Big Ten Football Preview Keys To Every Team: Offense

With the Big Ten season finally about to get going, what are the keys to every team’s offense? What does each team have to work on?

With the Big Ten season finally about to get going, what are the keys to every team’s offense? What does each team have to work on?


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Big Ten Preview: Keys To Every Offense
Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Maryland | Michigan
Michigan State | Minnesota | Nebraska | Northwestern
Ohio State | Penn State | Purdue | Rutgers | Wisconsin

Biggest Key To The Illinois Fighting Illini Offense

Establish the run again. The 2018 Illinois running game worked. It came up with over 2,900 yards, averaged close to six yards per carry, and it found a groove from the start with 200 yards or more in nine of the first ten games.

That was the only time in the last eight years that the program ran for 1,900 yards or more.

The 1,874 yards Illinois ran for last season were the second-most in a season since 2011, but it was still ugly. There were four 200-yard rushing days – the Illini won three of them – with the shootout loss to Nebraska the only time the ground game averaged over five yards per pop.

The offensive line is better, but the running backs have to emerge in a hurry. Statistically, the pass protection has to be there, too, with the numbers depending a bit on who takes the quarterback gig.

Big Ten Preview Keys To Every Team: Defense

Biggest Key To The Indiana Hoosiers Offense

It was this simple for the Hoosiers, at least last year – run well, win football games. Being able to run for any relatively arbitrary number wouldn’t have mattered in losses to Ohio State and Michigan, but IU was 8-0 last season when it ran for 100 yards, and 0-5 when it didn’t.

How much does 100 rushing yards matter to the Hoosiers? November 3rd, 2012. That was the last time they won when going under the mark, beating Iowa 24-21. They’re 0-23 since then when the ground game doesn’t hit triple-digits.

For a team that finished seventh in the nation in time of possession, run well, rely on your accurate passer to move the chains, control the tempo.

Big Ten Preview: Keys To Every Offense
Iowa | Maryland | Michigan | Michigan State
Minnesota | Nebraska | Northwestern | Ohio State
Penn State | Purdue | Rutgers | Wisconsin

NEXT: Iowa Hawkeyes, Maryland Terrapins

Big Ten Football Preview Keys To Every Team: Defense

With the Big Ten season finally about to get going, what are the keys to every team’s defense? What does each team have to work on?

With the Big Ten season finally about to get going, what are the keys to every team’s defense? What does each team have to work on?


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Big Ten Preview: Keys To Every Defense
Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Maryland | Michigan
Michigan State | Minnesota | Nebraska | Northwestern
Ohio State | Penn State | Purdue | Rutgers | Wisconsin

Biggest Key To The Illinois Fighting Illini Defense

Stop the run. Lost a bit in the shocking win over Wisconsin was the job done all day by the Illini D, holding Jonathan Taylor and company to just 156 yards on the ground.

Illinois needed an epic comeback against Michigan State – getting gouged for 275 yards on the ground – and went 1-4 on the season when allowing 200 rushing yards ore more. Since beating Rutgers in the middle of the 2016 season, Illinois is 1-22 when giving up two bills.

Fortunately, Nebraska is the only team on the first half of the slate that has any semblance of a ground game.

Biggest Key To The Indiana Hoosiers Defense

More big plays would be nice. Helped by an offense that kept the chains moving and stayed on the field, the defense was able to do just enough to stay in most games. There’s enough experience returning, though, to start turning games around.

The pass rush was okay, but hardly anything special, especially in Big Ten play. The Hoosiers failed to generate more than one sack in five of the last nine games, and 14 of the 27 sacks overall came against Ball State, Eastern Illinois, UConn and Rutgers.

Partly because of the lack of steady pressure, the interceptions didn’t come with just seven on the season and three in the first nine games.

Big Ten Preview: Keys To Every Defense
Iowa | Maryland | Michigan | Michigan State
Minnesota | Nebraska | Northwestern | Ohio State
Penn State | Purdue | Rutgers | Wisconsin

NEXT: Iowa Hawkeyes, Maryland Terrapins

Big Ten Football Preview: Quick Overview Of Every Team

The Big Ten football season is finally here. We get you ready with a quick overview of every team before it all starts up on Friday.

The Big Ten football season is finally here and it’s finally happening. We get you ready with a quick overview of every team before it all starts up on Friday.


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Big Ten Preview Quick Overviews of Every Team
Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Maryland | Michigan
Michigan State | Minnesota | Nebraska | Northwestern
Ohio State | Penn State | Purdue | Rutgers | Wisconsin

Illinois Fighting Illini

– The Illinois offense wasn’t exactly a smoothly run organization. The running game was okay at times, and the passing attack came through late when it had to in a few huge upsets, but for the most part, it was a struggle.

