The B1G Preview: 2025 Kicks Off With A Bang

In the age of AI, everyone’s daily lives now involve some type of Large Language Model (LLM) to assist them in one way or another. Not to be left behind, I’ve employed the services of ChatGPT to tell us what it thinks of this week’s slate, and probably every week’s slate from here on out!

Thursday, August 28

The Best

Nebraska vs Cincinnati (Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City)

9:00 PM ET, ESPN | Nebraska –6.5

ChatGPT: The real Thursday headliner. A neutral-site, semi-marquee game that feels like a tone-setter for Nebraska’s season. Cincinnati’s defense can be scrappy, but Nebraska’s physicality and run game should carry them. If Matt Rhule wants to prove Year 2 is a leap, this is the one. Expect a grind-it-out Nebraska win, maybe by 10.

Eli: ChatGPT, Matt Rhule is in year 3 at Nebraska. But you’re right, if Rhule’s “year 3 is 10-2” pattern should remain, his team needs to win this one. Cincinnati, like Nebraska, lost a lot of close games last season, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this one were close.

Prediction: Nebraska 23, Cincinnati 17

The Rest

Rutgers vs Ohio, 6:00 PM ET, B1G Network | Rutgers –15.5

ChatGPT: Rutgers quietly has a decent defense and an offense that’s just competent enough to handle MAC opponents. Not flashy, but a chance to look more mid-pack than bottom-tier.

Eli: Ok you redeemed yourself with this one. I’ll forgive the Rhule error.

Minnesota vs Buffalo, 8:00 PM ET, FS1 | Minnesota –17.5

ChagGPT: Life after PJ Fleck continues. The Gophers should still be fine up front, and Buffalo just doesn’t have the horses to keep up. Workmanlike win expected.

Eli: Did he die?

Wisconsin vs Miami (OH), 9:00 PM ET, B1G Network | Wisconsin –17.5

ChatGPT: Year 2 under Luke Fickell. The Badgers’ line and backs should overwhelm Miami (OH). The big question is how quickly the new QB finds rhythm.

Eli: Are you stuck in 2024? This is year 3 under Luke Fickell. They did go back to a more traditional Wisconsin attack later in the 2024 season, so we’ll see how they come out in 2025. Miami Ohio is not a pushover, so they’d be hard pressed to cover this massive line.

Friday, August 29

The Best

No. 12 Illinois vs Western Illinois

7:30 PM ET, Peacock | Illinois -45.5

ChatGPT: One-eye-on-the-grill type of game. The line is massive for good reason. Illinois’ defense might pitch a shutout.

Eli: I agree. It’s an FCS opponent, one that isn’t very good, and Illinois returns almost everyone from a 10-win campaign. Though I don’t know about covering.

Prediction: Illinois 42, Western Illinois 7

The Rest

Michigan State vs Western Michigan, 7:00 PM ET, FS1 | MSU –20.5

ChatGPT: Intrastate but not much heat. The Spartans need a statement after rough years. If they don’t cover comfortably, fans will get restless fast.

Eli: I have bad news for you, ChatGPT. Michigan State is notorious for not covering these types of games.

Saturday, August 30

The Best

No. 3 Ohio State vs No. 1 Texas

12:00 PM ET, FOX | OSU –2.5

ChatGPT: The Game of the Week nationally. Quinn Ewers returns to face his old team. Ohio State trots out another loaded roster. Feels like a playoff preview. Whoever wins gains instant credibility.

Eli: Ok so you are stuck in 2024, because Quinn Ewers went in the 7th round of the 2025 NFL draft. Arch Manning takes over the preseason No. 1 team in Texas, while Ohio State remains the favorite to win the national title, after losing 14 players to the NFL draft themselves. Expect this one to be pretty similar to their semifinal contest not even a year ago.

Prediction: Ohio State 20, Texas 17

No. 2 Penn State vs Nevada

3:30 PM ET, CBS/Paramount+ | PSU –44.5

ChatGPT: A glorified scrimmage. PSU’s defense may not allow Nevada to cross midfield. The point is reps for Drew Allar and early time for backups.

Eli: Ok I like you again.

No. 14 Michigan vs New Mexico

7:30 PM ET, NBC/Peacock | Michigan –34.5

ChatGPT: Michigan opens its title defense against an outmatched opponent. The only question is how many rushing yards they rack up before halftime.

Eli: Uh, sure ChatGPT, sure. Though it will be fun seeing Bryce Underwood against a defense that shouldn’t pose much of a thread.

Prediction: Michigan 28, New Mexico 10

UCLA vs Utah

11:00 PM ET, FOX | UCLA +6.5

ChatGPT: The late-night gem. Utah is always physical, UCLA is figuring out life after Chip Kelly. Could be a gritty, down-to-the-wire game that bleeds into Sunday for East Coast fans.

Eli: Given that it starts at 11 pm Eastern, I’m going to say it bleeds into Sunday.

Prediction: Utah 20, UCLA 17

The Rest

Northwestern vs Tulane, 12:00 PM ET, ESPNU | (No line)

ChatGPT: Sneaky tough. Tulane has been AAC royalty. Northwestern is still rebuilding, making this a real test.

Eli: Agreed.

Purdue vs Ball State, 12:00 PM ET, BTN | Purdue –18.5

ChatGPT: In-state matchup. Boilers should handle business but have a history of early-season stumbles.

Eli: And with how horrible they were last year, you just have to wonder.

Maryland vs Florida Atlantic, 12:00 PM ET, BTN | (No line)

ChatGPT: The Terps should roll. The real question is if they look sharp enough to cement themselves as the Big Ten’s clear #4.

Eli: No, ChatGPT, they will not be the Big Ten’s clear No. 4.

Indiana vs Old Dominion, 2:30 PM ET, FS1 | Indiana –23.5

ChatGPT: Indiana can’t afford a slip. ODU has upset pedigree (ask Virginia Tech). Sloppiness could make it dicey.

Eli: That said, Curt Cignetti is very good at blowing out inferior opponents. You should google him.

Oregon vs Montana State4:00 PM ET, BTN | (No line)

ChatGPT: Oregon’s Big Ten debut. Unfortunately against an overmatched FCS team. Expect fireworks from the Ducks’ offense.

Eli: We’ve established you’re stuck in 2024.

Iowa vs Albany, 6:00 PM ET, FS1 | (No line)

ChatGPT: Classic Iowa game: defense dominates, Ferentz’s offense plays it safe, final score looks like 20–3.

Eli: And the 20 is two safeties, three field goals, and a defensive touchdown?

USC vs Missouri State, 7:30 PM ET, BTN | (No line)

ChatGPT: Post-Caleb Williams USC still has talent. This is just a tune-up, nothing more.

Eli: Hey, I guess it’s technically not an FCS opponent anymore so USC can keep its claim.

Final Word

ChatGPT: Big Ten Week 1 has a bit of everything: a Thursday night test in Nebraska–Cincinnati, a Friday appetizer for the die-hards, and a Saturday showcase with Ohio State–Texas front and center. The rest of the slate is mostly “take care of business” games, where the spreads are wider than Iowa’s playbook.

And yes, I did call Michigan’s opener a “title defense.” Let’s just say I’m operating in a timeline where the Wolverines never stop winning and Iowa never scores more than 17 points. At least one of those is believable.

Eli: Wow, I didn’t think you had it in you!