Griffiths: Big Ten picks, Week 2
By DOUG GRIFFITHS
ISL Assistant Editor
How impressed were you with how the Big Ten fared in the opening weekend of college football? Not very? Don’t feel too bad because there wasn’t too much to get excited about.
No. 2 Ohio State, the second-ranked team in the country, only beat dismal Buffalo by 20.
Michigan State looked far from a Big Ten contender in a 13-point victory over Western Michigan.
No. 18 Nebraska barely beat Wyoming, 37-34.
Michigan and Wisconsin, two other ranked teams, blew out their opponents by a combined 104-9.
Then there was Iowa, who fell to Northern Illinois at home and Purdue, who was blown out at Cincinnati. In addition, Illinois survived an upset bid by FCS Southern Illinois, 42-34.
Arguably, the most impressive Big Ten win over the weekend was Northwestern’s 14-point win at California.
Overall, it will be another very good week for the Big Ten again as it should win at least 10 of the 12 games on tap tomorrow.
As for me, I got off to a great start in Week One, going 9-0 predicting Big Ten games and 13-1 overall, with the lone loss being Clemson’s home win over Georgia.
But that was then, this is now as they say.
Per usual Week Two of nonconference action is filled with several cupcakes. However, there are a few intriguing matchups, none better than Notre Dame at Michigan, the only game that involves a Big Ten team against a ranked opponent.
So enough babbling, lets take a look at Saturday’s Big Ten matchups.
Below, IndySportsLegends helps you decide which conference contests you’ll want to keep an eye on and which ones aren’t DVR worthy.
We also give you a handful of games around the country you’ll want to closely follow.
Big Ten Game-Of-The-Week
• #14 Notre Dame (1-0) at #17 Michigan (1-0)
Saturday
8 p.m.
ESPN
Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium 109,901)
Yes, this is a great rivalry, regardless of what Brian Kelly believes. What’s so sad is after next season you won’t get to look forward to a classic nonconference Big Ten matchup like this has been for so long. If this year’s matchup – the second night game in Michigan Stadium history – comes close to matching the 2011 night contest, we are in for a real treat. Michigan has the more athletic QB, but Tommy Rees gives the Irish the better drop-back passing option. The Wolverines expect to see the best defense they’ll see all year and that’s why I think DE Stephon Tuitt and Co. will leave the Big House with a big win. Irish eyes will be smiling late Saturday night, ND 28-24.
May Be Worth A Look-see
• Syracuse (0-1) @ #19 Northwestern (1-0)
Saturday
6 p.m.
BTN
Evanston, Ill. (Ryan Field 47,130)
The ‘Cats have high expectations this season and if last Saturday was any indication, fans of the Purple and White will have lots to cheer about this season. Northwestern should win its home opener, but with the health of QB Kain Colter and RB Venric Mark in question, this one may be tougher than first thought. Syracuse played Penn State well last week, but this will be a tougher test for the team from upstate New York. ‘Cuse may have the defense to keep this one interesting, but whether it has the offense to hang with NU is the big question. Go ‘Cats, 33-17.
• Navy (0-0) @ Indiana (1-0)
Saturday
6 p.m.
BTN
Bloomington, Ind. (Memorial Stadium 52,929)
If IU is to take that next step Kevin Wilson expects to see this fall, this is a must-win for the Hoosiers. This is Navy’s season opener so it will have to be ready for IU’s up-tempo offensive attack from the get go. This one is an interesting matchup when you consider IU wants to take as many snaps as possible, while Navy loves to control the ball with its triple-option attack. Hoosiers hold serve at home, 38-20.
Cupcake City
• Cincinnati (1-0) @ Illinois (1-0)
Saturday
Noon
ESPN2
Champaign, Ill. (Memorial Stadium 60,670)
Sure the Bearcats haven’t beaten two Big Ten opponents in the same year since 1946, but this is the year that streak comes to an end. Cincinnati’s program is light years ahead of Tim Beckman’s. Remember this Bearcat program is looking to win 10 or more games for the sixth time in the past season seasons and is 9-1 in its last 10 games versus teams from the Power 5 Conferences. The boo-birds better be ready in Champaign. All Bearcats, 38-14.
