LEAGUE PLAY!!!! Okay, sort of. Not only have a few league games already been played as well as one “league game” (OSU v Rutgers) and the fact that two other teams don’t play a Big Ten foe, it is still the opener for the vast majority of ball clubs. Guess what, there is a game today! I’ll highlight that one blue so it pops some. As always, all times are central.
Game of the Week:
Minnesota at Maryland
Sometimes the game of the week isn’t going to be a tangle with huge division implications but just a game I am fascinated by. This is one of those weeks. The Gophers are 3-0 and playing outstanding defense, protecting their young quarterback both in terms of blocking and scheme by pounding the rock with that running game but they are also getting clean play from Zack Annextad. Through three games he is clean in the interception column, just what the doctor ordered for Minnesota. The one thing they haven’t done yet is hit the road. Maryland on the other hand was 2-0 and looking full of energy and potential before a major hiccup to Temple. Playing well and coming up short is one thing, I mean Temple is in the AAC and was a touch of a sleeper for making a run, but the Terps played like total garbage. Temple had something to do with it yes, but watching that tape, Maryland was clearly just off. This is a great opportunity for the westernmost UM to get to 4-0, win a road game, and put a touch of heat on the Iowa/Wisconsin winner. The easternmost UM has a solid opponent to regain some confidence against, play at home, and get a notch closer towards a bowl. Because of all this, game of the week, baby.
- Saturday, 11:00 am, BTN
Sleeper:
Badgers still have a shot at the “playoffs” thanks to a tough looking league slate as well as the Big Ten title game always featuring two ranked teams. They haven’t looked the part as a team that can pull this off and that is why Iowa has to be a little excited for this one. They get the Badgers in their house, under the lights, coming off UW’s worst game in a while. Iowa, despite it being a FCS team, is coming off their best game of the year. If Iowa’s pass rush, especially A.J. Epenesa and Parker Hesse can dictate terms in the trenches, Iowa can replicate some of the things BYU did to give the Badgers fits a week ago. Of course on the other hand, Wisconsin might just be super pissed off at the world and take all their anger out on Iowa. If Jonathan Taylor has 187 rushing yards at halftime, you will see what I mean about being good and pissed.
- Saturday, 7:30 pm, Fox
Don’t Forget:
Last time the Spartans were in Bloomington, they lost. Last time the Spartans played, they lost. Last time the Spartans had a road trip, they lost. Michigan State has a ton of potential but they haven’t quite put it all together in their 1-1 start. Indiana meanwhile has looked quite confident on both sides of the ball en route to a 3-0 mark. IU tailback Stevie Scott is already up to 388 yards and 3 scores in his freshman season which is huge because not only did Indiana struggle to be consistent running the ball last year but 2017’s leading back, Morgan Ellison, is still serving his indefinite suspension. Watching Scott try and pick up the yards against Michigan State’s defense will be a fun one. Maybe this should be the game of the week?
- Saturday, 6:30 pm, BTN
Snoozer:
Poor Tulane. They were one review away from winning six games last year and going bowling. Instead of turning that anger into a redemption 2018, they have turned it into an uneven 1-2 start. Losing to Wake, fair. Beating FCS Nicholls state, expected. Losing to UAB? Not what they needed. Going to the Shoe in Urban Meyer’s first game back from the “should’ve been fired suspension special”? Really not what the Wave needed.
- Saturday, 2:30 pm, BTN…Or I don’t know, take a nap because you are waking up really early to watch my GOTW then have to stay up into the night for my sleeper game, duh!
Upset Watch:
Right End – Iowa is a little too obvious for division implications so let’s go with Purdue. They are a hard luck 0-3 right now and have to face top-25 Boston College at home this week. BC brings in a bruising running game led by A.J. Dillon. A loss and 0-4 start feels way, way, WAY, too deep to come back from for a bowl. But knocking off a ranked club, getting that first victory of the season, and some confidence would for sure be a right end upset. Honestly, forget the fact it would be an upset and just appreciate that the Boilers need a W, bad.
- Purdue vs Boston College, Saturday, 11:00 am, ESPN2
Wrong End – Penn State playing on a short week on a weeknight on the road has the whiff of something brewing. Thankfully that trip is to Illinois who isn’t exactly the scariest opponent, but that why it would be such a wrong end up set. For the Lions to stub their toe in this game could be the reason they fail to make it to Indianapolis. Could be the reason they don’t make the playoffs. And I know you are laughing and laughing. Illinois? Come on, Josh, ya idiot. The thing is though, Illinois has shown a little bit of improvement and gave USF a game last week. The odds of an upset are like 1% but if it were to happen, you can’t get more wrong end of an upset than Penn State dropping their game this week so it fits.
- Illinois vs Penn State, Friday, 8:00 pm, FS1
Elsewhere (Alphabetical Order):
Michigan vs Nebraska – Wolverines rounding into form while Nebraska looks to get off the mat from their worst start since the 1950s. Turning things around in the Big House seems nearly impossible and with Michigan hitting 40+ points the last two weeks, one would think UM’s offense can keep up the hot streak against that struggling Husker unit.
- Saturday, 11:00 am, FS1
Rutgers vs Buffalo – So, yeah, Big Ten team is a home dog to a MAC team. That’s life for the reeling Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Thankfully UB is just 73rd in total D right now so maybe, just maybe, RU’s offense can find some success unlike the last two weeks.
- Saturday, 11:00 am, BTN
Random Musing:
- The Heartland Trophy
- The Old Brass Spittoon
- The Golden Turtle
Isn’t it great to have Big Ten trophies back again? Note, one of those might be made up.
Big Ten and Counting 