B1G Plans for Full Slate. Will Virus Cooperate?
Illinois and Nebraska had planned to open their season by squaring off in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 28. Upon further review, they decided that they’ll simply play the game in Champaign, out of Covid-19 concerns.
That’s unfortunate, losing a special opportunity like that. We hope and expect to have the virus under control by the fall. But given all the factors and unknowns that are still out there, it’s the right decision, to scrap an international trip.
Even on the turf hallowed by Grange and Butkus, that game will still be of interest because it will mark the debut of Bret Bielema as Illinois coach. How will the Illini look? If they can be competitive, that would be good. If they win, it’s hard to say where the earthquake would be more seismic—in the Land of Lincoln or the city of Lincoln.
But that will just be the beginning of the fingers-crossed return to college football's normal 12-game schedule. Here are some other notable intrigues as the Big Ten gets back on the horse after the bucking bronco of 2020.
One of the biggest questions is what the pandemic parameters will be. Will the games be played without virus problems? How many fans will be in the stands? Last fall, the Big Ten games that were played were basically limited to family and essential personnel.
MOST INTERESTING NON-CONFERENCE GAMES
These games will be good measures, and important resume builders.
West Virginia at Maryland, Sept. 4
Good indicator of where Mike Locksley’s Terp rebuild is at
Iowa at Iowa State, Sept. 11
Another chapter in one of the nation’s best instate non-conference rivalries
Washington at Michigan, Sept. 11
Intersectional meeting will put spotlight on Jim Harbaugh
Nebraska at Oklahoma, Sept. 18
Cornhuskers try to rekindle magic in revival of historic series
Minnesota at Colorado, Sept. 18
Good Pac-12/Big Ten test for two improving programs
Cincinnati at Indiana, Sept. 18
IU takes on Best Group of 5 opponent Big Ten will face
Michigan State at Miami (Fla.), Sept. 18
Will Sparty be ready for a game like this in Mel Tucker’s second year?
Tulsa at Ohio State, Sept. 18
Sneaky tough Group of 5 opponent comes to the Horseshoe
Auburn at Penn State, Sept. 18
Big showcase for Bryan Harsin, who left Boise State for Auburn
Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin, at Soldier Field, Chicago, Sept. 25
Might be Big Ten’s best non-conference matchup. 2020 meeting at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field shelved by Coronavirus
EARLY CONFERENCE BAROMETER GAMES
The Big Ten is not messing around. Besides Nebraska’s Aug. 28 trip to Illinois, several other conference games are on tap for season openers. And they're all pretty good matchups.
Ohio State at Minnesota, Thursday, Sept. 2
Will early catching Buckeyes early aid Gophers' upset bid?
Indiana at Iowa, Sept. 4
Hoosiers can prove they are the real deal after impressive 2020
Michigan State at Northwestern, Sept. 4
Opportunity for rebuilding MSU against retooling Wildcats
Penn State at Wisconsin, Sept. 4
Starting right important for two programs with high standards
KEY SHOWDOWNS
There will a little extra at stake in these matchups, which should have drama as well as won-lost implications
Michigan at Wisconsin, Oct. 2
Important divisional crossover Clash of Titans
Indiana at Penn State, Oct. 2
Rematch of Indiana’s bizarre overtime win last year
Nebraska at Minnesota, Oct. 16
Cornhusker faithful expect to beat that team Up North
Iowa at Wisconsin, Oct. 30
This rivalry usually a key to Western Division
Michigan at Michigan State, Oct. 30
For all the talk about Michigan-Ohio State, this is also an intense rivalry
Penn State at Ohio State, Oct. 30
Annually one of the Buckeyes’ most anticipated conference opponents
Iowa at Northwestern, Nov. 6
Big key to Wildcats’ bid to repeat in West
Northwestern at Wisconsin, Nov. 13
NU completing tough back-to-back stretch
Michigan at Penn State, Nov. 13
Yet another big challenge for Harbaugh
RIVALRY FINALES ARE BACK
Iowa at Nebraska, Friday, Nov. 26
Followed by these six rivalry games on Nov. 27
Northwestern at Illinois
Wisconsin at Minnesota
Indiana at Purdue
Maryland at Rutgers
Ohio State at Michigan
Penn State at Michigan State