Big Ten Football Week 2 Breakdown
The Big Ten closed a very exciting weekend with only Indiana (who was on upset alert in the Week 1 breakdown) and Minnesota losing. The Gophers played a tightly contested football game against a USC team that many thought, myself included, would blow them out. We learned a little about every team last week, and this week is even more exciting with even more to learn!
Lock of the Week: Fresno State at Nebraska
The Cornhuskers opened up their Big Ten season by throttling Chattanooga 40-7. Their attack was lead by dual threat quarterback Taylor Martinez, who had 19 carries for 135 yards and three scores. He also tacked on an additional 116 yards through the air on 11 completions. The new look for the Nebraska offense will roll all over Fresno State again this week. Look for much of the same result, with Taylor Martinez being the catalyst of the offense and the defense playing soundly, resulting in another lopsided win for Nebraska.
Nebraska 37 Fresno State 10
Offensive Explosion: Oregon State at Wisconsin
The Badgers showed their entire offense as all of college football looked on in the Thursday night ESPN opener. They racked up a whooping 499 total yards, which lead to an outburst of 51 points. Russell Wilson stole the show, playing an almost flawless football game. He completed 10 of his 13 passing attempts, totaling 255 yards and tacking on two scores. He tucked the ball and scrambled twice, resulting in another 62 yards and a score. This Wisconsin team is used to putting up points in bunches, averaging just over 41 points a game a year ago. This year they are looking to improve on that number. It is about time Wisconsin gets some respect and people start talking about them as one of the best offenses in the entire nation. Oregon State also has some good athletes, and if the Badgers defense plays like it did against UNLV, this game could be an early shootout before Wisconsin takes control. Containing running back Malcolm Agnew, who had 223 yards and three scores a week ago, could be a problem for the Badgers. Again look for Wilson to build on his Heisman Trophy campaign hype and expect an onslaught of points as the Badgers cruise to victory. Keep an eye on the Badgers two headed monster of a rushing attack, Montee Ball and James White, as both players look to continue their strong starts. Don’t be surprised if they each have a pair of touchdowns.
Badgers 49 Oregon State 21
Upset Alert! Notre Dame at Michigan
For the second straight week Notre Dame finds themselves on upset alert. Last week they lost to South Florida, and now they travel to the Big House to play Denard Robinson and the Michigan Wolverines. This is a big challenge for both schools as they rekindle a great series. Most college fans probably remember last year’s contest that saw the Wolverines win in a high scoring thriller, featuring Denard Robinson running wild. The Wolverines are coming off a decisive 34-10 victory over Western Michigan that ended with no fourth quarter being played and look to keep their momentum going. The star for the Wolverines on offense was running back Fitzgerald Toussaint, who had two scores and tallied 80 yards. Again look for a balanced attack from the Wolverines as they attempt to defend their home turf and send Notre Dame packing after their second straight loss to open the year. This game will not be easy though. Notre Dame will come out fighting for all they are worth, as a 0-2 start would send the program reeling.
Game of the Week! Alabama at Penn State
This should be no surprise here. This game pits two historic programs with both over 800 wins a piece, as well as two premier, well-known coaches, both with two national championships. Nick Saban will lead his Crimson Tide into Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions home. To add to the intrigue and mystic of this game, both teams have quarterback issues they are still starting to sort out. This clash of two football titans will be a great battle for both teams. However Alabama just has too much talent to lose this contest, even on the road. Trent Richardson is a beast and he will prove too much to contain for the Nittany Lions. Watch for a defensive struggle, with both teams relying heavily on their running game to help out whichever quarterback is on the field, whether that be A.J. McCarron or Phillip Sims for Alabama, or either Rob Bolden or Matt McGloin for Penn State. Therefore look for both Silas Redd and Trent Richardson to get tons of carries behind the massive and talented offensive lines of both squads. I give Alabama the edge behind a more proven back and a better defense.
Alabama 27 Penn State 17
Best of the Rest:
Toledo at Ohio State:
This game showcases two teams that are fresh off of victories. Ohio State blanked Akron 42-0 to seal Luke Fickell’s first coaching win. Meanwhile Toledo bested New Hampshire 58-22. Toledo had an outpouring of offensive stats, but facing a far more talented team such as Ohio State will likely put an end to that. Toledo, like Ohio State, spent the first week beating on an opponent who was not even in the same class as them. Again Ohio State is looking to show that Toledo is not in their class either, and rout them as well. Fickell looks for a perfect 2-0 mark to start the year. Look out for QB Joe Bauserman to have another big game. He was an efficient 12 of 16 through the air. He accumulated 162 yards with this arm and an additional 32 with his legs. He pulled an Abe Lincoln, tacking on four scores. Three of them were through the air, and one was on the ground. Ohio State displayed a talented two-headed rushing attack last week that saw Carlos Hyde carrying the ball 19 times tallying 93 yards and Rob Smith had 18 carries for 74 yards and added a score. Expect much of the same this week as Ohio State will roll over Toledo.
