Ohio Bobcats (1-0) at Purdue Boilermakers (1-0)
Friday @ 8:00 - West Lafayette, IN - FS1
For all of the Purdue fans lamenting the lack of night games due to the lack of permanent lights, here is your gift for finally installing them...a Friday night game against Ohio. The Boilermakers gave plenty of reason for optimism in a close loss to Lamar Jackson and Louisville, despite their own unsettled quarterback situation. The program certainly doesn't have enough goodwill built up right now to survive turning around and losing to a MAC team at home. Even when that MAC team gave Western Michigan all they could handle in the MAC Championship Game a year ago, and opened their season with a 59-0 steamrolling of Hampton. It's tough to say if the Bobcat defense is great, or Hampton is that bad, but Ohio held them to 108 total yards of offense. Ohio wants to rotate their two backs, Dorian Brown, the team's leading rusher in 2016, and A.J. Ouellette, the 2015 leader. They were unable to do that a year ago when Ouellette was lost for the year to an injury. The Boilermaker defense front looks like it could be their legitimate strength. It took every ounce of Jackson's evasiveness to avoid being sacked a couple times, even after a weak targeting ejection. If they can hold the line with only four, Ohio doesn't have the passing attack to stretch the back. Their best receiver, Papi White, is an undersized slot guy, who wants to work underneath. If the linebackers can stay home, there won't be enough room to operate.
PURDUE 31, OHIO 30
Cincinnati Bearcats (1-0) at #8 Michigan Wolverines (1-0)
NOON - Ann Arbor, MI - ABC
Luke Fickell has pleasant memories of coaching against Michigan, going 13-2 as a Buckeye assistant. But things are going to be a little different this time, as he inherits a bare cupboard in Cincinnati. I think he's going to a good job there. He's always recruited well, particularly in Ohio, and while he's probably not beating out Michigan or Ohio State for 5* kids, he might win some of the 2* and 3* kids from Ohio that have fared pretty well at Michigan State, Kentucky, West Virginia and the like. The Bearcats opened the season with Austin Peay, who entered on a 27 game losing streak, with 25 of those losses being by 2 scores or more, and have been 1-44 since 2013, and Cincinnati needed a touchdown with 5:13 left to finally put them away. Most concerning was how bad the Cincinnati offense looked, with less than 250 yards of offense. They weren't breaking in new starters either. Hayden Moore is entering his third year as the starting quarterback, give or take a Gunner Kiel appearance, and Mike Boone has nearly 2,000 career rushing yards. Fickell knows defense, and knows the Michigan personnel. His defense looked pretty good last week, considering the situations the offense is putting them in. But the Cincinnati offense makes the Florida offense look like a vintage Spurrier fun 'n gun. The only reason Michigan might show anything this week is to try and figure out what they've got right now with Speight, before it's too late. Aside from that, Michigan should maul the awful Bearcat offensive line, and keep the Cincinnati defense on the field way, way too long.
MICHIGAN 41, CINCINNATI 7
Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0) at Iowa State Cyclones (1-0)
Northwestern Wildcats (1-0) at Duke Blue Devils (1-0)
NOON - Durham, NC - ESPNU
Northwestern looked downright miserable last weekend, trailing Nevada, likely one of the 20 worst FBS teams, at home. They capped off an 11 play drive with a 1 yard Thorson run to take the lead, and then added another in the final minute to make the score look a little more respectable than it actually was. The Wildcats outgained the Wolfpack by about 150 yards, ran 25 additional plays, and won TOP by 17 minutes. But they missed a field goal, and the allowed a couple solid returns to set Nevada up. The positive is Clayton Thorson has gone from liability to game manager to threat in his third year under center. I know it's Nevada, but 352 passing yards from him was unthinkable a couple years ago. David Cutcliffe has rarely struggled to put up points, but he may have a defense to go alongside it. The Blue Devils scored a 98.4 on defensive efficiency in Week 1, 2nd only to Mississippi State. Granted it was NC Central, but Duke only surrendered 158 total yards and 8 first downs, scoring a defensive touchdown along the way. Over half of those 158 yards were surrendered on one 81 yard run as well. The game was already 40-0 midway through the 2nd quarter, so I have to imagine that was reserves playing a key chunk of that game. Cutcliffe is rarely left wanting at quarterback, and he's got the big 6'5" sophomore Daniel Jones. Jones put up over 2,800 yards a year ago, eclipsing 300 yards on four occasions. The Wildcats defense will certainly be tested more than it was last week, when they held Nevada to only 43.2% completion percentage, 2nd best in the Big Ten to Michigan State's 32.3%. Northwestern should be a little concerned about running it at only 3.1 per carry last week, but were not dissuaded, sticking to the ground 50 times. Justin Jackson is too established a back to think that will continue if Northwestern stays committed to it, which they clearly seem to be. With 4/5 of the offensive line returning from 2016, there's no reason to expect it to continue.
