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The sun is rising across the Midwest on a beautiful Saturday morning. It’s game day, people! Week 2 is upon us and, as always in the Big Ten, there’s plenty to talk about today and plenty to look forward to.
There are rivalry games (Iowa vs. Iowa State; Penn State at Pitt) that we’re excited about, and there are also reputations at stake, some that took a bit of a ding last week in Week 1.
Here’s what we’re talking about today with our juiciest storylines in the Big Ten:
1. Regaining bragging rights in the B1G East
Prior to the season starting, there were a few people — okay, I’m raising my hand — that thought the Big Ten was the best conference in America, even better than the mighty SEC. And I also bragged that the Big Ten East was the best division in America.
In Week 2, I already have changed my mind, because Week 1 results tell me so. Everyone in the SEC West was very impressive in Week 1, and the big boys in the B1G East — outside of Ohio State — really struggled. Michigan lost to Notre Dame and Penn State and Michigan State both needed late miracles just to get past unranked foes Appalachian State and Utah State respectively
Ohio State and Michigan should roll this Saturday, but it’s up to Penn State and Michigan State to go on the road against quality opposition (Pitt, Arizona State) to get those bragging rights back. Will they do that? Some don’t think so, and this one guy is really smart.
2. Indiana, Maryland continue to impress
It was two other teams from the Big Ten East that has big wins last week. Maryland upset No. 23 Texas close to home in the biggest upset of Week 1 and Indiana went on the road in its opener to get a big win at Florida International.
These two schools are always forced to fly under the radar in the B1G East, and that’s understandable with all the high-profile, powerful programs in the their division. But it was a great Week 1 and it needs to continue this week. Indiana has a big test at home against Virginia (7:30 p.m. ET; TV: Big Ten Network) from the ACC and Maryland takes a rare road trip to Mid-American Conference territory, playing at Bowling Green (6 p.m. ET; TV: ESPN+). It would be great for these two schools to get off to a 2-0 start, because the schedule gets brutal from here.
3. Purdue QB situation a potential train wreck
David Blough and Elijah Sindelar are still battling for playing time at Purdue. You know the old, tired line about quarterbacks, that if you have two, you really don’t have any. That’s not necessarily true, because we’ve seen both of these guys have some success, and we’ll have to see what they do today against Eastern Michigan (Noon ET; TV: Big Ten Network).
Sindelar had a nightmarish start last week in the loss to Northwestern, throwing three early interceptions. Blough was much better, but the Boilers still couldn’t make it up against Northwestern and the home loss put a damper on the September excitement level around West Lafayette. These two guys shared time last year, too, but at some point someone needs to win this job, don’t they? Another year of yanking and rotating might not end well and it could be derailing Jeff Brohm’s attempt to turn this program around.
4. Scott Frost era begins — again — at Nebraska
We heard this last week too, but Mother Nature won the opener, putting on a lightning show that forced the cancellation of Nebraska’s game with Akron. The Scott Frost era was forced to wait a week to begin.
In comes Colorado now (3:30 p.m. ET: TV: ABC) , a big step up in talent from Akron. It’s going to be interesting to see how well Nebraska executes in what now becomes its opener. All those butterflies they could have gotten rid of last week might show up today. The best news? Weather forecast is 73 degrees with a zero percent chance of rain during the game. Enjoy, Lincoln!
5. Iowa seniors run the table vs. Iowa State
The Cy-Hawk Trophy is on the line this week (5 p.m. ET; TV: Fox) and Iowa is looking for its fourth straight win in the series. There’s nothing Iowa’s senior class would like more than leaving town with a clean sweep over their in-state rivals, especially if it includes carrying the trophy off the field in Iowa City.
Its a big game because both teams are good, which hasn’t always been the case in this rivalry. Iowa leads the series 43-22 and Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz, who’s coaching his 20th rivalry game, has never won four in a row. This is one to watch for sure today, because it might get a little chippy. These two schools don’t like each other much.
Tom Brew has been a recognized reporter in Big Ten sports for decades. Among other projects, he writes about Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.