2025 Massive 12 soccer schedule breakdown: Predicting the primary loss for all 16 convention groups

Massive 12 commissioner Brett Yormark has all however assured a number of playoff bids from his convention through the 2025 season. And now, it is as much as the half-dozen or so groups able to being within the combine to indicate it on the sphere.

Following Arizona State’s debut run to a playoff bid final fall and Texas Tech’s extraordinarily loud offseason with roster enhancements, this could possibly be the 12 months the Massive 12 flexes a pair true contenders close to the highest of the nationwide rankings if the league’s in a position to escape just a few notable nonconference showdowns early.

We have picked via each group’s schedule and projected the primary loss for every. Sorry, Massive 12 devoted — we’re not anticipating any unbeaten entries within the league championship sport in December. These predictions coincide with our post-spring bowl projections forward of the 2025 marketing campaign and the way we see all of it shaking out.

First loss: Kansas State, Sept. 12

These applications met for the primary time since 1978 final season in a sport that was by no means aggressive. Kansas State owned the road of scrimmage throughout a 24-point victory which was the primary of six losses by a number of scores for Arizona in Massive 12 play. This one must be extra aggressive this time round, however Kansas State is ranked for a motive and goes to be a troublesome out close to the highest of the league.

Arizona State Solar Devils

First loss: at Mississippi State, Sept. 6

School soccer’s most surprising upset in September might occur in Starkville throughout Week 2. Beating an SEC opponent in a real highway setting just isn’t a simple process and buried inside Arizona State’s spectacular run to the playoff final fall was a comeback win over Mississippi State early that basically appeared to take the wind out of the sails for the Bulldogs beneath first-year coach Jeff Lebby. The Solar Devils are a professional league title contender once more with Sam Leavitt beneath middle, however they could need to get there after overcoming a surprising nonconference loss.

First loss: Auburn, Aug. 29

Dave Aranda’s group is a slight favourite within the opener in opposition to Hugh Freeze’s Tigers, a lot of that because of 13 returning starters led by quarterback Sawyer Robertson. Solely 5 of these veterans are again on protection, nonetheless, which offers Auburn with confidence on the highway given its notable portal additions this offseason. We’re anticipating a ton of factors in Waco with the group garnering the final possession of the competition probably successful.

First loss: at Arizona, Oct. 11

Graced with some of the favorable schedules within the Massive 12 this season, BYU ought to coast via the primary quarter of the marketing campaign with out a lot fear. That mentioned, there are a pair potential “upset” spots earlier than the Massive 12 slate kicks into excessive gear in opposition to Utah in mid-October. Trying forward as a nationally-ranked unbeaten earlier than that bout with the Utes goes to be deadly for the Cougars.

First loss: Nebraska (in Kansas Metropolis), Aug. 28

If a number of the murmurings rising from Nebraska this offseason are factual, the Huskers have an ideal shot at being 3-0 with Michigan coming to Lincoln later in September. Dylan Raiola is again with new OC Dana Holgorsen calling the pictures. For the Bearcats, defensive deal with Dontay Corleone is one among three returning starters on that facet of the soccer that will have a protracted night at Arrowhead Stadium if Nebraska’s additions on offense present out.

First loss: Georgia Tech, Aug. 29

Sadly for the Massive 12, opening weekend goes to be one to overlook it appears in opposition to different Energy 4 competitors. Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes deal with a veteran-laded Yellow Jackets group intent on successful on the line of scrimmage with a balanced attacked. Colorado might be breaking in a brand new sign caller within the post-Shedeur Sanders period and would not have the management of Travis Hunter, both. Whereas bowl eligibility is probably going for Colorado, the season may begin a bit rocky.

First loss: Texas Tech, Oct. 4

You are taking a look at one of many Massive 12’s most-improved groups in 2025, at the very least it’s going to seem that means for Willie Fritz’s program till Texas Tech arrives in October with its greatest roster in years. After consecutive 4-8 seasons, Cougars followers will stay excited after a 4-1 begin regardless of the setback to the Pink Raiders.

