CFB: Big Ten Week 2 Game Preview
Week two of college football is just as entertaining for the Big Ten as the previous weekend. While the week features fewer Big Ten matchups, the teams still play big opponents from other conferences that will create national headlines. This week’s matchups should have more impact on the national football scale in terms of teams playoff hopes. I will go through the Big Ten conference and focus on the big games this weekend giving my predictions on the outcome and why I feel a particular team will come out on top. Let’s jump into it.
Oregon at Ohio State
This game has been circled on many calendars ever since it was announced. It is a rematch of the 2015 National Championship between two schools that are always at the top of their conference. Both teams had somewhat of a slower week one in comparison to the dominant performances we are used to but both teams won their respective games. Ohio State had a scare in the first half but once C.J. Stroud settled down he showed the explosiveness that the Buckeyes offense can possess. As for Oregon, they struggled against a Fresno State team that is much better than the national audience realizes. Coach Jeff Tedford can get his guys to play but Oregon struggled to throw the ball and get offense generated all game. Unfortunately, Oregon’s best player and defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux was rolled up on in the contest on Saturday so his status is questionable versus the Buckeyes. The game is in Columbus, the first home game with fans in over 2 years and I think the environment is too much for the Ducks to overcome especially with the explosiveness of the offense.
My Prediction: Ohio State 45 Oregon 21
Rutgers at Syracuse
Both teams are coming off solid week one wins so this matchup should be intriguing. It has a great narrative of two programs that aren’t traditionally in the mix of things but are looking to change that going forward. Syracuse beat an Ohio University team that many people thought was going to win while Rutgers throttled Temple in the opener. Rutgers loves to force turnovers and give the offense a chance to feed off the defense, they caused four turnovers against Temple. Coach Greg Schiano is a defensive-minded coach but seeing the offense score 61 points regardless of the opponent means a team is figuring it out. While the game is away for the Scarlet Knights, I think they come out with a win putting them at 2-0.
My Prediction: Rutgers 35 Syracuse 20
Iowa vs Iowa State
This game has the making of being the game of the weekend and college gameday is headed to Ames, Iowa for this interstate rivalry. Iowa might’ve had the most impressive start of the year compared to any other team in the country. They manhandled an Indiana team that many people thought would be a legit contender in the Big Ten. The defense was able to create turnovers and they rushed for over 150-yards and two touchdowns as they controlled the line of scrimmage. Iowa State on the other hand didn’t have the start of the season that they wanted as they only won 16-10 versus Northern Iowa. Breece Hall only had 69 yards on 23 carries and Brock Purdy only threw for 199-yards but he was efficient. Overall, I think the Hawkeyes are playing better football than the Cyclones and even though they are away, their play at the line of scrimmage is too dominant this year. I like the upset here.
My Prediction: Iowa 30 Iowa state 27
Washington at Michigan
Michigan football has started the year off well for the first time in a while giving hope to the fans in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines had a great day running the football last weekend rushing for 335-yards and three touchdowns. For Washington fans, you can’t say the same as they lost to Montana 13-7. Washington had 3 turnovers during the game ultimately leading to their loss. I don’t think we will see the Washington team that showed up this past weekend but after an embarrassing loss and being in a hostile environment they will lose this game to Michigan.
My Prediction: Washington 21 Michigan 31
References:
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/
Writer
-By: Justin Howard