Top 2009 BigTen Games

◊ ZN's 2009 Penn State Football Preview - BigTen Outlook

Today we'll take a quick look into the best BigTen conference games in 2009. Can Penn State get revenge on Iowa? Will Michigan finally beat Ohio State? We won't know until the games are played, but we can get an idea of which games, off the bat, will provide tons of intrigue.

Week 1 [Sept. 26]:

Iowa @ Penn State - Think the Nittany Lions want to win this game, after the mammoth upset last season? The hype machine will be in full force during the days leading up to this one, but be wary, as it could quickly turn into a dud. Penn State will suffer some pretty big losses, but that's nothing compared to Iowa. Shonn Greene, MItch King and Matt Kroul are just some of the names gone from 2008.

Michigan State @ Wisconsin - Two key running backs from 2008 won't be around, while both teams have huge question marks at quarterback. This game could be the decider for both teams' seasons. A win in Madison could propel MSU back into the top-three of the conference, but Wisconsin could regain some swagger with a conference-opening win over a 2008 New Years Day Bowl team.

Minnesota @ Northwestern - The two biggest surprises of 2008 will have little time to prepare, as they'll meet in week 1 of conference play. Last season's matchup was an all-timer of a classic, but will this year's be as good? Minnesota is still on the rise, and can legitimize its return to conference relevancy with a win. Northwestern really pulled a rabbit out of its hat last year, but lose a good amount of talent. The winner goes to the Alamo Bowl.

Week 2 [Oct. 3]:

Penn State @ Illinois - Two seasons ago, Illinois burst onto the scene, and launched its improbable Rose Bowl campaign, with the upset over Penn State in Champaign. Can the Illini work its magic again? Penn State had some trouble with Illinois last year in Happy Valley, particularly–again–with Arrelious Benn. The Lions won comfortably, but will the trip to Memorial Stadium go as well (or, as poorly) as last time?

Michigan @ Michigan State - The Spartans haven't won two straight against the Wolverines since... ready for it... 1966-67! Michigan still looks like it's a year away from contending, while State should have enough tools to go bowling once again. This rivalry is a bit more heated on the State side, since the Spartans have always been labeled Michigan's "Little Brother." That could all change with a win.

Week 3 [Oct. 10]:

Wisconsin @ Ohio State - The Buckeyes look a bit vulnerable this season, but could put that to bed (even if they lose to USC) with a convincing win over the Badgers. Wisconsin's season really took a nose dive last year, when they failed to put away Ohio State in Madison. This looks like a must-win if the Badgers want to top 7 wins.

Week 4 [Oct. 17]:

Northwestern @ Michigan State - The Spartans cruised over the Wildcats in Evanston last year, but we can never really tell when the Cats will strike. This looks like a prime upset, and if Michigan State comes in at 6-0, it could be one for the ages. Michigan State hosts, and with a packed house, this will be a tough task for Northwestern.

Week 5 [Oct. 24]:

Penn State @ Michigan - Penn State hasn't won in Ann Arbor since Wally Richardson was under center. Yeah, that would be 12 years ago. If Michigan wants to get its program back on track, a win over what should be a top-10-ranked Penn State could spark a run at a bowl. You can never say never in this series, but this one looks a bit out of hand for the Wolverines... this year.

Illinois @ Purdue - Want to watch the Boilermakers' season come down to one game? This could be it. If Purdue comes in to this one at 4-2, a bowl bid would almost be assured with a win over the Illini. West Lafayette has never been a very intimidating place to play, but visiting teams never seem to play well in Ross-Ade Stadium. Unfortunately for Purdue, neither have they lately.

Week 6 [Oct. 31]:

Indiana @ Iowa - The Hoosiers are actually 2-1 since 2006 against the Hawkeyes, but were crushed last season. Of course, the loss was to a vastly underrated Iowa team. This will be the final season for QB Kellen Lewis, the only Indiana QB to go bowling since 1994. The trip to Iowa City will also mark Indiana's last chance for .500, with Penn State, Wisconsin and Purdue to close out the season.

Penn State @ Northwestern - The Lions are only 2-2 against the Cats in the last four meetings, and it could have been worse, if not for a miracle finish in 2005. If there was ever a good time to catch Penn State, it would be this game, as Ohio State comes to Happy Valley the next week. Northwestern HC Pat Fitzgerald has a knack for inspiriting his team at the right time, and this could be it. He remembers 1995, when the Wildcat upset catapulted them into the Rose Bowl.

Week 7 [Nov. 7]:

Ohio State @ Penn State - [ZN's 2009 Preseason Game of the Year] Penn State hasn't beaten Ohio State in two consecutive regular seasons since 1963-64. Ohio State felt they deserved the win last year, if not for one key fumble by Terrelle Pryor. While it might not come so close this season, as the game is in Happy Valley, the Buckeyes have more raw talent than any other BigTen team. It's an early toss up, and should be a fantastic game. Pryor can redeem himself, and possibly launch his Heisman candidacy, with a good game and a victory. You can bet it will be an 8 p.m. kickoff, and a full stadium White Out.

Illinois @ Minnesota - The Gophers could be 6-3 at this point, and would secure another bowl bid with a win. Illinois could also come in at 6-3. That would put this game into the "Separation Saturday" category for each team. Similar to the Minn/NW game earlier in the season, a middle of the pack-type finish is in order for the winner. Minnesota was thrust into the spotlight after last season's upset in Champaign; the Gophers can stay there with another.

Week 8 [Nov. 14]:

Iowa @ Ohio State - Regardless if the Buckeyes beat Penn State the week before, this is the trap game of all trap games for Ohio State. I know it's in Columbus, but if Iowa has anything left, they'll put all of it into this game. The Buckeyes are only 6-3 under Jim Tressel the week before Michigan, so don't think this will be automatic for the Buckeyes.

Michigan @ Wisconsin - Wisconsin is 2-0 the last two times Michigan has come to Madison, and Wisconsin blood will be boiling after last season's catastrophic meltdown in Ann Arbor. As long as Wisconsin is above .500 at this point in the season, Camp Randall will be packed. The story line all week will focus on 2008, which is the last thing Wisconsin wants to hear about.

Week 9 [Nov. 21]:

Ohio State @ Michigan - This game might not mean as much as the 2006 edition did, but sooner or later, the Wolverines have to pull one out. I get a strong feeling that this is their chance. There's no way Michigan will be as bad as 2008, while Ohio State might be down. Those are all the ingredients of an upset, with a little home-field advantage sprinkled on top.

Penn State @ Michigan State - For some reason, the Nittany Lion fanbase is still pissed off that their team blew a 24-7 third-quarter lead in 2007. Most of that was taken out on the Spartans in last season's 49-18 demolition, but there's still work to be done. Penn State is 12-4 against Michigan State since joining the BigTen in 1993, and it might not get any better for the Spartans. Penn State could be playing for a spot in the Rose Bowl, or more...

Next week, we'll look at the best 2009 BigTen non-conference games.