CBS Sports predicts each Big Ten Football team's first loss in 2025

Every team in the country is currently at 0-0 coming into 2025. However, with the competition within the schedules in their conference, no one in the Big Ten is going to stay undefeated this fall.

This week, CBS Sports predicted when each team in the Big Ten will take its first loss of this upcoming season. None of the 18 programs were projected to be unbeaten coming out of the regular season, with three teams making it out of the first month to the start of October without a defeat and one making it all the way to November 1st.

Here’s CBS Sports’s predictions for when the opening losses could take place this year in the Big Ten:

Illinois – at Indiana (September 20th)

With how much returning production it has, Illinois is projected to be one of the top teams in the league this season, with a chance to be in the Big Ten Championship and/or the CFP. Their fourth game at Indiana, though, could be the difference in that, with the series recently favoring IU since 2012, as the Illini could be undefeated over the first half of the season or having a loss or two pending how they perform in Durham and in Bloomington.

“The matchup in Bloomington is a vital game that both teams need,” they wrote at CBS. “A win here and a 6–0 start becomes possible for the Illini.”

Indiana – at Oregon (October 11th)

After going 11-2 a season ago and making the CFP, Indiana is set here to have another long, undefeated start at 5-0. However, after wins over Illinois, as predicted above, and at Iowa, the Hoosiers, back in the playoff conversation again at that point, take their first loss of the season here, coming out of a bye on a road trip out west in Eugene.

“Don’t be shocked if the Hoosiers get off to another hot start and find a spot inside the Top 20 ahead of a trip to Autzen Stadium in Week 7,” they wrote at CBS. “If Indiana beats Illinois and Iowa before its dance with the Ducks, the Hoosiers will enter the title conversation.”

Iowa – at Iowa State (September 6th)

Despite seven wins in nine games in the rivalry since 2015, Iowa has lost two of the past three when it has taken the field for the Cy-Hawk Game. The Cyclones are then predicted to make three victories out of four with a win this year in Ames, despite the road team having a lot of recent success in the series, dropping the Hawkeyes to 1-1.

“The Cyclones have a team capable of reaching — and winning — the Big 12 Championship, while the Hawkeyes enter in prove-it mode as a road underdog,” they wrote at CBS.

Maryland – at Wisconsin (September 20th)

Regardless of who the Terps’ starter is, Maryland should be 3-0 midway through September. However, they won’t get out of the month without a loss with this prediction having them losing in Camp Randall, going into their first bye heading into October.

“Mike Locksley hasn’t named a starting quarterback yet, but Maryland’s early schedule is favorable enough to roll with freshman Malik Washington — if that’s the plan. Working him into rhythm against Florida Atlantic, Northern Illinois, and Towson should prepare the Terps for the Big Ten opener in Madison,” they wrote at CBS.

Michigan – at Oklahoma (September 6th)

In one of the marquee games of the non-conference this fall, Michigan is projected to take its first loss of the season in Norman to start at 1-1. That’s with the Wolverines playing on the road in a big-time game, against a re-tooled team in need of a huge victory, likely with a true freshman quarterback making his second start ever on the road at OU.

“One of the marquee early Big Ten–SEC matchups, Michigan faces a stiff test away from Ann Arbor,” they wrote at CBS. “Oklahoma overhauled its roster through the transfer portal, adding former Washington State quarterback John Mateer and Cal running back Jaydn Ott. With Brent Venables on the hot seat, expect a desperate Sooners team. Michigan will be asking a lot of freshman Bryce Underwood in what’s expected to be his first road start.”

Michigan State – at USC (September 20th)

Michigan State opens with a three-game home stand where they could come out of it at 3-0. However, to open conference play before their first bye, a trip out west to the Coliseum is predicted as their first loss, coming to the Trojans.

“Barring an early stumble, a potential season-defining Week 4 clash in Los Angeles could turn the tide for Jonathan Smith’s second season — though winning at the Coliseum won’t come easy,” they wrote at CBS

Minnesota – at Ohio State (October 4th)

Minnesota has a manageable schedule over the first month with four games and a bye, including one road trip out west in the non-conference to play California before an open date going into their conference opener against Rutgers. That’s when they’ll go to Ohio State, though, with the Golden Gophers projected to leave Columbus with loss number one.

“Minnesota heads west for a matchup with Cal in Week 3 before an open date leads into Big Ten play. If the Golden Gophers handle that game and Rutgers, they’ll be 4–0 heading into a showdown in Columbus,” they wrote at CBS. “Coach P.J. Fleck would take that scenario right now.”

Nebraska – Michigan (September 20th)

Assuming a win over Cincinnati in the opener, Nebraska has a good chance to be undefeated in its non-conference. That’s when the Wolverines then come to Lincoln to open conference play with that being a pivotal game for the Cornhuskers’ going into their bye and the month of October.

“Matt Rhule has lost his last 16 games against nationally ranked opponents. He’ll look to end that skid against the Wolverines in Week 4 after what could be a 3–0 start,” they wrote at CBS. “Dylan Raiola’s national coming-out party could happen if Nebraska defends its home turf against one of the league’s most talented teams.”

