I have always heard that you make your biggest strides during the year between your first and second game. We will see how much teams improve and find out their true identities this week. All eleven Big Ten teams play this week, but conference play still does not start for a few weeks.
Eastern Michigan at Michigan State -
Big Ten Network 12pm - The Spartans had a good effort, but it wasn't enough last week as they fell to the Cal Bears by 7 points. It is a shame that they didn't get this game against the Eagles of Eastern Michigan before Cal. Both teams are going to try and shove it down each others throat with the run. The Eagles have Terrence Blevins who had 176 yards last week against Indiana State, and the Spartans have Javon Ringer who had 21 carries last week for only 3 ypc. The difference in this game will be Michigan State's passing game. Hoyer had a nice game against Cal last week, and I expect more of the same this week against EMU. The Spartans are a bit too talented and better on the defensive end to lose this one.
Michigan State 35-14
Marshall at Wisconsin -
Big Ten Network 12pm - PJ Hill made easy work of Akron last week as he ran for over 210 yards and 2 touchdowns. His counterpart on the Thundering Herd, Darius Marshall, did not do to shabby himself totaling 115 yards, 1 touchdown, and averaging 7.2 ypc as Marshall beat Illinois State. Both of these teams will make a living running the ball, and if you Wisconsin who returns 5 starters on the offensive line, why not? What I would like to see from the Badgers, is a little more out of the passing game. Last week Allan Evridge only threw for 75 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception; they cannot totally rely on Hill to carry this team. Marshall has a shot at pulling an upset here if they can match the physical play of the Badgers. Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema is an astounding 15-0 at Camp Randall Stadium, and I think he takes his mark to 16-0, but that's not before have a bit of a stomach ache as Marshall will keep this game close.
Wisconsin 31-21
Florida International at Iowa -
Big Ten Network 12pm - Behind Shonn Greene's 109 yards on the ground and a blanketing defense, the Iowa Hawkeyes made easy work of Maine 46-3. It might not seem like a huge victory, but for a Hawkeyes' team trying to find an identity, it's a good victory. Their opponent this week, FIU, got thrashed by #14 Kansas 41-10 in a game where there only amounted 150 yards of total offense. Eight-five came through the air and another sixty-six came on the ground. They are not facing a defense as tough as last week, but Iowa will still give FIU fits. This would be a great game for the Hawkeyes' to throw the ball a little more to get the confidence of Jake Christensen up. Iowa should win this one with ease.
Iowa 41-17
Eastern Illinois at Illinois -
Big Ten Network 12pm - Even though the Illini lost 52-42 to Missouri, I believe Ron Zook and his team have to take a lot of positives out of that game. One being Juice Williams; the Juice threw for over 450 yards with 5 touchdowns and only 2 interceptions. Will Judson led the recievers with 177 yards on 7 catches, while Daniel Dufrene averaged almost 6 yards on the ground. The defense can always improve, but I am willing to bet that they will not be the last team to give up over 50 points to Missouri this season. Eastern Illinois last week lost to Central Michigan, giving up 31 points to them. Unfortunately for EIU, they are playing a team with more offensive talent than CMU which in their last meeting between these two schools dropped a 42-17 game to the Illini in 2006. Expect more of the same.
Illinois 49-7
Ohio at Ohio State -
ESPN 12pm - No Beanie Wells this week...no problem for the Buckeyes. This is their last "warm-up" game before the big one next week at Southern California which will define both team's seasons. Ohio State has won 27 straight games against teams from their own state, going the whole way back to 1921. The Bobcats travel to the Horseshoe sporting a 0-1 record after losing to Wyoming last week by one point. In that game, Ohio only managed 39 yards on the ground. Surprisingly enough, that number might be lower this week. I expect Jim Tressel to play freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor about 25% of the time against Ohio to give USC a few more plays and formations to think about. This game won't be close, and I am predicting that all the starters will be out by half time because Coach Tressell does not want to chance losing a starter the week before the biggest game of the year.
Ohio State 51-3
Miami (OH) at Michigan -
ESPN2 12pm - I wasn't so much surprised how poorly the Michigan offense looked as I was how the Michigan defense still hasn't figured out how to defend the spread offense. The Red Hawks and the Wolverine come into this week 2 game sporting a 0-1 record. The Wolverines lost last week at home to Utah while Miami (OH) lost 34-13 to a Vanderbilt team which just knocked off South Carolina. I really believe Michigan is in for another tough game. In years past they could take teams like this for granted, but not the way they have been playing. Michigan will again be shuffling between Nick Sheridan and Steven Threet as neither looked really good last week, and same goes at running back where Brandon Minor was the leading rusher last week with 21 yards. Look for the Redhawks to throw the ball with Daniel Raudabaugh, and if he can cut back with his turnovers, 3 last week, Miami (OH) could pull the upset. After watching Vandy's offense and not being really impressed with it, I think Michigan can score enough to hold on to win.
