Big Ten football picks: Texas-Ohio State rematch highlights first week of action

Three with intrigue

• Longhorns ballyhooed QB Arch Manning faces a Buckeyes defense led by star safety Caleb Downs, while Ohio State QB Julian Sayin makes his debut in a high-stakes contest. Don’t be surprised if these two meet again in the College Football Playoff. Ohio State 27, Texas 24

• The Bearcats are 8-16 since Luke Fickell left for Wisconsin. The Huskers, coming off their first winning season since 2016, should take a 3-0 record into the Sept. 20 visit from Michigan. Nebraska 31, Cincinnati 14

• This isn’t a typical FCS pushover for the Ducks. The Bobcats were FCS runners-up to North Dakota State last year and are ranked No. 2 in the FCS preseason poll. That said, Oregon’s talent and depth will be enough to avoid an upset. Oregon 34, Montana State 21

Keep an eye on

• The Utes have won six of the past seven in this series, and that trend should continue against the Bruins, who’ll debut Tennessee transfer Nico Iamaleava at quarterback. Utah 24, UCLA 20

• The Rams are poised to contend for the Mountain West title behind third-year starting QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. The Huskies have won 20 consecutive home games, and that streak will continue. Washington 30, Colorado State 20

And the rest

• The Bobcats are rebuilding after an 11-3 season, while the Scarlet Knights return the bulk of their offensive talent. Rutgers 34, Ohio 17

• The RedHawks, Mid-American Conference runners-up last year, have enough talent to push the Badgers. Wisconsin needs a win here because the schedule turns nasty with a Sept. 13 trip to Alabama. Wisconsin 27, Miami (Ohio) 16

• A rebuilding offense will keep the Broncos from hanging with the Spartans, who are poised to return to a bowl this season. Michigan State 28, Western Michigan 10

• The Leathernecks surrendered 45 or more points eight times last year. They’re not ready to face an Illini team that has playoff aspirations. Illinois 56, Western Illinois 6

• The Terrapins closed 2024 with five consecutive losses, so a visit from a rebuilding Owls team is welcome. Maryland 23, Florida Atlantic 14

• It would behoove the Boilermakers to beat the Cardinals because the schedule turns nasty with USC, Notre Dame and Illinois upcoming and Michigan, Ohio State and Indiana in November. Purdue 31, Ball State 10

• These teams haven’t played since 1956. Tulane is seeking its fourth consecutive American Conference title game berth, while the Wildcats are looking for respectability. Tulane 35, Northwestern 24

• The Monarchs haven’t had a winning season since 2016. A trip to Bloomington won’t help them change that. Indiana 45, Old Dominion 13

• The Nittany Lions should have little trouble against a Wolf Pack squad that went 0-7 in Mountain West play last year. Penn State 51, Nevada 17

• New Hawkeyes QB Mark Gronowski passed for 265 yards and three TDs in South Dakota State’s 59-0 romp over Albany in the 2023 FCS semifinals. Iowa 38, Albany 13

• The Lobos haven’t had a winning season since 2016. They won’t hang with the Wolverines. Michigan 49, New Mexico 10