For the first time in 20 years, the Big Ten Conference put together an undefeated week, going 10-0 with Purdue having a bye. The last time this happened was Sept. 14, 1985 when it went 9-0. Interestingly, the Boilermakers were idle that day as well.
As the Big Ten enters the second week of the non-conference schedule, it will be difficult to match the week one success. In addition to the games everyone will be watching, No. 2 Texas at No. 4 Ohio State and No. 20 Notre Dame at No. 3 Michigan (see left), several other Big Ten teams will be tested.
Cincinnati at Penn State, 11:00 a.m.
Cincinnati's first game as a member of the revamped Big East conference was a success, as the Bearcats edged Eastern Michigan 28-26. Penn State will look to start 2-0 after jumping out to an early 17-0 lead over South Florida and hanging on for the 23-13 victory.
Akron at Purdue, 11:00 a.m.
In a matchup of two teams that had last week off, look for Purdue to continue the Big Ten's dominance of the Mid-American Conference.
San Jose State at Illinois, 1:00 p.m.
Illinois was on the ropes last week against Rutgers, trailing 27-10 in the fourth quarter before rallying for a stirring 33-30 overtime victory in Ron Zook's first game as Illini head coach. Illinois, which allowed Rutgers to pile up 507 yards of total offense, will have to tighten up its defense if it hopes to slip past San Jose State, which rolled up 543 yards in its 35-24 victory over Eastern Washington. The Spartans are looking to start 2-0 for the first time in 18 years.
Colorado State at Minnesota, 1:00 p.m.
Laurence Maroney piled up 203 yards before taking the rest of the day off in the Golden Gophers 41-10 rout of Tulsa. The Gophers' offensive machine will not likely slow against a Colorado State team that gave up three touchdowns in the fourth quarter of its 31-28 loss to in-state rival Colorado.
Iowa at Iowa State, 2:30 p.m.
This always entertaining contest will likely hold to form this year. Both teams seek to contend in their respective conferences. Iowa rolled over Ball State 56-0 while Iowa State snuck by Eastern Illinois 32-21, but the Cyclones always save some of their best football for their fierce rivals.
Hawaii at Michigan State, 2:30 p.m.
Things can only improve for Hawaii, which succumbed 63-17 to No. 1 Southern California last week. Michigan State, meanwhile, is looking for another offensive outburst after its 49-14 pasting of Kent State. The Spartans exploded for 685 total yards-second most in school history.
Northern Illinois at Northwestern, 3:00 p.m.
In the battle for Chicago suburb supremacy, Northwestern could have its hands full with a scrappy Northern Illinois team that stayed with Michigan for a quarter-and-a-half before falling 33-17. The Wildcats rolled over Ohio 38-14.
Nicholls State at Indiana, 3:00 p.m.
Despite delays in classes at Nicholls State-class did not begin until Wednesday because of the Louisiana college's close proximity to hurricane-ravaged New Orleans, the game will go on. The Hoosiers will be looking to improve upon their performance in their narrow 20-13 victory over Central Michigan.
