8/30/07 - Saturday Preview

Appalachian State at Michigan 12:00 BTN Appalachian State comes into the Big House as the Division 1-AA two-time defending national champion. And with 17 starters returning from last year's championship team, there is no doubt that the Mountaineers could and probably would beat some D-1 teams, just not Big Ten pre-season favorite Michigan. It will be interesting early to see how the Michigan defense handles a pretty good ASU running attack. The Mountaineers could break off a few big runs, but overall ASU is obviously overmatched. This game could be close after the 1st quarter, but once the bigger, stronger Wolverines start to wear down ASU the UM offense will start to roll. BTC Prediction: Michigan 41 Appalachian State 13 Youngstown State at Ohio State 12:00 BTN The Buckeyes will face off against coach Jim Tressel's former team and Division 1-AA powerhouse, the Youngstown State Penguins. You can bet everyone in Columbus will be closely watching new Buckeye QB Todd Boeckman, who beat out Robbie Schoenhoft and Antonio Henton for the starting job late in fall practice. Boeckman needs to be sharp early and get OSU out to a lead in order to keep the inevitable "Quarterback Controversy" at least a week away. It is almost certain to happen at some point this season as the Buckeye's search for a replacement for Heisman winner and OSU legend Troy Smith, but surely coach Tressel doesn't want to be answering those questions after an opening game win over YSU. BTC Prediction: Ohio State 37 Youngstown State 3 FIU at Penn State 12:00 BTN Line: Penn State -38 Penn State coach Joe Paterno enters his 42nd year at the helm in Happy Valley against Florida International. FIU's athletic defense has enough experience to give PSU a pretty good test on Saturday. Nittany Lion QB Anthony Morelli will need to come up with some big plays through the air to keep the Golden Panthers off balance and open up the running game for Austin Scott, who could be ready to finally put it all together and have the breakout season PSU fans have been waiting for. FIU finished last in the nation in scoring offense last year so the Penn State defense won't even really be tested. BTC Prediction: Penn State 34 FIU 3 Northeastern at Northwestern 12:00 BTN Northwestern lost it's season opener last year against another Division 1-AA opponent in New Hampshire. This year's Wildcat squad is more talented and much more experienced, including head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who now has a full year under his belt. Northwestern's offensive line should dominate Northeastern's 3-4 defense. Look for Wildcat back Tyrell Sutton to have a huge day, with starting NU quarterback C.J. Bacher sprinkling in enough short, conservative passes to keep the Northeastern D off balance. The under matched Huskies from Boston may keep it close early, but by the end of the 3rd quarter this game's outcome will no longer be in doubt. BTC Prediction: Northwestern 31 Northeastern 14 UAB at Michigan State 12:00 ESPN2 Line: MSU -21.5 New Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio should get his tenure started of with a big win over a struggling UAB program. Most likely the Spartans will use their running game and defense as the recipe for success against the Blazers. MSU backs Javon Ringer and Jenuu Caulcrick should open some long gainers while the Spartans wear down UAB's defensive front. On the other side of the ball, Michigan State's defensive line should have its way with the Blazer O-Line and give UAB's two-headed quarterback tandem of Joseph Webb and Sam Hunt plenty to deal with. BTC Prediction: Michigan State 38 UAB 17 Washington State at Wisconsin 3:30 ABC Line: Wisconsin -14 Time for Wisconsin to prove they are the BCS Contenders most are predicting. The Badgers return 18 starters from last year's squad that finished with a record of 12-1. Of course many are quick to point out that last year's schedule was one of the weakest in the Big Ten. Washington State will pack the box on defense in an attempt to stop P.J. Hill and the Badger running attack. Wazzu should be successful at stopping the run early, but at a cost. Stacking the line will open up many opportunities for Wisconsin QB Tyler Donovan to pick up some big chunks of yardage. This one could stay close and will be interesting to watch, but look for the Badger offense to shine