Big Ten Football Preview: Week 3

The Big Ten had an up and down weekend in Week 2. Ohio State and Michigan had nice "national news" wins.

I was concerned about all the quality games at 3:30 last weekend, and it turned out that only one was close (Michigan vs. ND), and seven million viewers watched it.

The down part of the weekend was Minnesota's loss to FCS school South Dakota in Minneapolis. 

With Michigan now ranked in the Top 25, the Big Ten has five teams in the polls with Ohio State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Penn State. 

Let's take a look at the weekend matchups.

Best Big Ten Matchup

Iowa at Arizona

I did a preview of the Big Ten season on the Michigan Man podcast back in August, and I picked Iowa to win the Big Ten title this year. Their only tough road game during the Big Ten schedule is a trip to the Big House, or Denard's Den.

I did predict Iowa to have one non-conference loss, and this is the game I picked. Big Ten teams historically have not travelled well West anytime during the season. Recent Michigan games in memory are losses to Washington, Oregon, and an Ohio State loss to USC. This game is a late one that kicks off at 10:00 EST time on Saturday night.

Vegas has this game pretty close with Iowa holding a 1.5-point edge. I think Iowa is the better team, but I just don't trust the travel. Arizona 21 Iowa 17.

Arizona State at Wisconsin

This game might be a close second for the best Big Ten matchup. This might be called the Steven Threet Bowl. Steve hasn't beaten too many D-I schools as a QB at any of the three schools he has attended, but Wisconsin happens to be one of them. He led a second-half comeback in the Big House after being down 19-0 at halftime during RR's first year in Ann Arbor.

Steve was terrible in Arizona State's spring game but has had a very nice first two games as the Sun Devils starter.

Wisconsin, on the other hand, has been under the radar in winning two games in unspectacular fashion. The Badgers are favored by two touchdowns, which I think is a lot. Wisky 28 ASU 21.

Notre Dame at Michigan State

You would think Brian Kelly had enough of his former home state last weekend when Denard Robinson ran all over the Golden Domers. This week his team heads up to East Lansing to play a team ND has struggled against no matter where they play them. Right now ND is 1-1 in the Big Ten and looking for a Rose Bowl berth (sorry, I must have fast-forwarded a couple of years).

Back to 2010: Sparty has two wins against Western Michigan and Florida Atlantic, both basically home games. They host ND, which gives them an edge, but I don't think anyone was happy with how Sparty played against FAU last weekend.

If Dayne Crist is healthy and the ND defense plays like they did last Saturday, I think ND wins this one. Sparty is a 3.5-point favorite. ND 31 MSU 24.

The Rest of the Games...

Ball State at Purdue

The battle of Indiana. Purdue lost its top WR last week for the year, but they have enough to beat a Ball State team that was pretty good a couple of years ago. Purdue is favored by 17. Purdue 38 Ball State 10.

Ohio at Ohio State

The battle of Ohio. Maybe not, but after the Miami game, OSU deserved another MAC opponent. Does OSU ever have to go on the road? Terrelle Pryor will have another big game. The Vest better get a backup ready just in case TP goes down during the season. OSU is favored by 30.5. The Vest 42 Ohio 6.

Northern Illinois at Illinois

The battle of Illinois. The Big Ten sure has done a wonderful job supporting the economy of Illinois this season. I think every Illinois directional school has played a Big Ten team. Ron Zook got his first win of the season last weekend and should pick up No. 2 this weekend. Zook and company are only favored by seven, so Vegas isn't sold yet. Zook 24 NIU 13.

Indiana at Western Kentucky

A Tri-State shootout. IU took a bye in Week 2 (seriously, who takes a bye in Week 2?). Why is IU playing at Western Kentucky? Lots of questions for Indiana only after one game. I think they struggle on the road early, but their offense overpowers WKU. Doesn't WKU have that big red mascot? I like that guy. IU is favored by 12. IU 28 WKU 21.

USC at Minnesota

This is the lame duck coach bowl. Ouch! I'm guessing Lane Kiffin might stay at USC for a few years, but I'm guessing Pat Haden, the new AD, is not a fan. USC has like 50 players under scholarship right now, and Minnesota just came off a loss to South Dakota.

I don't have any confidence in Lane, but I know his old man can coach. This one might get ugly even though USC is playing with one hand behind its back. USC is favored by 12.5. I don't think this one will be that close. USC 42 Minnesota 21.

Northwestern at Rice

Return of Sam McGuffie to Big Ten Bowl. This is a tricky road game for Northwestern, but I don't think Rice has that much of anything. Even our boy Sam has struggled playing for the Owls this year. Wildcats are favored by 6.5. NW 24 Rice 14.

Kent State at Penn State

State vs. State Rivalry? I know I'm reaching. Penn State had a cupcake for breakfast, a beatdown for lunch, and another cupcake for dinner. Robert Bolden looks better when playing a MAC school vs. the No. 1 team in the nation. JoePa is favored by three touchdowns. Makes sense: JoePa 21 Kent State 0.

Week 3 Story Lines

Will former Wolverines "haunt" their Big Ten opponents? Will Tate Forcier play? Will Tim Brewster need a few brews after the game? Will ND rebound against MSU (only Crist knows)? Will that Red Guy play defense for WKU? Will the Big Ten go 2-0 vs. Arizona schools?

I say if IU wins that game, they should get to have the Red Guy as their mascot. They can play every year for him. It could be titled the Red Guy Return Rivalry.

I will preview the Michigan vs. Minutemen matchup on Friday.