State Bulldogs won 39-35.

Saturday, Aug. 30

Noon ET | Big Ten Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | Purdue -18.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Purdue*Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Purdue*Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Purdue

Northwestern at Tulane

Saturday, Aug. 30

Noon ET | ESPNU (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | Tulane -5.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | TulaneMark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | TulaneGriffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Tulane

Indiana vs. Old Dominion

Indiana's Ty Son Lawton (17) celebrates a touchdown during the Indiana versus Charlotte football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.

Saturday, Aug. 30

2:30 p.m. ET | FS1 (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | Indiana -23.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | IndianaMark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | IndianaGriffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Indiana

Penn State vs. Nevada

Sep 21, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) runs with the ball while avoiding a tackle from Kent State Golden Flashes linebacker Nylan Brown (43) during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Saturday, Aug. 30

3:30 p.m. ET | CBS and Paramount+ (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | Penn State -44.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Penn State*Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Penn State*Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Penn State*

Oregon vs. Montana State

Oct 28, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning talks with quarterback Bo Nix (10) during a timeout against the Utah Utes during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, Aug. 30

4:00 p.m. ET | Big Ten Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | OFF

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | OregonMark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | OregonGriffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Oregon

Iowa vs. UAlbany

Aug 31, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Luke Lachey (85) looks for yards after catch against the Illinois State Redbirds during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, Aug. 30

6:00 p.m. ET | FS1 (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | OFF

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | IowaMark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | IowaGriffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Iowa

Michigan vs. New Mexico

Nov 30, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Saturday, Aug. 30

7:30 p.m. ET | NBC and Peacock (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | Michigan -34.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Michigan*Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Michigan*Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Michigan

USC vs. Missouri State

Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley greets quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) after scoring a touchdown against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Saturday, Aug. 30

7:30 p.m. ET | Big Ten Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | USC -35.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | USCMark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | USC*Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | USC*

UCLA vs. Utah

UCLA Bruins head coach DeShaun Foster enters the field before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Rose Bowl.

Saturday, Aug. 30

11:00 p.m. ET | Fox (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | Utah -6

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | UtahMark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | UtahGriffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Utah

Washington vs. Colorado State

Washington football coach Jedd Fisch looks at the scoreboard during the second quarter at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

Saturday, Aug. 30

11:00 p.m. ET | Big Ten Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

BetMGM Line | Washington -21.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | WashingtonMark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | WashingtonGriffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Washington

This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Big Ten football expert predictions and picks for opening Week 1

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