Whew, starting a new job is rough for blogging purposes. Got about 90 minutes until kick off so let’s fly through this, shall we? As always, all times are central.
Game of the Week:
Ohio State vs TCU (neutral site)
Pretty easy no-brainer. Two top-15 ball clubs squaring off down in Arlington at Jerry World. Gary Patterson has won a ton of games with his defensive brain it will need to be on full display as the Buckeye’s offense has been on fire since the moment the season started.
- Saturday, 7:00 pm, ABC
Sleeper:
Purdue is one of the biggest disappointments in the league after their 0-2 start but they are a trapped animal and those are always dangerous. This is a game PU has got to get going in offensively in because with Drew Lock, you know Missouri is putting up some points.
- Saturday, 6:30 pm, BTN
Don’t Forget:
South Florida is a really, really good AAC team so for Lovie and his slow rebuild (?) this is an opportunity for a breakthrough game. The Bulls are well coached, explosive offensively, and receiving votes. This would be by far Lovie’s best win at Illinois. Now the question is, can they pull it off? Color me intrigued.
- Saturday, 2:30 pm, BTN, Soldier Field
Snoozer:
Sorry Hawks, you know I love ya but you are the only team taking on a FCS foe.
- Saturday, 6:30 pm, BTN…or watch Purdue struggle with Missouri, that is your best choice until the OSU game starts.
Upset Watch:
Right End – Illinois and Purdue are the only underdogs that would feel good about pulling out their victories. Sure Rutgers is a dog too, but it is at Kansas. Can you feel good about yourself beating Kansas?
Wrong End – Losing to a 15th ranked team isn’t the end of the world for the Bucks so not putting them here. Instead I am going with Wisconsin. They have been sleepy in opening quarters and halves this year and BYU is a lot better than either team Wisconsin has faced so far. I know it is a stretch but if BYU finds a way to pull the upset, Wisconsin faces a massive uphill battle back to the top ten because their reputation nationally is that they aren’t in the same class as OSU, Clemson, Bama, etc.
- Wisconsin vs BYU, Saturday, 2:30 pm, ABC
Elsewhere (Alphabetical Order):
Indiana vs Ball State – Cardinals gave Notre Dame a game a week ago. Watching that tape should have been a wake up call for the Hoosiers as they try to start 3-0 and put their bowl hopes in amazing shape.
- Saturday, 11:00 am, BTN
Maryland vs Temple – The Owls have been a stinky club at 0-2 in the early going. Terps have shined in their 2-0 start. Old coaching cliché but if Maryland just keeps doing what they are doing, they’ll win.
- Saturday, 11:00 am, BTN
Michigan vs SMU – Ponies are 0-2 and extremely young along their offensive line. That doesn’t sound very good considering Michigan’s defense is really freaking good.
- Saturday, 2:30 pm, BTN
Minnesota vs Miami (OH) – Red Hawks were a trendy pick to do well in the MAC but they scheduled pretty tough and have been awarded with an 0-2 start. Minnesota survived their toughest non-con test a week ago so if that defense continues to be fierce, they should get to 3-0.
- Saturday, 2:30 pm, BTN
Nebraska vs Troy – Trojans were an awesome team last year but graduated a whole bunch of key pieces. Huskers are the deeper and more athletic team as a result. They should get Scott Frost’s first NU victory with ease.
- Saturday, 11:00 am, BTN
Northwestern vs Akron – Zips are just 1-0 after their Nebraska game was adiosed due to weather a couple of weeks ago. Bowden has done nice things with the small Ohio program but Northwestern is going to be good and pissed about such a flat game a week ago against Duke.
- Saturday, 6:30 pm, BTN
Penn State vs Kent State – Flashes are in a major MAC rebuild. This should be little more than a tune-up and the starters are yanked by the ten minute mark of the third quarter.
- Saturday, 11:00 am, FS1
Rutgers at Kansas – Has there ever, EVER, EVER, been a worse power-five game?
- Saturday, 11:00 am, No TV listed
Random Musing:
Seriously, is the Rutgers-Kansas game the worst game all time? Was it scheduled as a joke? Did both teams think they could gain momentum for the rest of the season with a “big” non-conference win? Yuck!
Big Ten and Counting 