NORTHWESTERN 34, DUKE 27
Florida Atlantic Owls (0-1) at #9 Wisconsin Badgers (1-0)
NOON - Madison, WI - BTN
After some uncertainty over whether this game would even get played due to concerns over Florida Atlantic's ability to get back home during Hurricane Irma, the teams confirmed today that the game will be played, and Wisconsin will cover the costs of any extended stay. Smart move. No sense in risking it, and it's still probably cheaper for Wisconsin than losing out on the revenue from one home game. I wonder of the conference will assist, with Wisconsin-Lane Kiffin getting top billing over Maryland-FCS in that noon slot. Beyond the Lane Kiffin storyline, and the Hurricane Irma concerns, there's nothing really going on here. Bucky looked sloppy out of the gate last week with turnovers, but I'll chalk that up to first game jitters. Because the defense looked plenty nasty the second half. The Owls run defense did nothing to inspire confidence in giving up over 400 rushing yards to Navy last week. Granted the triple-option is a different animal, but it's usually easier to defend with additional prep time, and Florida Atlantic had the whole offseason. Kendal Briles showed nothing in his first game to make anyone stop questioning why such a morally bankrupt, to the point of criminal, person would be given another opportunity after Baylor. Other than, well, it's Lane Kiffin.
WISCONSIN 54, FLORIDA ATLANTIC 10
Towson Tigers (1-0) at Maryland Terrapins (1-0)
NOON - College Park, MD - BTN
MARYLAND 42, TOWSON 12
Pittsburgh Panthers (1-0) at #4 Penn State Nittany Lions (1-0)
3:30 - State College, PA - ABC
Getting embarrassed in Ann Arbor by Michigan last year hurt. But losing to Pitt is what has really stuck around for a full year, particularly after the coaches got the rivalry amped back up going into last year. It's amazing how much has changed since that game ended a year ago. For Pitt, perhaps Narduzzi was beginning to install the consistency that the program has lacked, seemingly since the days of Marino. For Penn State, perhaps James Franklin's days were numbered, an elite recruiter who wasn't able to translate it to game days. Now, Pitt is mired in the same inconsistencies that haunted Chryst and Graham and Wannstedt and really every Pitt coach. Just when they show you the talent is there, they struggle to put wins together. Penn State finished last year as hot as anyone in the country, and now have their eyes set on a College Football Playoff appearance, unthinkable 365 days ago. Perhaps the most important difference from last year is that Matt Canada was hired away, and Joe Moorhead was not. Canada was the most underrated playcaller in the nation last year, and he had the Nittany Lions defense stymied. Without him, and their entire offensive backfield lost to the NFL (Nathan Peterman and James Conner), and suspensions to arguably their best player on each side of the ball (OL Alex Bookser and DB Jordan Whitehead), Pitt looks to be in trouble. Penn State looked like there might as well have been no offseason, the offense picking up right where it left off to close 2016. The nature of Pitt is that you'd expect them to nearly lose that game last week to Youngstown State and turn around and beat either Penn State or Oklahoma State, before dropping to Virginia or someone like that, but I just don't see it. The game was close last year, and that was in front of a 50-50ish crowd in Heinz Field, not a rowdy Penn State crowd; Penn State hadn't yet found its groove; and Pitt had Canada, Peterman, Conner, Bookser, Whitehead). I'm not sure this will get out of hand ugly, but I don't see any way Pitt keeps it close either.
