College Football 2011: Which 5 Teams Will Be Unbeaten for the Big Ten Opener?

The month of September in the Big Ten is traditionally used by conference teams as an opportunity to rout lesser opponents and work on tuning their offenses and defenses.

This year is no different and five teams face the possibility of being undefeated when they step on the football field on October 1st to play their Big Ten opening game.

The ratings in this slide show start with the team that has the easiest path to a 4-0 (or 3-0) record to two teams that face the possibility of losing a tough game and starting their respective Big Ten campaigns with one loss.

As you may have guessed from the opening slide, Wisconsin was selected as No. 1, but you'll have to go to the next slide to find out why.  Plus I've added an "Honorable Mention" to the end of the slide show.

No. 1 to Go 4-0 in September: Wisconsin Badgers

Dear Wisconsin Schedule Maker,

You are a brilliant person.  How did you manage to schedule five straight home games at the beginning of the year?

By the time Nebraska rolls into Madison for the Big Ten opener on October 1st, you'll be 4-0 and ready to beat the Cornhuskers at Camp Randall Stadium.

Your September opponents are UNLV, Oregon State, Northern Illinois and South Dakota.  The toughest challenge may be on September 10th when you host the Beavers, but they aren't considered a top-50 team in Division I.

You did a great job, but remember you still have to play back-to-back road games against Michigan State and Ohio State in October.

No. 2 to Go 4-0 in September: Nebraska Cornhuskers

Unlike Wisconsin, the Cornhuskers will have one road win before the two undefeated Big Ten teams face each other in Madison on October 1st.

Nebraska's September schedule begins with three home games against University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Fresno State and the University of Washington.  They play a road game against Wyoming at the end of the month.

Washington is probably the most recognizable team, but they haven't been able to keep up with Oregon, USC and Arizona State in the PAC-12 Conference.

I'd make plans to reserve a spot on the couch with your favorite beverage and snack, and enjoy the October 1st showdown between between Nebraska and Wisconsin.

No. 3 to Go 4-0 in September: Iowa Hawkeyes

The Iowa Hawkeyes have five weeks to prepare for their Big Ten opener on October 8th in Happy Valley against Penn State.

They have four tuneup games in September followed by a bye week   They play Tennessee Tech, Pittsburgh and Monroe at home and Iowa State on the road.

The September 10th contest against the Cyclones may be a "trap" game.  Iowa State always seems to make life difficult for their cross-state rivals.  Still the Hawkeyes should be 4-0 at the beginning of October.

No. 4 to Go 3-0 in September: Northwestern Wildcats

We'll know if Northwestern is headed for a 3-0 start at the end of their first game.

They go on the road to play Boston College and the two teams may be evenly matched.  The difference is Wildcat quarterback Dan Persa.

If he can carry his team to a victory over BC, then Northwestern should be able to beat Eastern Illinois and Army and use their September 24th bye week to prepare for their Big Ten opener.  They travel to Illinois in what could be a really good Leaders Division game.  (I expect the Fighting Illini to be 3-1 for the October 1st game.)

No. 5 to Go 4-0 in September: Michigan State Spartans

It's by far the toughest pick, because the Spartans face a real test when they travel to South Bend to face Notre Dame on September 17th.

Michigan State has a very slight edge in this game, because they have the better quarterback in Kirk Cousins and the Spartans have beaten the Fighting Irish three times in the last four contests...

MSU's other September games are at home against Youngstown State, Florida Atlantic and Central Michigan.  A 4-0 or 3-1 record when the Spartans travel to Columbus to face Ohio State on October 1st wouldn't surprise me.

Honorable Mention: Michigan Wolverines at 3-1

I am so tempted to pick Michigan to beat Notre Dame on September 10th, but the Wolverine defense gets in the way.

A U of M upset victory at home against the Fighting Irish is a real possibility, especially if Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson can outmaneuver Notre Dame's defense.  Wolverine Mike Martin has to have a big game and his defensive teammates have to avoid surrendering big plays for Michigan to triumph.

Michigan, like Wisconsin, starts with five home games and should beat Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan and San Diego State in September.  Minnesota comes to Ann Arbor on October 1st for the Big Ten Opener for the two Legends Division teams.