and take over the game in the 2nd half. BTC Prediction: Wisconsin 28 Washington State 14 Missouri vs Illinois (@ St. Louis) 3:30 BTN Line: Missouri -4.5 Now is supposed to be the time for Illinois and head coach Ron Zook. It has been a few years since this much attention has been paid to an Illini football team, but Zook has been bringing in the recruits and it's time to see how good these guys really are (including the head coach). But before we deem Illinois as a possible surprise bowl team, there are still many questions to be answered. Can QB Juice Williams show some consistency with his arm, not just his legs? Outside of Juice, who is going to step up for Illinois and provide a stable running game? Can the Illini defense get pressure in the backfield and really shut down a passing attack? Illinois should be a fun team to watch this season and much improved, but let's wait until we get some answers before putting coach Zook's squad in bowl contention. It will be interesting to see how the Illini match up against a decent Big XII opponent, but at the end of the year expect both Missouri and Illinois to be watching the bowl games from home. BTC Prediction: Missouri 24 Illinois 17 Iowa vs Northern Illinois (@ Chicago) 3:30 ESPNU Line: Iowa -12 Iowa travels to Chicago to play in Soldier Field in what is being called a "home" game for Northern Illinois. Even though more than half of the crowd will certainly be wearing black and gold. It will be interesting to see how the Hawkeyes respond to the shuffle of the depth chart after suspensions of WR's Dominique Douglas and Anthony Bowman. First-year QB Jake Christensen lost a huge weapon in Douglas, and will need to rely more heavily on Albert Young, Damien Sims and the always strong Iowa running attack. NIU will need to fill a big hole with last year's leading rusher Garrett Wolfe playing on Sunday's in Soldier Field. The Hawkeye defense should be a strong point this year and will give the Huskies plenty of trouble on Saturday. BTC Prediction: Iowa 27 Northern Illinois 10 Purdue at Toledo 7:00 ESPNU Line: Purdue -6.5 Purdue is looking to rebound after a disappointing end to the 2006 season, but don't just chalk up an automatic win against Toledo. This game will come down to the Rocket's secondary matching up against a very good, very deep Purdue receiving crop. The Boilermaker's have had their problems stopping teams the last few seasons, and this year's defense will have its share of trouble as well. Purdue is going to have to outscore most of its opponents to pick up wins, nothing new for a Joe Tiller coached team, and if the Toledo cornerbacks aren't up for the challenge QB Curtis Painter will have a big day. This one will be close, but Purdue has just too much firepower on the outside and should squeak by with a win. BTC Prediction: Purdue 30 Toledo 24 Indiana State at Indiana 8:00 BTN It will be an emotional time in Bloomington on Saturday, as the Hoosiers play their first game since the tragic death of coach Terry Hoeppner. Winning this one for coach shouldn't be too tough, as Indiana hosts an Indiana State team that finished 1-10 last year in Division 1-AA with one of the worst defenses in the nation. QB Kellen Lewis should cut apart the Sycamore secondary, and running back Marcus Thigpen will provide some electrifying returns and long runs. The Hoosiers will win this one big, but it will get much tougher starting next week. BTC Prediction: Indiana 42 Indiana State 13 Bowling Green at Minnesota 8:00 BTN Line: Minnesota -14.5 New Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster will have a chance to get his tenure rolling at home against two MAC opponents, Bowling Green and Miami (OH) next week. Bowling Green has a good running attack that could give the Gophers defense some problems. If the Falcons can control the clock and tempo on the ground, this could be a lot closer than Minnesota fans would like. Both teams will be looking to establish the run early, and Minnesota's offensive line should be able to dominate a smaller Bowling Green defensive front. The Gophers will switch between quarterbacks Tony Mortensen and freshman Adam Weber and it will be interesting to see how Brewster handles that position. This will be closer than many think, but in the end Minnesota's size should prove too much for the Falcons. BTC Prediction: Minnesota 27 Bowling Green 17