PENN STATE 35, PITTSBURGH 17
Western Michigan Broncos (0-1) at Michigan State Spartans (1-0)
3:30 - East Lansing, MI - BTN
Maybe don't write that post-Fleck Western Michigan epitaph just yet. No, it's tough to imagine them recruiting at the same level going forward. But this roster is still mostly comprised of a roster he built, where he was recruiting well above any other MAC program. They showed it last week by going west and giving USC all they could handle in the Coliseum. Judging from the Big Ten's struggles in those September west coast games, as well as the Rose Bowl, that shouldn't be quickly dismissed. The question is whether the Broncos have that good of a rushing attack, or USC's run defense is that bad. Western Michigan struggled badly in the passing game, and yet still, with a one dimensional offense, put up 250 yards on the ground, at 5.5 ypc. That appears to be the strength of the Michigan State defense, if you can judge much off one game...against Bowling Green. Granted, that is a Falcon team that finished last year on a three game winning streak, wanting to run the ball, averaging over 300 ypg on the ground in those 3 wins. They had 67 yards on 2.8 ypc against Michigan State. The Spartans played a lot of press coverage against Bowling Green. Probably more than I've seen them play since 2014. The front didn't collect sacks, but they got quarterback pressure at a good clip. The corners did a good job largely, but the deep ball, particularly in slots matched up against safeties, was wide open all day. That was a frequent complaint in the early Dantonio days, and it seems like he's going back to his bread and butter, and live or die by it. Bowling Green couldn't take advantage of those, either because of the constant pressure, or because their quarterback was missing his throws. I think Western does enough to pull the Spartans out of their comfort zone a little more, but I also think the Michigan State run game looks better one week in, after playing four freshman substantially on the line in Week 1. This one looks like a coin flip to me.
MICHIGAN STATE 31, WESTERN MICHIGAN 30
Eastern Michigan Eagles (1-0) at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (0-1)
3:30 - Piscataway, NJ - BTN
So is Rutgers on the right track? Maybe. I guess they looked something better than awful. Their offense still looked bad, and Washington did everything to avoid kicking the ball to Janarion Grant. The Scarlet Knights went 59 yards for a score on their opening drive, then only went 30 yards or more once on their next 8 drives until Washington let up, up 27-7. That includes 3 three and outs, and 3 drives with just one first down. Now defensively, that impressed me. They held Washington to only two offensive touchdowns, and shut down the Huskies run game. Eastern Michigan played a bit of defense as well, against what I thought would be an improving Charlotte team. The Eagles finally broke their bowl drought last year, and look like they want to make it two in a row. They scored a defensive touchdown, and shut the 49ers out over the final 52 game minutes. Eastern Michigan has plenty of offensive weapons, and they like to spread the wealth. Shaq Vann was their leading rusher in Week 1, but they gave Ian Erikson the goal line carries, and he responded with a pair of scores. Senior quarterback Brogan Roback, who could be a late NFL Draft pick, completed 71% of his passes, finding nine different targets, including seven players with multiple receptions, and only one with more than 3. They will spread the field against Rutgers, and the veteran won't hesitate to wait for his second, third and fourth options. That means the Scarlet Knight line needs to be up to the task again, if they don't pressure Roback, he will eat them up.
