We've already spent some time talking about the Buckeyes and their upcoming trip to Norman this September, and while that certainly is the biggest non-conference draw for the Big Ten, there are a number of other matchups that could factor into the national title picture this fall.
MICHIGAN STATE @ NOTRE DAME • SEPTEMBER 17TH • 7:30PM
While the Spartans and Fighting Irish are pretty familiar with one another, this one figures to be another bout between Top 25 foes. The Irish checked in at No. 9 on last month's way-too-early Top 25 while the Spartans found themselves at No. 16. Notre Dame will be looking at DeShone Kizer or Malik Zaire to lead the way all the while trying to replace a number of NFL draftees – including Jaylon Smith, Nick Martin, Ronnie Stanley, and Will Fuller.
While the Irish are in an envious position at quarterback, the Spartans will have to find a replacement for Connor Cook. Fifth-year senior Tyler O'Connor started the spring as the top option with junior Damion Terry nipping at his heels. Mark Dantonio will also have to replace Jack Conklin, Shilique Calhoun, and wideout Aaron Burbridge. The Spartans should once again feature a strong stable at running back with Hubbard, Ohio's L.J. Scott carrying the load.
WISCONSIN VS LSU (LAMBEAU FIELD) • SEPTEMBER 3RD • 3:30PM
Not sure if you've heard, but Leonard Fournette is a large human who also happens to be quite good at carrying the football. The Badgers are going to have their hands full at Lambeau when the Tigers, who are ranked sixth in the ESPN Top 25, come to town. The two teams kicked off the 2014 season in Houston in a game that saw LSU score 15 fourth-quarter points en route to a 28-24 come-from-behind victory.
This will be a challenge for the Badgers.
Joel Stave is out and Wisconsin will look to Bart Houston and/or Kare' Lyles to step up this season. Corey Clement is coming off an injury-plagued 2015 and his health will be one of the bigger things to watch in the Big Ten this season. Perhaps the biggest loss for the Badgers is that of defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, who will now be on the opposite sideline leading the way for LSU.
Quarterback play for Tigers has been notoriously awful of late, so the Badgers may need to force some mistakes to have a chance in this one. That could be a tall task if Fournette touches the ball 50 times, though.
Saturday, Kirk Herbstreit confirmed that College Gameday will open the season in Green Bay.
NEBRASKA VS OREGON • SEPTEMBER 17TH • TBA
Tommy Armstrong is back again for what feels like his 10th season in Lincoln. While his athleticism is easy to see, there are still questions surrounding his ability to play quarterback. He's thrown a whopping 36 career interceptions to 53 touchdowns. The Huskers ended last season with a bowl win over UCLA and they do return a good group on both sides of the ball.
Oregon should feature Montana State transfer Dakota Prukop at quarterback and Brady Hoke will look to settle into his new role as Ducks' defensive coordinator. The Ducks blew a 31-point lead in January's Alamo Bowl loss to TCU.
This game is also shaping up to be a huge recruiting weekend for the Huskers. Mike Riley is finding some success in California and a big group from the area is expected in Lincoln. Ohio State targets Tyjon Lindsey and Darnay Holmes are both scheduled to make their official visits that weekend.
PENN STATE @ PITTSBURGH • SEPTEMBER 10TH • 12:00PM
Despite a few solid recruiting classes, James Franklin hasn't exactly set the world on fire since his arrival in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions are 14-12 in two seasons with the FrankLion at the helm. The Christian Hackenberg experiment didn't go so well, and with the three-year starter now suiting up for the New York Jets, Franklin and new offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead – previously the head coach at Fordham – are in search of a new signal-caller.
Redshirt sophomore Trace McSorley looked solid in the Nits' spring game and is expected by many to be named the starter. Penn State's offensive line has arguably been its worst unit of late, so a lot of eyes will be focused on their play in the trenches. Fortunately, they do still have one of the top backs in the Big Ten and possibly the entire country in sophomore Saquon Barkley. James Franklin also will be bringing in the nation's top tailback from the 2016 class as Miles Sanders should see playing time as a true freshman.
Saquon Barkley will carry the load again in 2016.
While this game isn't expected to have national title implications, it will be interesting to see Penn State's new uptempo offense as they attempt to move on from the dreadful Hackenberg Era.
IOWA VS NORTH DAKOTA STATE • SEPTEMBER 17TH • TBA
It's not very often that there's much to talk about regarding an FCS opponent, but North Dakota State is the exception. The Bison have won five straight FCS titles dating back to 2011, and Kirk Ferentz will need to make sure the Hawkeyes aren't looking ahead to the Big Ten slate which is scheduled to start the following weekend.
After starting the 2015 campaign 12-0 before falling in their final two games, Iowa checks in at No. 23 on the ESPN preseason rankings. C.J. Beathard will be back under center on offense and the defense is led by Thorpe Award winner Desmond King.
The Bison are 8-3 against FBS schools and have won their last five meetings; most recently against Iowa State in 2014.
Elsewhere around the Big Ten, the Terps will travel to Orlando to take on UCF on Sept. 17. Rutgers opens the season on the road against Washington. Northwestern is set to host Duke and Illinois faces off against North Carolina on September 10th.
As for the Wolverines, they open the season with three home games, hosting Hawaii, UCF, and Colorado before heading to Happy Valley to open Big Ten play.