8/22/07 - News and Notes

Michigan tight end Carson Butler has been cleared of assault charges from an altercation with a student on St. Patrick's day. U of M coach Lloyd Carr said Tuesday that Butler has been reinstated to the team. Iowa backup quarterback Arvell Nelson turned himself into authorities yesterday after missing his initial court date for driving with a suspended license. Nelson was originally charged on July 2nd and failed to appear for this August 16th court date and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Nelson turned himself in and was released on Tuesday after posting a $545 bond. Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel has yet to "settle" on a quarterback. Junior Todd Boeckman will get the start in OSU's opener against Youngstown State, but Tressel expects to play more the one quarterback in the "first couple of games." Tressel and many of the Buckeye players are excited to play on Ohio Stadium's new turf. The natural grass was replaced this offseason with FieldTurf, which provides a consistent, fast surface.

8/21/07 - Five Charges Against Penn State Safety Dropped

A Centre County judge has dismissed five of seven charges against Penn State starting safety Anthony Scirrotto stemming from an April off-campus fight. Judge Charles Brown Jr. ruled there was no evidence that Scirrotto was responsible for starting the fight. Scirrotto still faces a felony count of criminal trespassing and one count of harassment. Authorities said Scirrotto and several friends or acquaintances, including football players, went to an apartment party about 45 minutes after the safety and his girlfriend got into an argument on a street April 1 with two other students, who were not players. A melee ensued at the party, police said. Some of the victims were punched, one was hit in the head with a beer bottle and knocked unconscious, and another was punched and kicked in the face, authorities said. Lawyers for Scirrotto and the other players involved have said that their clients would be eligible for PSU's season opener September 1st against Florida International.

8/20/07 - Trouble in Iowa City

Two Iowa Hawkeye football players have been suspended indefinitely following their arrest on Sunday for unauthorized use of a credit card. Sophomore receiver Dominick Douglas, Iowa's leading receiver last season, and receiver Anthony Bowman are the two Hawkeye's involved. They allegedly charged more than $2,000 worth of merchandise on stolen credit cards earlier this year. The Big Ten Chronicle will continue to monitor this situation and provide any updates when they become available.

8/18/07 - News and Notes

The Big Ten Network is ready to launch on August 30th, just in time for opening week games, but how many fans will be able to view those games? The Big Ten Network has reached an agreement with DirectTV, but no deals are in place with Dish Network and many larger cable companies- including Comcast, Charter Communications, Mediacom, and other cable providers in Big Ten country. The Preseason AP Poll is out and includes four Big Ten teams in the Top-25. Michigan leads the pack at #5 and is joined by Wisconsin (#7),Ohio State (#11), and Penn State (#17). The only other team in the conference getting votes is Purdue with 1 vote. Michigan's top 5 ranking already has most talking about a BCS Bowl and possible National Title. Whether those talks are warranted or not, the 2007 Wolverines certainly have giant expectations to live up to in what may be Lloyd Carr's last season at the helm. Wisconsin's highly regarded freshman running back John Clay has been cleared to play after some academic issues and is now officially a Badger.

8/18/07 - 2007 BTC Projections - Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin 2007 Schedule Projection: 11-1 (7-1) 9/1 - vs. Washington W 9/8 - at UNLV W 9/15 - vs. The Citadel W 9/22 - vs. Iowa W 9/29 - vs. Michigan State W 10/6 - at Illinois W 10/13 - at Penn State W 10/20 - vs. Northern Illinois W 10/27 - vs. Indiana W 11/3 - at Ohio State L 11/10 - vs. Michigan W 11/17 - at Minnesota W

8/18/07 - 2007 BTC Projections - Michigan Wolverines

Michigan 2007 Schedule Projection: 11-1 (7-1) 9/1 - vs. Appalachian State W 9/8 - vs. Oregon W 9/15 - vs. Notre Dame W 9/22 - vs. Penn State W 9/29 - at Northwestern W 10/6 - vs. Eastern Michigan W 10/13 - vs. Purdue W 10/20 - at Illinois W 10/27 - vs. Minnesota W 11/3 - at Michigan State W 11/10 - at Wisconsin L 11/17 - vs. Ohio State W