First loss: at TCU, Nov. 8

The Cyclones must be favored of their first eight video games previous to dealing with off with Arizona State in a rematch of final 12 months’s league title sport on Nov. 1. And if Matt Campbell’s group beats the Solar Devils to maneuver to 9-0, they’re nearly a lock to get again to the Massive 12 Championship Sport except they capsize over the ultimate stretch. The Horned Frogs scored 62 factors on Cyclones the final time these groups confronted off in Fort Price in 2022.

First loss: at Missouri, Sept. 6

In case you’ve glanced at Missouri’s schedule this season, you rapidly observed one other present from the SEC workplace for Eli Drinkwitz. By some means, the Tigers open with six consecutive house video games with this one in opposition to Kansas being the third-toughest behind Alabama and South Carolina. These near the Jayhawks program count on to enter Missouri and win, however the Tigers’ roster appears to be like barely extra proficient this season. Missouri leads the all-time rivalry collection with Kansas, 56-55-9.

Kansas State Wildcats

First loss: Iowa State (Dublin, Eire), Aug. 23

Do not panic, Kansas State followers. A season-opening loss to the Cyclones throughout the pond is not going to torpedo what must be a robust season for the Wildcats. It’ll, nonetheless, make the primary few Massive 12 contests that come after this one fall beneath the must-win class. We’re anticipating this sport to be one among three this fall for the Wildcats in opposition to high 25 opponents. Win the opposite two and Chris Klieman’s group could possibly be heading to the league title sport.

First loss: at Oregon, Sept. 6

This can be a nightmare state of affairs for Mike Gundy, breaking in a brand new quarterback along with his first Energy 4 begin coming on the loud and boisterous Autzen Stadium. Reigning Massive Ten champion Oregon is a nationwide title risk beneath Dan Lanning and might be geared up with a go rush far superior to most the Cowboys will see this season within the Massive 12.

TCU Horned Frogs

First loss: SMU, Sept. 20

Count on a number of marquee wins for the Horned Frogs this season, together with the opener at North Carolina to spoil Invoice Belichick’s debut. However after dominating this collection in opposition to SMU over a 10-year stretch, three of the final 5 have been gained by the Mustangs together with a pair of matchups in Fort Price. If TCU wins this one, Sonny Dykes’ group can have a great deal of confidence heading to Arizona State the next weekend.

Texas Tech Pink Raiders

First loss: at Arizona State, Oct. 18

No group in faculty soccer allotted extra assets to expertise acquisition this offseason than the Pink Raiders. Meaning Texas Tech is in School Soccer Playoff-or-bust mode beneath Joey McGuire, lofty expectations contemplating this system’s final 11-win season got here in 2008 beneath the late Mike Leach. A 6-0 begin to the 2025 marketing campaign would imply the Pink Raiders are within the thick of the dialogue with the primary playoff rankings set to debut just a few weeks later.

First loss: at Kansas State, Sept. 27

Three wins for Scott Frost earlier than opening convention motion can be a momentum-booster for the Knights. A kind of would come with a projected victory over Belichick’s Tar Heels earlier than UCF is humbled a bit by the Wildcats away from Orlando. It’s going to be fascinating to see how Frost’s group performs on the highway this season contemplating most of their hardest video games contain flights out of Florida.

Utah Utes

First loss: Texas Tech, Sept. 20

Probably the most polarizing groups within the Massive 12, many are the beneath impression Utah’s step again beneath Kyle Whittingham final fall was a minor blip throughout an in any other case good tenure. He is earned the good thing about the doubt as a profitable coach. And after utterly overhauling his program’s offensive scheme this fall with a brand new quarterback and OC, maybe Whittingham’s group must be getting extra love than they’re this summer time.

First loss: Pittsburgh, Sept. 13

This one’s admittedly a toss-up. Wealthy Rodriguez will get the Panthers in Morgantown with an opportunity to maneuver to 3-0 on the season in his return to West Virginia. We’re trusting the firepower Pitt returns on protection right here with a pair future early-round picks only a bit greater than what the Mountaineers might be working with offensively.