After a two game teaser in week zero, the league is open for business with thirteen of fourteen clubs in action and two of the games doubling as league openers. As always, all times are central. Thursday and Friday games will be highlighted to help keep this crazy weekend straight.
Game of the Week:
Notre Dame at Ohio State
A battle of top five teams under the lights in the Shoe. Pretty obvious why this is the GOTW. For the Irish they have new faces under center, at head coach, really everywhere. But the talent and pedigree is there. For Ohio State they have assembled a killer offense. They are a legit threat to win the national title this year…if they avoid the critical loss. Last year they lost to Michigan – but it was a critical loss since it cost them the division. Losing opening day would qualify as a critical loss because if the Bucks and Irish are vying for the same spot in the CFP…who as the tie breaker?
- Saturday, 6:30 PM, ABC
Sleeper:
Penn State at Purdue
A critical league opener for both squads. Penn State has gone 11-11 in their last 22 and want to gain the confidence that 2022 will be differently. For the Boilers they are a trendy sleeper pick in the west division. They certainly have the offense to make a run and their schedule avoids Ohio State and both Michigan schools but they still need their defense to step up and not blow key home games. This one qualifies as a key home game.
- Thursday, 7:00 PM, Fox
Don’t Forget:
Illinois at Indiana
The Illini looked good in week zero and are itching to get back to a bowl game this year. Knocking off Indiana will do wonders for that pursuit. Facing them is a club that wants to flush and forget everything about a miserable 2021. Eager to get back to their 2020 Big Ten darling status, the Hoosiers hope some changes to the staff and roster accelerates the rebuild.
- Friday, 7:00 PM, FS1
Snoozer:
Illinois State at Wisconsin
Of the trio of Big Ten vs FCS matchups, this one is by far the worst. ISU wasn’t a very good team a season ago in their own division and now they are going to Camp Randall? No thanks, I’m good.
- Saturday, 6:00 PM, FS1…or, ya know, watch the Game of the Week
Upset Watch:
South Dakota State at Iowa
Jackrabbits are 19-6 in their last 25. Iowa has the offense of a snail on ice with the play calling of a baboon picking peanuts out of its ass. Iowa will always be on upset watch with that brain trust running the offense.
- Saturday, 11:00 AM, FS1
Elsewhere (Alphabetical Order):
Maryland welcomes Buffalo – The Bulls first season without Lance Leipold was an unmitigated disaster. The Terps high-octane offense should score early and often.
- Saturday, 11:00 AM, BTN
Michigan hosts Colorado State – The Rams dumped Steve Addazio as fast as humanly possible last season but the rebuild for this once proud Mountain West program will take at least a year, maybe even two. The defending league champs should feast on this cupcake.
- Saturday, 11:00 AM, ABC
Michigan State invites Western Michigan – The Broncos were not exactly a scary MAC outfit a year ago and don’t project to be one this year. Should be a tune-up for the vastly more talented Spartans.
- Friday, 6:00 PM, ESPN
Minnesota opens its doors to New Mexico State – The Gophers welcome back old coach Jerry Kill in his debut game for the Aggies. That’s probably the most interesting thing about this game as NMSU is one of the biggest rebuilds in the nation. Gophers should roll with ease.
- Thursday, 8:00 PM, BTN
Nebraska has a spare room for North Dakota – NDU had one of their best years during spring COVID ball in 2020. Last year things went sideways and they weren’t nearly as good. Of course they are a FCS team playing at a Big Ten school so one would think Nebraska will cruise to a victory…however, this is a Nebraska program that is circling the drain. Crazier things have happened…
- Saturday, 2:30 PM, BTN
Rutgers at Boston College – Tough opener for both teams. BC wants a healthy 2022 to see just how far this program has come after a rash of injuries took some fun out of 2021. For Rutgers they went bowling last year at 5-7. They want to get there the traditional route with at least six wins. Its a goal they feel is realistic and winning at Chestnut Hill will go a long way towards achieving that benchmark.
- Saturday, 11:00 AM, ACCN
Bye Week:
Northwestern
Random Musing:
If he didn’t coach football and Brian Ferentz was just some random dude working the same place I work, would we become friends? I don’t see it. But maybe that’s because I can’t separate him from the 18th run off tackle that goes 1.6 yards he just called.
Big Ten and Counting 