I am back for another year of predicting Big Ten games. Each Friday I’ll have a brief summary of what I think the key points are in the games, along with my predictions. Last year I had a good record, getting 80 percent of the games right, so let’s see if I can continue the trend this season.
Youngstown State at Ohio State (Big Ten Network, 12 pm)
The Penguins face a tough task playing against the Buckeyes in Columbus. Ohio State has not lost to a team in Ohio since the 1920s, and I have no doubt in my mind that will extend another year.
As I said before on the blog, I believe Ohio State is the best team in the Big Ten, and they will blow Youngstown State out of the water. What I am most looking forward to is seeing some highlights of Terrelle Pryor.
Ohio State, 60-6
Coastal Carolina at Penn State (Big Ten Network, 12 pm)
Penn State made a lot of news this offseason off the field, but now it is time for them to make it on the field. Joe Paterno named Daryll Clark the starter, but we will also see Pat Devlin play in this game with the first team. I am interested in seeing how the defense looks without linebacker Sean Lee and the defensive line getting thinner and thinner by the moment.
The most interesting storyline is that the starting quarterback for Coastal Carolina is the brother of former Penn State quarterback Wally Richardson.
Penn State, 57-7
Maine at Iowa (Big Ten Network, 12 pm)
The Hawkeyes need at least a winning season if they want to save coach Kirk Ferentz’s job for another year. No one in Iowa City really knows what to expect of this team. It can go anywhere from three wins up to eight wins.
Iowa had a lot of off the field issues that they had to deal with, and no one knows what to expect each time Jake Christensen steps on the field. If this team struggles against Maine, buckle up Hawkeye fans—but I don’t think they will.
Iowa, 31-10
Akron at Wisconsin (Big Ten Network, 12 pm)
The Badgers are notorious for making cupcake games hard. Look at last year against UNLV and two years earlier against Bowling Green. Wisconsin is loaded on offense with running back P.J. Hill and one of the best tight ends in the country, Travis Beckum. It’ll be on quarterback Allan Evridge’s shoulders as to how far this team really does go.
Akron is probably the worst team in the MAC East, so the Badgers should dispose of them quite early.
Wisconsin, 47-13
Western Kentucky at Indiana (Big Ten Network, 12 pm)
This is the second year for the Hilltoppers playing in a FBS conference, the Sun Belt. They were 7-5 last year but still played a lot of FCS opponents. The Hoosiers made a bowl game for the first time in a long time, but they lost star wide receiver James Hardy to the NFL.
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