8/14/07 - 2007 BTC Projections - Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State 2007 Schedule Projection: 10-2 (6-2) 9/1 - vs. Youngstown State W 9/8 - vs. Akron W 9/15 - at Washington W 9/22 - vs. Northwestern W 9/29 - at Minnesota W 10/6 - at Purdue W 10/13 - vs. Kent State W 10/20 - vs. Michigan State W 10/27 - at Penn State L 11/3 - vs. Wisconsin W 11/10 - vs. Illinois W 11/17 - at Michigan L

8/14/07 - 2007 BTC Projections - Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State 2007 Schedule Projection: 10-2 (6-2) 9/1 - vs. FIU W 9/8 - vs. Notre Dame W 9/15 - vs. Buffalo W 9/22 - at Michigan L 9/29 - at Illinois W 10/6 - vs. Iowa W 10/13 - vs. Wisconsin L 10/20 - at Indiana W 10/27 - vs. Ohio State W 11/3 - vs. Purdue W 11/10 - at Temple W 11/17 - at Michigan State W

8/14/07 - 2007 BTC Projections - Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa 2007 Schedule Projection: 9-3 (5-3) 9/1 - vs. Northern Illinois (@ Chicago) W 9/8 - vs. Syracuse W 9/15 - at Iowa State W 9/22 - at Wisconsin L 9/29 - vs. Indiana W 10/6 - at Penn State L 10/13 - vs. Illinois W 10/20 - at Purdue L 10/27 - vs. Michigan State W 11/3 - at Northwestern W 11/10 - vs. Minnesota W 11/17 - vs. Western Michigan W

8/14/07 - 2007 BTC Projections - Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue 2007 Schedule Projection: 8-4 (4-4) 9/1 - at Toledo W 9/8 - vs. Eastern Illinois W 9/15 - vs. Central Michigan W 9/22 - at Minnesota L 9/29 - vs. Notre Dame W 10/6 - vs. Ohio State L 10/13 - at Michigan L 10/20 - vs. Iowa W 10/27 - vs. Northwestern W 11/3 - at Penn State L 11/10 - vs. Michigan State W 11/17 - at Indiana W

8/14/07 - 2007 BTC Projections - Minnesota Golden Gophers

Minnesota 2007 Schedule Projection: 6-6 (2-6) 9/1 - vs. Bowling Green W 9/8 - vs. Miami (Ohio) W 9/15 - at Florida Atlantic W 9/22 - vs. Purdue W 9/29 - vs. Ohio State L 10/6 - at Indiana L 10/13 - at Northwestern L 10/20 - vs. North Dakota State W 10/27 - at Michigan L 11/3 - vs. Illinois W 11/10 - at Iowa L 11/17 - vs. Wisconsin L

8/14/07 - 2007 BTC Projections - Northwestern Wildcats

Northwestern 2007 Schedule Projection: 5-7 (2-6) 9/1 - vs. Northeastern W 9/8 - vs. Nevada W 9/15 - vs. Duke L 9/22 - at Ohio State L 9/29 - vs. Michigan L 10/6 - at Michigan State L 10/13 - vs. Minnesota W 10/20 - vs. Eastern Michigan W 10/27 - at Purdue L 11/3 - vs. Iowa L 11/10 - vs. Indiana W 11/17 - at Illinois L

8/10/07 - 2007 BTC Projections - Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State 2007 Schedule Projection: 4-8 (2-6) 9/1 - vs. UAB W 9/8 - vs. Bowling Green W 9/15 - vs. Pittsburgh L 9/22 - at Notre Dame L 9/29 - at Wisconsin L 10/6 - vs. Northwestern W 10/13 - vs. Indiana W 10/20 - at Ohio State L 10/27 - at Iowa L 11/3 - vs. Michigan L 11/10- at Purdue L 11/17 - vs. Penn State L

