Ohio State Athletics
The Big Ten opened 2025 with a bang. The league went 16–2 in Week 1, highlighted by Ohio State’s gritty 14–7 win over No. 1 Texas — the Buckeyes’ first regular-season victory over an AP No. 1 since 1985. That makes six straight wins for OSU against AP top-five teams, tying the longest such streak in Big Ten history and putting them in rare company as just the seventh FBS program ever with a run of that length.
The rest of the conference flexed, too. Michigan settled in under new leadership with a balanced win, Penn State dominated without punting, and the new West Coast members — Oregon, USC, Washington, and UCLA — all took the field with mixed results. Heading into Week 2, all 18 teams are back in action, headlined by a ranked showdown between No. 15 Michigan and No. 18 Oklahoma.
Headliners
Ohio State (W, 14–7 vs No. 1 Texas)
The Buckeyes’ defense was the star in a street fight against the nation’s top-ranked team. Ohio State held Texas to just 336 total yards and forced the Longhorns into one-dimensional football. Offensively, the Buckeyes didn’t overwhelm, but they didn’t make mistakes either, keeping the chains moving just enough to let the defense win the game. It was the kind of blue-collar win that adds weight to Ohio State’s playoff credentials.
Michigan (W, 34–17 vs New Mexico)
Michigan’s opener in the post-Harbaugh era was calm and assured. The Wolverines were balanced with 201 rushing yards and 251 through the air, and freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood looked poised in his debut. Justice Haynes scored three times on the ground, giving Michigan a reliable red-zone punch. The defense bent but didn’t break, holding New Mexico to just 17 points. Now comes the first true test: a road trip to No. 18 Oklahoma.
Penn State (W, 46–11 vs Nevada)
Penn State wasted no time setting the tone. Drew Allar was nearly flawless, completing 29-of-35 passes for 303 yards, and the Nittany Lions rolled up 438 yards while never punting. The defense suffocated Nevada’s run game, allowing only 78 rushing yards. James Franklin’s team looked polished and playoff-ready right out of the gate.
Oregon (W, 59–13 vs Montana State)
Oregon looked like a team ready to compete for the league title immediately. The Ducks produced 506 total yards with a perfectly balanced 253 through the air and 253 on the ground. They overwhelmed Montana State with speed and depth, turning the game into a track meet by halftime. The defense limited the Bobcats to just 46 rushing yards, giving Oregon a complete performance.
USC (W, 73–13 vs Missouri State)
USC opened the year with fireworks on both sides of the ball. The Trojans racked up 597 yards and averaged over 10 yards per play, with quarterback Jayden Maiava going 15-of-18 for 295 yards and two touchdowns. For his efforts, Maiava was named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week. The defense forced turnovers and smothered Missouri State, looking sharper than in recent seasons.
Washington (W, 38–21 vs Colorado State)
Jonah Coleman carried Washington to victory, rushing for 177 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. His performance earned him Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors, and he set the tone with a 26-yard score on the game’s opening drive. The Huskies rushed for 283 yards as a team, playing a brand of physical football that will translate well in conference play.
Indiana (W, 27–14 vs Old Dominion)
The Hoosiers might have found their winning formula. Indiana rushed for 309 yards behind a rejuvenated offensive line and forced three interceptions to keep ODU off balance. The Hoosiers looked physical on both sides of the ball, controlling the game even when the score stayed close. That kind of identity could carry them deeper into the year than many expected.
Roundup
Wisconsin (W, 17–0 vs Miami OH)
The Badgers opened with a vintage defensive showing, blanking Miami (OH) and holding them to just 117 total yards. Safety Preston Zachman was everywhere, hauling in two interceptions to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors. Wisconsin controlled the clock for nearly 40 minutes and set the tone with physicality on both sides.
Iowa (W, 34–7 vs Albany)
Kirk Ferentz tied Woody Hayes for the most wins by a Big Ten head coach (205) with Iowa’s win over Albany. The Hawkeyes dominated on the ground with 310 rushing yards, while the defense kept Albany bottled up all afternoon. Ferentz has now beaten 63 different programs in his career, underscoring the depth of his tenure in Iowa City.
Minnesota (W, 23–10 vs Buffalo)
Minnesota’s offense methodically wore down Buffalo, piling up 443 total yards and holding the ball for almost 39 minutes. The defense clamped down, limiting the Bulls to 151 yards and just one third-down conversion. If the Gophers can turn more of those red-zone trips into touchdowns, they’ll be dangerous.
Nebraska (W, 20–17 at Cincinnati)
The Huskers showed grit on the road, winning a close one at Cincinnati. Nebraska held the ball for nearly 40 minutes and leaned on the short passing game to control tempo. The defense gave up 202 rushing yards but came through late when it mattered most. These are the kinds of wins Nebraska has let slip away in recent years — closing the door marked real progress.
Illinois (W, 52–3 vs Western Illinois)
Illinois rolled behind a balanced attack and a big boost from special teams. Hank Beatty broke a 102-year-old school record with 133 punt return yards, including a 69-yard touchdown, earning him Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week. The Illini’s defense gave up just 163 yards, and the offense looked sharp in all phases.
Purdue (W, 31–0 vs Ball State)
Purdue’s offense clicked through the air in a shutout win, throwing for 340 yards and scoring four touchdowns. The defense kept Ball State in check, forcing punts and preventing sustained drives. It was a dominant opener that gave the Boilers a foundation to build on.
Michigan State (W, 23–6 vs Western Michigan)
The Spartans leaned on their defense, holding WMU to just 29 rushing yards. The front seven was disruptive, forcing four sacks and controlling the line of scrimmage. Offensively, Michigan State was efficient, but the defense was the star in a game that set the tone for their season.
Maryland (W, 39–7 vs FAU)
Freshman quarterback Malik Washington made quite an entrance. In his first career game, he threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. The Terps forced six interceptions defensively and rolled to an easy win, showing promise on both sides of the ball.
Rutgers (W, 34–31 vs Ohio)
Rutgers needed every spark it could get to survive Ohio. A 100-yard punt return flipped momentum, and the Scarlet Knights held on down the stretch. It wasn’t perfect — the defense gave up too many chunk plays — but Rutgers showed resilience when pressed.
Northwestern (L, 3–23 at Tulane)
It was a tough opener for Northwestern, who struggled to establish any offensive rhythm. The Wildcats turned it over four times through the air and never found traction in the run game. The defense hung in early, but Tulane’s 269 rushing yards proved too much.
Closing
The Big Ten’s opening weekend checked all the boxes: a national statement from Ohio State, steady dominance from Penn State and Michigan, explosive debuts from Oregon and USC, and fresh star power across the league. Individual performances stood out, from Jonah Coleman’s bruising ground game to Malik Washington’s historic freshman debut. With all 18 teams in action this weekend and a top-20 clash between Michigan and Oklahoma looming, Week 2 is already shaping up as another showcase for a conference that looks as strong as it’s ever been.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
