Big Ten expansion: Top 5 games fans shouldn't miss after Tonny Petti's powerhouse expands to 18 teams

With Big Ten expansion, college football enters some brave new worlds. An 18-team league that extends from Washington to Rutgers is hard to fathom. But when college football conferences are literally extending across the nation, is something missing? Where are the rivalries?

Well, some are right where they've always been. Some are new and different, but here are five BIg Ten games not to miss.

Top 5 games not to miss after Big Ten expansion

Oregon and QB Dillon Gabriel host Ohio State in a battle supremacy in the New Big Ten expansion era. (Photo Credit: The Register-Guard)

#5, Notre Dame at USC (Nov. 30)

This is certainly an odd one as a Big Ten game. But in the era of Big Ten expansion, this battle pits a pair of historical rivals, one of which has always seemed to belong in the Big Ten but isn't in it (Notre Dame). The other school, of course, is now in the Big Ten.

Of course, this isn't a conference game, but it'll be a nationally significant game for the perception of the Big Ten and to see how much a season in the league beats up on USC. USC is just 1-5 in the last six matchups, so a win here could bolster its case for the Big Ten improving USC's team.

#4. Texas at Michigan (Sept. 7)

In the same way that USC/Notre Dame will tell the story late, Michigan and Texas will tell it early in the season. How odd that this is now a Big Ten vs. Southeastern Conference battle. But in a sport where that battle has been meaningful and generally one-sided, the league could use a shot of momentum.

Add in that Michigan will be in just its second game under new coach Sherrone Moore. If the Big Ten wants to be taken seriously as a league of championship contenders, having what is probably the third- or fourth-best team in the Big Ten beat the likely second-best SEC school would be a giant boost.

#3, Ohio State at Penn State (Nov. 2)

Yes, there are still some good old-fashioned college football rivalries still in play. Penn State has four 11-win seasons under James Franklin but has never made it to the top of the heap. The Nittany Lions get to host Ohio State this year and don't have to play Oregon.

With the Big Ten expansion, James Franklin might recognize this is a now-or-never kind of moment for his time at Penn State. If he falls behind Oregon and USC, he'll never make it past Michigan and Ohio State. On the other hand, Ohio State has its eyes on a big prize.

#2, Ohio State at Oregon (Oct. 12)

In the era of Big Ten expansion, this is the key meeting of new and old. Oregon has a high-powered offense, a ton of athletes and an intimidating home-field advantage. Ohio State has ... well, the same things except for a home-field advantage. Two years ago, Ohio State averaged 44.2 points per game. Last year, Oregon averaged 44.2 ppg.

This is the one everyone will watch, because both of these teams have legitimate national championship aspirations. While it's old and new, West Coast and central America, now it's a Big Ten conference game. Pretty wild stuff.

#1. Michigan at Ohio State (Nov. 30)

The message to any would-be claimers of the Big Ten's top game is simple. When you can lay claim to a rivalry this red-hot, then you're playing the biggest game. Ohio State and Michigan play for a state rivalry, for conference pride and for national prominence.

Ohio State has won 15 of the last 19 games. But Michigan has won the last three in a row, including the CFP championship that has eluded Ohio State. In Big Ten circles – for that matter, in college football circles – this remains THE GAME.

Does Big Ten expansion change your list of must-see league battles? Weigh in below with your thoughts in our comments section!