SEC? Check. ACC? Check. Best list of games ever assembled? We’ve got that, too. We’re moving on in our Most Anticipated Games of 2013 series by heading to the Midwest to tackle the Big Ten.
Long time rivalries and some thrillers from last season litter this list as well as games that will weigh heavy in the last year of the dreaded Leaders and Legends divisions.
Wisconsin Badgers at Ohio State Buckeyes
Saturday, Sept. 28, 8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN/2 TBA
Ohio State opens up Big Ten by playing Wisconsin, a team they slipped by in overtime last season. Here’s to hoping this years match-up is as good as last year’s showdown in Madison. The winner of this will have an early leg up in the Leaders division.
Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio State Buckeyes
Saturday, Oct. 26, 8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN/2 TBA
Someone has to step up and challenge Ohio State in the Leaders division. Penn State could be that team if they can win on the road because the road team has won the last two meetings between these two.
Northwestern Wildcats at Nebraska Cornhuskers
Saturday, Nov. 2, Time/TV TBA
One of three games on the list for the Wildcats and one of two for the Cornhuskers. Both teams feature dual threat quarterbacks in Martinez and Coulter and both defenses can be suspect at times. Look for a shootout in Lincoln.
Ohio State Buckeyes at Purdue Boilermakers
Saturday, Nov. 2, Time/TV TBA
This one won’t be fireworks and it won’t be the cleanest game on the list. If you know Big Ten football, though, then you know why this game is on the list. Purdue and Ohio State have split the last two meetings, the home team winning both. Margin of victory in those two games? A total of ten points.
Michigan Wolverines at Michigan State Spartans
Saturday, Nov. 2, Time/TV TBA
There’s not too much to say about this game because you never know what to expect. Michigan broke Michigan State’s win streak in the series last year, but Michigan has lost their last last two in East Lansing. This rivalry has provided some thrillers. If you sleep on it, one will happen.
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Michigan Wolverines
Saturday, Nov. 9, Time/TV TBA
There’s two reasons this game is on the list. The winner will probably play in Indianapolis, and it’s almost impossible to predict what will happen. The home team has won each of the two conference match-ups, but in totally different fashion. Michigan routed the Cornhuskers in 2011, and Michigan’s offense struggled with the loss of Denard Robinson in 2012. Two contrasting styles of offense combined with the departure of Robinson will make for entertaining football.
Michigan Wolverines at Northwestern Wildcats
Saturday, Nov. 16, Time/TV TBA
This should be the biggest game of the year for the Wildcats, and they get to host it, too — more on that later. Northwestern is trying to become a power in the Legends division, and they’ll have to beat the consensus favorites in the division to do so. They played the Wolverines tough last year, and they are looking to complete the upset this time.
Michigan State Spartans at Northwestern Wildcats
Saturday, Nov. 23, Time/TV TBA
Northwestern is a popular sleeper pick in the Legends division. If they want to contend for the division, they have to win at home. This is the second game on the list that Cain Coulter and Northwestern host, and they will try to make it two in a row against Sparty this year.
Penn State Nittany Lions at Wisconsin Badgers
Saturday, Nov. 30, Time/TV TBA
Anytime the previous year’s game went to overtime, it almost automatically earns a spot on this list. Being so late in the season too, if Ohio State slips up, it could decide the Leaders division. Can Wisconsin return to Indy in its first year without Bret Bielema?
Ohio State Buckeyes at Michigan Wolverines
Saturday, Nov. 30, Time/TV TBA
Many people think this is going to be a preview of the Big Ten championship game. The playing field should be even this year, with the brand new coach winning each of the last two meetings. Ohio State is expected to be in contention for a national title, too. Can Michigan ruin that in Ann Arbor? It’s called “The Game” for a reason.
Honorable Mentions
- Michigan State Spartans at Iowa Hawkeyes
Saturday, Oct. 5, 12 p.m. ET, TV TBA - Minnesota Golden Gophers at Michigan Wolverines
Saturday, Oct. 5, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN/2 TBA - Michigan Wolverines at Penn State Nittany Lions
Saturday, Oct. 12, 5:00 p.m. ET, ESPN or ESPN2 - Illinois Fighting Illini at Indiana Hoosiers
Saturday, Nov. 9, Time/TV TBA - Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio State Buckeyes
Saturday, Nov. 23, Time/TV TBA
Clayton Tinkle is a contributor to FBSchedules.com.