Big Ten Football Preview: Week 2

Week 1 was a pretty good week for the Big 11 with only two teams taking the L (Purdue and Illinois).

This week might be a bit different with three high-profile games on Saturday.

Florida Atlantic vs. Michigan State

This game is being played at Ford Field about an hour outside of East Lansing. The reason is FAU's stadium is under construction, and they needed a venue where they could make some money, so they picked a location in MSU's backyard. So basically this is an away home game for the Spartans. Crazy world we live in. State is a 28.5-point favorite in this one.

The big question is, will State have their regular Week 2 breakdown? The answer is no. But FAU did win on the road last week, so Sparty, you better be nervous. MSU 38 FAU 14.

Illinois State at Northwestern

Guess what? It's another 28.5-point line in favor of the Big Ten team. Vegas must be loving the number 28 these days. Illinois State is now being coached by a former Purdue assistant (and I am betting he wears a mustache—it's a Purdue coaches thing) and will try to keep this game close. NW 24 ISU 14.

San Jose State at Wisconsin

I think Wisconsin is trying to make a play to join the Pac-12. They have played UNLV and San Jose State the last two weeks. Maybe they are interested in the WAC or the Mountain West. Either way, they come home to the friendly confines of Madison, WI and score an easy win by running the ball 100 times. Wisconsin is a 38-point favorite (what, 28 was taken?). Wisc 42 SJS 7.

South Dakota at Minnesota

I can't find a line on this game, which is okay because we probably don't need one. The only thing I'm surprised about in this game is that the Golden Gophers are not traveling to play South Dakota on their home field. Golden Gophers 42 SD 10.

Western Illinois at Purdue

Purdue is coming off a tough road loss to ND last week but is back at home this week. Purdue is a 27-point favorite. :) Purdue 27 WI 6.

Southern Illinois at Illinois

Ron Zook and company took a hit on the chin last week against Mizzou, and Southern Illinois is no slouch and will be ready to play since most of these kids didn't get recruited by the local BCS program. There isn't a line on this game, and why would there be? SIU 17 Zook 14.

Iowa State at Iowa

I think this has the makings of a pretty close game. Iowa gets the nod in this rivalry due to playing at home and of course being the better team. I still think the game will be closer than the 13.5 points that Iowa is favored by. Iowa 24 ISU 14.

Now to the Big Games This Weekend

Miami at Ohio State

Both teams had a cakewalk last Thursday where they both scored 45 points. Both teams are rated in the top 15 with Miami No. 12 and OSU No. 2. The advantage goes to the home team of course in big games like this, and OSU is an 8.5-point favorite in this one. The Buckeyes struggled on special teams last week, and I still believe their running backs and WRs are good not great.

For Miami, it really matters which team is going to show up. They have had over a week to prepare, and I think they will come out ready to play.

If the "Vest" goes conservative in this one, OSU loses. If he doesn't, they probably sneak out a win. Miami 28 OSU 27.

Penn State at Alabama

Both teams had easy wins last week, but the advantage in this one goes clearly with the national champions. Penn State struggled early against Youngstown State and can't start slow against Bama or the game will be over. This is way too much pressure to put on Robert Bolden, a true freshman QB. The line has Bama as a 12-point favorite. I don't think it will be that close. Bama 28 PSU 10.

I will of course preview the Michigan-ND game on Friday.

Interesting Note Week 2

Indiana has a bye week. What? One game and then a bye? Way to carry that momentum of a win in Week 1 into a bye week. That is crazy. Maybe they couldn't find an Illinois directional school to play. The Big Ten this week plays three of them: Southern, Western, and State.