This one is special because today kicks off the 2010 season and 3 Big Ten teams are in action on a Thursday. Yes, a Thursday! What's next 12 teams and a championship game? :)
I will look into a number of factors in my prediction, including the college football spread, home or away, injuries, tradition, and team strengths & weakness.
So with out further adieu, let's get on with the show:
Games Tonight:
Marshall at Ohio State: The #2 team in the nation is opening up it's 2010 campaign on a Thursday and they end up on the Big Ten Network? That seems a bit odd. Anyway, Marshall will give Ohio State fits with the play of future NFL WR Randy Moss. Ok, Randy isn't there but new head coach Doc Holliday is. Doc should be either shooting up the wild west or starting for the Phillies. Either way nobody is giving Thundering Herd much chance in C-Bus as a 28 point underdog. I don't see the Buckeyes having much trouble with Doc Holliday's crew but will stay under 28 points. OSU 31 Marshall 14
Minnesota at Middle Tennessee State: Sorry, I must have put the "at" in the wrong place. Big Ten teams don't play at schools like MTSU. Well, I double checked and yes the Golden Gophers are on the road this week and travel to Middle Tennessee. Should be an easy win, Right? Nope. MTSU was 10-3 and 7-1 in conference last year. This game is going to give the Gophers all they can handle and mostly on the road. The line has Minnesota favored by 1.5. I agree. Minn 21 MTSU 17
Towson at Indiana: This game sounds more like a new condo development (please don't ask RR to invest!) in Bloomington or a new shopping center then it does a football game. IU is favored by another 28 points in this opening game. Michigan fans saw that IU can play some football last year. I think they invest big in a new condo: IU 41 Towson 7
Saturday:
Western Michigan at Michigan State: Everyone knows that MSU struggles against in-state MAC teams but that doesn't come until week two and usually against teams that are more middle or central to the state. WMU doesn't have much this year and are a 23.5 point dog to the Spartans. I don't see this game as a blow out but Sparty won't struggle either. MSU 24 WMU 10
Missouri vs Illinois in St. Louis: Mizzou is a 12 point favorite and I think Illinois is a one of the worst teams in the Big Ten this year. Mizzou is still mad about not getting and invite to dine with the Big Ten after they were dressed for dinner. They are going to take it out on poor Zook and team: Missouri 28 Ill. 3
Youngstown State at Penn State: To bad this isn't a Tressel vs JoPa match up. Its not and with Penn State's defense they will be able to hide any ugliness that comes out of the offense with true freshman QB Robert Bolden (from Michigan) starting. The running game is also a good cure for lack of experience at QB and look for Evan Royster to get a ton of touches. PSU is favored by 38 which seems very high for a new offense: JoPA 21 YS 3
Eastern Illinois at Iowa: Iowa probably should have got beat by Northern Iowa last year but didn't. I expect the coaches have been in their players ears for a month now saying the same thing. Iowa is favored by 40. Goodness! Iowa 38 EIll 10
Wisconsin at UNLV: This is going to be a tough game for Wisconsin having to travel to Vegas. I'm sure the fans love it, but it will be difficult for the Badgers early in this one. I expect a close game but Wisconsin's power game will wear down UNLV in the second half. Wisconsin is a 20.5 favorite in this one. It will be much closer: Wisc 24 UNLV 17
Purdue at ND: Both of these teams are mysteries to me. ND is starting a new era under Brian Kelly and Purdue has a new star QB Robert Marve from Miami. It seems everyone is coming off an ACL and how both these teams play is still in question. This is a great scouting game for the Wolverines who play ND next week and Purdue later in the season. ND is an 11 point favorite. ND 27 Purdue 24
Northwestern at Vandy: I think NW has a big upside this year and it starts with somewhat of a difficult trip down to Vanderbilt. Didn't Vandy just change it's head coach like a few weeks ago? NW is favored by 4.5 points. I agree this will be a close game. NW 17 Vandy 14
Strange Stat of the Week: 5 Big Ten teams open on the road (that includes Illinois trip to St. Louis).
Of course, I will preview the Michigan - UConn game on Friday