Michigan 24-16
Northern Colorado at Purdue -
Big Ten Network 12pm - The Curtis Painter for Heisman tour begins as does the Joe Tiller farewell tour, against the Bears of Northern Colorado. Both teams were off last week so nothing of importance to note on the injury or stat front. The Bears last year were horrid defensively as they allowed 490 yards per game, 281 of those through the air. I really think that is all you need to know about this game. It won't be pretty, Painter will pass for a ton of yards, Purdue will once again beat up on a weaker opponent, and the Joe Tiller farewell tour will start out with a victory. Unless you are a Purdue fan, there is no reason to even watch this game.
Purdue 63-9
Oregon State at Penn State -
ABC 3:30pm - With the suspensions of Maurice Evans, Andrew Quarless and Abe Koroma, this game just got really interesting. Last week Penn State had it's way with Coastal Carolina, scoring 66 points. Daryll Clark looked good as did Pat Devlin at quarterback. What impressed me most was the running of Evan Royster and Stephfon Green. I think those two will strike fear in opponent's eyes for years to come. The Nittany Lions' defense concerns me, and now even more without Evans and Koroma. The defensive line is thin and linebacker Josh Hull in the middle looks out of place. The Beavers lost a heart breaker to Stanford. Oregon State is in the middle of a rebuilding year, but that did not stop Lyle Moevao from throwing for 400 yards and 3 touchdowns. What concerns me for the Beavers is their inability to tackle, and how they gave up huge numbers to Stanford, who won't be known for their offensive prowless this year. This will be a high scoring close game, I give the edge to the ones who play in Beaver Stadium because of their balance on offense.
Penn State 38-28
Murray State at Indiana -
Big Ten Network 7pm -The Hooisers started off the year on a good note, looking to go to bowl games in consecutive years beating Western Kentucky 31-13. Kellen Lewis once again led the Hooisers in passing (144 yards & 2 touchdowns) as well as in rushing (185 yards & 2 touchdowns). I look for him to have a similar game this week against Murray State. The Racers come to Bloomington sporting a 1-0 record after beating Lambuth 41-17. Murray State had two quarterbacks who threw for over 100 yards each and 3 touchdowns, but failed to really put together a solid ground game. I expect the Hoosiers to have an easy time with the Racers which should put them 2-0 going into next week's test with Ball State.
Indiana 41-14
Northwestern at Duke -
No Television - I can't remember the last time I can say this, but Duke and Northwestern come into this game a combined 2-0. Honestly, I think this will be a pretty good game. Northwestern had a nice win last week against Syracuse where CJ Bacher threw for 215 yards and 3 touchdowns. Tyrell Sutton regained a bit of his old form running for 144 yards and a 7 ypc average. Duke's win over James Madison was not as impressive as beating a team like Syracuse, but for Duke it is a building block. Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis had a nice game throwing for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns while their ground game gained 218 yards led by Clifford Harris' 95 yards. I think Duke has the tools to keep this game close, but the Wildcats just have too much talent and balance with Sutton and Bacher. Throw in the fact that I believe that Northwestern sports the better defense and you can figure out my pick here.
Northwestern 30-20
Minnesota at Bowling Green -
ESPNU 7:30pm - It wasn't pretty, but the Golden Gophers pulled out a 31-27 victory over Northern Illinois last week. Even with the influx of talent Tim Brewster has recruited, this team is still a long way away from being good. Adam Weber was a bright spot throwing for 298 yards and 2 touchdowns. Their opponents for week 2, the Bowling Green Falcons are coming off an upset of a Pitt Panther team who many thought would contend for the Big East crown. If you watched the game, you saw that neither team's offense looked exactly stellar, but for Bowling Green to hold Pitt to zero points in the second half is an impressive act. Adam Weber is better at quarterback than what they saw last week, but I don't think Minnesota has the overall talent to pull this one out. Once again, this game will be close for about two quarters, but I think the Falcons pull away in the end.
Bowling Green 29-17
Last Week - 8-2 (.800)
Overall - 8-2 (.800)