The Illini finished 112th in the nation in total offense, but it made the yards count with a not-awful 26.7 points per game. However, the O almost never had the ball – long, sustained drives were a rumor – and the attack fell flat late in the season.

There’s hope for a boost, though, with four starters back on what should be a good line, a deep group of quarterbacks to play around with, and with almost all of the key targets back.

– It’s been one of the stranger disappointments in the Lovie Smith era. He’s an elite defensive football coach who crafted some killers in the NFL, and yet he hasn’t been anything special at Illinois. It’s his D – he’s the coordinator – and it’s been great at forcing takeaways and getting into the backfield – but it’s been blasted too easily against the run and it’s been way too inconsistent overall.

Fortunately, the linebackers are great and the secondary is going to be a plus. Now the thump has to come from the interior.

Indiana Hoosiers

– The offense quietly started to work really, really well. It might not have been able to keep up enough to overcome the occasional defensive issues, and the firepower wasn’t there to do anything against the Ohio States and Michigans of the world, but at least the attack was able to keep things moving.

The running game needs to be stronger, but the passing attack was the second-best in the Big Ten. With the potential of eight starters returning – along with some parts that missed time last year – the league’s No. 3 offense should be every bit as strong under rising star QB Michael Penix.

– The defense couldn’t handle the better offenses, and it struggled too often late in the year, but it was hardly awful. It allowed 352 yards and 32 points per game, was serviceable at getting into the backfield, and it didn’t have any one glaring issue other than not being able to pick off enough passes.

The D line needs to be better at getting to the quarterback, but there’s a nice blend of bulk and experience across the front four.

Big Ten Preview Quick Overviews of Every Team
IIowa | Maryland | Michigan | Michigan State
Minnesota | Nebraska | Northwestern | Ohio State
Penn State | Purdue | Rutgers | Wisconsin

NEXT: Iowa Hawkeyes, Maryland Terrapins

2020 Big Ten Schedules, Predictions For Every Game, Win Total Picks

With the new 8-game schedule, what will happen this college football season in the Big Ten? The schedules and predictions for every game.

With the new 8-game schedule, what’s going to happen this college football season in the Big Ten? Here are the schedules and predictions for each team and every game. 


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Big Ten Schedules, Predictions

2020 Preseason Big Ten Championship Prediction
Ohio State vs. Wisconsin

Big Ten East Schedules, Predictions

2020 Indiana Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 3-5
2019 Preseason Prediction: 8-4
2019: 8-5, 2018: 5-7
2020 Indiana Preview

Oct. 24 Penn State L
Oct. 31 at Rutgers W
Nov. 7 Michigan L
Nov. 14 at Michigan State L
Nov. 21 at Ohio State L
Nov. 28 Maryland W
Dec. 5 at Wisconsin L
Dec. 12 Purdue W


Missed: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern

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2020 Maryland Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 1-7
2019 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2019: 3-9, 2018: 5-7
2020 Maryland Preview

Oct. 24 at Northwestern L
Oct. 31 Minnesota L
Nov. 7 at Penn State L
Nov. 14 Ohio State L
Nov. 21 Michigan State L
Nov. 28 at Indiana L
Dec. 5 Michigan L
Dec. 12 Rutgers W


Missed: Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Purdue, Wisconsin

2020 Michigan Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 6-2
2019 Preseason Prediction: 11-1
2019: 9-4, 2018: 10-3
2020 Michigan Preview

Oct. 24 at Minnesota L
Oct. 31 Michigan State W
Nov. 7 at Indiana W
Nov. 14 Wisconsin W
Nov. 21 at Rutgers W
Nov. 28 Penn State W
Dec. 5 Maryland W
Dec. 12 at Ohio State L


Missed: Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue

2020 Michigan State Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 4-4
2019 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2019: 7-6, 2018: 7-6
2020 Michigan State Preview

Oct. 24 Rutgers W
Oct. 31 at Michigan L
Nov. 7 at Iowa L
Nov. 14 Indiana W
Nov. 21 at Maryland W
Nov. 28 Northwestern W
Dec. 5 Ohio State L
Dec. 12 at Penn State L


Missed: Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Purdue, Wisconsin

2020 Ohio State Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 7-1
2019 Preseason Prediction: 10-2
2019: 13-1, 2018: 13-1
2020 Ohio State Preview

