Rebuilding the Big Ten's Reputation: Ten Opponents to Beat in 2009

Ohio State was clobbered in the Coliseum.

Wisconsin plummeted from the ranks of the top 10 faster than you could say Bret Bielema.

And quite frankly, Michigan's 2008 campaign doesn't need any further mention in this forum.

Granted, all that stood between the Big Ten and another trip to the BCS National Championship Game was a field goal off the foot of a backup kicker.

But after seeing that once-beaten Penn State team suffer one of the conference's six bowl losses, it's safe to say Iowa's Daniel Murray did the rest of college football a favor.

Despite another year in which the Big Ten's reputation was sacked more often than a Minnesota quarterback, there are those of us who believe this is still an elite college football conference.

And to prove it, these are the 10—well, technically 11 (one for each team in the misnomer league)—regular season opponents the Big Ten must defeat in 2009.

No. 11 Virginia

Oct. 10 Indiana at Virginia

Neither the Hoosiers nor the Cavaliers are expected to contend in 2009, but to be blunt, losing to Virginia is no way to rebuild a reputation.

The Cavs will be implementing a new no-huddle system after finishing 114th in the nation in scoring offense a year ago.

No. 10 Air Force

Sept. 12 Air Force at Minnesota

In many ways, this game could represent a fresh start for the Golden Gophers and the Big Ten Conference.

Air Force returns a starting quarterback in Tim Jefferson to a team that went 5-2 on the road in 2008.

But an equally impactful storyline will be the grand opening of Minnesota's brand-new TCF Bank Stadium.

No. 9 Hawaii

Dec. 5 Wisconsin @ Hawaii

A nationally televised non-conference game to round out Wisconsin's 2009 slate, and the Badgers are anxious to rebuild their road reputation after winning just two games away from Camp Randall in 2008.

By the time December rolls around, this could also prove to be a "hot seat" game for head coach Bret Bielema, an unthinkable statement just a year ago.

No. 8 Fresno State

Sept. 12 Fresno State at Wisconsin
Dec. 5 Fresno State at Illinois

Both games are in Big Ten stadiums, and the Bulldogs no longer have Tom Brandstater under center.

Wisconsin gets Fresno State early, while Illinois gets them late.

Both must be wins.

No. 7 Cincinnati

Nov. 28 Illinois at Cincinnati

The Bearcats demonstrated a ton of grit and resilience on their way to a BCS berth last season. They were unbeaten on their home field in 2008 and return senior quarterback Tony Pike.

If the Illini can snatch a win out of Nippert Stadium on Thanksgiving weekend, the college football world will take notice.

No. 6 Missouri

Sept. 5 Illinois vs Missouri

The Arch Rivalry won't produce anywhere near the hype that it did in 2008, but that's actually good news for the Big Ten.

Missouri's Chase Daniel is gone. So is Jeremy Maclin. Chase Coffman, ditto.

This is a rebuilding year for Missouri, and the Illini must take advantage.

No. 5 Arizona

Sept. 19 Arizona at Iowa

The Wildcats will likely start the season just outside the rankings, but they should be 2-0 and in the top 25 by Week Three when they head to Kinnick Stadium.

It's a homecoming game for Arizona's Mike Stoops, who played and coached at Iowa, and he will undoubtedly have his best game plan of the season ready for the Hawkeyes.

No. 4 Oregon

Sept. 12 Purdue at Oregon

This meeting required overtime in West Lafayette last season; the Boilermakers will need a supreme effort to play Oregon evenly for 60 minutes in 2009.

Jeremiah Masoli and the Ducks looked absolutely fierce in a Holiday Bowl win over a very talented Oklahoma State program.

Now, under recently promoted head coach Chip Kelly, Oregon will carry a top 25 ranking into 2009. Even in Week Two, the Ducks will be battle-tested after opening at Boise State on a Thursday, giving them two extra days to prepare for Purdue.

No. 3 California

Sept. 19 California at Minnesota

The Golden Bears don't leave Berkeley very often, and on the rare occasion they have ventured outside the Bay Area to play a BCS opponent, they haven't met with much success.

This is a prime upset opportunity for the Big Ten against what will certainly be a top 25 program in 2009.

No. 2 Notre Dame

Sept. 12 Notre Dame at Michigan
Sept. 19 Michigan State at Notre Dame
Sept. 26 Notre Dame at Purdue

Notre Dame won't start 2009 ranked as highly as California or Oregon, but because of their annual trilogy of games against the Big Ten, the Irish are the conference's second most important opponent of 2009.

Even though the Spartans will be making the trip to South Bend, history says they may hold the best odds of defeating the Irish. Michigan State's current six-game winning streak inside Notre Dame Stadium is the first, and longest, of its kind.

No. 1 USC

USC at Ohio State
September 12

We've saved the biggest, and therefore most important, for last. However, it will take place early in the season as the premier clash of Week Two.

In a rematch of last year's 35-3 nightmare, the Buckeyes will have home field advantage, and this time around, USC will be breaking in a rookie signal caller.

All the other non-conference clashes we've discussed dwarf in comparison. Because both teams should bring top 10 rankings, this game will be given more national attention than any other the Big Ten plays next season. Thus, the Buckeyes will ultimately be responsible for the conference's reputation in 2009.