BUCKEYES
(9/6) Virginia Tech @ Ohio State. 8:00p, ESPN.
We didn’t learn a lot from either team’s opening game, but it’s worth noting that the offenses had nearly identical performances. Both teams were breaking in new QBs, and each one threw 2 TDs and 1 pick with yardage in the mid-200s. Virginia Tech’s Michael Brewer threw the ball twice as much as J.T. Barrett with a similar completion rate, but that only amounted to 25 more yards of offense. Both teams also rushed about 40 times for around 200 yards.
Defensively, who knows? You don’t learn much about your defense from playing Navy, and I can’t imagine you get a good feel for it by playing William & Mary either. This is going to be an enormous game for both teams. I know we’re the comfortable favorite, but I’m not taking anything for granted.
UPCOMING OPPONENTS
(9/6)
Middle Tennessee @ Minnesota. 3:30p, Big Ten Network.
Howard @ Rutgers. Noon, Big Ten Network.
Michigan State @ Oregon. 6:30p, Fox.
Well, Wisconsin couldn’t hold against LSU after losing the rock-toting services of Melvin Gordon, so the Big Ten turns to returning conference champ Michigan State and this massive matchup, easily the best game in the country this week. Sparty plays the type of defense that gives Oregon fits, but the Ducks are as unrelenting on offense as ever.
Akron @ Penn State. Noon, ABC/ESPN2.
Michigan @ Notre Dame. 7:30p, NBC.
It’s the last time this game will be played for a long time, maybe forever. Despite large amounts of hatred for both teams, this is still usually a fun game to watch. Not that I’ll be watching most of it, but it’s still worth keeping an eye on.
Western Kentucky @ Illinois. Noon, Big Ten Network.
Maryland @ South Florida. 3:30p, CBS Sports Network.
South Alabama @ Kent State. 2:00p, ESPN3 (online).
Indiana: no game.
Cincinnati: no game.
OTHER BIG TEN TEAMS
(8/30)
Ball State @ Iowa. 3:30, ESPN2.
Central Michigan @ Purdue. Noon, ESPN News.
Northern Illinois @ Northwestern. 3:30p, Big Ten Network.
McNeese State @ Nebraska. Noon, ESPNU.
Western Illinois @ Wisconsin. Noon, Big Ten Network.
OTHER OHIO TEAMS
(9/6)
Missouri @ Toledo. Noon, ESPN.
Ohio @ Kentucky. 3:30p, ESPNU.
Eastern Kentucky @ Miami (Ohio). 3:30p, ESPN3 (online).
VMI @ Bowling Green. 3:30p, ESPN3 (online).
OTHER TOP NATIONAL GAMES
(9/6)
USC @ Stanford. 3:30p, ESPN.
Literally the only non-Big Ten game worth watching this week.
[…] For those of you who may be inclined to watch as many games as possible, Jason provided a guide for the games that will be on, and which networks are televising […]