Big Ten Week 1 Football Breakdown
College football season is finally here! The Big Ten season is in full tilt, starting Thursday when the Badgers square off against the UNLV Runnin’Rebels. Every week I will break down the Big 10 games, giving you my lock of the week, the upset alert, the offensive explosion, the game of the week, and the best of the rest.
Lock of the Week: Ohio State Over Akron
The Buckeyes turbulent offseason is well document. Many people are expecting some struggles but they certainly will not have troubles in week one. New Head Coach Luke Fickell pretty much has a win scheduled for him in week one. Of course don’t expect Coach Fickell to believe that this is a cupcake victory. He is certainly going to prepare for Akron the same will he will prepare for Michigan. However, most Ohio State fans as well as the rest of the nation will be more worried about the position battles and how OSU responds without the starters lost to suspension than what the final score is. This is all highlighted by the quarterback battle which was covered in a recent College Sports Madness article; Could Ohio State Suspensions Actually be Good for the Program? Look for a favorite to emerge between quarterbacks Joe Bauserman and Braxton Miller. Another spot to keep a close eye on is the running backs. Ohio State is loaded, with a potential three headed monster, not even including the suspended Dan Herron. Jaamal Berry and Jordan Hall seem to be battling for the top stop on the depth chart, but Rod Smith is also throwing himself in the mix. Overall Ohio State is too talented to lose to Akron especially at home and look for them to score early and often in this lopsided victory.
Ohio State 42 Akron 17
Upset Alert: Indiana vs. Ball State
The Hoosiers open up their 2011 campaign on the road in an instate battle against Ball State. The game, interesting enough, will pit two new head coaches against each other. Pete Lembo will be pacing the home sidelines for Ball State and Kevin Wilson will be patrolling the visitor side for Indiana. The Hoosiers are not only breaking in a new head coach but also a new signal caller. This is never an easy thing to do. The Hoosiers still should be considered the favorites, as they are returning 15 starters, but it will certainly not be an easy win. If you want to see a tightly contested game and a possible upset, this is the game to tune in for (Saturday September 3rd at 7pm Eastern).
Offensive Explosion: Nebraska vs. Chattanooga
This game might not exactly be a close contest, but there will be lots of scoring going on. Look for Nebraska to roll over Chattanooga in their first game as part of the Big Ten conference. Nebraska will be led by duel threat quarterback Taylor Martinez who should have Nebraska in the end zone multiple times. Nebraska will dominate this game and light up the scoreboard.
Nebraska 52 Chattanooga 10
Game of the Week! Northwestern vs. Boston College
Northwestern and Boston College square off in what is the best Big Ten game this week. The game pits two middle of the road teams in their respective conferences. However, both teams come from a power conference and this Big 10/ACC clash should be a great game. Northwestern is looking to get on track by beating Boston College. Heisman hopeful Dan Persa will lead the Wildcats into this showdown. I think Persa will help his hype in this clash by playing great and leading Northwestern over Boston College. Northwestern edges Boston College 31-27.
Northwestern 31 Boston College 27
Best of the Rest
Wisconsin vs. UNLV
The Badgers and UNLV have faced each other eight times, with the Badgers leading the series 6-2. This game doesn’t look to be a big test for Wisconsin, but ask any Wisconsin fan and they will tell you this game is no cake walk. The Rebels always play the Badgers tough and this year could be another tightly contested game, particularly in the first half. The second half is when the Badgers may start to pull away. This will be the first look at the Badgers double headed monster that is their rushing attack. Montee Ball has been named the starter, but James White will also get a good chunk of the carries. This will also be the first chance to see transfer quarterback Russell Wilson in action. Look for the Badgers to have a balanced attack, starting with pounding the football to set up the play action pass.
Badgers 31 UNLV 17
Michigan State vs. Youngstown State
The Spartans look to start their season with a bang. This will be the first look at Kirk Cousins as a senior as he continues to try to increase his NFL draft stock. This game needs to be a blowout, as Michigan State is one of those teams that everyone loves to say is not as good as their ranking. Look for Cousins to be sharp from the get go as the Spartans coast to victory.
Michigan State 38 Youngstown State 13
Penn State vs. Indiana State
Penn State will take the field against a much inferior Indiana State team. The game will feature the first time for Silas Redd to be the showcased running back for the Nittany Lions. Look for him to have an explosive game as Penn State rolls to victory and Joe Paterno collects his 540th win.
Penn State 42 Indiana State 24
Iowa vs. Tennessee Tech
The Hawkeyes, like most of the other Big Ten schools, seem to have a “scheduled victory” as their first game. Iowa is hosting Tennessee Tech and they are looking to have the game all but over by the time the teams head into the locker room at half time. Of course no game is guaranteed and as soon as you overlook an opponent that is when you get beat. But expect Iowa to run all over Tennessee Tech. This will be the Hawkeyes fans chance to see Marcus Coker, an exciting young talented tailback, who shined during the Holiday Bowl notching 219 yards on the ground. He will follow the blocks of an experienced offensive line that will guide Iowa to their first victory of the year.
Iowa 38 Tennessee Tech 10
Minnesota vs. USC
The 21st ranked Trojans play host to the Golden Gophers in this opening week clash. This is a tough test for new head coach, Jerry Kill. Coach Kill is employing a new offense and the Gophers are really in a rebuilding stage. This game, although not a cake walk, is a very winnable game for USC. The Gophers are going to be taking their lumps and bruises this year, and it starts week one with USC.
USC 52 Minnesota 21
Purdue vs. Middle Tennessee
The Boilermakers do not figure to see many W’s this season once they hit Big Ten play, so hosting Middle Tennessee should be good for the players and the fans. Purdue looks to show that their defense has not taken a step back, despite losing Ryan Kerrigan to the NFL, and they can still relay on it to win them football games. They are also looking to get their offense clicking early, something they were unable to do last season. Keep a close eye on Purdue’s running back, Ralph Bolden. If he looks healthy Purdue’s offense could be better than expected. Bolden rushed for over 900 yards and added in nine scores in 2009, but his 2010 season was derailed by injuries. He could change the dynamics of this offense. The Boilermakers will get one of their wins in week one, but do not expect too many more from them this season.
Purdue 31 Middle Tennessee 7
Michigan vs. Western Michigan
The Wolverines take the field in the Big House for the first time this season, hosting an in-state battle. New Head Coach Brady Hoke looks to show Michigan fans that he is the right man for the job. It will be the first look at his pro style offense, as well as this year’s first look at one of the nation’s most dynamic players, quarterback Denard Robinson. Everyone will be watching to see how the Wolverines offense looks without the spread and wondering if Denard Robinson is still going to be as exciting and explosive, or if he was just a flash in the pan thanks to the spread offense. I expect Robinson to have a monstrous game and the Wolverines to roll as Brady Hoke picks up his first victory as a Big Ten coach.
Michigan 56 Western Michigan 28
Illinois vs. Arkansas State
Illinois also is looking to pick up their first win in the first week of the season. They are led by star duel threat quarterback, Nathan Scheelhaase. He had a fabulous freshman campaign and is looking to build on that during his sophomore season. Expect Illinois to turn him lose early and explode to a victory.
Illinois 38 Arkansas State 21
That wraps up the Big Ten schedule for next week. Make sure to re-read the preview articles for the Big Ten teams before you tune in to watch them play so you know what players to be looking for and have some insight into the new coaches. This is bound to be another exciting year for Big Ten football and it all starts Thursday with the Wisconsin/UNLV showdown!
