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College football can be an unforgiving game. The combination of a 12 game regular season and trying to win big every time, the pressure is intense and the margin for error is slim.
The College Football Playoff has created an exclusive club that only four teams can join per year. If a team wants to join, they will likely have to finish the regular season undefeated. So far, no B1G teams have done it. So losses can and will occur.
Here at Saturday Tradition, we have looked at all the B1G team’s schedules and determined which game will be their first loss. So, without further a do, here are each B1G team’s predicted first loss:
Illinois
First loss: at South Florida, Sept. 15
The Illini’s mini-win streak comes to an end on a Friday night against Bulls, who could be possible be New Year’s Six bound this year.
Indiana
First loss: home against Ohio State, Aug. 31
Some are building this game up as the biggest home game in Indiana University football history. Lets just hope the Buckeyes do not blow them out to badly early in the contest.
Iowa
First loss: home against Penn State, Sept. 23
The Hawkeyes will have some close calls to begin the season., but Penn State’s talent is to much for the Black and Gold to overcome in Kinnick Stadium.
Maryland
First loss: at Texas, Sept. 2
If this was at Maryland, I could see the Terrapins claim this contest as a victory. However, Texas is a tough place to play at plus the Longhorns should be riding high into the year with new first-year coach Tom Herman leading the way.
Michigan
First loss: at Penn State, Oct. 21
The Wolverines have the talent to defeat any team in the B1G. However, they did lose a lot of talent this offseason, especially on offense. Penn State will be the first team that can trump Michigan’s talent, which will lead to the Maize and Blue’s first loss.
Michigan State
First loss: home against Notre Dame, Sept. 23
The Spartans should start the season on a mini-win streak. However, if Fighting Irish quarterback Brandon Wimbush is as talented as people have made him out to be, Michigan State might lose by two or three touchdowns.
Minnesota
First loss: at Oregon State, Sept. 9
New head coach P.J. Fleck should have the Golden Gophers ready for this game. But he will be coming back from the West feeling the sting of defeat.
Nebraska
First loss: at Oregon, Sept. 9
The Cornhuskers have talent. But when they travel out West, they will face a serious challenge in the Ducks. Nebraska will be first-year Oregon coach Willie Taggart’s first signature win in the Green and Yellow.
Northwestern
First loss: at Wisconsin, Sept. 30
Relying on Justin Jackson won’t be enough for the Wildcats when they travel to Camp Randall.
Ohio State
First loss: College Football Playoff
The Buckeyes are probably the most talented team in the B1G. I expect them to go undefeated in the regular season and win the B1G Championship game. After that, Ohio State loses in the semifinals of the College Football Playoffs for the second year in a row.
Penn State
First loss: at Ohio State, Oct. 28
If this game was in Happy Valley, it could be a different story. While I expect the Nittany Lions to lose this game, I expect his game to go down to the wire. Probably on a last second field goal.
Purdue
First loss: vs Louisville, Sept. 2 in Indianapolis
Lets see who the Cardinals have…quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Rutgers
First loss: home against Washington, Sept. 1
I thoroughly believe the Scarlet Knights will be better this year. In fact, you can put me down for a 4-8 record for Rutgers. However, the Washington Huskies are just to talented for the Scarlet Knights. Quarterback Jake Browning, running back Myles Gaskins and wide receiver Dante Pettis might put up video game like statistics on this Rutgers defense.
Wisconsin
First loss: home against Michigan, Nov. 18
The Badgers should be entering this game undefeated. Due to this game being late in the year, Michigan’s inexperienced talent should be seasoned by then to beat Wisconsin.
*We have updated this article to correct an error that was originally posted within it*