Oct. 24 Nebraska W
Oct. 31 at Penn State L
Nov. 7 Rutgers W
Nov. 14 at Maryland W
Nov. 21 Indiana W
Nov. 28 at Illinois W
Dec. 5 at Michigan State W
Dec. 12 Michigan W

Missed: Iowa, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue, Wisconsin

2020 Penn State Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 6-2
2019 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2019: 11-2, 2018: 9-4
2020 Penn State Preview

Oct. 24 at Indiana W
Oct. 31 Ohio State W
Nov. 7 Maryland W
Nov. 14 at Nebraska W
Nov. 21 Iowa L
Nov. 28 at Michigan L
Dec. 5 at Rutgers W
Dec. 12 Michigan State W


Missed: Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue, Wisconsin

2020 Rutgers Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 0-8
2019 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2019: 2-10, 2018: 1-11
2020 Rutgers Preview

Oct. 24 at Michigan State L
Oct. 31 Indiana L
Nov. 7 at Ohio State L
Nov. 14 Illinois L
Nov. 21 Michigan L
Nov. 28 at Purdue L
Dec. 5 Penn State L
Dec. 12 at Maryland L


Missed: Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Wisconsin

NEXT: Big Ten West Schedules, Predictions, Win Totals

Big Ten Cancels Fall College Football Season, Might Play In Spring

The Big Ten will cancel its fall season – according to reports – and attempt to play this spring.

The Big Ten will cancel its fall season – according to reports – and attempt to play this spring.


The Big Ten is going cancel the fall season and move on to the spring.

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After hinting about it over the last several weeks, and after it was leaked on Monday that the Big Ten presidents were 12-2 against playing in the fall, the league has decided to cancel the 2020 fall season and will try playing this spring.

More coming in a few moments …

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Big Ten Cancels Fall Season. What’s Next For College Football?

The Big Ten has canceled its 2020 football season due to concerns over the coronavirus. What’s next for college football?

The Big Ten has canceled its 2020 football season due to concerns over the coronavirus. What’s next for college football?


The Big Ten is going to do it. It’s going to cancel its 2020 college football season.

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It was rumored to happen for the last few weeks, and now it’s actually happening the Big Ten is cancelling college football for the 2020 fall.

The details of what’s next are still sketchy, but commissioner Kevin Warren has been hinting at the idea of a spring football season. Forgetting that it would mean two college football seasons in ten months, and that college football in Minneapolis and Madison would be delightful in February, there aren’t any details yet on how that might work.

This all started rolling over the weekend with reports of a meeting among conference presidents about the viability of a college football season, and then Monday morning the Dan Patrick Show went with the story that the Big Ten was going to shut things down.

In the end, it was just too much. The Big Ten types have been hinting from the start that they didn’t believe they could safely make it all work. There were liability concerns, player safety issues, the lack of revenue from no fans in the stands, and then when it finally came time to practice and get it all going, the college presidents couldn’t make it work.

Oh yeah, and don’t forget the player movement side of things. Squashing the demands and the voices of players isn’t a bad thing for those who run the higher-levels of college athletics.

The Big Ten just gave the whole #WeWantToPlay movement one giant, “bless your heart.”

And now, very predictably, college football gets politicized. What could possibly go wrong?

What’s next for college football coming in a moment …

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Rutgers Football Schedule 2020

Rutgers football schedule 2020 with the Big Ten only slate

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Rutgers football schedule 2020 with the Big Ten-only slate


Rutgers Football Schedule 2020

Sept. 5 Nebraska

Sept. 12 at Ohio State

Sept. 19 at Maryland

Sept. 26 Michigan

Oct. 3 Penn State

Oct. 10 OPEN DATE

Oct. 17 at Purdue

Oct. 24 at Michigan State

Oct. 31 Indiana

Nov. 7 Illinois

Nov. 14 OPEN DATE

Nov. 21 at Wisconsin

Nov. 28 OPEN DATE

Missed: Iowa, Minnesota, Northwestern
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Big Ten Preseason Football Predictions For Every Game, Team Records

With the Big Ten 10 game schedule, here are the preseason predictions for every game and who will play for the championship.

