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Technically, the B1G season starts in August. All 14 teams in the league will open the 2019 campaign in the final weekend of the month to kickstart the college football season.
But there aren’t many intriguing matchups in Week 1 in the B1G. Outside of Northwestern’s trip to Stanford and a meeting between Wisconsin and USF in Tampa, there aren’t many must-watch contests.
So, I’ve decided to go against the one thing every coach tells us not to do: look ahead.
Some of the best non-conference and B1G games are scheduled for the month of September, setting up an intriguing first full month of the season. So, since we’re bypassing the first week of the year, let’s take a look at the five best September games on the B1G schedule this season.
5. Pitt vs. Penn State — Sept. 14
The 100th meeting between the in-state rivals will be the final matchup for a decade, at least as it’s scheduled now. After a four-game series that began in 2016, Pitt and Penn State will go their separate ways until the series renews again in 2030.
While the rivalry game and 100th matchup is significant, Penn State’s recent dominance in the head-to-head game is why it’s listed at No. 5. The Nittany Lions won a 51-6 laugher on the road last year and still has superior talent to the Panthers.
Still, there’s a lot on the line in Happy Valley and anything can happen. This game is certainly one worth circling on the calendar. Plus, the James Franklin-Pat Narduzzi exchange should be fun.
4. TCU vs. Purdue — Sept. 14
Do you love offense? Then the TCU-Purdue game in West Lafayette should be an incredibly entertaining game featuring a well-established Big 12 program and a rising B1G squad. There should be plenty of end zone appearances for both teams.
This could be a tone-setting game for the rest of the season for both programs. The Boilermakers will be tested a week earlier playing Vanderbilt and TCU will be fresh off an idle Saturday. Both teams could use a boost of momentum before entering conference play two weeks later.
The chess match between Gary Patterson and Jeff Brohm will another interesting wrinkle in this game.
3. Iowa vs. Iowa State — Sept. 14
From a state game to a national matchup. Matt Campbell’s build at Iowa State has made the annual battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy a more intriguing game on the national scale. And while the Hawkeyes may still have a relatively bland style of play, they’ve got some talent that makes this a must-watch game in mid-September.
Both Iowa and Iowa State are considered contenders in their respective conference divisions and will want to secure an early marquee win. And, who knows, if either team gets a few bounces, there could be an outside shot at a College Football Playoff spot — though that’s really looking ahead.
Iowa has won four-straight against Iowa State and five of the last six meetings. With the game being played in Ames, the Cyclones have a better shot at ending the losing streak.
2. Ohio State vs. Nebraska — Sept. 28
Unlike most, I’m not completely bought in on Nebraska being a top 25 team or a favorite in the B1G West just yet. But the Huskers get the big boys of the B1G East at home, would should spark and electrifying atmosphere in Lincoln.
The anticipation for this early-season conference clash alone is enough for this game to crack the top five. And last year’s game was a hard-fought one in Columbus, with the Buckeyes surviving a 36-31 scare.
If you love offense, this should be a really fun game to watch. It could be one of the highest-scoring games of the year, especially with Adrian Martinez and Justin Fields leading the charge for their respective teams.
1. Michigan vs. Wisconsin — Sept. 21
Who doesn’t love a heavyweight B1G matchup in September? It could potentially be a preview of the conference championship game a few months later, too.
Last year’s game was a laugher for Michigan, pounding Wisconsin 38-13 in Ann Arbor. But how often to the Badgers get run off the field? Don’t expect that same kind of result this year, especially in Madison.
This game could go a long way in determining division and conference champions. Both fanbases have an expectation to be competing for a College Football Playoff spot each and every fall. It’s two hard-nosed, physical B1G defenses and two offensive stars in Shea Patterson and Jonathan Taylor.
Buckle up. This is going to the best game of the month in the B1G, with plenty of implications on the line.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB