Big Ten Endzone

The Big Ten composite schedule has been out for quite some time now, but I haven’t had a chance to take a good look at it and put some big games on the calendar.  And boy, are there some big games!  Here is the first few weeks.

Aug. 30: Illinois vs. Mizzou -This will be a huge border battle after the 2007 seasons these teams had.  Mizzou is pretty much returning A LOT, including Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin.  Danario Alexander might be out for awhile with an injury.  Illinois is returning plenty as well, and those stud freshmen that the Zooker had last year will only get better.  This will be a huge game for both teams, since it will greatly affect BCS standings, but I don’t expect the Illini to be in competition for that.

Michigan State @ Cal – Not really sure how good either of these teams will be, but they could both be top 25 caliber.  Cal is always dangerous, and year two of the Mark Dantonio experiment will be interesting after the crazy off-season they’ve had.

Sept. 6 - Northwestern @ Duke – After the Blue Devils shocked the nation and beat the Wildcats to end the longest active losing streak in Evanston last year, Northwestern then got blown out against Ohio State and went on a tear, missing a bowl bid even though they were eligible.  Had they beaten the Blue Devils, they could have been in a bowl.  Look for NU to want revenge.  Duke is revived by new head coach David Cutcliffe (former QB coach at Tennessee).  This game is a night game.  Last year’s game is a night game.  This one will be interesting.

Sept. 13 (The “YOU BETTER BE IN FRONT OF YOUR TV OR ELSE TIVO ALL THESE GAMES” Week): Michigan @ Notre Dame – Michigan is coming off a disappointing year, has a new head coach in RichRod, a new offense, no clear cut quarterback, and all that could spell disaster.  Notre Dame is coming off a WORSE year, has a clear cut QB, and has someone else calling the plays.  Both of these teams could make a run at a BCS bowl if you ask me.  Probably on NBC.

Ohio State @ USC – This could very well be one of the games of the year and could determine who goes to the BCS title game.  OSU will need to be ready going into The Coliseum at night (8 pm ET start).  OSU is a clear cut BCS title contender, as are the Trojans.  I think USC might have reloaded with question marks at QB.  OSU still has a crazy good defense and will always be good on the lines.  This will be the ABC night game.

Oregon @ Purdue – Offense, Offense, Offense.  This one will be a high scoring game, a barn-burner.  Oregon is searching for a quarterback after losing Dennis Dixon, but I think is still a dangerous team.  Purdue STILL has no defense (when is Joe Tiller going to learn), but does have Curtis Painter, easily a contender for the Davey O’Brien Award.  Likely on the Big Ten Network.