Big Ten Football Weekend Preview

For those that have followed BHB for the past three years, I hope you have enjoyed this regular feature during the season where we preview and predict all the Big Ten games for the weekend. 

This one is special because today kicks off the 2010 season, and three Big Ten teams are in action on a Thursday. Yes, a Thursday! What's next, 12 teams and a championship game? :)

So without further ado, let's get on with the show.

Games Tonight

Marshall at Ohio State

The No. 2 team in the nation is opening up its 2010 campaign on a Thursday, and they end up on the Big Ten Network? That seems a bit odd.

Anyway, Marshall will give Ohio State fits with the play of future NFL WR Randy Moss. Okay, Randy isn't there, but new head coach Doc Holliday is. Doc should be either shooting up the Wild West or starting for the Phillies.

Either way, nobody is giving the Thundering Herd much chance in C-Bus as a 28-point underdog. I don't see the Buckeyes having much trouble with Doc Holliday's crew, but it will stay under 28 points. OSU 31 Marshall 14.

Minnesota at Middle Tennessee State

Sorry, I must have put the "at" in the wrong place. Big Ten teams don't play at schools like MTSU. Well, I double-checked, and yes, the Golden Gophers are on the road this week and travel to Middle Tennessee.

Should be an easy win, right? Nope. MTSU was 10-3 and 7-1 in conference last year. This game is going to give the Gophers all they can handle and mostly on the road. The line has Minnesota favored by 1.5. I agree. Minn 21 MTSU 17.

Towson at Indiana

This game sounds more like a new condo development (please don't ask RR to invest!) in Bloomington or a new shopping center than it does a football game. IU is favored by another 28 points in this opening game. Michigan fans saw that IU can play some football last year. I think they invest big in a new condo: IU 41 Towson 7.

Saturday

Western Michigan at Michigan State

Everyone knows that MSU struggles against in-state MAC teams, but that doesn't come until Week 2 and usually against teams that are more middle or central to the state. WMU doesn't have much this year and are a 23.5-point dog to the Spartans. I don't see this game as a blowout, but Sparty won't struggle either. MSU 24 WMU 10.

Missouri vs. Illinois in St. Louis

Mizzou is a 12-point favorite, and I think Illinois is one of the worst teams in the Big Ten this year. Mizzou is still mad about not getting an invite to dine in the Big Ten after they were dressed for dinner. They are going to take it out on poor Ron Zook and team: Missouri 28 Ill. 3.

Youngstown State at Penn State

Too bad this isn't a Jim Tressel vs. JoePa matchup. It's not, and with Penn State's defense, they will be able to hide any ugliness that comes out of the offense with true freshman QB Robert Bolden (from Michigan). The running game is also a good cure for lack of experience at QB; look for Evan Royster to get a ton of touches. PSU is favored by 38, which seems very high for a new offense: JoePa 21 YS 3.

Eastern Illinois at Iowa

Iowa probably should have gotten beat by Northern Iowa last year but didn't. I expect the coaches have been in their ear for a month now saying the same thing. Iowa is favored by 40. Goodness! Iowa 38 EIll 10.

Wisconsin at UNLV

This is going to be a tough game for Wisconsin having to travel to Vegas. I'm sure the fans love it, but it will be difficult for the Badgers early in this one. I expect a close game, but Wisconsin's power game will wear down UNLV in the second half. Wisconsin is a 20.5 favorite in this one. I will be much closer: Wisc 24 UNLV 17.

Purdue at ND

Both of these teams are mysteries to me. ND is starting a new era under Brian Kelly, and Purdue has a new star QB, Robert Marve from Miami. It seems everyone is coming off an ACL, and how both these teams play is still in question. This is a great scouting game for the Wolverines, who play ND next week and Purdue later in the season. ND is an 11-point favorite. ND 27 Purdue 24.

Northwestern at Vandy

I think NW has a big upside this year, and it starts with somewhat of a difficult trip down to Vanderbilt. Didn't Vandy just change its head coach like a few weeks ago? NW is favored by 4.5 points. I agree this will be a close game. NW 17 Vandy 14.

Strange Stat of the Week

Five Big Ten teams open on the road (that includes Illinois' trip to St. Louis).