Big Ten Football: 5 Biggest Games of Week 2

Now that Week 1 of the Big Ten season has come and gone, it's time to take a look at the biggest games of Week 2.

Because it's so early in the year, there aren't many big-time match-ups. However, there are a few intriguing non-conference opponents that a few Big Ten teams will have to face on Saturday. 

Here's a look at the top five Big Ten games on the schedule for this weekend.

5. Iowa @ Iowa State (12:00 PM)

This obviously isn't a great game, but it makes the top five because the conference slate is so weak.

Iowa has dominated the series lately, and looks to continue that trend this week. There is absolutely no reason that Iowa shouldn't win this game. The only thing they have to be worried about is that it's played on the road.

Iowa State looked absolutely horrible in their opener, as they beat FCS opponent Northern Iowa by only one point. Gone are the key pieces from last year's team, Austen Arnaud and Alexander Robinson, so Iowa State's offense had a completely different look.

Iowa, on the other hand, had their opener delayed by weather at one point. They ended up winning 34-7, but didn't necessarily look as impressive as some were hoping.

James Vandenberg looked fine at quarterback, Marvin McNutt looked great at receiver, but running back Marcus Coker was not impressive.

Coker only averaged 3.7 yards per carry and will have to step it up this week. Look for him to bounce back against Iowa State, as he should get plenty of carries.

4. Fresno State @ Nebraska (7:00 PM)

This game would have been a lot more intriguing if Fresno State would have won last week. In fact, many people were picking them to win.

They played California, who was coming off a 5-7 season, and the analysts really liked Fresno's chances in that game.

However, the Bulldogs came out flat and they lost 36-21. The game was over by the start of the fourth quarter.

Both Fresno State's offense and defense played poorly. With that performance in mind, it is very unlikely that they go into Lincoln and win this weekend.

Nebraska opened with Chattanooga this past week and looked about as expected. Taylor Martinez struggled throwing the ball, but had a great day running it.

Rex Burkhead also had a great day running the ball.

It is unlikely that Nebraska comes out throwing against Fresno, but after the way Fresno's pass defense played against California, Nebraska just might consider it.

The Bulldogs allowed two receivers over 100 receiving yards from a quarterback who had never played a game at California in his life.

It will be interesting to see what Nebraska's offensive game plan is, and whether Brandon Kinnie can get over the drops that plagued him last week. 

Look for Nebraska to win fairly easily.

3. Oregon State @ Wisconsin (12:00)

Again, this game would be a lot more intriguing if Oregon State would have won last weekend.  They inexcusably lost to FCS opponent Sacramento State.

One bright spot for Oregon State in that game, though, was freshman running back Malcolm Agnew, who rushed for 223 yards and averaged 6.8 yards a carry. However, he got hurt and is questionable for the Wisconsin game.

Oregon State had a surprisingly bad season last year, going 5-7. With a coach like Mike Riley, you'd expect last year to be a fluke and for them to bounce back this season. However, that doesn't look to be the case, as an 0-2 start looks inevitable.

Wisconsin, on the other hand, scheduled this game years ago when Oregon State was very solid. Wisconsin just simply doesn't lose at home nowadays, and Oregon State would have to be happy just to compete in this game.

Even though the Beavers only allowed 71 rush yards to Sacramento State, expect James White and Montee Ball to run all over this defense.

Sacramento State was able to throw the ball all over Oregon State, so Russell Wilson should have a field day.

Unfortunately, this game won't be as big as Wisconsin was hoping for when they scheduled it. Expect it to be over midway through the second half.

2. Alabama @ Penn State (3:30)

Even though most of the "experts" are calling for an easy Alabama win, expect Penn State to compete in this one. This team is much better than the Penn State team that went to Alabama last season and lost 24-3.

In that game, Silas Redd outplayed starter Evan Royster, as Redd averaged over 5.0 yards a carry in that game.

Redd is now the featured back, and it will be interesting to see if he can have the same success against this so-called invincible Alabama defense.

Without a doubt, the weakness of Alabama's defense is their front line, so if Penn State's offensive line can step up and play well, Redd could have a big day.

When looking at Penn State's quarterback situation in comparison to Alabama's phenomenal secondary, it bodes disaster for Penn State's passing attack.

In fact, in their opener against Indiana State, Penn State only passed for 114 yards. Nobody other than Derek Moye had more than 16 receiving yards. Again, this spells disaster for Penn State's passing attack on Saturday.

Silas Redd is the key to Penn State's offense, as he looks to be the one guy that can keep them in this game.

Even though Penn State's defense struggled last year, it looks like it has returned to form this season. Without a doubt, the strength of the Penn State defense is their secondary, so it will be interesting to see if their front seven can slow down Trent Richardson.

Expect Alabama to win, but it won't be easy, and it certainly won't be a blowout.

1. Notre Dame @ Michigan (8:00)

This game will be historical even before it kicks off. 

Because it's the first night game at Michigan stadium, the attendance will be through the roof and it will break the all-time attendance record for a college football game, a record that Michigan already holds.

Unlike Penn State-Alabama, the fact that Michigan and Notre Dame are so evenly matched is what makes this the most intriguing game of the weekend.

Whether Notre Dame losing to South Florida last week adds or takes away intrigue from this game can be debated. The fact that they lost makes the way in which Notre Dame will play in this game a lot less predictable.

Are they going to come out and be careless with the ball again this week? Or are they going to come out and play like the top-20 team that everybody thought they were?

Notre Dame will likely come out throwing the ball on Saturday night. Michael Floyd, Theo Riddick, T.J. Jones and Tyler Eifert form a solid group of receivers, and Michigan's secondary is going to have a hard time slowing them down.

The real question is whether or not Notre Dame will be able to run the ball. Their offensive line is very good and Cierre Wood looks solid, but that's not the kind of offense Brian Kelly likes to run.  Expect Wood to get a decent amount of carries, but don't be surprised if Michigan's run defense slows him down.

When Michigan is on offense, it will be very intriguing to see how the running backs perform.  Both Fitz Toussaint and Michael Shaw figure to get their carries, along with Stephen Hopkins who is returning from suspension.

Notre Dame's front seven is very good, and if Michigan's backs can run on them it will prove that they're for real.

Notre Dame's secondary isn't necessarily great, but it's very solid. Both corners, Gary Gray and Robert Blanton are seniors, as are both safeties, Harrison Smith and Jamoris Slaughter.

Obviously, their secondary is a veteran group and is extremely experienced.

Michigan didn't throw the ball a whole lot last Saturday, and it will be interesting to see how much they do this weekend. Roy Roundtree is a guy that has to step up, as he was very quiet in last week's game, only catching two passes for 13 yards.

Expect Notre Dame to look better than they did last week, resulting in a very close game that shouldn't be decided until the very end.