It is week 1 of the college football season, and I cannot be more excited right now. For those of us in the Michigan area, we have the final Lion's preseason game on Thursday, Detroit Tigers taking on the nasty Sox this weekend (hopefully with a chance to rightfully take back 1st place in the division), Little Brother taking on Trick Play U Friday night, and finally Meechigan taking on the Bama dynasty. What's not to like people?
My plan for the season is to go through each game of the B1G schedule and give a quick prediction, possibly with a marquee game each week getting a little special attention, and of course there will be an in-depth preview of each Michigan game.
Going in order of game time.
Minnesota @ UNLV 11:00 8/30: I have to be honest, I do not know much about the current Runnin' Rebels roster, I know they struggled last season and I don't see any reason why they wouldn't again in 2012. I do however think the Golden Gophers are going to be much improved this season, possibly with a chance of making a bowl game. Minnesota escapes with a close, higher scoring win.
Boise St @ MSU 8:00 8/31: As you can probably figure out, the bolded game means this week's marquee battle (outside of the ole Maize n Blue). This scheduling is win-win for MSU, they welcome a Bronco's team fresh off losing the winningest college QB ever. So Boise St is still a known name, but they have so many question marks that the Broncos have little hope of winning this game. Both teams will be replacing their record setting signal callers, but MSU has more weapons to ease Andrew Maxwell into the role. I expect Sparty to blitz, and blitz often. This will likely cause 2+ turnovers from the smurf turfers. Unless the Bronco defense can force a few of their own, I just don't see this game being that close at the end. The Spartans are too strong to lose this opener.
Northwestern @ Syracuse 12:00 9/1: Northwestern breaks in a new quarterback against the Orange. I think the Purple People Eaters have too much talent on their roster to drop this game, even on the road.
Ohio @ Penn St 12:00 9/1: I don't know if a coach, a team, a university, or a state has ever wanted the season to start as much as Penn St does now. Bill O'Brien wants the focus of his work to be on football, like he intended when he was hired. It has been a long off season. Penn St is still littered with talent, but it will be interesting to see how they come out and play on Saturday. I expect a lot of emotion and possibly a few forced mistakes from the Nittany Lions, but in the end Penn St nation can cheer about something again.
Western Michigan @ Illinois 12:00 9/1: Western almost tripped the Illini up last year, but I am doubtful they can repeat themselves again. Western loses a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball, and even though Illinois has a lot of question marks of their own I think they give Coac Beckman his first win in the Blue and Orange.
Miami (OH) @ Ohio 12:00 9/1: Urban Meyer's reign officially begins with yet another non-conference cupcake. The Bucknuts might struggle offensively to begin the game, but will figure things out by the end in this route of the inferior MAC team.
Iowa vs Northern Illinois 3:30 9/1: Iowa gets to play in Soldier Field for this one, and maybe they can borrow a Bears running back since they are down to 2 scholarship players (one started as a receiver). I think James Vandenberg starts his big year with style against NIU.
Eastern Kentucky @ Purdue 3:30 9/1: Really, Eastern Kentucky? The Hilltoppers? The mainstay on ESPN's bottom 10? Enough said about that.
Southern Mississippi @ Nebraska 3:30 9/1: Big Red looks to start their season off on the right foot against the reigning Conference USA champions. The Golden Eagles were amongst the nation's best at stopping the run last season, but they lost their head coach and many starters. Of course, Nebraska wants to line up and pound the ball on the ground all afternoon. I think this one could be exciting to watch for the first half, but then the big uglies up front will just wear down USM's dline. Another thing to look for here is if Taylor Martinez is still a contender to be an Olympian shot-putter or if he actually morphed into a real QB. My bet is shot put is in his future.
Northern Iowa @ Wisconsin 3:30 9/1: Welp, another season means another 4 meaningless games for the Badgers. I know they struggle finding decent teams to play in the non conference month, but come on schedule a neutral site game against someone that has at least smelled the top 25 in the last 5 years. Will Monte Ball score 6 or 7 TDs?
Indiana State @ Indiana 8:00 9/1: The battle of the Hoosier state, but folks this isnt basketball which means this isnt worth watching. Indiana is primed to have a big 2 win season this year, and it starts Saturday night.
Michigan vs Alabama 8:00 9/1: In-depth preview later this week, so check back in.
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