Ohio State 38 Toledo 10
South Dakota State at Illinois
Both South Dakota State and Illinois are 1-0 so something has to give on this game. Illinois is the superior team in the matchup though, and watch for them to dominate early and often. QB Nathan Scheelhaase had a big game, throwing for two scores and completing 16 of his 23 passing attempts. He will put up similar stats again this week, but look for him to do a little bit more damage with his legs in this contest. Running back Jason Ford had a tremendous start to his senior year, carrying the ball 22 times, resulting in 86 yards and two scores. Illinois showcased a dangerous combination of wideouts, with both senior A.J. Jenkins and sophomore Darius Millines gaining over 100 yards and a score each. Illinois will likely go with a similar game plan, dominating through the air but balancing it out with a good rushing attack. Illinois will win this game handily.
Illinois 42 South Dakota State 13
Eastern Illinois at Northwestern
This is another game that pits two teams that are enjoying a 1-0 start. Northwestern was able to beat Boson College despite Heisman Trophy candidate QB Dan Persa not being able to start. If he makes the start Saturday it will mark his first start since the injury. If not, the Wildcats will turn to Kain Colter once again. This is Northwestern’s first home game and I expect they will start the year with a strong win at home, with or without Persa. Northwestern will run wild on Eastern Illinois. Watch the tandem of sophomores, Adonis Smith and Mike Trumpy to have big games again this week.
Northwestern 31 Eastern Illinois 10
Virginia at Indiana
The Hoosiers fell at home last week to Ball State and are now seeking revenge against the Cavaliers. Indiana may be at home but they are still breaking in their new quarterback, sophomore Edward Wright-Baker, who played a good football game, throwing one score and no interceptions against Ball State last week. He will only get better; however the Hoosiers defense is an area of concern. Virginia will prevail in this contest. Pay attention to freshman Kevin Parks who had an impressive game last week, crossing the end zone three times notching 114 yards on just 16 attempts, and tacking on two catches for 14 more yards. He could run wild on the Hoosiers again this week.
Virginia 31 Indiana 24
Florida Atlantic at Michigan State
The Spartans struggled early against Youngstown State at home last week, but won the game handily, 28-6. Quarterback Kirk Cousins played an efficient and effective game, as usual, tossing one touchdown, zero picks, and completing 18 of his 22 passing attempts. His favorite target was senior B.J. Cunningham who reeled in nine balls for 130 yards and the only score through the air. Watch for that trend to continue. Expect Michigan State to dominate this game and try to get off to a fast start. Cousins will have another solid performance as well as running back Edwin Baker.
Michigan State 31 Florida Atlantic 10
Iowa at Iowa State
This state rivalry is a great one. Both teams got off to a good start winning their first games and put their undefeated records on the line. Iowa handled Tennessee Tech at home, with an impressive 34-7 win. Iowa State snatched a victory out the jaws of defeat last week with a 20-19 victory of Northern Illinois. This week will be a different story against a much more talented Iowa team. The Hawkeyes will dominate this game, starting with winning the war in the trenches. Iowa will likely come out with a balanced attack much like last week, so look out for running back Marcus Coker to have a more productive game than last week. Quarterback James Vandenberg completed 13 passes on his 21 drop backs, which netted 219 yards and two scores. He also tacked on a rushing score. He should have another big game against Iowa State. His favorite target last week was clearly senior Marvin McNutt who caught six passes totaling 140 yards. He was only on the receiving end of both scores. That trio of players will carry the Hawkeyes to another win this Saturday as they look to silence the crowd in Ames.
Iowa 31 Iowa State 10
New Mexico State at Minnesota
The Golden Gophers fought hard against USC and almost came up with a victory, falling 19-17 on the road. This week they are in the friendly confines on their home stadium and taking on a far less talented team. Minnesota is itching for their first victory, and newly hired Head Coach Jerry Kill cannot wait to earn his. This will be the week. Neither freshman quarterback Max Shortell nor junior Marquesis Gray were impressive last week, so that quarterback battle will continue. Minnesota pounded the football last week with 34 rushing attempts. That should be the same story this week, especially against a team they can likely handle up front. Expect a big outburst from senior running back Duane Bennett to carry the Gophers to victory.
Minnesota 31 New Mexico State 10
Purdue at Rice
Purdue struggled last week, but managed to escape with a 27-24 win over Middle Tennessee. This week will be another game that Purdue should win, but this time they are on the road. On the bright side, junior Ralph Bolden bounced back in a big way collecting 120 yards on 17 carries. If he can stay healthy and keep up that production, he adds a new dimension to the Boilermakers offense that could give team fits. Purdue will come out this week looking to shake off the ugly victory and get an impressive win over Rice.
Purdue 34 Rice 10
Lock of the Week Record: 1-0
Game of the Week Record 1-0
