Predicting The Big 10 Week 1

Aug 31, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer claps before the game against the Buffalo Bulls at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

There are 7 out of 9 Big 10 teams hosting games today. Only Purdue and Northwestern are on the road. Here is a quick preview of all nine games on Saturday, as well as the results from the 3 Conference games played earlier in the week.

Results:

Michigan State 26, Western Michigan 13

Indiana 73, Indiana State 35

Minnesota 51, UNLV 23

PREDICTIONS:

Buffalo at 2. Ohio State: Don’t be surprised if Ohio State hasn’t scored more than 10 points by the end of the first quarter. Buffalo has a solid offense who may be able to hold onto the ball for a little bit. With that said, Ohio State will turn on the pressure.

Score Prediction: Ohio State 52, Buffalo 10.

UMASS at 23. Wisconsin: In my opinion Wisconsin made the best hire of the offseason. Gary Anderson is the only coach in school history to get Utah State into the top 25. Anderson took the Aggies to an 11-2 record, and almost upset Wisconsin in week 3 last year.

Score Prediction: Wisconsin 48, UMASS 21.

Southern Illinois at Illinois: Illinois could have a 2nd year as the worst team in the Big 10. Good news for Illinois is FCS member Southern Illinois is even worse.

Score Prediction: Illinois 24, Southern Illinois 10.

Central Michigan at. 17. Michigan: Michigan turns over the program to junior quarterback Devon Gardner. Gardner is a dark horse for the Heisman Trophy, and is big time play maker. Central Michigan won their last 3 games to become bowl eligible last season. The Chippewas are coming off a 4 game win streak, but Michigan is going to be to much to handle.

Score Prediction: Michigan 56, Central Michigan 10.

Syracuse at Penn State: The Orange are breaking in first year head coach. They were also the only team to beat Louisville a year ago. They have the ability to pull off big wins. Syracuse is favored by 3 points. Don’t be surprised if Penn State pulls out this win. Head Coach Bill O’Brien has this team very focused.

Score Prediction: Penn State 24, Syracuse 21.

Northern Illinois at Iowa: Northern Illinois made a BCS bow last season, and finished 11-1 in the regular season. There only regular season loss was to Iowa a game they should have won. I believe Norther Illinois got better in the offseason, and return Senior Jordan Lynch is a good candidate for Offensive Player of the Year in the MAC. Iowa, needs to run Mark Weisman early and often. They have some stability at running back now. I think Iowa’s ground game will improve this year. I just don’t think it will be enough today.

Score Prediction: Northern Illinois 31, Iowa 17.

Wyoming at. 18. Nebraska: Wyoming wins big……..OK, probably not. I do think we will learn a lot about Nebraska’s plan for the defensive line in this game. The coaching staff will keep it very vanilla if the game isn’t close, and don’t be surprised if it’s close at half time. Nebraska’s offense will be to much in the second half and Nebraska should pull away, but Wyoming is going to score some points. Cowboy’s quarterback Brett Smith is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country. Don’t be surprised if sophomore running back D.J. May gets more carries than usual. Wyoming is going to try and run the ball at Nebraska’s young defensive line.

Score Prediction: Nebraska 45, Wyoming 17.

22. Northwestern at California: Northwestern is one of two schools to be on the road today. Sony Dikes was one of the best offseason hires in the country. He is a prodigy of Mike Leach, and lead Louisiana Tech to a 17-8 record over two years. Cal could pull off a shocker here today. Northwestern is not use to handling preseason expectations. If they read to much into their hype. it could be a rough start to the season. With that being said I think Venrick Mark is a superstar, and if he has a big game Northwestern will win this game.

Score Prediction: California 27, Northwestern 24.

Purdue at Cincinnati: Purdue is also breaking in a first year head coach in Darryl Hazzel. Hazzel is a Jim Tressel product. He led Kent State to an 11-3 season a year ago. Cincinnati welcomes a first year head coach as well in Tommy Tuberville. Tuberville decided to leave Texas Tech after 2 seasons, and coach the Bearcats. I think Prudue will be a solid team after Hazzel gets a few games under his belt. Cincinnati is just too talented right now.

Score Prediction: Cincinnati 34, Purdue 17.

By Jimmie Allen

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