• Missouri State (0-1) @ Iowa (0-1)
Saturday
Noon
BTN
Iowa City, Iowa (Kinnick Stadium 70,585)
It’s hard to fathom how Iowa doesn’t end its longest losing streak in 13 years against this outfit. Missouri State is 1-28 against FBS schools and lost to Northwestern State last week. Hawkeyes will get healthy in a big way, 49-3.
• South Florida (0-1) @ Michigan State (1-0)
Saturday
Noon
ESPNU
East Lansing, Mich. (Spartan Stadium 75,005)
This game has all the makings of offensive futility at its finest. Neither team will do much for you on the offensive side of the ball. The Spartans managed 26 points vs. Western Michigan, while South Florida was blown out at home by McNeese State, 53-21. MSU should win this one going away against a team that set the record for points allowed to an FCS team by an FBS team. Go Green, 30-10.
• Southern Miss (0-1) @ #18 Nebraska (1-0)
Saturday
6 p.m.
BTN
Lincoln, Neb. (Memorial Stadium 87,000)
Southern Miss hasn’t won a game since 2011 and will get thumped in Lincoln. This is a Golden Eagle team that lost last week to Texas State and has big problems taking care of the football. Taylor Martinez and Co. roll big time, 44-13.
• Minnesota (1-0) @ New Mexico State (0-1)
Saturday
8 p.m.
BTN2Go
Las Cruces, N.M. (Aggie Memorial Stadium 30,343)
The Gophers should cruise to their second victory of the season against a New Mexico State team that played Texas well for most of a half last week. Minnesota will miss RB Donnell Kirkwood, who is sidelined with a sprained ankle, but QB Philip Nelson will make sure the Gophers improve to 2-0. More big plays will be in store for Jerry Kill’s club as Gophers roll, 30-10.
• San Diego State (0-1) @ #2 Ohio State (0-1)
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
ABC (regional)/ESPN2 (outer-market)
Columbus, Ohio (Ohio Stadium 102,329)
The Buckeyes should be ashamed of themselves for having a team that is expected to contend for a national title yet their nonconference schedule is just so week. QB Braxton Miller will once against barely break and sweat vs. a team that was drilled 40-19 by FCS Eastern Illinois. All Bucks, 56-6.
• Eastern Michigan (1-0) @ Penn State (1-0)
Saturday
Noon
BTN
University Park, Pa. (Beaver Stadium 106,572)
Penn State is a four-touchdown favorite over this MAC opponent. The Nittany Lions slipped up against Ohio last season, but won’t lose this year to a MAC school. Freshman QB Christian Hackenberg will impress the home crowd with another good game. Lions, 28-7.
• Indiana State (0-1) @ Purdue (0-1)
Saturday
Noon
BTN
West Lafayette, Ind. (Ross-Ade Stadium 62,500)
Purdue was dismal in its season opener against Cincinnati. Enter FCS foe Indiana State, who gave up 73 points to IU. Boilermaker offense enjoys a big day, 41-16.
Country Classics?
#6 South Carolina (1-0) @ #12 Georgia (0-1) (4:30 p.m. ESPN): The Dawgs return home to host USC’s stout defense. Georgia has to do a good job on Jadeveon Clowney if it is to snap a three-game losing streak in this SEC East rivalry. I like the Dawgs to bounce back from that tough loss at Clemson. Georgia 28-27.
#9 Florida (1-0) @ #24 Miami (1-0) (Noon ESPN): This marks the first time the Canes are ranked under Coach Al Golden. Can Miami beat an SEC team for the first time since 2004? No. Gators, 31-21.
#3 Oregon (1-0) @ Virginia (1-0) (3:30 p.m. ABC/ESPN2): Can the Ducks be stopped? Not by the Cavs. Oregon wins its 16th consecutive road game. Ducks 42-14.
#15 Texas (1-0) @ BYU (0-1) (7 p.m. ESPN): This may not be an easy one for Mack Brown’s Longhorns. BYU’s defense could present problems for a Texas offense that didn’t score its first touchdown against New Mexico State until the end of the first half last week. Texas survives, 22-21.
San Jose State (1-0) @ #4 Stanford (0-0) (11 p.m. Pac-12 Network): Stanford has won eight in a row at home and had all it could handle against the Spartans last season in a 20-17 win to open the year. The Cardinal have high hopes in 2013 and for good reason with QB David Fales and a defense that might be second to none. No problem for Stanford this time, 44-19.
(All times ET)
