Week 2 Big Ten Preview

This very well may be one of the most boring days of Big Ten football we’ve had in a long time. Usually there’s at least one intriguing match-up outside of your team’s game, but that is not the case during week 2.

I hope to follow up a solid picking performance in week 1 (9-1) with an undefeated record in week 2. That won’t be easy, but then again, most of these games don’t involve two great teams. That means we should expect many blowouts, and that is exactly what most of my predictions were this week. Take a look:

12:00 PM | Ohio @ #3 Ohio State

Even though Beanie Wells is not going to play in this game, OSU will still win big. They do have to maintain their focus on the Bobcats and make sure to not look ahead to next week’s game against USC, but even if they did this would still be a one-sided affair. OSU fans should be more concerned with the health of Beanie Wells rather than Ohio, especially with the game against USC coming up nearly a week from now. I expect Wells will play in the USC game as OSU will need everything they’ve got if they want to win.

Prediction: OSU wins in a blowout

12:00 PM | Marshall @ #11 Wisconsin

The second cupcake on Wisconsin’s non-conference schedule precedes an unusually tough game at Fresno State on September 13. The Badgers are actually going to play at Fresno State, and with the Bulldogs looking to be an eventual BCS buster, their entire season could ride on beating Wisconsin. As far as the Marshall game goes, there should be no problems for Wisconsin.

Prediction: Wisconsin wins in a blowout

12:00 PM | Eastern Illinois @ #24 Illinois

Illinois will bounce back from a disappointing loss to Missouri last week with a win over Eastern Illinois. Juice Williams probably won’t match his outstanding passing numbers from the Missouri game, but whatever he does will be more than enough to get the Illini a win.

Prediction: Illinois wins in a blowout

12:00 PM | Northern Colorado @ Purdue

Purdue is actually opening the season tomorrow as they did not have a game during week 1. The Boilermakers will kick off Joe Tiller’s final season against a team that should provide very few issues for the Boilers’.

Prediction: Purdue wins in a blowout

12:00 PM | Eastern Michigan @ Michigan State

Coming off of a tough loss to Cal, Michigan State returns home for a game against Eastern Michigan. EMU did look impressive in their 52-0 blowout of Indiana State to start the season, but that was Indiana State. I expect MSU to come out angry and fired up to get their record to 1-1.

Prediction: Michigan State wins in a blowout

12:00 PM | Florida International @ Iowa

Iowa’s opponent is Florida International. What else needs to be said?

Prediction: Iowa wins in a blowout

3:30 PM | Oregon State @ #19 Penn State

This is the first non-Michigan Big Ten game that will actually be somewhat competitive tomorrow. I think Penn State will win by a decent margin after eventually pulling away, but this could be sort of close early on. Oregon State has to realize they must play better this week after starting the season with a heart-wrenching loss to Stanford.

The Beavers made a nice 4th quarter comeback attempt and were only yards away from having a chance to tie the game. Unfortunately for them, a diving attempt to score a touchdown resulted in a fumble that went out of the end zone, giving the ball back to Stanford to run out the clock.

Prediction: Penn State wins comfortably

7:00 PM | Murray State @ Indiana

This will be a snoozer where IU wins big.

Prediction: Indiana wins in a blowout

7:00 PM | Northwestern @ Duke

Hopefully there won’t be any stray parachutists at this week’s Duke game and hopefully for Northwestern this won’t be a repeat of last year. The Wildcats will hope to avenge last season’s loss to the Blue Devils by heading to Durham and leaving with a win.

Prediction: Northwestern wins in a close one

7:30 PM | Minnesota @ Bowling Green

After matching last year’s win total with a week 1 victory over Northern Illinois, Minnesota will look to pass that win total tomorrow. Problem is Bowling Green isn’t that bad of a team. They upset Pittsburgh a week ago and will look to do the same (Can you even call it an upset?) to Minnesota. I think this will be another close contest, but unlike last week, the Golden Gophers won’t pull through in the final 30 seconds.

Prediction: Bowling Green wins in a close one