Week 1 for the Big Ten got off to a hot start with many teams in the conference dominating their opponents. This week, however, I think we will see more upsets than dominance.
Here are my predictions for week 2 games in the Big Ten:
Friday: Maryland over NIU
I really am buying into the hype of true freshman Malik Washington. The kid has a great chance to be special with his arm talent and other skills. Maryland has won each of it’s last 16 games versus non-conference opponents, I see that streak continuing this week. NIU is not a team that can’t upset a better opponent we saw last year them take down goliath in their victory versus Notre Dame. With that said I am still leaning more towards the Big Ten team with no room for error this season in their conference.
Penn State over FIU
Penn State should put up an offensive clinic performance versus FIU. This is a great game for Drew Allar to put up some numbers for his heisman campaign.
Duke over No. 11 Illinois
Duke has a special young quarterback in Darian Mensah. Mensah looked really impressive in his week 1 debut. This is the exact opposite situation from the UCLA Nico situation. I think Duke continues to see their return on investment as their young quarterback gets a statement victory at home versus Illinois.
No. 16 Iowa State over Iowa
The Hawkeyes run game showed in week 1 that they have not missed a beat. There is reason to believe this passing game will be better with new quarterback Mark Gronkowski, we just did get to see that. There is two games of evidence however that the Cyclones have the better quarterback and he will be the difference. Rocco Becht took down Kansas State already, I think it will be another impressive victory for him and Iowa State versus Iowa.
#6 Oregon over Oklahoma State
There have already been shots fired in interviews between the coaches on which team spent the most money this offense to improve their roster. This will be a great game and a great test for new Ducks quarterback Dante Moore. I think this Ducks team has enough to win this game late. This game will develop the early Heisman conversations around Dante Moore who looked great in Week 1.
Wisconsin over Middle Tennessee State
Wisconsin’s starting quarterback Billy Edwards will likely be out this game, but it won’t matter just like it did not last week after he got hurt. This Badger defense is really good, we should see another shutout by this unit. Offensively the Badgers will just scrape by. We won’t see the Badgers put up 73 points like the Trojans did this week.
No. 15 Michigan over No. 18 Oklahoma
John Mateer and Bryce Underwood both shined in Week 1, creating an interesting quarterback battle in Week 2. Bryce Underwood is a true freshman gearing up for a hostile road environment. I think he is a different type of player who can overcome the obstacles he is about to face. The more talented quarterback will win this football game and I think that will be Underwood. Mateer was great against Illinois State; versus this Michigan defense it will be a different story.
Nebraska over Akron
Nebraska likes to play with it’s food. This is a team that makes enough mistakes for you to have a shot to upset them. I believe this game will be closer than most think but the Cornhuskers ultimately come out on top late.
Michigan State over Boston College
This could be a trap game for the Spartans. I am still going to favor the Big Ten team. Aidan Chiles and this offense will finally click in Week 2. The Spartans have enough talent to take care of a solid 1-0 Boston College squad.
USC over Georgia Southern
There won’t be a very warm welcome for former head coach Clay Helton this week verus USC. I think the big plays the Trojans created last week will continue this week. Georgia Southern gave up so many big plays last week and USC is not matchup you want to see if that is the case. The running back for USC just showed a glimpse of how productive they can be last week. This week I think Eli Sanders and Waymond Jordan turn it up a notch.
UNLV over UCLA
I don’t know how you watch that UCLA team last weekend and confidently believe it can beat anybody. UNLV already has players in interviews disrespecting starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava. It is dangerous when the opposing defense is not worried about your offense. Jai’Den Thomas is averaging 11.2 yards per carry, I think he carries the Rebels to a 3-0 start on the season.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Micah’s Week 2 game predictions for the Big Ten
Reporting by Micah Huff / Trojans Wire
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