With the Big Ten 10 game schedule, here are the preseason predictions for every game and who will play for the championship


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Big Ten Preseason Predicted Finish

East
T1. Michigan
T1. Ohio State
3. Penn State
4. Michigan State
5. Indiana
6. Maryland
7. Rutgers

West
1. Wisconsin
2. Minnesota
T3. Iowa
T3. Nebraska
T5. Northwestern
T5. Purdue
7. Illinois

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Big Ten Championship Prediction

Ohio State over Wisconsin

Big Ten East Predictions

2020 Indiana Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 4-6
2019 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2019: 8-5, 2018: 5-7
2020 Indiana Preview

Sept. 4 at Wisconsin L
Sept. 12 Penn State L
Sept. 19 Illinois W
Sept. 26 at Ohio State L
Oct. 3 OPEN DATE
Oct. 10 at Minnesota L
Oct. 17 Michigan L
Oct. 24 Maryland W
Oct. 31 at Rutgers W
Nov. 7 at Michigan State L
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 Purdue W
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
Missed: Iowa, Nebraska, Northwestern

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2020 Maryland Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 1-9
2019 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2019: 3-9, 2018: 5-7
2020 Maryland Preview

Sept. 5 at Iowa L
Sept. 12 Michigan State L
Sept. 19 Rutgers W
Sept. 26 at Northwestern L
Oct. 3 Wisconsin L
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 at Penn State L
Oct. 24 at Indiana L
Oct. 31 Ohio State L
Nov. 7 at Michigan L
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 Minnesota L
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
Missed: Illinois, Nebraska, Purdue

2020 Michigan Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 9-1
2019 Preseason Prediction: 11-1
2019: 9-4, 2018: 10-3
2020 Michigan Preview

Sept. 5 Purdue W
Sept. 12 at Minnesota W
Sept. 19 Penn State W
Sept. 26 at Rutgers W
Oct. 3 Michigan State W
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 at Indiana W
Oct. 24 at Ohio State L
Oct. 31 Wisconsin W
Nov. 7 Maryland W
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 at Northwestern W
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
Missed: Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska

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2020 Michigan State Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 5-5
2019 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2019: 7-6, 2018: 7-6
2020 Michigan State Preview

Sept. 5 Minnesota W
Sept. 12 at Maryland W
Sept. 19 Northwestern W
Sept. 26 at Penn State L
Oct. 3 at Michigan L
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 Ohio State L
Oct. 24 Rutgers W
Oct. 31 at Iowa L
Nov. 7 Indiana W
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 at Nebraska L
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
Missed: Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin

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2020 Ohio State Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 9-1
2019 Preseason Prediction: 10-2
2019: 13-1, 2018: 13-1
2020 Ohio State Preview

Sept. 3 at Illinois W
Sept. 12 Rutgers W
Sept. 19 at Purdue W
Sept. 26 Indiana W
Oct. 3 OPEN DATE
Oct. 10 Nebraska W
Oct. 17 at Michigan State W
Oct. 24 Michigan W
Oct. 31 at Maryland W
Nov. 7 at Penn State L
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 Iowa W
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
Missed: Minnesota, Northwestern, Wisconsin

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2020 Penn State Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 8-2
2019 Preseason Prediction: 9-3
2019: 11-2, 2018: 9-4
2020 Penn State Preview

Sept. 5 Northwestern W
Sept. 12 at Indiana W
Sept. 19 at Michigan L
Sept. 26 Michigan State W
Oct. 3 at Rutgers W
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 Maryland W
Oct. 24 Iowa W
Oct. 31 at Nebraska L
Nov. 7 Ohio State W
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 at Illinois W
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
Missed: Minnesota, Purdue, Wisconsin

2020 Rutgers Football Schedule Prediction

2020 Preseason Prediction: 0-10
2019 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2019: 2-10, 2018: 1-11
2020 Rutgers Preview

Sept. 5 Nebraska L
Sept. 12 at Ohio State L
Sept. 19 at Maryland L
Sept. 26 Michigan L
Oct. 3 Penn State L
Oct. 10 OPEN DATE
Oct. 17 at Purdue L
Oct. 24 at Michigan State L
Oct. 31 Indiana L
Nov. 7 Illinois L
Nov. 14 OPEN DATE
Nov. 21 at Wisconsin L
Nov. 28 OPEN DATE
Missed: Iowa, Minnesota, Northwestern

NEXT: Big Ten West Predictions

Big Ten Football Week 1 Early Predictions, What The Lines Should Be

The Big Ten has released its football schedule. Here’s a quick first look at each Week 1 game with predictions and possible lines.

The Big Ten has released its football schedule, starting in the first week of September. Here’s a quick first look at each game with predictions and possible lines.


 Pete Fiutak @PeteFiutak

Let’s have fun and just assume the Big Ten season will go off without a hitch. Done before the lines are released for the early games, here are the first guesses, predictions, and line projections for Week 1 of the Big Ten season.

