After an explosive Week 1 in the B1G that had five teams score 40 or more points (Wisconsin 45, Ohio State 40, Michigan 59, Minnesota 51, Indiana 73), it's time to move on and preview some of the best games on the docket for an encore in Week 2. There is plenty of good games on tap for Saturday including one match-up that the whole country will have their eye on. Now, after Week 1, teams will be adjusting their game plans to better fit their new opponents personal and schemes which should give way to more chess match style and coaching duel-type games. Let's check out each game in the Big Ten conference and look at a quick snap-shot of what we can expect come kickoff.
South Florida at Michigan State
Preview: After an absolute dismal offensive performance, the Spartans are ready to bounce back in Week 2 and show a pulse in their offensive attack versus a defense that gave up 53 points to McNeese State (who!?). The coaching staff will likely give both quarterbacks Andrew Maxwell and Connor Cook a second chance to redeem themselves after a putrid outing last week in where nether player could get any momentum on offense. The hope is to have one if not both come out of the game showing signs of driving their team down field and producing points. Michigan State needs to form some sort of identity on offense and this is the defense to establish that against. The defense on the other hand played much like they did in 2012. They were fast to the ball, set the tone with big hits, and made splash play after splash play. This should be another easy game for the Spartans and a chance for them to develop some rhythm on offense.
Player to Watch: As much as I am looking forward to see which Spartan quarterback can separate himself as the clear-cut starter, the real player to watch is South Florida's Aaron Lynch. The defensive end Lynch is a Notre Dame transfer who showed signs of domination in his limited playing time. Lynch has a lot of hype around him and is entering the 2013 season as one of the premier pass-rushers in the country. When it comes to his future already being labeled as a top-15 pick when the time comes.
Eastern Michigan at Penn State
Preview: After a roller coaster Week 1 performance from the Nittnay Lions that showed some explosive offensive potential, but also produced four turnovers, I expect them to open up the playbook for new quarterback Christian Hackenberg more on Saturday. Bill O'Brien took a conservative approach going into Week 1 against Syracuse and came out with some mixed results. The game plan made sense with a true freshman at the helm, however, now with wide out Allen Robinson playing all four quarters (suspended for the first half in Week 1) I expect Hackenberg to get the green light to use his god given talents and chuck the rock more. Especially on third downs, where Penn State was extremely conservative often running the ball on 3rd and long. This is Hackenberg's team now and for the future and its games like these where O'Brien needs to let the gun slinger do what he does best and learn from his mistakes along the way.
Player to Watch: What will Allen Robinson do for an encore? Robinson had seven catches for 133 yards (19.0 yards per catch) and one touchdown. Crazy part is he did that in just two quarters of football. Average those totals out for an entire game and your talking about 14 grabs for 266 yards! While those numbers may be a little unrealistic, I will be watching for Hackenberg and Robinson to continue their early chemistry and continue to be a dangerous connection.
Tennessee Tech at Wisconsin
Preview: After steamrolling Massachusetts 45-0 last week it looks like the Badgers get another "warm-up" game before playing Arizona State next week. The Badgers dominated on Saturday in all phases of the game and will look to continue that trend again. The Golden Eagles, however, are riding high after their own impressive victory against Cumberland with a score of 63-7. Quarterback Darion Stone helped produce 505 yards of total offense as he chipped in 8-11 passes with two touchdowns in the air and another two with his feet. I expect for Wisconsin to do what they do best, and that's run the ball with Melvin Gordon and James White while they continue to adjust to their new 3-4 defense. This should be another cakewalk for Wisconsin as the real competition shows up next week.
Player to Watch: Joel Stave. Much like Penn State I expect the Badgers to let loose this game and give quarterback Stave more opportunities with his arm in the passing game to get in sync with his receivers for next week's match-up against the Sun Devils. Wisconsin's running game looks to already be in mid-season from and would be wise for first year head coach Gary Anderson to use this match-up as a way to progress and develop other parts of his offense.
Cincinnati at Illinois
Preview: Although after only one week their already half way to their win total from last year (2-10), the victory against Southern Illinois left a lot to be desired. Stupid penalties, ugly turnovers, and just 49 yards rushing is what dampered an opening season win for the Fighting Illini. Now they get the Bearcats who had an impressive victory over Purdue last week (42-7), looking fundamentally strong in all phases of the game. On paper Cincinnati takes the advantage in every department forcing Illinois to play a nearly flawless game Saturday to have a chance in Champagne.
