Previewing the Big Ten afternoon games
September, 8, 2012
9/08/12
1:30
PM ET
By
Brian Bennett | ESPN.com
It's going to be a busy afternoon in the Big Ten, with five games. Four of them are on the road. Here's a quick look at what's on tap:
Air Force (1-0) at No. 8 Michigan (0-1), 3:30 p.m., ABC: The Wolverines look to avoid an 0-2 start and get back on track after the Alabama loss. Running back Fitz Toussaint returns and will start. Air Force will challenge Michigan's defense with its option attack, which piled up 484 rushing yards last week against Idaho State.
Iowa State (1-0) at Iowa (1-0), 3:30 p.m., BTN: The Cy-Hawk series resumes with Iowa looking to avenge last year's overtime loss in Ames. The quarterbacks -- James Vandenberg for the Hawkeyes and Steele Jantz for Iowa State -- are the headliners here, but Iowa running back Damon Bullock might be the most important player. Expect a close one.
No. 13 Michigan State (1-0) at Central Michigan (1-0), 3:30 p.m., ESPNU: The Chippewas are gearing up for the biggest home game in their history, as Michigan State comes to Mount Pleasant. The Spartans are huge favorites, but their defense will have to stop Zurlon Tipton, who ran for 180 yards on just 17 carries for Central Michigan in Week 1.
Indiana (1-0) at UMass (0-1), 3:30 p.m., ESPN3.com: Can the Hoosiers, who went 1-11 last year, start this season 2-0? They've got a great chance, even on the road, against a team playing its first home game as an FBS member. UMass was shut out last week at UConn. Indiana will have to cut down on its mistakes from the opener and convert yards into points to get the win.
No. 12 Wisconsin (1-0) at Oregon State (0-0), 4 p.m., FX: The Badgers will look to stave off an upset bid against the Beavers, whose opener against Nicholls State was canceled. Quarterback Sean Mannion will need a big game for Oregon State, which couldn't do anything offensively in a 35-0 loss last year in Madison.
Air Force (1-0) at No. 8 Michigan (0-1), 3:30 p.m., ABC: The Wolverines look to avoid an 0-2 start and get back on track after the Alabama loss. Running back Fitz Toussaint returns and will start. Air Force will challenge Michigan's defense with its option attack, which piled up 484 rushing yards last week against Idaho State.
Iowa State (1-0) at Iowa (1-0), 3:30 p.m., BTN: The Cy-Hawk series resumes with Iowa looking to avenge last year's overtime loss in Ames. The quarterbacks -- James Vandenberg for the Hawkeyes and Steele Jantz for Iowa State -- are the headliners here, but Iowa running back Damon Bullock might be the most important player. Expect a close one.
No. 13 Michigan State (1-0) at Central Michigan (1-0), 3:30 p.m., ESPNU: The Chippewas are gearing up for the biggest home game in their history, as Michigan State comes to Mount Pleasant. The Spartans are huge favorites, but their defense will have to stop Zurlon Tipton, who ran for 180 yards on just 17 carries for Central Michigan in Week 1.
Indiana (1-0) at UMass (0-1), 3:30 p.m., ESPN3.com: Can the Hoosiers, who went 1-11 last year, start this season 2-0? They've got a great chance, even on the road, against a team playing its first home game as an FBS member. UMass was shut out last week at UConn. Indiana will have to cut down on its mistakes from the opener and convert yards into points to get the win.
No. 12 Wisconsin (1-0) at Oregon State (0-0), 4 p.m., FX: The Badgers will look to stave off an upset bid against the Beavers, whose opener against Nicholls State was canceled. Quarterback Sean Mannion will need a big game for Oregon State, which couldn't do anything offensively in a 35-0 loss last year in Madison.



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