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College football is back and the Big Ten is coming into the first week of the season with an early start on the action. A handful of games this week on the Big Ten schedule will get underway on Thursday and Friday night and the action will continue all day long with over 12 hours of football on the Saturday lineup from coast to coast.
We will share our official Penn State Week 1 predictions in a separate post later, but here are all of our picks for the first weekend of Big Ten football. All times noted are Eastern.
Rutgers vs. OhioThursday, 6:00 p.m., Big Ten Network
- Christopher: Rutgers
- Tolu: Rutgers
- Sam: Rutgers
- Andrew: Rutgers
- Kevin: Rutgers
Minnesota vs. BuffaloThursday, 8:00 p.m., FS1
- Christopher: Minnesota
- Tolu: Minnesota
- Sam: Minnesota
- Andrew: Minnesota
- Kevin: Minnesota
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati (Kansas City, Missouri)Thursday, 9:00 p.m., ESPN
- Christopher: Cincinnati
- Tolu: Nebraska
- Sam: Nebraska
- Andrew: Nebraska – “The expectations are high for Nebraska in Dylan Raiola’s second season at quarterback. The Cornhuskers will get the job done on Thursday, but it may be closer than expected. Week 1 is always a blank slate and unknown, and Nebraska is one of the big teams that is truly unknown. Even if the Cornhuskers just escape Cincinnati, it could still be a big season for Raiola and company.”
- Kevin: Nebraska
Wisconsin vs. Miami OhioThursday, 9:00 p.m., Big Ten Network
- Christopher: Wisconsin
- Tolu: Wisconsin
- Sam: Wisconsin
- Andrew: Wisconsin
- Kevin: Wisconsin
Michigan State vs. Western MichiganFriday, 7:00 p.m., FS1
- Christopher: Michigan State
- Tolu: Michigan State
- Sam: Michigan State
- Andrew: Michigan State
- Kevin: Michigan State
Illinois vs. Western IllinoisFriday, 7:30 p.m., Peacock
- Christopher: Illinois
- Tolu: Illinois – “Illinois enters as a dominant favorite. FanDuel has them favored by over 45 points, reflecting expectations of a blowout.”
- Sam: Illinois
- Andrew: Illinois
- Kevin: Illinois
Maryland vs. Florida Atlantic12:00 p.m., Big Ten Network
- Christopher: Texas
- Tolu: Maryland
- Sam: Maryland
- Andrew: Maryland
- Kevin: Maryland
Purdue vs. Ball State12:00 p.m., Big Ten Network
- Christopher: Purdue
- Tolu: Purdue
- Sam: Purdue
- Andrew: Purdue
- Kevin: Purdue
Northwestern at Tulane12:00 p.m., ESPNU
- Christopher: Tulane
- Tolu: Tulane
- Sam: Tulane – “I think Northwestern will be more competitive this year, but Tulane will be a difficult Week 1 matchup for the Wildcats. The Green Wave have played like a Power Four team in recent years and put together a really strong transfer class that should keep them toward the top of the American Conference. I’m not sold that QB Preston Stone will do enough for the Wildcats offense to pick up a win here — give me Tulane at home.”
- Andrew: Northwestern
- Kevin: Tulane
Ohio State vs. Texas12:00 p.m., FOX
- Christopher: Texas
- Tolu: Ohio State – “Ohio State has the depth and experience advantage in this high-stakes opener. Expect them to edge Texas in a tight, high-powered showdown.”
- Sam: Ohio State – “What a treat for a Week 1 matchup. In the rematch of last year’s semifinal, I think Ohio State will once again get the win. I think playing at home will be big for the Buckeyes, and their defense, led by Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles, should be able to force enough stops to win a tight game. I think there will be turnovers for both young quarterbacks in this one, but give me Julian Sayin and his talented weapons in front of the home crowd.”
- Andrew: Texas
- Kevin: Texas
Indiana vs. Old Dominion2:30 p.m., FS1
- Christopher: Indiana
- Tolu: Indiana
- Sam: Indiana
- Andrew: Indiana
- Kevin: Indiana
Oregon vs. Montana State4:00 p.m., Big Ten Network
- Christopher: Oregon
- Tolu: Oregon
- Sam: Oregon
- Andrew: Oregon
- Kevin: Oregon
Iowa vs. UAlbany6:00 p.m., FS1
- Christopher: Iowa
- Tolu: Iowa
- Sam: Iowa
- Andrew: Iowa
- Kevin: Iowa
USC vs. Missouri State7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network
- Christopher: USC
- Tolu: USC
- Sam: USC
- Andrew: USC
- Kevin: USC
Michigan vs. New Mexico7:30 p.m., NBC/Peacock
- Christopher: Michigan
- Tolu: Michigan
- Sam: Michigan
- Andrew: Michigan
- Kevin: Michigan
UCLA vs. Utah11:00 p.m., FOX
- Christopher: Utah – “While the Big Ten game on everyone’s minds this weekend may be taking place in the Horseshoe, my sights will be set on the game in the Rose Bowl and Deshaun Foster’s men. In his second year, Foster will be looking for somewhat of a turn around. With transfers and returners galore, including the addition of Tennessee castaway Nico Iamaleava, can UCLA come away with a win against a revamped Big 12 opponent in Kyle Whittingham’s pesky Utah squad? I say no. Look for new QB Devon Dampier and Co. to stun UCLA on the road, leaving Foster with more questions than answers to start the season.”
- Tolu: Utah
- Sam: UCLA
- Andrew: UCLA – “A game that is flying under the radar is UCLA and Utah. The Utes could be an underrated team in the Big 12, and with a Week 1 matchup against a UCLA team that has new pieces at key positions, the Utes could come out on top. However, UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s talent will be too much, and the Bruins will edge out Utah.”
- Kevin: Utah
Washington vs. Colorado State11:00 p.m., Big Ten Network
- Christopher: Washington
- Tolu: Washington
- Sam: Washington
- Andrew: Washignton
- Kevin: Washington
#picks #Week #Big #Ten
