August 24, 2012
Here is part two of my ultimate road trip for the 2012 college football season. Time to hit all 12 Big Ten stadiums. Enjoy.
8/31 (Fri) - Boise State @ Michigan State -The boys from the blue turf once again challenge themselves in the opener. This will be a true test for Chris Petersen. After losing Kellen Moore, he returns only seven total starters. MSU must replace Kirk Cousins, so this is an excellent opening week game.
9/1 - Alabama vs. Michigan (bonus game) - Okay, so adding this one in would likely require airfare. It is still the best game of week one.
9/8 - Iowa State @ Iowa - The Cyclones won last year’s meeting in 3OT. The state of Iowa will be fired up for this one. What does that mean? No clue. That’s the point. Plus, who doesn’t want to see the Cy-Hawk Trophy awarded?
9/15 - Boston College @ Northwestern - Two small schools. One has had a bit more national success (think Flutie). This will be a even match-up in the Chicago suburbs.
9/22 - Temple @ Penn State - In general, I would recommend a big game atmosphere at Beaver Stadium. However, the games with OSU & Wisconsin conflict with better games. Of the remaining home games, this will be the most special. It is a stadium wide Blue Out to show support for victims of child abuse. Donations will be accepted at the stadium for the PA Coalition Against Rape.
9/29 - Wisconsin @ Nebraska - I considered the Michigan-Nebraska game, but that is a busy day in the Big Ten. Here, the cheeseheads meet the cornheads. The Huskers will be amped up to pay back the two-time defending league champs after losing 48-17 last year in Madison.
10/6 - Michigan @ Purdue - Notre Dame will have a big impact on how important this game is considering they host both teams in September. Purdue returns 15 starters and may be Wisconsin’s biggest threat in the Leaders division (since 1/3 of the division is ineligible). Even if Michigan loses to Bama & ND, this will be a great atmosphere in West Lafayette.
10/13 - Northwestern @ Minnesota - Okay, not the most exciting match-up, but the Gophers home schedule doesn’t leave many good choices (New Hampshire, Western Michigan, Syracuse). This should be a competitive game, and it is Homecoming in Minneapolis.
10/20 - Michigan State @ Michigan - This rivalry has been heating up the last few years. Pretty much since Mike Hart referred to MSU as Michigan’s “little brother.” Sparty has won the last four. This game could decide the Legends division. The Big House should be fired up to try and retake the Paul Bunyan Trophy.
10/27 - Michigan State @ Wisconsin - I’m passing on OSU @ PSU and Nebraska @ Michigan for this game. Why? Just watch for the replay on the Big Ten’s Greatest Games on BTN from their two encounters last year.
11/3 - Iowa @ Indiana - Choices in Bloomington were slim. See games with Indiana State or Ball State or watch OSU, Wisc or MSU crush Indy. This one might be competitive. Hey, maybe John Cougar Mellencamp will perform that weekend.
11/10 - Bonus Week - You can either rest up for the big finish by taking a week off or enjoy one of these games... Penn State @ Nebraska, Wisconsin @ Indiana, Minnesota @ Illinois, Purdue @ Iowa or Northwestern @ Michigan.
11/17 - Purdue @ Illinois - Not the sexiest match-up, but these two teams are pretty even on paper. This game should have some bowl consequences for both sides. You may even be able to catch a hoops game at Assembly Hall this weekend.
11/23 (Fri) - Nebraska @ Iowa (bonus game) - In case you want to spend more time in Columbus for tomorrow’s game, I made this one optional. I would be tempted to hit Iowa City for the Heroes Game (as it is called). Personally, I think it should be played for the Golden Corn Cob. We could call it Farmageddon.
11/24 - Michigan @ Ohio State - This rivalry is getting some juice the last 18 months. Brady Hoke will only call them Ohio. Urban Meyer is in to restore the Buckeyes to glory. Big Blue ended their seven game losing streak to the Bucks last November. For OSU, THIS is their bowl game. Plus, they may have the opportunity to knock Michigan out of the Big Ten Title Game.
As for predictions, the easiest pick in decades is Wisconsin winning the Leaders division. OSU will lose no more than three times. I have been dead on pegging PSU’s bowl game the last four seasons (last year’s pick of Insight Bowl would have been correct if not for the scandal). I think the Lions go 7-5.
In the Legends Division, Nebraska’s schedule is just too difficult to win the division, but they will be an at-large pick to the BCS. I think Michigan edges MSU, but falls to the Badgers in the league title game.
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