College Football Picks Week 2: Every Big Ten Conference Game

My Record Last Week: 13-1 Overall (11-1 Big Ten Conference Games)  

9/10: Iowa (1-0) @ Iowa State (1-0) (12:00 p.m. ET)

Iowa rolled to a victory over Tennessee Tech last weekend, while Iowa State was nearly upset by Northern Iowa of the Football Championship Subdivision. 

The Hawkeyes win this one running away and senior wide receiver Marvin McNutt has another huge day. 

Pick: Iowa

9/10: Florida Atlantic (0-1) @ No. 17 Michigan State (1-0) (12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2)

Michigan State struggled offensively against Youngstown State last Thursday, but Florida Atlantic only managed to gain 137 yards on offense in a loss to instate foe Florida. 

The Spartans still have a major question mark at left tackle, but this game should provide Michigan State with a chance to work out the kinks along their offensive line and notch another victory in blowout fashion. 

Pick: Michigan State

9/10: Toledo (1-0) @ No. 15 Ohio State (1-0) (12:00 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network)

Ohio State has lined up against Toledo just two times, but the Buckeyes did not surrender a single point in either of those games.

After a shutout of Akron last weekend and strong performances from quarterbacks Joe Bauserman and Braxton Miller, the Buckeyes should have no problem cruising to a 2-0 start. 

Running backs Carlos Hyde and Rod Smith will both have a chance to go over the 100-yard mark on the ground and the Buckeyes defense should be disappointed with anything but another shutout against Toledo. 

Pick: Ohio State

  

9/10: Oregon State (0-1) @ No. 8 Wisconsin (1-0) (12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN) 

Wisconsin scored on their first five drives against UNLV and Oregon State could not even beat Sacramento State of the FCS last weekend.

Watch out for another big day from Wisconsin's explosive offense led by quarterback Russell Wilson along with the running back tandem of Monte Ball and James White. 

The Badgers should have this game in hand by halftime once again. 

Pick: Wisconsin

9/10: South Dakota State (1-0) @ Illinois (1-0) (12:00 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network) 

It took a little while for the Illinois offense to get going last weekend, but when it did the Fighting Illini were tough to stop. 

Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase should have another big day and the defense should have no problem keeping South Dakota State in check. 

Pick: Illinois

  

9/10: Eastern Illinois (1-0) @ Northwestern (1-0) (3:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network) 

The Northwestern Wildcats managed to pull out a tough road win against Boston College last Saturday despite having to play without their senior star quarterback Dan Persa. 

With Persa listed as questionable for the second consecutive game, sophomore quarterback Kain Colter should get the nod under center and run all over Eastern Illinois with the help of sophomore running back Mike Trumpy. 

This game will not be nearly as gut-wrenching as last weekend for the Wildcats and gives them an opportunity to rest Persa's ailing Achilles. 

Pick: Northwestern

9/10: New Mexico State (0-1) @ Minnesota (0-1) (3:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network) 

One of the biggest surprises last weekend was the way Minnesota played against nationally ranked Southern California on the road. 

The Golden Gophers lost by just two points and had to play much of the fourth quarter without their starting quarterback Marquise Gray. 

Whoever Minnesota's starting quarterback is for their home opener should not matter if they can play the same type of defense against New Mexico State as they did a week ago against a much better opponent. 

Pick: Minnesota

9/10: No. 3 Alabama (1-0) @ No. 23 Penn State (1-0) (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC) 

This marquee matchup is the only game this weekend featuring two ranked opponents going head to head. 

Both teams are struggling to figure out who will step up and win the starting quarterback job, but both also have strong running games led by Trent Richardson for Alabama and Silas Redd for Penn State. 

Defense will undoubtedly win this game and Alabama has more talent on that side of the ball than the Nittany Lions. 

This game will not look anything like the whooping Alabama laid on Penn State in Tuscaloosa last season, but the outcome should still be the same. 

Pick: Alabama

9/10: Purdue (1-0) @ Rice (0-1) (3:30 p.m. ET) 

Purdue struggled last weekend against an upstart Middle Tennesse team, but it was mainly because quarterback Caleb TerBush was thrown into the fire after Rob Henry suffered an ACL injury during summer practices and Robert Marve's ACL was not ready for game action. 

The Boilermakers will be in another battle this weekend on the road against Rice, but watch for Purdue to secure a two score lead in the middle of the fourth quarter to seal the game behind the passing attack of TerBush and power running of Rob Bolden. 

Pick: Purdue

9/10: Virginia (1-0) @ Indiana (0-1) (7:00 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network) 

Indiana wide receiver Demarlo Belcher had 100 yards receiving last Saturday and the Hoosiers still could not find a way to beat Ball State. 

On the other hand, Virginia scored four rushing touchdowns and racked up 240 yards on the ground in a 40-3 route of William & Mary. 

The Cavaliers will run all over Indiana, but some big plays by Belcher early on may keep the Hoosiers in the game until the third quarter. 

Pick: Virginia 

9/10: Fresno State (0-1) @ No. 10 Nebraska (1-0) (7:00 p.m. ET) 

Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez had no problem racking up 251 total yards and three touchdowns against Chattanooga, but there is some cause for concern with his passing accuracy. 

Fresno State will provide Martinez to improve on his passing efficiency and have another stellar day against an overmatched opponent. 

Pick: Nebraska

Bonus Game

9/9: No. 21 Missouri (1-0) @ Arizona State (1-0) (10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN] 

Despite not being nationally ranked Arizona State comes into this matchup as the favorite to win. 

Missouri's offense struggled to put up points against Miami (OH) last Saturday and will need to figure out a way to score this weekend if they hope to pull the upset on the road. 

The Tigers will hang tough in the first half, but missing six starters due to injury will eventually take its toll and Arizona State will win this one running away in the second half. 

Pick: Arizona State

   

Bonus Game

9/10: No. 16 Mississippi State (1-0) @ Auburn (1-0) (12:21 p.m. ET on SEC Network) 

Mississippi State's offense could not be stopped last weekend against Memphis and Auburn could not find a way to stop Utah State in a 42-38 upset scare last weekend. 

Both offenses will score a lot of points and Auburn's home-field advantage will take this game down to the final possession, but their efforts will not be rewarded with a victory against an upstart Mississippi State Bulldog program. 

Pick: Mississippi State

  

Game of the Week

9/10: Notre Dame (0-1) @ Michigan (1-0) (8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN) 

The first-ever night game at The Big House looks to have all the makings of a classic heading into the weekend. 

Michigan's defense scored two defensive touchdowns last weekend against Western Michigan and for the first time in three years may actually give some teams trouble this season. 

Notre Dame was forced to bench starting quarterback Dayne Crist after a poor first half against South Florida in their season opener, but Tommy Rees is 4-0 as a starter and will put up some big numbers this Saturday. 

The Wolverines' dual-threat quarterback Denard Robinson will be electrifying and run all over Notre Dame's defense like he did in 2010 and lead Michigan to a victory. 

Pick: Michigan

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!