The most intriguing games from each week of the Big Ten season

The Badgers kick off the season with a bang against a team with high expectations.

Indiana featured a strong offense a year ago, and after the transfer of Peyton Ramsey, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. takes the reigns as a starter. He averaged 232.3 yards per game passing and had 12 touchdowns in six games last year. Receiver Whop Philyor returns after a second-team All-Big Team year as a junior.

How the Gophers deal with the success of last season and how the Wolverines handle impatience from their fans are through-lines for the entire season. A big win early in the season could vault the winner into contention and slip the loser toward a disappointing year.

Minnesota must find a new weapon after All-American receiver Rashod Bateman opted out of the season Tuesday due to COVID-19 concerns, but quarterback Tanner Morgan is still in place after a record-setting 2019.

Call this the, “If it wasn’t for Ohio State” bowl.

Both of these teams are right near of the top in the Big Ten, but neither can find a way to beat the Buckeyes. The Nittany Lions might have the defense to do it this season, but there are reports that All-American linebacker Micah Parsons may opt out of the year. Still, Penn State has what it takes to contend for the Big Ten title if they can top Michigan.

This is the first time since 2013 that the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe won’t be held on the last week of the regular season, a scheduling tweak designed to allow multiple back-up dates for the rivalry game to be played. It’s also expected to give the winner control of the Big Ten West

Badgers quarterback Jack Coan had his best game against a Big Ten opponent at Minnesota last year, as he battled through wind and snow to throw for 280 yards and two touchdowns, including a 70-yard scoring strike to Quintez Cephus. Without Cephus and two-time Doak Walker Award winner Jonathan Taylor in the backfield, Coan will need to elevate the offense with the passing game.

In the first week that bye weeks come into play, this Big Ten West matchup is a test of identity.

Scott Frost has done well recruiting and landing transfers at Nebraska, but lost one of his best offensive playmakers in receiver JD Spielman, who transferred to TCU. At some point, Nebraska’s recruiting successes have to translate to more on-field wins, right? This could be a chance at home for the Cornhuskers to score a win to build upon.

Weird things have happened when these teams play of late, but the Boilermakers are bringing firepower to this year’s matchup.

One could argue the receiver duo of Rondale Moore and David Bell is the best in the Big Ten and one of the best in the nation. Injuries to Moore and multiple quarterbacks last season derailed what was a solid offense. Losing tight end Brycen Hopkins will hurt, but a healthy Moore with a solid QB is enough to fill the void.

Indiana’s been a tough team to slow down offensively in recent years, but the Hoosiers haven’t been able to stop opponents either. Can that change in a matchup that could determine the second tier of the Big Ten East?

Indiana ranks No. 11 with 78% of its production returning from last season, according to ESPN’s metric. They return 82% on defense, which is 13th in the country. They may not be stars, but IU returns solid pass rushers like Jerome Johnson and Demarcus Elliott.

Duck for cover — the most intriguing matchup in Week 8 isn’t Michigan at Ohio State.

For a series to be a rivalry, both sides need to win often. That hasn’t been the case for OSU-Michigan, as the Buckeyes have won 16 of the past 18 meetings.

This may be the only game in the Badgers season in which they’re not the betting favorite. Playing at The Big House will have a different feel this season as crowds — if allowed at all — will be smaller than the 100,000-plus groups normally at Michigan games.

UW dismantled the Wolverines last season, jumping out to a 35-0 lead and setting the tone early with its running. Can that happen again without Taylor in the backfield and a new-look offensive line?

More than likely, the winner of this game will represent the Big Ten East in the conference title game.

The reason Ohio State hasn’t made this list yet is because very few of their games early in the season will be close. The offense, despite losing running back J.K. Dobbins, features dual-threat QB Justin Fields, a veteran offensive line and a host of playmaking receivers. They’re not going to have much trouble scoring until they face the Nittany Lions.

Nothing like an old-school, rushing-centric game with a decent likelihood of snow, right?

Wisconsin has gotten the better of Iowa six of the past seven meetings, and has built recruiting momentum over the Hawkeyes. However, both teams could be in position to win the Big Ten West if they win this game.

This game could mean everything or nothing for both teams.

Bowl games and the College Football Playoff are still a question mark for this season, and there’s a chance the Buckeyes have the Big Ten East wrapped up entering the game. Would they play their starters in a game with no bowl/playoff implications if they’ve already clinched a title-game berth?