Week one was a mixed bag for the best conference in the country. The top dogs flexed their muscles, while to bottom were proving the doubters right. Not much is being shaken up this week, and real movement will start once conference play begins here soon.
The Big Ten has five power four matchups in week two and will give us more intel as we creep closer to starting Big Ten play. The Hawks can’t take their eye off the ball this week because it’s hate week, and the clones are formidable. Buckle up,
we’re in for our week-long civil war. Stay together, stay focused, and beat the cyclones.
1: Penn State
1-0, Vs. FIU 9/6
Not much else to say here after a week one throttling of Nevada. The Nittany Lions have another walk in the park facing the FIU Panthers. Penn State is a well-oiled machine, and there’s no reason it shouldn’t continue going forward.
2: Ohio State
1-0, Vs. Grambling 9/6
The Buckeyes took down the top-ranked team in the land on Saturday, but are still flawed. Texas was inept offensively, and Arch Manning looked like a deer in headlights. I came away more disappointed in Texas than I was impressed by the Bucks. The defense looked excellent, and Josh Downs is a scary dude. The offense looked really sluggish. Not the same hum it had when Chip Kelly was calling things last year. I’m not discrediting the win, but they won a game they were favored in. The SEC is fraudulent, and the Buckeyes didn’t pass the eye test.
3: Michigan
1-0, @ Oklahoma #18 9/6
The Wolverines didn’t completely dismantle New Mexico this past weekend, but Bryce Underwood looked incredible. His arm is Joe Milton-like and is built like Cam Newton. The Michigan offense was humming on Saturday. The one concern I had for the Wolverines was the offensive competency, which I am now optimistic about. The real test is this week, when the maize and blue go down to Norman to take on the Sooners. If I were a betting man, I would take Michigan to win the game outright despite them being underdogs.
4: Oregon
1-0, Vs. Oklahoma State 9/6
The Ducks always put a whooping on whichever FCS team decides the check is fat enough. Dante Moore looked crisp in his Duck debut, going 18/23, 203 yards, and three touchdowns. Mike Gundy and the boys are trek to the Pacific Northwest on Saturday. The uniform aesthetic will be something to behold. I expect nothing but domination from the portal all-star team Phil Knight assembled.
5: Illinois
1-0, @ Duke 9/6
Brett Beilema and the boys head down to Durham after pounding Western Illinois this past weekend, 52-3. Despite the huge win, the Illini only opened as 2.5-point favorites on the road. Duke will be a good test for Illinois, and it’s a sneaky tough place to win a game. Duke vs Illinois should be closer than last winter’s basketball contest. This would be one of the games to watch, but it’s starting at 11 AM on Saturday. Sorry, Brett, the Hawks are going to overshadow you again.
6: USC
1-0, Vs. Georgia Southern 9/6
The Trojans threw up a cool 73 on Missouri State last weekend. USC is not messing around this year. I acknowledge that it’s a brand-spanking new FBS team, but 73?!?!? I don’t care if you’re playing a Pop Warner team; 73 points is impressive. The only thing stopping Lincoln Riley’s squad is the cold.
7: Iowa
1-0, Vs. Iowa State #22 9/6
Quarterbacks might be cursed for the Hawks. Gronowski looked like a nervous bird the entire time on the field. His struggles were exaggerated. We’ll be fine if the Hawks’ offensive line can maul like they did against UAlbany. Cy-Hawk has the potential to be an all-time classic. All eyes will be on the Hawkeyes this weekend, so there’s no better time to put a beating on little brother.
8: Washington
1-0, Vs. UC Davis 9/6
I will no longer hold back my admiration for the Huskies. Jonah Coleman was spectacular against the Rams of Colorado State. After many abysmal star performances across the college football landscape, Jonah Coleman might be a dark horse Heisman candidate. On the scale of week one competition, Washington faced a formidable Colorado State and handled business. The Huskies have a cupcake coming into town, then a bye to prepare for conference play. Beware of the Dogs.
9: Indiana
1-0, Vs. Kennesaw State 9/6
Fernando Mendoza looked flat in last weekend’s contest against Old Dominion. Say what you want about last year’s Indiana team, but they obliterated bad teams. Undoubtedly, the Hoosiers were taking home the win, but they scored zero style points. The one thing I was counting on wasn’t present, and Indiana could be an easy-ranked win for the Hawks later this season.
10: Nebraska
1-0, Vs. Akron 9/6
The Huskers tried their very hardest to lose to Cincinnati last Thursday. They had a home crowd in Kansas City and eked out a three-point win. Nebraska’s defense looked solid, and its offense was passable but not explosive. The rest of the conference had a rough week, so Nebraska’s power four win makes me believe they’re finally improved.
11: Wisconsin
1-0, Vs. Middle Tennessee
Whoof. The defense should be legit for the Badgers. Wisconsin completely shut down Miami of Ohio in the season opener. The Badgers gave up 117 yards and turned the Redhawks over twice. Offensively, the only thing they can do is pray. Billy Edwards looked bad, then got hurt. Edwards had an MRI done, and it came back negative. The offense just didn’t show up in Madison. Fickell needs to figure it out, or he’s gone.
12: Michigan State
1-0, Vs. Boston College.
Week one, the Spartans took care of business and avoided the trap of the lookahead game. This weekend could be one of the more critical games in Johnathan Smith’s current tenure. Michigan State needs a win at home against a Power four program badly. Chiles is the key to the Spartans achieving anything this year.
13: Minnesota.
1-0, Vs. Northwestern State
Yikes. Another rough outing by the Gophers. Don’t picture this squad making any noise in the Big Ten. I’m still sleeping soundly on the Gophers.
14: Maryland
1-0, Vs Northern Illinois 9/5
The Terps are my biggest mover this week. Malik Washington is the reason for this leap. He looked like the real deal. Granted, it was against Florida Atlantic, but still! Coach Locksley might not be as sad as I had initially predicted.
15: UCLA
0-1, @ UNLV 9/6
Utah beats the tar out of the Bruins in the Rose Bowl. The game disappeared, and the team’s talent can handle subpar teams. Iamaleava has to be regretting his decision right about now.
16: Purdue
1-0, Vs. Southern Illinois 9/6
Way to take care of business, Purdue. Maybe you aren’t as dreadful as everyone says you are. Still going to hold off on anointing them as solid until I see more.
17: Northwestern
0-1, Western Illinois 9/5
Going to Tulane is awful scheduling on the athletic director. The Wildcats were pretty miserable on their road trip to the bayou.
18: Rutgers
1-0, Vs. Miami (OH) 9/6
(Sad Italian Noises)
Power ratings are great, but only one thing matters this week. Eyes on the prize, folks.
BEAT STATE
