ISL’s Doug Griffiths makes his Big Ten picks
By DOUG GRIFFITHS
ISL Correspondent
Are you ready for some college football? Well, your wait is about over.
All 12 Big Ten teams kick things off later this week with a couple teams squaring off with top-25 teams.
Michigan appears to have the toughest challenge, facing defending national champion and No. 2-ranked Alabama.
We’ll have our hands full playing the defending national champs, a very-well coached, good football team, said Michigan coach Brady Hoke during the Big Ten weekly teleconference.
Michigan State will be challenged right out of the gate, too, when the Spartans host Boise State.
We’re looking forward to a great football game, Spartan boss Mark Dantanio said. Boise State is a tremendous opponent as evidence by their 73-6 win-loss (record) since Coach (Chris) Petersen has been there.
There are some other games involving Big Ten teams you won’t want to miss either.
Below, Indy Sports Legends helps you decide which Big Ten contests you’ll want to keep an eye on and which ones aren’t DVR worthy.
(All times ET)
Game of the Week:
– #8 Michigan vs. #2 Alabama
Saturday
8 p.m.
ABC
Irving, Texas (Cowboys Stadium 80,000)
If the Wolverines knock off the Crimson Tide, they’ll be in serious national championship contention. This could be an instant classic. Hard to believe it’s in Week 1. Who knows, this could be a preview of the BCS championship game. ˜Bama’s overall team speed will be the difference. Tide doesn’t roll, but they win. 27-17
Must See TV
– #24 Boise State @ #13 Michigan State
Friday
8 p.m.
ESPN
East Lansing, Mich. (Spartan Stadium 75,005)
Credit the Spartans for scheduling the Broncos, something few BCS teams will do these days since they’re so dangerous. This one could be somewhat of an offensive struggle with both teams breaking in new QBs. In the end, Spartans’ defense and running game will send Boise home with an L, 23-20.
May Be Worth A Look-See
– Ohio @ Penn State
Saturday
Noon
ESPN
University Park, Pa. (Beaver Stadium 107,282)
You normally wouldn’t give this game the time of day, but these are very abnormal times in Happy Valley. Watch out Lions, your nightmare is just beginning. Ohio might be the best team in the MAC this season. Bobcats 20-17.
– Western Michigan @ Illinois
Saturday
Noon
ESPNU
Champaign, Ill. (Memorial Stadium 60,670)
Tim Beckman’s first game on the Illini sideline could be a disaster as the Broncos are one of the best the MAC has to offer. U of I survives thanks to QB Nathan Scheelhaase, but barely, 38-35.
– Northwestern @ Syracuse
Saturday
Noon
ESPN2
Syracuse, N.Y. (Carrier Dome 49,250)
It’s never easy to open a season on the road, but the ˜Cats’ tough-to-defend offense will cause the Orange fits. NU, 31-20.
– Southern Miss @ #17 Nebraska
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
ABC/ESPN2
Lincoln, Neb. (Memorial Stadium 81,067)
Southern Miss certainly won’t be intimidated when they face the Cornhuskers, but the Golden Eagles’ inexperience at key positions makes it hard to imagine them pulling off an upset. Nebraska, 28-17.
Cupcake City
– Miami (Ohio) @ #18 Ohio State
Saturday
Noon
Big Ten Network
Columbus, Ohio (Ohio Stadium 102,329)
Urban Meyer’s debut at OSU will be a very successful one. All Buckeyes, 42-7.
– Eastern Kentucky @ Purdue
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
Big Ten Network
West Lafayette, Ind. (Ross-Ade Stadium 62,500)
The only storyline in this snoozer is the fact that EKU is where Boilermaker coach Danny Hope used to coach. Purdue in a rout, 52-3.
– Indiana State @ Indiana
Saturday
8 p.m.
Big Ten Network
Bloomington, Indiana (Memorial Stadium 52,929)
This is the first of two games for the Hoosiers this season against FCS teams and they better win in convincing fashion or the faithful will start to wonder if Kevin Wilson is the right man to turn things around for the Cream and Crimson. IU, 35-14.
– Northern Iowa @ #12 Wisconsin
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
Big Ten Network
Madison, Wis. (80,321)
Ugly that’s the only way to describe UW’s opener. Montee Ball will run for as many yards as he wants. Badgers pound the Panthers, 63-0.
– Northern Illinois vs. Iowa
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
ESPNU
Chicago, Ill. (Soldier Field 61,500)
The Hawkeyes have a lot of questions heading into the opener, mainly at the running back position. They’ll get by the Huskies, but it may not be pretty. 21-14.
– Minnesota @ UNLV
Thursday
11 p.m.
CBS Sports Network
Las Vegas, Nev. (Sam Boyd Stadium 36,800)
One of the worst teams in the Big Ten versus one of the worst Mountain West teams. Yawn City! Gophers, 16-10.
