Week 1 Picks: 5 Most Important Games in the Big Ten

© Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

The Big Ten Conference officially kicks off the 2024 football Season on Aug. 29 when Howard heads to Piscataway, N.J., to take on Rutgers at 6 p.m. EST.  The B1G added four new teams to the conference this offseason giving fans key matchups almost every week. Thanks to the four new teams, this season is one of the most anticipated in years. Several of the top programs in the country will do battle to see who will be crowned B1G Champion.

College Football Ball Dawgs writers take a look at the top 5 games in the B1G each week and pick who wins against the spread.

Akron at Ohio State (OSU -50.5)

3:30 p.m. EST, Aug.31, Columbus, Ohio

The only way Ohio State covers if it truly holds Akron to "Zip." This is a 49-7/56-7 type game. Akron should be able to cover. Score: OSU 45, Akron 3—Kyle Golik

Ohio State has a talented roster and very much could see itself in the College Football Playoff. I think Ohio State wins the game, but giving up that many points makes it difficult to beat the spread. Score: Ohio State 41, Akron 17—Collin Sutrick

Too large of a spread for my liking. I think OSU wins. Score: Ohio State52- Akron 7—Brett Fine Jr.

Coach Ryan Day is going to make a statement in Game 1. He will also keep the offense in a little longer so new starting QB Will Howard can find his rhythm with the wide receivers. Ohio State wins big. Score: Ohio State 59, Akron 6—Mike Germanese

For as many points as this is, Akron isn’t losing by 51 points. Score: Ohio State 49, Akron 7—Mike Brown

UCLA at Hawaii (UCLA -13.5)

7:30 p.m. EST, Aug. 31, Honolulu, Hawai'i

I am not a believer in coach DeShaun Foster. UCLA will not win by more than 14. Take Hawaii. Score: Hawaii 24, UCLA 19—Kyle Golik

UCLA downgraded its roster talent and downgraded its coaching staff. Give me the upset on the islands. Score: Hawaii 28, UCLA 24—Collin Sutrick

I'm not sold on Foster, but I don't think they win by less than two scores. Hawaii looked shaky against Delaware State and can't compete with Power Four schools yet. Score: UCLA 31, Hawaii 17—Brett Fine Jr.

UCLA will have a tough time in the B1G finding wins in their inaugural season. But it won't start with this game. UCLA has too much talent for Hawaii to compete with. This game will be close early but UCLA will pull away toward the end. Score: UCLA 34, Hawaii 14—Mike Germanese

UCLA is coming to Hawai’i and giving them 14 points? I’m not sure I trust Deshaun Foster quite yet. Might have to take Hawai’i and the points. Score: UCLA 24, Hawaii 14—Mike Brown

LSU at USC  (USC+4.5)

7:30 p.m. EST, Sept. 1, Las Vegas

I am on the USC train big time. I don't feel LSU adequately replaced the offensive trio it had a year ago. Take USC outright. Score: USC 32, LSU 27—Kyle Golik

Last year, USC’s biggest issue was play in the trenches, especially on the defensive side of the ball. I don’t think they addressed that weakness and face potentially the best offensive line in the country. Score: LSU 41 , USC 28—Collin Sutrick

I like quarterback Miller Moss but USC isn't built to compete with upper-tier Southeastern Conference schools. Score: LSU 45, USC 34—Brett Fine Jr.

USC's Lincoln Riley is known for developing quarterbacks and Moss in this game will show he is no different. Moss will take off right where Caleb Williams left off by leading his team on multiple scoring drives. USC's defense shows enough improvement from a year ago under D’Anton Lynn to help USC get the win. Score: USC 38, LSU 31—Mike Germanese

USC has an experienced offense with a weak defense. LSU is the more established and experienced offense. A possible shootout coming down to a singular defensive play—taking the points with USC +4.5. Score: LSU 37, USC34—Mike Brown

Penn State at West Virgina (PSU-8.5)

Noon EST, Aug. 31, Morgantown, W. Va.

If it was at Mountaineer Field at night, I would be concerned. Since this is a noon kickoff, there won't be couches burning in Morgantown. Take Penn State. Score: PSU 31, WVU 17—Kyle Golik

Drew Allar became the second QB in the history of the FBS to throw at least 25 passing TDs with 2 or fewer interceptions. Pairing him with a new offensive coordinator, I think Allar will take another step this year by performing better and more consistently. Score: Penn State 41, WVU13—Collin Sutrick

This was tough but I just have a weird feeling that Morgantown will be rocking. Close win for PSU here. Score: Penn State 24, WVU 17—Brett Fine Jr.

These are the games head coach James Franklin wins. Penn State starting QB Drew Allar will look good under new OC Andy Kotelnicki. Penn State gets the big win over a Big 12 Conference school and gets off to a 1-0 start. Score: Penn State 34, WVU 20—Mike Germanese

West Virginia’s defense will need to improve to counter Penn State’s new offense, which aims to push more explosive plays. James Franklin’s teams are known for their late-game magic. I’m taking PSU -8.5. Score: Penn State 34, WVU 24—Mike Brown

North Carolina at Minnesota (Minn -2)

8 p.m., Aug. 29, Minneapolis

I don't trust head coach PJ Fleck. This should be a game they should win but he is a big enigma. I don't trust head coach Mack Brown and UNC either. I feel UNC will run away with the win here. Score: UNC 28, Minnesota 23—Kyle Golik

North Carolina Running back Omarion Hampton will be the difference in this game. He will be the best player on the field, and it will be noticeable. Score: North Carolina 31, Minnesota 13—Collin Sutrick

I'm not big on Minnesota going forward. I like UNC's chances with the talent on that roster. Score: UNC 23, 20—Brett Fine Jr.

Head coach PJ Fleck gets the Gophers off to a good start. Running Back Darius Taylor finds the endzone twice while transfer QB Max Brosmer throws for another 2 scores. Fleck gives the hometown fans something to cheer about. Score: Minnesota 31, UNC 24—Mike Germanese

Geoff Collins has a reputation for having great SEC defenses, currently tasked with one of the worst last season. Minnesota at home with a dominant ground game? I’m taking Minnesota -2. Score: Minnesota 27, UNC 24—Mike Brown

Editor's note: Point spreads are from Aug. 25.