2011 College Football: Picking Every Big Ten Conference Game for Week 1

9/1 - UNLV @ No. 11 Wisconsin (8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN) 

Wisconsin's running back tandem of James White and Montee Ball will run through the struggling UNLV defense. Do not expect to see much passing from North Carolina State transfer quarterback Russell Wilson in his first game donning a Badger uniform. Wisconsin wins this one by halftime. 

Pick: Wisconsin

9/2 - Youngstown State @ No. 17 Michigan State (7:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network) 

Much like in the Wisconsin game on Thursday night, the ground game will take center stage for the Michigan State Spartans in their season opener against Youngstown State of the Football Championship Subdivision.

Edwin Baker might have 100 yards on the ground by halftime, and senior quarterback Kirk Cousins will throw a few play-action bombs for touchdowns as well. 

Pick: Michigan State

9/3 - Northwestern @ Boston College (12:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU) 

The Northwestern Wildcats will surprise a lot of people this season in the Big Ten. They have 16 seniors in their starting rotation and should be able to handle the Boston College Eagles if senior quarterback Dan Persa is healthy. Persa is listed as probable, and if he plays anywhere close to the level he did last season, the Eagles are in trouble. 

Pick: Northwestern

9/3 - Akron @ No. 18 Ohio State (12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN)

Despite missing their top weapons, running back Dan Herron and wide receiver DeVier Posey, and starting inexperienced fifth-year senior quarterback Joe Bauserman, the Ohio State Buckeyes should have no problem with their in-state rival on Saturday.

The Buckeyes have won 42 straight games against opponents from the state of Ohio and should continue that streak against the Akron Zips.

Pick: Ohio State

9/3 - Indiana State @ Penn State (12:00 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network) 

Penn State quarterbacks Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden will both get a chance to showcase their skills against a lesser opponent this weekend. Look for a big game from Silas Redd out of the backfield, as well. It will be a victory for Indiana State if they can score against Penn State's defense. 

Pick: Penn State

9/3 - Tennessee Tech @ Iowa (12:00 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network) 

The Iowa Hawkeyes have to replace almost all of their best players on both sides of the ball and will struggle out of the gate, but should easily pull away in the second and third quarters. Expect a heavy dose of Marcus Coker running the ball for Iowa. 

Pick: Iowa

9/3 - Middle Tennessee @ Purdue (12:00 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network) 

This is a potential trap game for Purdue. Middle Tennessee had a top 40 rushing offense last season, and Purdue struggled to stop just about everyone they lined up against. Purdue's offense should have a more option look to it with dual-threat quarterback Rob Henry at the helm. This game will be closer than it looks on paper and may come down to the last possession. 

Pick: Purdue

9/3 - Minnesota @ No. 25 Southern California (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC or ESPN2) 

New Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill could not have gotten a tougher opening game, as his struggling Golden Gophers' squad has to head out west and take on the Southern California Trojans. The Gophers' offense should be better than a year ago with speedster Marquise Gray under center, but do not expect the improvement to show against a tough USC team. 

Pick: Southern California

9/3 - Western Michigan @ Michigan (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC or ESPN2) 

New Michigan head coach Brady Hoke gets a cupcake for his debut. Junior quarterback Denard Robinson will rack up a bunch of yards and will make the Western Michigan Broncos' defense look silly. The embattled Michigan defense should not have many problems slowing down the Broncos. 

Pick: Michigan

9/3 - Chattanooga @ No. 10 Nebraska (3:30 p.m. ET) 

The newest member of the Big Ten Conference should get off to a great start against Chattanooga. Quarterback Taylor Martinez should have no problems running all over the field, and Nebraska's defense should be disappointed in anything other than a shutout. 

Pick: Nebraska

9/3 - Arkansas State @ Illinois (3:30 p.m ET on Big Ten Network) 

The Illinois Fighting Illini have to replace their top running back from last season, but senior tailback Jason Ford should have no problem carving up Arkansas State's defense. Look for a great showing for sophomore quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase on the ground and through the air, as well. 

Pick: Illinois

9/3 - Indiana vs. Ball State @ Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. (7:00 p.m. ET) 

This will be the closest game in the Big Ten this week, but for all of the wrong reasons. Indiana has to replace veteran quarterback Ben Chappell, while Ball State has not put together a winning season since Brady Hoke left in 2008. Indiana wide receiver Damarlo Belcher will be the difference in the game, and if no one on Ball State's defense can slow him down, the Hoosiers should be able to dispatch of the Cardinals in a close game.

Pick: Indiana

Bonus Game: 

9/3 - No. 3 Oregon vs. No. 4 Louisiana State @ Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas (8:00 p.m. ET on ABC) 

Off-field drama has been the main topic of discussion leading up to arguably the best game of college football's opening weekend.  

The LSU Tigers will be without their starting quarterback, Jordan Jefferson, after his role in a late-night altercation, and wide receiver Russell Shepard has been suspended for NCAA violations.  

Meanwhile, Oregon has been dealing with an NCAA investigation related to scouting reports received from Will Lyles and questions as to whether or not their high-scoring gimmick offense can be effective against a Southeastern Conference defense. 

LSU may still have an edge because of their defense and the fact senior quarterback Jarrett Lee has a lot of playing experience under his belt. Oregon will score some points, but will their defense be good enough to slow down a much-larger LSU squad? 

Pick: LSU

Game of the Week: 

No. 5 Boise State @ No. 19 Georgia (8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN) 

Bowl Championship Series–buster Boise State will once again be tested in their first game of the season, this time against Georgia. This matchup will provide a lot of offensive firepower with two experienced quarterbacks starting under center. 

Boise State's Kellen Moore will get his Heisman Trophy campaign off on the right foot with a great showing, but Georgia's Aaron Murray will match him pass for pass and provide the nation with the most dramatic game this weekend. 

Pick: Boise State

Zach Dirlam is a Big Ten Columnist for the new website Sports at Work. Check out his blog, Dirlam’s Dirty Dugout Sports Blog, which features this story along with other articles and video reports on the major sports. You can also follow his blog on Twitter, which will provide you with the latest updates about what will be posted on the blog!