An Ohio State Fan’s Look at Big Ten Opening Week

During the past ten years, the Ohio State Buckeyes have won the Big Ten Championship seven times. For the past seven or so, the Buckeyes have been the Big Ten team to beat. Getting past the Buckeyes not only meant a shot at the Big Ten championship, it also meant a boost in the national rankings as reward for taking down a top-ten ranked team. As this year’s Big Ten season opens, things have changed. For the first time in more than 100+ college football polls, the Buckeyes are not ranked in the top 25 and for the first time, rampaging through regular Big Ten season play won’t be enough to land the Big Ten title. This year, it will take one more game as the Big Ten incorporates a conference championship for the first time in the history of the division.

And what a season not to be included in the top 25. Depending on the poll, the Big Ten holds 4-5 of the top 25 spots. Instead of Ohio State vs. whoever, the marques game this weekend is No. 7 Nebraska vs. No. 8 Wisconsin. Along with Nebraska and Wisconsin, Illinois (No. 24), Michigan State (No. 25 USA Coaches) and even Michigan (No. 18) have all cracked the field. Although the Buckeyes have a tough road in front of them, this stands to be a great year for the Big Ten.

With the Big Ten season opener at hand, let’s take a look at a Big Ten Saturday worth of games that don’t include Ohio State:

Nebraska vs. Wisconsin (Badgers -9.5)
What a better way to welcome Nebraska to the Big Ten than by facing off against a Wisconsin that is firing on all fours. If ever there was an old school Big Ten style, threeyardsandacloudof, smashmouth game this has got to be it. Yes, Wisconsin has demonstrated a proficient passing game but both teams know how to move the ball on the ground. The Badgers also front an offensive line with the size to blow gaping holes in the Nebraska defense.

Vegas likes Wisconsin making them 9.5 point favorites but if history has anything to say about it, the Badgers can be inconsistent in pressure situations. With not only Big Ten but national championship hopes on the line, this game brings the pressure. They’ve been much more consistent over the past couple of seasons and Camp Randall is worth at least a field goal or two. Badgers may not make the spread but I’m calling them for an important win at home.

Minnesota vs. Michigan (Michigan -20)
Wait, you mean Minnesota plays for a token trophy? Little Brown jug, what a great idea. Come to think of it, does Minnesota play any Big Ten games that don’t involve a token trophy of some sort? Regardless, after Minnesota’s opener against USC, I thought that this might be the year the Gophers brought something of value to the Big Ten. After last week’s performance against North Dakota State, I’m not so sure. Granted, it’s been a tough four weeks for the Gophers and our thoughts go out to coach Jerry Kill and wish him a speedy recovery.

Chances are, Michigan will just let Denard Robinson run the ball on until he’s so tired he can’t run it any more. At some point late in the third quarter, look for Robinson’s team mates to pick him up out of the end zone after racking up yet another ridiculous touchdown run and carry him weezing to the sidelines. Once you start hitting Boston Marathon type yardage, it’s time to take a break. I’m still not buying Robinson. The Buckeyes have completely shut him down and he has yet to meet a serious defense. There is such a desire among the media types to see Michigan return to their former glory that the Heisman spotlight will shine on Robinson for a while. If there’s anything left of him after Nebraska, the Buckeyes will pout the cabash on his trip to New York.

Michigan beats the spread and then some.

Penn State vs Indiana (Penn -16.5)
Joe Paterno will break yet another milestone Saturday as he coaches his 700th game. In the 699 that have come before, not one of them includes a loss to Indiana. Not counting Nebraska, this is the only contest in the Big Ten in which one team can’t count at least one victory. Don’t count on things to change this time around. With losses to Ball State and North Texas (aren’t those supposed to be the warm up games?) unless Indiana has something big up their sleeve, expect JoPa to be celebrating No. 700 Saturday night.

Northwestern vs. Illinois (Illinois -8)
After suffering a season ending achilles tendon rupture against Iowa last season, Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa is expected to return to start against Illinois Saturday. His return definitely spices things up a bit against an Illinois that is off to one of their best starts in years. Actually, you’ve got to go back further than I care to research to find the Illini undefeated going into their Big Ten opener. (This is actually their best start in 50 years)

Yeah, Illinois almost blew it last week against Western Michigan but chalk it up to a let down after knocking off Arizona State. The return of Persa will add a spark to the Wildcat offense but it won’t be enough to get past Illinois. I’m taking the Illini to beat the spread.

Ohio State vs. Michigan State (Buckeyes -3)
Yeah, I said I wouldn’t talk about the Buckeyes but I wanted to point out that we’re a mere 3 point favorites over the Spartans. I’ll get into more depth later but suffice it to say that this is going to be a defensive test. Both teams have shown three big defensive performance and both teams have notched one not so good defensive game. Dantonio is 0-2 against the Buckeyes and we’re the only Big Ten team he hasn’t beaten yet (other Nebraska of course). Considering his history with Ohio State, you’d think he’d have them figured out but so far, he hasn’t been able to close the deal. Either way, this game will answer a season’s worth of questions about both teams.

Check back tomorrow or Friday for a complete break down of the Ohio State vs. Michigan State season opener.