Northwestern – at Tulane (August 30th)

Northwestern is one of three teams in the conference projected to lose their opener in 2025. That’s with the Wildcats actually going on the road to play the Green Wave, a quality mid-major who’s 32-10 (.762) over the past three seasons, including 9-5 overall last year as one of the top teams out of the American in their debut under Jon Sumrall.

“Opening the season against one of the Group of Six’s top teams is an unfortunate addition to a nine-game conference slate,” they wrote at CBS. “This isn’t the same Tulane team that lost to Army in the AAC title game last year — the Green Wave added BYU quarterback transfer Jake Retzlaff and are expected to contend again.”

Ohio State – Texas (August 30th)

Ohio State, the defending national champions, is also projected to lose its opener this fall. Their predicted loss is much more understandable, though, with the Buckeyes hosting one of the biggest games of the season to start with in what’s a playoff rematch for them against the Longhorns at The ‘Shoe.

“Two new coordinators. A first-year starting quarterback. A rebuilt defensive front seven. It might take time for the reigning national champions to gel, but there’s no easing in — not with Texas coming to town,” they wrote at CBS. “The Longhorns also have revenge on their minds after Ohio State kept them out of the title game last year.”

Oregon – at Penn State (September 27th)

The predicted loss for Oregon is also an acceptable one. That’s with it coming in their conference opener when they travel to play the Nittany Lions, a rematch of the Big Ten Championship last year, in what’ll be the whiteout in University Park.

“A whiteout date with the Nittany Lions should provide one of the most intimidating environments in the country this fall. Oregon beat Penn State in last year’s Big Ten Championship, but now must go into hostile territory in primetime,” they wrote at CBS.

Penn State – at Ohio State (November 1st)

Speaking of Penn State, the Nittany Lions are projected to remain undefeated the longest of anyone in the Big Ten as this article has them starting at 7-0, including that victory over the Ducks. A month later, though, they’re predicted to yet again lose to Ohio State to open the month of November.

“The Buckeyes are James Franklin’s Kryptonite. Something about those uniforms seems to rattle him, leading to poor execution and questionable decisions,” they wrote at CBS. “Ohio State has won eight straight in the series and should make it nine. This might not be the only time the two meet this fall.”

Purdue – USC (September 13th)

Purdue was one of the worst teams in the country a year ago at 1-11, having since changed coaches from Ryan Walters to Barry Odom. Still, while their nearly year-long overall losing streak will end, their conference one, having gone winless in the league last season, will continue with their opener against ‘SC per this prediction.

“A 2–0 start is in reach with Ball State and Southern Illinois on tap. But when the Trojans visit West Lafayette in the Big Ten opener, Purdue’s conference losing streak likely extends to 10 games,” they wrote at CBS.

Rutgers – Iowa (September 19th)

A trio of matchups to open against the Group of Five should have Rutgers at 3-0 to start with. Still, this prediction has them starting 0-1 in the Big Ten with a loss to Iowa in Piscataway that could be a low-scoring affair between the Scarlet Knights and Hawkeyes.

“The Scarlet Knights host Iowa in a rare Friday night tilt,” they wrote at CBS. “It could be a race to 20 points. The Hawkeyes are 4–0 all-time against Rutgers since 2016 and haven’t allowed more than 10 points in any of those games — including two shutouts.”

UCLA – Utah (August 30th)

UCLA became a story this offseason with the transfer arrival of QB Nico Iamaleava. However, while adding one of the better quarterbacks in the country in the spring, this prediction finds it likely that the Bruins lose one of their first two games either in their opener against Utah, a former conference opponent in the Pac-12 now in the Big 12, or UNLV, out of the Mountain West and now coached by Dan Mullen.

“Nico Iamaleava’s Bruins debut comes against Utah at the Rose Bowl, followed by a trip to Las Vegas to face last year’s Mountain West runner-up in UNLV,” they wrote at CBS. “If the offense struggles early, an 0–2 start is very possible.”

USC – at Illinois (September 27th)

USC needs a good season in year four under Lincoln Riley and year two in the Big Ten. The Trojans may just have to settle for 4-0 to start with this prediction, having them take their first loss on the road to the Illini in Champaign to close September.

“If the Trojans lose on the road to the Illini, expect complaints to pile up,” they wrote at CBS. “The Trojans have to find a way to win these 50–50 games to be successful in the Big Ten.

Washington – Ohio State (September 27th)

Washington has a non-conference schedule that should get them to 3-0 with two mid-major wins, a bye week, and a victory over Wazzu in Pullman for the Apple Cup. However, the Buckeyes then come to Seattle on September 27th with the Huskies needing everything they’ll have in order to knock them off at the end of September.

“Can coach Jedd Fisch prove himself as one of the nation’s top offensive minds? It’ll be clear if the Huskies knock off the Buckeyes,” they wrote at CBS.

Wisconsin – at Alabama (September 13th)

Wisconsin will play the second part of a home-and-home with Alabama this season after the Crimson Tide came and won at 42-10 last season in Madison. The Badgers will now make the return trip to T-Town with that predicted to drop them to 2-1 to close the non-conference

“Wisconsin opens a brutal stretch of five games against top-20 opponents with a visit to Alabama,” they wrote at CBS. “The Badgers could use some early magic, but a win in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, isn’t likely.”