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Ohio State vs Illinois

Thursday, September 3
Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL

Knee-Jerk Instant Analysis: The Buckeyes will struggle early on as they try to win the Fiesta Bowl as they press a little out of the gate, and then things will get back to normal early in the second quarter.

Illinois might have a slew of transfers coming in for the defensive front, but it won’t be enough as the Ohio State offensive line starts banging away and taking over. The big plays will come as Justin Fields and company start to score quickly, but the time of possession battle will lean the other way in the second half.

It’ll be more of a methodical win for OSU than sensational.

First Thought Prediction: Ohio State 41, Illinois 17
First Thought Line Guess: Ohio State -27.5

Big Ten 2020 Composite Schedule, 10 Most Interesting Games

Indiana vs Wisconsin

Friday, September 4
Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI

Knee-Jerk Instant Analysis: These two haven’t played since 2017 with Wisconsin winning the last ten games since dropping a stunner in 2002.

How ugly has the series been? Over the last five games, Wisconsin has won by an average of 60 to 12 with the low mark an 83-20 squeaker back in 2010.

This year’s Hoosier team, though, should be more of a problem for Bucky.

QB Michael Penix and the offensive backfield should give the Badger D fits for about a half, and the lines are just strong enough to hold up. But the reworked UW O line will take over and super-recruit RB Jalen Berger gets into a groove.

First Thought Prediction: Wisconsin 30, Indiana 16
First Thought Line Guess: Wisconsin -10


2020 Big Ten Team Previews, 5 Things To Know 
East Indiana | Maryland | Michigan
Michigan State | Ohio State | Penn State | Rutgers
West Illinois | Iowa | Minnesota
Nebraska | Northwestern | Purdue | Wisconsin
CFN Preview 2020: All 130 Team Previews


Minnesota vs Michigan State

Saturday, September 5
Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, MI

Knee-Jerk Instant Analysis: It’s the opener of the Mel Tucker era at Michigan State as his Spartans get a Minnesota team looking to prove that 2019 wasn’t any sort of a fluke.

Can the Gopher passing game get hot early on without star receivers Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman around anymore? It’ll be okay, but the running game will struggle against a Spartan defensive front will be a rock right out of the gate.

On the flip side, the Michigan State offense won’t be able to take advantage of a good defensive performance as drive after drive stalls. Minnesota will pull it out on a late field goal in a rough game with points and good offensive plays coming at a premium.

First Thought Prediction: Minnesota 20, Michigan State 19
First Thought Line Guess: Michigan State -3.5

NEXT: Penn State vs Northwestern, Michigan vs Purdue, Iowa vs Maryland, Nebraska vs Maryland

2020 Big Ten Football Schedule. 5 Things That Matter. Who Gets Missed? Winners, Losers, Changes

With the Big Ten announcing that it will play a ten-game, conference only schedule, what does it all mean? Who wins, loses, and what’s next?

With the Big Ten announcing that it will play a ten-game, conference only schedule, what does it all mean? Who wins, who loses, and what’s next?


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Big Ten Football Schedule 2020

2020 Big Ten Team Previews, 5 Things To Know
East Indiana | Maryland | Michigan
Michigan State | Ohio State | Penn State | Rutgers
West Illinois | Iowa | Minnesota
Nebraska | Northwestern | Purdue | Wisconsin
CFN Preview 2020: All 130 Team Previews

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5. Big Ten 10-Game Schedule. The Basics …

The Big Ten released its 2020 football schedule. And the key parts are …

– Ten games, no non-conference dates. This was put forth before by the Big Ten, but now it’s settled. It’s all Big Ten vs. Big Ten battles spread out over the season.

– Unlike what the other Power Five conferences appear to be doing – kicking things off in mid-to-late September – the Big Ten is going to start right away on September 5th. Actually, it’ll all start on Thursday, September 3rd when Ohio State goes to Illinois. This allows each Big Ten team to have to built in weeks off along with an open date on November 28th for a possible make-up game.

– Also unlike the other Power Five conferences, the Big Ten is keeping its championship game for December 5th.

– Ohio State and Michigan don’t play on the final weekend. Go ahead and make your jokes about how the Big Ten doesn’t want Jim Harbaugh to end the season with a loss, but the October 24th date sets itself up to be something special, especially if it’s a night game.

November 21st – the final weekend scheduled for the regular season – is all interdivisional games, and so is the first week of the season. The schedule is front loaded with divisional battles with the flexibility to fill in the gaps later if there has to be a week off.

NEXT: What Big Ten teams do the other Big Ten teams miss?