Big Ten Week 2 Preview
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After last week’s rather vanilla week where no one in the conference really played anyone of note, this week we see some of the marquee non-conference games involving Big Ten teams. Most of the league has a power conference opponent that serves as both a good test and an excuse to brag about conference supremacy. Three of these games involve SEC opponents, three involve ACC opponents, and two feature opponents from the Big 12.
Let’s take a look at the schedule.
Friday
Rutgers (0-1) at Boston College (0-1) 7:30pm, ESPN2
There is a lot of honor in this game as the closest major conference team to New York City takes on Boston College in the red bandana game. For those that don’t know, BC’s annual Red Bandana game honors Welles Crowther, who played lacrosse at Boston College and was known to wear a red bandana under his uniform. He was working in the South Tower on 9/11 and he became known as The Man in the Red Bandana. He helped direct 17 people to the safety of a working stairwell before going up to assist others. He is credited with saving up to 18 people before he was killed when the tower collapsed.
This game occurring on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 carries even more weight. Both teams will be wearing special uniforms. The actual football might be bad, but it is worth a watch. BC needs to win this. Boston College 24, Rutgers 17
Saturday
Howard (1-1) at #5 Indiana (1-0) Noon, BTN
Indiana can name its score here, as its days of losing to cupcakes are long over. Indiana 70, Howard 7
#6 Oregon (1-0) at Oklahoma State (0-1) Noon, ESPN
If you thought last year was bad for Purdue when it comes to roster continuity, look at Oklahoma State. They fired Mike Gundy, and new coach Eric Morris had to bring in over 90 new players when he came from North Texas. Many were on North Texas’ 10-win team a year ago, but still, there have been growing pains. This includes a 24-10 loss last week at Tulsa. Oregon should not have any problems. Oregon 45, Oklahoma State 10
#11 Oklahoma (1-0) at Michigan (0-1) B1G NUDE SATURDAY
For purposes going forward I will be refusing each week to recognize Michigan’s “win” over Western Michigan from last week and no one can make me recognize it. The Sooners feature a nasty defense that began last week with a shutout and the Wolverines only scored seven points last week. This could be a long day in Ann Arbor. Oklahoma 27, Michigan 10
#16 Penn State (1-0) at Temple (1-0) Noon, ESPN2
The Nittany Lions will be a stiffer challenge than Rhode Island last week for the Owlss. They won that game 34-10, but they are just 4-40-1 all-tine against Penn State. Temple did win in 2015, but this has often been very lopsided in Penn State’s favor and before that lost they had won 31 straight in the series. Penn State 45, Temple 13
Wake Forest (1-0) at Purdue (1-0) Noon, Fox Sports 1
I really want Purdue to prove me wrong here. We were only up 16-6 on Indiana State at halftime last week and there were still a number of glaring issues that cannot be glossed over against any other opponent. This is a hinge game. A win (or even a very close loss) is a sign of progress. A blowout loss means we may not see another win this year.
I don’t believe in this team. Wake Forest 34, Purdue 14
Utah State (0-1) at #19 Washington (1-0) 3:30pm, BTN
Utah State lost to FCS Idaho State last week 29-17, so… yeah. Washington 52, Utah State 7
Mississippi State (1-0) at Minnesota (1-0) 3:30pm, CBS
Both teams won in blowouts over completely overmatched opponents last week, and both teams are expected to be near the middle of their respective conferences. These are teams that put up a lot of points last week and they should have a fun little matchup. Minnesota 34, Mississippi State 31
Duke (1-0) at Illinois (1-0) 3:30pm, Fox Sports 1
This is another pretty even matchup and could be fun. Duke is the reigning ACC champion and Illinois is trying to follow up a couple of good years in a row. Since Purdue plays in Chambana in a few weeks it is good to leave the channel tuned to this game if we win. The Illini definitely fall into the “winnable game” category if Purdue is to make a bowl this year. Duke 24, Illinois 21
Eastern Michigan (1-1) at Michigan State (1-0) 3:30pm, BTN
The Spartans struggled with a better MAC team last week in Toledo. Eastern Michigan has been much better in recent years under Chris Creighton. We can forgive that he once coached at Wabash. I don’t think Michigan State is that good, but they should be able to get this one. Michigan State 38, Eastern Michigan 20
Maryland (1-0) at UConn (1-0) 3:30pm, CBS Sports Network
It is September, so Maryland is still good. They broke a light sweat last week in a 62-0 win over Hampton. This is still a solid UConn team that was 9-4 a year ago (with three losses in overtime). Neither team is going to be anywhere near the playoff, but getting a Big Ten team to come to them is a coup. It could be close. Maryland 24, UConn 21
Bowling Green (0-1) at Nebraska (1-0) 7pm, Fox Sports 1
Bowling Green is another team that lost a buy game to an FCS foe last week, falling 20-13 to Tarleton State. The Huskers will roll. Nebraska 52, Bowling Green 10
San Diego State (1-0) at UCLA (1-0) 7:15pm, BTN
This is a great chance to take a look at Purdue’s next opponent, who has gotten a lot of attention for hiring Curt Cignetti 2.0 from JMU. This should be another fun game because SDSU often is pretty strong.
Western Illinois (1-1) at Wisconsin (0-1) 7:15pm, BTN
Welcome to this week’s “We’re contractually obligated to broadcast this game” game that will be on a BTN overflow channel. WIU is bad even for an FCS team. Wisconsin 62, Western Illinois 13
#1 Ohio State (1-0) at #4 Texas (1-0) 7:30pm, ABC
Last year was a defensive struggle in the ‘shoe. With the game moving to Austin this season we could see more offensive fireworks. This is the game of the week with very good reason, but Ohio State is looking excellent once again. Their lone losses last year were to the two teams that played for the national title. Ohio State 27, Texas 24
Iowa State (1-0) at #21 Iowa (1-0) 7:30pm, NBC
That’s right, its ¡EL ASSICOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! time.
This game always has some odd stuff happen in it, but of late Iowa State has won three of the last four. Expect it to be low scoring with a game in the teens, but not as bad as Iowa State’s 9-6 win in 2012. The home teams has also only won four times since 2010. Iowa 17, Iowa State 13
Louisiana (1-0) at #14 USC (2-0) 11pm, BTN
Pac-12 After Dark lives on BTN now, I guess. USC really has not been challenged yet, and I don’t expect much here. Hopefully this gets wild enough to be worth staying up late for. USC 45, Louisiana 10
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