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There were a lot of questions raised in the first week of Big Ten football. Illinois, Indiana, and Northwestern looked worse that originally thought. Minnesota lost its all-Big Ten running back. Maryland, Michigan State, and Iowa all looked better than expected. A few other teams merely got an incomplete, as they did mostly what was expected of them.
Now we’re at week 2. That means a couple of Power 5 non-conference matchups, the de facto B1G-MAC challenge, and some delicious FCS cupcakes.
Illinois (1-1) at Virginia (1-0), 11am, ACC Network
Illinois just lost at home to Texas-San Antonio, a program that did not exist 20 years ago. They weren’t ever really in control of the game, either. It was not the typical Group of Five over Power Five upset, where the lesser team hangs around all game and pulls ahead late. UTSA controlled the game. Virginia won 43-0 last week over William & Mary. They should win this one. Virginia 30, Illinois 17
#13 Oregon (1-0) at #3 Ohio State (1-0), B1G NUDE SATURDAY, FOX
Oregon was a little shaky last week, needing a TD with three minutes left to get a 7 point win over Fresno State. Ohio State was challenged for a half by Minnesota, then found another gear and blew the Gophers away. Yes, this is a pair of top 15 teams, but Ohio State is part of that tier that is just a level above pretty much everyone but Alabama, Georgia, and Clemson right now. Combined with a noon kickoff I think they pull away again. Ohio State 35, Oregon 24
Youngstown State (1-0) at Michigan State (1-0) Noon, BTN
There is no valid excuse for a Big Ten team to lose to an FCS team, especially when said Big Ten team had a running back got for 250 plus and a Bundy last week. Michigan State 52, Youngstown State 10
Miami (OH) (0-1) at Minnesota (0-1) Noon, ESPNU
How do the Gophers respond without Mohamed Ibrahim? They still have a massive offensive line to control things, which will be more than enough here. Minnesota 45, Miami (OH) 10
Indiana State (1-0) at Northwestern (0-1) Noon, BTN
There is no valid excuse for a Big Ten team to lose to an FCS team. Northwestern 31, Indiana State 14
Rutgers (1-0) at Syracuse (1-0) 2pm, ACCC Network
Rutgers looked pretty good in a blowout of Temple in week one. Now the rights for the New York TV market are up for grabs in an eld Big East rivalry game. Was it a Big East rivalry? Does anyone care about college football in New York City? Does anyone in the Big Ten really care about Rutgers? Rutgers 35, Syracuse 31
Purdue (1-0) at Connecticut (0-2) 3pm, CBS Sports Network
The rule about FCS teams should almost apply here, as UConn just lost to an FCS team and is basically at an FCS level. If something wasn’t working last week for Purdue this is the week to fix it before a real test at Notre Dame next week. If Purdue struggles, there are going to be major concerns for the rest of the season. If, God forbid, Purdue loses, it is time to panic. I think Purdue rolls easily. Purdue 56, UConn 7
Ball State (1-0) at #11 Penn State (1-0) 3:30pm, Fox Sports 1
Ball State is your defending MAC champion and they won their first ever bowl game last year. They are getting votes in the AP Poll even after struggling a bit with Western Illinois last week. Penn State hardly was impressive on offense, so there could be some mild upset potential here. Can the Cards at least hang around for a bit? Penn State 31, Ball State 17
Buffalo (1-0) at Nebraska (1-1) 3:30pm, BTN
Aside from last year, the MAC seemingly gets at least one Big Ten pelt each season. They have 10 chances in the next three weeks, but this is probably their best chance. Buffalo drilled Wagner 69-7 and is a pretty solid team after going 6-1 last year, only losing to Ball State in the MAC title game. There are all kinds of warning sirens for the Cornhuskers here. Buffalo 27, Nebraska 24
#10 Iowa (1-0) at #9 Iowa State (1-0) 4:30pm, ABC
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GameDay is headed to Ames for a top 10 matchup. The host Cyclones struggled hard with FCS Northern Iowa last week, while Iowa smacked a wildly overrated Indiana around for a few hours. The Hawkeyes certainly looked better last week and benefitted from two pick-sixes. It is ¡EL ASSICO! Though, so expect a score ending in prime numbers. Iowa 29, Iowa State 23
Eastern Michigan (1-0) at #18 Wisconsin (0-1) 7pm, Fox Sports 1
Eastern Michigan has a three-game winning streak against the Big Ten with wins over Rutgers, Purdue, and Illinois the last time they face the conference. Making it four straight would be challenging, but Wisconsin was hardly inspiring on offense last week. The Badgers should win, but don’t be surprised of EMU hangs around. Wisconsin 30, Eastern Michigan 17
Idaho (1-0) at Indiana (0-1) 7:30pm, BTN
Idaho did win 68-0 last week, but it was over Division II Simon Fraser, which is technically in Canada, but is a member of the NCAA for some reason. They are still the only team in recent memory to drop down from FBS to FCS, which was probably a good idea. If they were to somehow win at Indiana in the Hoosiers’ “Greatest Season Ever” I might literally perish from laughter. Given Michael Penix Jr.’s desire to throw pick-sixes this year the Vandals could be helped great if he keeps throwing more TDs to the other team than his own. Indiana 45, Idaho 10
Howard (0-1) at Maryland (1-0) 7:30pm, BTN
Maryland should win by a lot. Maryland 63, Howard 3
Washington (0-1) at Michigan (1-0) 8pm, ABC
Purdue is not the only Big Ten team to get an opponent who lost to an FCS team last week. Washington just had the embarrassment of doing it as a ranked team, not that Michigan would know anything about that. How the Huskies only scored 7 against an FCS team is a great mystery. Michigan 24, Washington 10