EASTERN MICHIGAN 21, RUTGERS 20
Indiana Hoosiers (0-1, 0-1) at Virginia Cavaliers (1-0)
Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0) at Oregon Ducks (1-0)
4:30 - Eugene, OR - FOX
Everyoen is all excited again that Oregon's offense is humming at full speed. Let's pump the brakes a minute on that, before we get too excited about a win over Southern Utah. We get to see how they do against a real defensse this week as the Blackshirts roll in...oh, wait, what?...they gave up HOW many to Arkansas State? Alright, Oregon is going to get their points this weekend. But there's no reason to think Nebraska won't too. The Ducks didn't exactly put the clamps down defensively, allowing nearly 300 yards through the air. The teams combined for over 900 yards in their matchup a year ago, and I expect they'll blow well past 1,000 this year. After all of the preseason buzz for Tanner Lee, the opener was the Tre Bryant show. He nearly hit the 200 yard mark, but more impressive is the workhorse mentality of the 5'11" 200 (cough, cough, yeah, right) back, who had 31 carries to lead the Big Ten in both carries and yards in Week 1. He dinged his knee and was held out of Monday's practice, but there's no reason to be concerned he can't go this week. If he can't, it could get ugly. Both teams are going to hit their splash plays, and both are rarely going to be punting. The keys are identical from both teams, in a game where defense isn't going to win it. Force the opponent to sustain drives, win the turnover battle, finish drives in the end zone, not with 3. This is one of those where drives that end with 3 are going to feel empty.
OREGON 45, NEBRASKA 42
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (1-0) at Illinois Fighting Illini (1-0)
8:00 - Champaign, IL - BTN
It didn't take long for Lovie's seat to warm right back up. In what was certainly the easiest game on their schedule, the Illini needed a late touchdown and a game ending field goal block to hold off Ball State at home. Illinois certainly had questions, but Chaynce Crouch was supposed to be a dual threat and Malik Turner lining up across from Mike Dudek, who missed all of 2016, was supposed to be a dynamic pair of wideouts. Instead, the offense was incredibly pedestrian. The run game was completely bottled up, including Crouch, who had 2 rushing yards, and Ball State outgained Illinois (who had only 216 yards of total offense) by over 150 yards. Jeff Brohm may have left for Purdue, who Illinois faces later in the year, but the team he left behind is better than the one he inherited. Mike White is out to prove he is NFL Draft worthy this year, and showed it in Week 1. He's got a pair of running backs they like to rotate and use equally, the opposite of what Illinois saw last week. But, the offense certainly didn't look the same as it did the last few seasons. Brohm was the offensive coordinator in 2013, and has been the head coach for the past three seasons. So even though it's the same personnel, maybe it's not the same offense. With Illinois' defense looking as dismal as it did in Week 1 though, the Hilltoppers probably won't have to light up the scoreboard.
WESTERN KENTUCKY 28, ILLINOIS 17
Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-0) at Oregon State Beavers (1-1)
10:00 - Corvallis, OR - FS1
Minnesota couldn't topple Gary Andersen while he coached the Axe game against them, but he's not working with the same pieces in Corvallis. The way 2017 is heading, I'm not sure he'll get a 2018. His defense is in total disarray, and it appears a lack of depth may be the issue. The Beavers gave up 58 in a season opening blowout loss to Colorado State. The same Colorado State team that was only able to muster 7 points last week in a lackluster loss to Colorado. They followed that up by giving up 32 to Portland State in a game they trailed until a minute to play, and were substantially outgained. Oregon State has outscored its opponents 34-30 in the first half, but is getting beat 60-28 in the second half. Minnesota wants to run the ball anyway, so telling them to stick with it, be patient, and wear Oregon State out, is unnecessary. The Gophers ran the ball 51 times against Buffalo, most in the Big Ten. Granted at only a 3.3 ypc pace (9th best) they have work to do. They do need to mix in some play action. Oregon State is surrendering 8.3 ypa through the air, worst in the Pac 12. Michigan State academic casualty Craig Evans was supposed to help bolster a pass rush, but he hasn't yet gotten himself eligible to be on the field. The result is an Oregon State team that through two games has yet to record a sack. Going cross country to these Pac 12 road games has always been a nightmare for Big Ten teams, and I'd be shocked if Minnesota puts Oregon State away impressively, particularly considering Minnesota's own lackluster opening performance. But that was Game 1, with a new coach. Oregon State is now on Game 3 of Season 3 with their guy, and they don't even look close, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, which was supposed to be Andersen's calling card, working his entire FBS career on that side of the ball.
MINNESOTA 26, OREGON STATE 24
*****BIG TEN GAME OF THE WEEK*****
#5 Oklahoma Sooners (1-0) at #2 Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0, 1-0)