8/10/07 - 2007 BTC Projections - Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois 2007 Schedule Projection: 4-8 (2-6) 9/1 - vs. Missouri (@ St. Louis) L 9/8 - vs. Western Illinois W 9/15 - at Syracuse L 9/22 - at Indiana W 9/29 - vs. Penn State L 10/6 - vs. Wisconsin L 10/13 - at Iowa L 10/20 - vs. Michigan L 10/27 - Ball State W 11/3 - at Minnesota L 11/10 - at Ohio State L 11/17 - Northwestern W

8/10/07 - 2007 BTC Projections - Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana 2007 Schedule Projection: 5-7 (1-7) 9/1 - vs. Indiana State W 9/8 - at Western Michigan W 9/15 - vs. Akron W 9/22 - vs. Illinois L 9/29 - at Iowa L 10/6 - vs. Minnesota W 10/13 - at Michigan State L 10/20 - vs. Penn State L 10/27 - at Wisconsin L 11/3 - vs. Ball State W 11/10 - at Northwestern L 11/17 - vs. Purdue L

8/4/07 - 2007 Football Preview

With opening games less than a month away, it is finally time for the Big Ten Chronicle's 2007 Big Ten Football Preview. Top to bottom the conference should be far better this season, with Michigan and Wisconsin the favorites to win the league. Today we will unveil our Projected Standings and take a look at some of the non-conference schedule's Biggest Games to Watch. BTC 2007 Projection (Conf. record) 1. Wisconsin 11-1 (7-1) 2. Michigan 11-1 (7-1) 3. Ohio State 10-2 (6-2) 3. Penn State 10-2 (6-2) 5. Iowa 9-3 (5-3) 6. Purdue 8-4 (4-4) 7. Minnesota 6-6 (2-6) 8. Northwestern 5-7 (2-6) 9. Michigan State 4-8 (2-6) 9. Illinois 4-8 (2-6) 11. Indiana 5-7 (1-7) Non-Conference Games to Watch: 1.Notre Dame at Michigan, Sept. 15th One of the greatest rivalries in all of college football will not only continue this year, but will extend at least until the year 2031. Last year the Wolverines spanked then ranked #2 Notre Dame 47-21 in South Bend. Expect Michigan to be the highly-ranked favorite in this year's clash and expect Big Blue to knock the Irish around similar to last year's meeting. 2.Ohio State at Washington, Sept. 15th Big Ten teams have a history of heading West during the non-conference schedule and coming home with a surprising loss. The Buckeyes will face-off against what should be a much improved Washington team. The Huskies missed out on a bowl last season, finishing 5-7 in 2006, but can look at this game as a giant opportunity to vault back into national prominence. Ohio State will be a heavy favorite on this Saturday, but don't be too surprised if this game is tight in the 4th quarter. 3.Washington State at Wisconsin, Sept. 1st With 18 starters returning from last year's 12-1 squad, big things are expected from this year's Badgers. Wisconsin has a chance to do something very special this year, and looking at the schedule could very well be 9-0 going into a November 3rd showdown in Columbus versus Ohio State. Those are the expectations in Madison this preseason, but they better not overlook their first opponent and toughest non-conference game. 4.Notre Dame at Penn State, Sept. 8th Notre Dame will go on the "Big Ten Tour" again this years with games against Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue in four straight weeks. Those 4 games should be just another reminder to Big Ten football fans as to why Notre Dame refused to join the conference. It will be fun to watch what should be a very strong Penn State defense take on an inexperienced Fighting Irish offense. But the biggest question will be whether JoePa will coach from the sidelines or from the press box. 5.Iowa at Iowa State, Sept. 15th After a very disappointing season last year, the Hawkeyes look to rebound in 2006 and get back above .500. Despite being the favorites in almost every trip, Iowa seems to always have trouble when they travel to Ames to face their cross-state rival. Iowa State's new coach, Gene Chizik, would certainly love to start his tenure by knocking off the hated Hawkeyes. This game won't be easy and Iowa should know that by now. Look for Coach Ferentz's Hawkeyes to be much improved this season.