I don't think the conference can look as bad as it did last week, especially in Week 3 also known as Cupcake City. Most B1G teams will use weeks 3 and 4 as tune ups for the conference schedule. While there are some marquee games this week, the majority will be close to unwatchable after kickoff. As always the game of the week will be bolded.
Western Michigan @ Minnesota 12:00pm
Minnesota has impressed me so far this season. They will not be contending for the Legend's Division title, but I think the Gophers can get back to a bowl game this season. Western's QB Alex Carder will test the Minnesota secondary, but MarQueis Gray should have another big game against this defense. I think he continues to make just enough plays to get the Golden Gophers to 3-0.
Arkansas St @ Nebraska 12:00pm
Ex-Auburn offensive genius Gus Malzahn (helped out by Cam Newton) has relocated to the football power of Arkansas St and has brought his up-tempo system with him. Nebraska's horrible defensive unit will likely again struggle to completely shut down this attack, but it will be a good turnaround game from the embarrassment in Pasadena last week. Arkansas St has one of the worst defenses in all of college football, so look for Taylor Martinez to win Big Ten offensive player of the week because you know Pelini will not call off the dogs in this one.
California @ Ohio State 12:00pm
California is likely worse than Central Florida, but they do have one of the best receivers in college football. The problem is any of their quarterbacks will struggle to throw to him. We will see if Urban Meyer reduces Miller's rushing attempts after a crazy 27 last week. He has to realize this will not last through the B1G season. Will freshman Bri'onte Dunn step up and have a big week? This game will be more about getting the a 2nd playmaker on offense than an actual test for the Bucknuts because I just don't think Cal is any good this year. If Meyer wants to get some good experience for a few running backs, this score could be closer than if Miller goes off for 25+ runs again.
Charleston Southern @ Illinois 12:00pm
Illinois returns home after a rough trip to the desert. Nathan Scheelhaase keeps saying he is going to play in this one which makes no sense to me. A Nick Sheridan led team could hang half a century in this one. You have too much time on your hands if you watch this one.
Eastern Michigan @ Purdue 12:00pm
It doesn't look like the Eagles are any good this season, just as I thought Ron English was building a decent program in Ypsilanti. Purdue is coming off a tough loss at Notre Dame and losing one of their quarterbacks. It might take Caleb TerBush a while to get going, but Eastern should present little resistance on defense. Purdue running back Akeen Shavers should have a big game, along with the Boilermaker defensive line.
Boston College @ Northwestern 3:30pm
Northwestern is coming off of two completely different styles of games with both resulting in backup QB Trevor Siemian leading 4thn quarter comebacks. If both the Wildcat offense and defense show up in this game, the final won't be close. Somehow I doubt Northwestern puts together a complete game in this one. Boston College will likely hang around for the first half, but the Wildcats have too much offensive firepower to lose this one.
Navy @ Penn State 3:30pm
Somehow Penn State is on ABC for the 2nd straight week, and I am really hoping us in the Ann Arbor area get a different game during this time slot. The Nittany Lions are bad, and they aren't even a fun bad team to watch. It looks like 3 yards and a cloud of dust without any talent. Navy looked even worse against Notre Dame to open the season. This will be a battle to get the first win in Happy Valley. As bad as Navy looked, Penn State will likely have enough mistakes to keep this game close. I still don't know if the Nittany Lions can score more than 17 in this one, but 17 might be enough for the victory.
Northern Iowa @ Iowa 3:30pm
I have gone with Hawkeyes in each of the first two weeks by basically saying the same thing: James Vandenberg will make enough throws to get the win. It doesn't look like he is going to make enough throws this season, and seems to really be struggling with the new offensive coordinator and without a star receiver. It will be a struggle for Iowa to get their 2nd offensive touchdown of the year, and after Northern Iowa almost won at Wisconsin I think they will come into Iowa with more confidence. I doubt the Hawkeyes get anything going offensively again, and Northern Iowa makes enough plays to escape with a close upset.
Ball State @ Indiana 8:00pm
Indiana has already won 2 games this year, and I would favor them to win this one if Tre Robinson wasn't out for the year. Will the new quarterback be able to find any rhythm against the Hoosiers toughest test so far? I think Indiana will be able to move the ball a bit on the Cardinals, but in the end Ball State comes away with a win.
Notre Dame @ Michigan State 8:00pm
Considering how this is the national game of the week on ABC, it seems like the obvious pick. For once, as Michigan fans, we will be able to watch the Spartans take on the Irish a week before us. I think Notre Dame will be a better test than Boise State was to open the year, and if Andrew Maxwell plays anything like he did in that night game the Irish will run away with this game. I am excited to see how well Gholson can run the offense against the tough Spartan defense, and then how well Le'Veon Bell can pick up yards against a full sized ND defense. I think Michigan can learn a lot about 2 future opponents in this game. I think Maxwell looks closer to week 1 than week 2, but the offensive line holds up a little better which will help the Spartan QB. I think Michigan State will build up a lead against the Irish and be able to use Bell to eat up the clock in a closer score than the stats show.
Utah State @ Wisconsin 8:00pm
Can the Badgers bounce back from two sub-par offensive weeks? I think they will respond to the new OL coach, but still not look as dominant as many of us expected. Utah State is coming off of an upset of rival Utah and could surprise ole Bucky, but Camp Randall should be rocking for the night game and Montee Ball makes enough plays to give Wisconsin another ugly win.
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