The Big Ten kicked off their football season last night with two games, and both the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Indiana Hoosiers are 1-0 after beating Oregon State and FIU, respectively. Michigan State continues the fun tonight, while the other 11 teams get their seasons started on Saturday. Here's how we predict all of those games will go:
Michigan State Spartans vs. Furman Paladins
Fri, Sept. 2 - 7:00 pm ET, BTN
Prediction: Michigan State Spartans
A nice Friday night game to open the season against a FCS team. Easy win for the Spartans as they break in their new starters at multiple positions.
#7 Michigan Wolverines vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Sat, Sept. 3 - 12:00 pm ET, ESPN
Prediction: Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines come into the season with national championship aspirations, while many think Hawaii will just be lucky to win a game or two this season. Michigan is a 40+ point favorite for a reason.
#6 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Bowling Green Falcons
Sat, Sept. 3 - 12:00 pm ET, BTN
Prediction: Ohio State Buckeyes
Bowling Green isn't exactly a pushover, but they are clearly the inferior team. The Buckeyes shouldn't have too hard of a time - especially in The Horseshoe.
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Sat, Sept. 3 - 12:00 pm ET, ESPNNews
Prediction: Purdue Boilermakers
Neither of these teams are all that good, and with so much unknown going into the new season, this one will be a toss up. Because of that, I give the narrow edge to Purdue playing at home.
Northwestern Wildcats vs. Western Michigan Broncos
Sat, Sept. 3 - 12:00 pm ET, ESPNU
Prediction: Northwestern Wildcats
If you're looking for an upset alert, this is your game. Western Michigan, led by head coach P.J. Fleck, is one of the better Group of 5 teams in the country, and have a first-round NFL talent at wideout in Corey Davis. However, Northwestern is returning seven starters on offense - including star running back Justin Jackson. They'll pull out a very close victory.
Maryland Terrapins vs. Howard Bison
Sat, Sept. 3 - 12:00 pm ET, BTN
Prediction: Maryland Terrapins
The Terps are starting a big rebuilding project under new head coach D.J. Durkin, and they should struggle this season as a result. The good news is they'll start the year with an easy win over a FCS team.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at #14 Washington Huskies
Sat, Sept. 3 - 2:00 pm ET, PACN
Prediction: Washington Huskies
One of two Big Ten teams to face a ranked opponent in their season opener, the Chris Ash era at Rutgers is set to get off to a rough start. Washington sports one of the best defenses in the country, and they will lead the Huskies to a blowout win over the vastly overmatched Scarlet Knights.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. #5 LSU Tigers
Sat, Sept. 3 - 3:30 pm ET, ABC
Prediction: LSU Tigers
This is easily the Big Ten's biggest game of the weekend. LSU's new defensive coordinator, Dave Aranda, was with the Badgers last season. This is the site of College Gameday, and it'll be fun to watch Leonard Fournette go up against the Wisconsin defense. This game is being played at Lambeau Field.
Expect Fournette's Heisman campaign to get off to a huge start in this one. Yes, Wisconsin as a quality defense and LSU doesn't really have a passing attack, but the Badgers' offense isn't any good, either. In a old-school, hard fought game like this, a player with Fournette's talent will be the difference as the Tigers win by two touchdowns.
Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Kent State Golden Flashes
Sat, Sept. 3 - 3:30 pm ET, BTN
Prediction: Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State has a definite talent advantage over Kent State, so even if they don't play their best, they should win comfortably.
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Murray State Racers
Sat, Sept. 3 - 3:30 pm ET, BTN
Prediction: Illinois Fighting Illini
The hiring of head coach Lovie Smith has generated a lot of excitement around the Illinois program, but they will still struggle this year. Getting them off to an easy win over a FCS team will at least make them feel good before the start of conference play.
#17 Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Miami (OH) Redhawks
Sat, Sept. 3 - 3:30 pm ET, ABC
Prediction: Iowa Hawkeyes
Miami has won five total games in the past three seasons combined. Iowa will win this one in a blowout.
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Fresno State Bulldogs
Sat, Sept. 3 - 8:00 pm ET, BTN
Prediction: Nebraska Cornhuskers
Fresno State is supposed to be a fairly good team in the Mountain West this year, but the Huskers do have a distinct talent advantage. Nebraska is also at home, and with them chomping at the bit to put last season's disappointment behind them, they should win this one easily.
Back to the Big Ten Newsfeed