2010 College Football Predictions: Big Ten, Week One

It's that time again, folks! Yep, the college football season is so close, you can smell it if you try real hard.

And as the Big Ten heads into its last season with only eleven teams, questions abound. Can the Sweatervest guide OSU to another conference title? Can Iowa continue the momentum gained last season? Will JoPa guide his Lions to one last special season?

These and many more questions will be answered before the end of the season.

Week one of the non-conference schedule features a trio of Thursday night clashes and one late night battle on Saturday.

All times are Eastern

Thursday, September 2

Indiana Hoosiers vs. Towson Tigers - 7:30PM, Big Ten Network

Indiana returns, arguably, the best receiving corps in the Big Ten. Expect Tandon Doss and the rest of the Hoosier receivers to have phenomenal games against a weak Towson team that went 2-9 last season and lost to the University of New Hampshire by 50 points. Quarterback Ben Chappell will have an opportunity to improve on his 15 interception performance last season starting with a beat-down of Towson.

IU - 45 Tigers - 14

Minnesota Golden Gophers @ Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders - 7:30PM, ESPN

Minnesota is brave—very brave. They are going on the road to play a very dangerous Middle Tennesse State team. MTSU is led by quarterback Dwight Dasher, a versatile running threat with an eye for accuracy. The Gophers return ten starters on offense but were decimated on the defensive side of the ball, and MTSU is a bad place to start rebuilding. This one lays squarely on the backs of the Gopher's new defense. If they can find a way to contain Dasher, they win.

Gophers - 28 Blue Raiders - 24

#2 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Marshall Thundering Herd - 7:30PM, Big Ten Network

Ohio State faces a better-than-normal Marshall squad. Fresh off of a 7-6 season and returning 14 starters, Marshall is looking to take a leap forward into the 2010 season.

Not gonna happen.

The Buckeyes roll, by virtue of one of their stouter defenses in this writer's memory, and Marshall starts the season off wrong for new head coach Doc Holliday.

Buckeyes - 41 Herd - 17

Saturday, Septemeber 4

Michigan State Spartans vs Western Michigan Broncos - 12PM, ESPN2

The Broncos are without 2009 standouts Tim Hiller and Brandon West. Not good news. They are going to be facing a very strong Michigan State squad, whose only real weaknesses are along the offensive line and in the secondary. Expect the Spartans to come out firing, and run away with this one in the second quarter.

Spartans - 45 Broncos - 20

#14 Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Youngstown State Penguins - 12PM, Big Ten Network

Penguins? Really?

JoPa's boys are facing a mess of questions about their ability this season, and won't get the chance to answer against a weak Youngstown State squad. The Lions need someone a little tougher to tune up for 'Bama, like their second string.

Lions - 34 Penguins - 10

#10 Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Eastern Illinois Panthers - 12:05PM, Big Ten Network

Iowa won several games by very close margins last season, including two close ones in their non-conference schedule. That is not going to be the case in this game.

The Hawkeyes start their quest for a perfect season at Kinnick Stadium. The experienced D-Line, led by monster Adrian Clayborn will dominate the game and the Hawks will roll.

Hawkeyes - 31 Panthers - 6

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Missouri Tigers in St. Louis - 12:30PM, Fox Sports Net

The biggest changes in Champaign this season were on the coordinator front, as Paul Petrino was brought in to help the offense and Vic Koening was added to the defensive side. That being said, the return of linebacker Martez Wilson, coupled with head coach Ron Zook's desperation to keep his job, translate to a surprisingly improved Illini squad—think 2007. The Illini run game will be solid in this one, and ball-control will dictate the victor.

Illini - 21 Tigers - 24

Purdue Boilermakers @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish 3:30PM NBC

Purdue has a ton of winning to do this year. After staying relatively quiet last season, the Boilers hope to make some noise this season, led by transfer quarterback Robert Marve.

The Fighting Irish are looking to return to national prominence, but will be surprised in a big way by the revamped Boiler offense.

Boilers - 28 Irish - 24

Michigan Wolverines vs. Connecticut Huskies 3:30PM ABC/ESPN2

Michigan's offense will be fantastic this season, and they will be able to put up points on a tough Huskies defense. However, the Wolverines will struggle mightily on defense, as UCONN quarterback Zack Frazer picks apart the Wolverine secondary. New coach anyone?

Wolverines - 24 Huskies - 31

Northwestern Wildcats @ Vanderbilt Commodores 7:30PM ESPN3.com

Vanderbilt is a perennial bottom feeder in the SEC, and Northwestern had been in the Big Ten, until the last two years. Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa will continue to grow and improve and the Wildcats will sneak out a win on the road.

Wildcats - 21 Commodores - 17

#12 Wisconsin Badgers @ UNLV Runnin' Rebels 11PM Versus

To cap it all off, the Badgers head to the desert for a late night clash with UNLV. The Rebels have a new head coach who emphasizes defense in Bobby Hauck, but it won't be enough against a stellar Badger offense. Expect a blowout. Over/Under John Clay TD total: three.

Badgers - 45 Rebels - 24

9-2 in the first week is not bad, but expect great things in week two. Michigan is in for another long season, while lil' bro Michigan State is a dark horse to compete for the conference title.