One of the biggest changes with the college football tournament is how important strength of schedule has become. A lot of teams made the mad dash to find worthy dancing partners and we, the viewers, reap the rewards. Week two in the Big Ten boasts a top-10 showdown, a rivalry in its last scheduled game and much, much more.
Game of the Week:
Michigan State at Oregon
The top-ten foes cruised in week one and each feel like they will contend in their league. The biggest question is if the loser can stay in contention for the tournament this winter. The Ducks may have home field and a few more pieces back but MSU’s style has caused Oregon fits in the past. The coaching brain-trust also favors the Spartans. This has the makings of a classic.
Saturday, 6:30 / 5:30 central, Fox
Sleeper:
Michigan at Notre Dame
One of the premiere rivalries is on its deathbed as Notre Dame’s ACC commitments (and other historic rivalries) and to a lesser extent some of Michigan’s scheduling has made the 2014 entry into this game the last scheduled meeting. While I have not doubt that the hate between these two programs will lead both sides to finding ways to play each other before too long, this could prove to be the last one for a while. After all, Pitt and Penn State haven’t found a way to re-ignite that game. Adding to the promise of this game is they both need it. Michigan is still unranked and Notre Dame is only 16th so both would love to build some momentum if either wants to smell the tournament in a few months.
Saturday, 7:30 / 6:30 central, CBS
Don’t Ignore:
Middle Tennessee State at Minnesota
The Blue Raiders are generally one of the better smaller conference team and the shift from the Sun Belt to C-USA a year ago did little to change that. They won 8 games in 2012, including knocking off ACC foe Georgia Tech and won 8 again last season. In eight full seasons at Murfreesboro, coach Rick Stockstill has gotten his team to four bowl games – not a minor feat for the leagues they have been in. On the other hand Minnesota started painfully slow in the opening week. Another sleepy first half could doom them against a team that had no problems putting up points (61 of them) a week ago.
Saturday, 3:30 / 2:30 central, BTN
Snoozer:
McNeese State at Nebraska
The Huskers had no trouble with FAU a week ago, creaming them 55-7. Now they step down a division and pluck a FCS paycheck team.
Saturday, 12 / 11 central, ESPNU / WatchESPN app…or water board yourself. Either one is a viable torture option this Saturday.
Upset Watch:
Right End – Only two Big Ten dogs according to Vegas: Michigan and Michigan State. The Wolverines looked brilliant against Appalachian State and picking MSU to just stroll into Eugene and win is a tad risky. I’ll take the more sure upset bid with the Maize and Blue.
Wrong End – Minnesota and Purdue could very well fall but only one of these games did I actually pick in my best/worse/prediction previews and that was Western Kentucky taking down Illinois. You’ve been warned, Fightin’ Illini fans.
WKU at Illinois, Saturday, 12 / 11 central, BTN
Elsewhere:
Akron at Penn State, Sat, 12 / 11 , ABC / ESPN 2 – Penn State’s passing attack was sharp in Ireland but Akron isn’t the dog they were a few years ago. This one could be close for a half.
Central Michigan at Purdue, Sat, 12 / 11, ESPN News / WatchESPN App – The Chips struggled with a FCS team last week while Purdue struggled with a MAC team. Purdue should win but it won’t be pretty.
Howard at Rutgers, Sat, 12 / 11, BTN – The Knights should be thrilled about last week’s fantastic win. Howard meanwhile was cannon fodder for Akron. No trouble for RU here.
Western Illinois at Wisconsin, Sat, 12 / 11, BTN – Wisconsin should be good and pissed about last week. They’ll take that anger out on an over-matched FCS club.
Northern Illinois at Northwestern, Sat, 3:30 / 2:3o, BTN – After how bad they looked a week ago Northwestern really needs a pick-me-up. NIU is well coached and talented but without Jordan Lynch they lack some of the bite they had the few seasons.
Ball State at Iowa, Sat, 3:30 / 2:30, BTN – The Cardinals have won 20 games the last two years, including a win over the ACC’s Virginia so Iowa will need to be sharper than last week. Talent still favors the Hawks though. This one will be about execution and coaching.
Maryland at South Florida, Sat, 3:30 / 2:30, CBS Sports Net – USF is one of the worst teams in the nation. They would be my vote for worst power league team. Last week they struggled with FCS Western Carolina. It is a testament to how bad the Bulls have become that Maryland is a two-touchdown road favorite.
Virginia Tech at Ohio State, Sat, 8 / 7, ESPN / WatchESPN app – God this would’ve been a great one a decade ago. Unfortunately Tech is in the bind a lot of programs find themselves with a legend. Frank Beamer is too old to be an effective coach but he was too great for the school to can him. OSU shouldn’t have too much trouble covering the 11 point spread.
Random Musings
This is Michigan State’s first top-ten tango since 1966 but they actually had two of them that season. They knocked off 9th ranked Purdue and tied Notre Dame. That game against the Irish is commonly referred to a little something like “The Game of the Century.” With that in mind, good luck Sparty. From every Big Ten homer in this nation, do us proud!
Big Ten and Counting 