Player to Watch: Nathan Scheelhaase quietly had a very impressive start to his season. Throwing for over 400 yards and completing 77.8 percent of his 36 attempts Scheelhaase was extremely efficient minus his one turnover. However, that was against Southern Illinois. This week he gets the Bearcats who have a much more stout and aggressive defense. Illinois will need his to repeat his performance from last week and more if Illinois is going to keep this game competitive.
San Diego State at Ohio State
Preview: After a 40-20 victory over Buffalo, head coach Urban Meyer said there is plenty of work to do after his offense did not live up to his expectations in Week 1. "I want to score every time we touch the ball, I'm disappointed if we don't score," Meyer said. They should get a boost with running back Rod Smith coming back from a one game suspension. Smith will most likely get rotated in with Jordan Hall who had a career best 159 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday. Getting All-Confernce cornerback Bradley Roby back from suspension will be a big help as well. Safety C.J.Barnett could see his first action Saturday coming off a ankle injury. Adding Roby and Barnett should be a night and day difference for the Buckeyes in the secondary as they look to get their chemistry back during the soft part of the schedule. Ohio State has put plenty of pressure on themselves along with most of the country following an undefeated season. As if they needed any more motivation the Oregon Ducks leap-frogged them into the number two spot in the BCS standings dropping them down to three. Look for Ohio State to be much more explosive than last Saturday in all areas as unlike Buffalo they play a much easier team this time around.
Player to Watch: After a so-so performance from the Heisman candidate against a stinger defense than most recognize, Braxton Miller should unveil his super human powers on the football field slicing and dicing San Diego States defense to shreds with his arm and legs. I expect Ohio State to jump back to the two spot in the BCS rankings after the blowout that most expected from them last week.
Syracuse at Northwestern
Preview: Northwestern showed us all why it's so crucial to have quality depth in the game of football, specifically at the skill positions. Wildcats starting quarterback Kain Colter was knocked out early in last Saturdays victory over California after he took a big hit in the first quarter. Where most teams would have to sacrifice their week of offensive game planning, Northwestern and back-up quarterback Trevor Siemian didn't skip a beat. Siemian led the Wildcats to victory throwing for 276 yards and a touchdown. An impressive transition from one quarterback to the next as Colter is one of Northwestern's most dynamic players, making plays with his arm and legs. What's even more impressive is Sieman was able to have success without star running back Venric Mark who battled a hamstring injury all afternoon. Now, as the week progresses it looks more and more likely that both players will be out again for their match-up against Syracuse, leaving Sieman with the pressure to prove that Week 1 wasn't a fluke. Syracuse on the other hand plays its second Big Ten team in consecutive weeks after falling to Penn State 23-17. They showed good fight and played great defense all game but costly turnovers (four) was too much to overcome. They'll look to get their offense on track against a team that gave up 30 points last week in what should be a closer game than some think.
Player to Watch: Junior running back Treyvon Green didn't blink an eye when he was asked to carry the load after Venric Mark went down to a hamstring injury. Although head coach Pat Fitzgerald sounds more than confident with backup Trevor Siemian at quarterback, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Wildcats run a more conservative game plan and put most of the load on Green after he rushed for an impressive 129 yards and two touchdowns on just 16 carries last week.
Notre Dame at Michigan
Preview: One last dance! A rivalry that dates back to 1887 is playing its final game on Saturday. Think that's a crazy stat? How about after 126 years this will be only the second night game played between the two. Talk about some bright lights! Rich history aside, this should be the best match-up of the weekend based purely off talent versus talent. The 14 seeded Irish travel to Ann Arbor to take on the 17th seeded Wolverines. Notre Dame has the technically has the streak (one game) beating Michigan in South Bend 13-6 after forcing six turnovers. However, Michigan has won three straight versus the Irish at home including a game that should be replayed on ESPN Classics at least once a year. A 35-31 game that had a firework grand finale with three touchdowns being scored in the final minute and 12 seconds. This year both teams are coming off impressive wins as Irish quarterback Tommy Rees threw for 346 yards and three scores while Michigan put up 59 points on their scoreboard. If you can only watch one game this Saturday (I will definitely be judging you) make sure it's this one as the BCS runners up go head-to-head with one of the youngest and most talented up and coming teams in the country.
Player to Watch: The game of football in the end always seems to be determined by the quarterback. I want to see how Tommy Rees and Devin Gardner play in their first real game that means something under the bright lights. Who can play four solid quarters, play error free football, and show the intangible leadership quality that it takes to win. Whoever can do it better than his opponent will get the the gatorade shower (it's on my bucket list), a post game interview with a hot sideline reporter, and will be a week closer to getting to that BCS game that everyone covets.