Big Ten Football: Power Ranking Top 2016 Out-of-Conference Games
A neutral-site game between Wisconsin and LSU, the return of the Michigan State-Notre Dame rivalry and Ohio State's titanic showdown on the road against Oklahoma highlight a busy and exciting non-conference schedule for the Big Ten.
The league is fresh off an impressive 5-5 bowl season, but it's looking to regain a bit of the luster it lost when Michigan State and Iowa—two of its top teams—suffered blowout postseason losses to Alabama (in the College Football Playoff) and Stanford (Rose Bowl), respectively.
The Big Ten can regain some of its shine with a good showing in these five games.
No. 5: Penn State at Pitt
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Penn State and Pitt used to battle in one of college football's fiercest rivalries—a series that started back in 1893. But the two teams drifted apart after joining new conferences and last played each other in 2000.
The rivalry is set to be renewed on Sept. 10, when the Nittany Lions travel to Heinz Field for a Week 2 showdown.
Penn State is embarking on a new era without quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Head coach James Franklin has plenty of options in Trace McSorley, Tommy Stevens and true freshman Jake Zembiec, all of whom are better suited to run the Nittany Lions' spread offense.
But Penn State will have its hands full with a talented Pitt team that went 8-5 in head coach Pat Narduzzi's first season at the helm. The Panthers will have to replace their most lethal offensive weapon in wide receiver Tyler Boyd, but running backs Qadree Ollison and Darrin Hall are back to pace the offense.
Penn State will be looking to add to its 50-42-4 series advantage, according to E.J. Borghetti of the Pitt Chronicle.
No. 4: Nebraska vs. Oregon
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Two prolific offenses will square off when head coach Mark Helfrich brings his Oregon Ducks to Memorial Stadium for a Week 3 matchup against Nebraska.
The Cornhuskers are coming off a disappointing 6-7 season in Mike Riley's first year in Lincoln, but upset wins over Michigan State and UCLA (in the Foster Farms Bowl) signified an upward trend from the program. And with 15 starters back in 2016—headlined by quarterback Tommy Armstrong and wideout Jordan Westerkamp—Nebraska has the pieces to challenge Iowa and Wisconsin in the Big Ten West.
A strong close to the nonconference schedule will be crucial. Oregon has become a national powerhouse thanks to its explosive offenses over the last 15 years, but it's replacing quarterback Vernon Adams, top wide receivers Byron Marshall and Bralon Addison and three offensive linemen.
The Ducks offense will build around running back Royce Freeman, but their defense loses one of the most disruptive defensive ends in the country in DeForest Buckner.
Nebraska will need to put up points, but it'll have home-field advantage to fall back on.
No. 3: Wisconsin vs. LSU
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Can Wisconsin avenge its 2014 season-opening loss to LSU, or will the Tigers prove too strong once again and kick off a College Football Playoff run?
Two years ago, the Badgers had Les Miles' squad on the ropes, leading 24-7 early in the third quarter. Wisconsin abandoned what was working in the running game, though, allowing LSU to run off 21 unanswered points and steal a 28-24 victory away from the Badgers.
The two teams that will meet at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, will be drastically different than the two that went at it in 2014.
The Badgers will look to build on the momentum they built down the stretch of the 2015 season, when they won seven of their final eight games, including a 23-21 win over USC in the Holiday Bowl. The Tigers are returning virtually their entire 2015 team with 19 starters back, headlined by running back and Heisman Trophy contender Leonard Fournette.
Given the unique setting at the home of the Green Bay Packers and the fact that LSU is expected to compete for a national title in 2016, this one will almost assuredly be a prime-time showdown on opening weekend.
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No. 2: Michigan State at Notre Dame
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Notre Dame has a number of storied rivalries with Big Ten schools, but its affiliation with the ACC put the annual matchups on a brief hiatus. And while the Michigan-Notre Dame series works its way back into reality, the showdown between the Irish and the Michigan State Spartans will be renewed in 2016.
Both programs rank in the top 15 of ESPN.com's way-too-early Top 25, with Michigan State checking in at No. 14 and Notre Dame at No. 9.
While the Irish will have home-field advantage on their side, the Spartans will benefit from a scheduling perspective. After kicking off the season against Furman on Friday of the opening weekend, Michigan State will have a bye week before the Irish game, giving it 15 days to prep for the marquee matchup.
On the other side, the Irish will be coming off a season-opening clash at Texas and a tricky game against a dangerous Nevada team. Will the be ready to go for what will certainly be a physical affair against the Spartans?
If Michigan State can go into South Bend and come away with a win, it could trigger another playoff run. But that'll be tough, as the Spartans are replacing quarterback Connor Cook and seven other starters on offense.
No. 1: Ohio State at Oklahoma
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Two playoff contenders will square off when Ohio State makes the highly anticipated trip south for a matchup against Oklahoma.
The Buckeyes came into the 2015 season as the runaway favorite to repeat as national champions, but a late-season stumble against Michigan State kept them out of the playoff. If they had made it in, they may have matched up against the Sooners, who won the Big 12 but lost to Clemson in the semifinal.
Both Ohio State and Oklahoma have a shot to make it back to the College Football Playoff, but the Sooners have the inside track. Bob Stoops returns seven starters on each side of the ball, including Heisman Trophy candidate Baker Mayfield.
Urban Meyer's squad will be much less fortunate, having to replace eight starters on each side of the ball. The Buckeyes do return J.T. Barrett at quarterback, but he'll have to turn in an excellent performance in one of college football's most hostile environments for Ohio State to come away with a win in this one.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
