MNW: Eighteen years ago, The Rivalry, Esq. started what then-founder Jonathan Franz dubbed "The Obligatory Predictions Competition". It was a simple conceit: there are, at most, 11 Big Ten games in a given week. He then picked them.
Today there are 18 games in a conference that spans both coasts. There are approximately 25 writers listed as participating in this article.
I was still in high school when the OPC first ran, Northwestern my dream school and the idea of a sports blog barely a concept in my imagination. (I wouldn't discover Twinkie Town, the SBNation Minnesota Twins blog and my gateway drug to sports blogging, for another year.)
Things change, is my point.
About Last Year
MNW: I'm not sure whether I'm the reigning champion of the OPC, but I'm going to claim victory and welcome you all to what I'm sure will be a smooth, successful, and not-at-all-embarrassing defense of said crown.
RockyMtnBlue: Actually, I believe MNW is probably correct. But then again he was the head honcho at that other place so maybe we should treat this like Donald Trump reporting a golf score.
Starting next week, assuming I find and remember how to use the Python script I wrote for this a few years ago, we'll show a listing of how the "writers" did with their "picks".
Picks
Thursday, Sept 3
Massachusetts Minutemen @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights
5pm | BTN | Rutgers -28.5 | O/U:51.5
Buffkomodo: That comment is a bit on the nose. Speaking of UMass, did you see UConn is going to be sporting red jerseys? What’s that got to do with this game? Nothing. It’s just more fun to think about.
RUReady4Brazil: I think Umass will cover per my podcast (The Rutgers Realm). Umass will win a few games this year, they are much better than the 0-12 dumpster fire of a year ago. (Yes, I’m biased because I grew up with Umass HC Joe Harasymiak who left his role as Rutgers DC to take the job.) Rutgers has a QB controversy and are mad at media for pointing out fans are confused. It’s going to be a soap opera season in Piscataway.
Transient Buckeye: Rutgers will win, but 28.5 is a big number for a team I’m expecting to have a very leaky defense. Give me UMass to cover.
HoustonBoiler: Rutgers will win, but 28.5 seems like a hill too high. UMass covers.
BoilerUp89: I can’t believe they killed UMass basketball for this… UMass went 0-12 last year. I don’t believe in Rutgers, but if they can’t cover a 28.5 point spread against the Minutemen things will get ugly in New Jersey.
misdreavus79: UMass sucks, and will lose exactly by 28. Rutgers 42, UMass 14
RockyMtnBlue: Weirdly, Rutgers offense actually looks legit, while its defense looks, well, like Rutgers. UMass, however, is terribad. Rutgers 52-20
MNW: One of my prouder moments at the Old Place was when we found an honest-to-goodness, real-life UMass football blogger to give us his thoughts on the then-independent Minutemen ahead of their game with Northwestern.
Today, UMass is in the MAC, and they, friends, are BAD. Just take By the Belt's word for it.
It's former Rutgers and Minnesota...DC?...Joe Harasymiak; I gotta say, when you have the chance to grab a guy who's done that, you jump on him.
(There's a more serious comment there about how the guy won a conference title at Maine and brought them to their first FCS playoff semifinal ever. But also the Minutemen went 0-12 last year.) Rutgers, 38-7.
UAB Blazers @ Illinois Fighting Illini
8pm | BTN | Illinois -27.5 | O/U:54.5
Buffkomodo: Bert is my 3rd favorite B1G coach. Illinois rolls.
Transient Buckeye: Illinois? Sure. Illinois.
HoustonBoiler: Illinois should have no problem winning and I think they will be 28+ points better than UAB.
BoilerUp89: Illinois should win, but Bert likes to run the ball and I think UAB just covers the spread. HC Alex Mortensen took over from Dilfer midway through last season and immediately knocked off ranked Memphis. I don’t think the Blazers pull the upset, but I do think they show something in Mortensen’s first game without the interim tag.
misdreavus79: UAB got better, but not enough to avoid losing by exactly 28. Illinois 42, UAB 14
RockyMtnBlue: I know nothing of UAB and I refuse to remedy this fact. It’s the American Way, afterall. But I think Illinois is pretty good, so let’s say Illinois 42-10
Friday, Sept 4
Toledo Rockets @ Michigan State Spartans
7pm | FS1 | MSU -9.5 | O/U:47.5
Buffkomodo: I choose to believe there is a God and he will allow Toledo to smite what Michigan State has become.
RUReady4Brazil: September Pat Fitzgerald?!?!?!?!?
Transient Buckeye: Toledo covers, MSU for the win. I wish I had the guts to pick UT to pull the upset outright, but I can’t quite pull the trigger on that.
HoustonBoiler: Both teams feature new coaches and I know nothing about Toledo’s new coach so I Googled him. Turns out Mike Jacobs wins. That’s good enough for me to pick Toledo to win outright.
BoilerUp89: So Toledo’s head coach is the guy I want to replace Odom in … two years? Before glassjawed starts complaining about hiring another defensive coach, Odom was an offensive lineman/long snapper at OSU and has been really, really good at the lower levels of college football (94-23 head coaching record). Yes, it’s a big step up even to the MAC, but I don’t believe in Fitz’s coaching ability in the NIL era either so I’ll predict the upset. Hope that paycheck was worth it, Spartans athletic department.
misdreavus79: Both of these teams got gutted in the offseason, so the power team by default. Michigan State 21, Toledo 7
RockyMtnBlue: Ahhh. An actual football game. We’ll have so few of those this weekend. Michigan fans have been telling me I’m too pessimistic because I’m under-valueing how bad the coaching was last year. I think MSU fans are doing the same. Sparty 24-13
Fresno State Bulldogs @ USC Trojans
8pm | FOX | USC -22.5 | O/U:51.5
Buffkomodo: USC covers because they don’t fall apart in the 4th twice in two weeks.
RUReady4Brazil: USC at “home” wants to make a statement.
Transient Buckeye: USC to win and cover, as they need big margins to wipe off the cowardice stink of cancelling the Notre Dame series.
HoustonBoiler: I think USC realizes that they need to pick it up if they want to go to the playoffs. USC wins and covers.
BoilerUp89: USC wins and covers trying to get some style points.
misdreavus79: If San Jose State could backdoor cover, Fresno State could cover without the back door. USC 45, Fresno State 28
IUinVA: Fresno State takes the CA-180W to CA-41S to CA-99S to I-5S to the CA-110S to play an early season PAC-12 conference game at Southern Cal. I’ll say Fresno covers. I just can’t trust the Trojans.
RockyMtnBlue: USC’s own fans don’t give a damn. Why should I? Unfortunately, I have USC as the 4th best team in the Big10. USC 42-10
Saturday, Sept 5
North Texas Mean Green @ Indiana Hoosiers
11am | FOX | Indiana -39.5 | O/U:55.5
Buffkomodo: The defending National Champion Indiana Hoosiers win big but don’t cover because they simply will run the clock out and win 35-3 or something like that.
RUReady4Brazil: I thought Cignetti wouldn’t take his foot off the gas?
Transient Buckeye: Cignetti going to be out for blood. I think he’ll get it.
HoustonBoiler: Have you ever seen Cignetti happy? Indiana wins and covers.
BoilerUp89: Indiana wins and covers. Cignetti is still raving late in the 4th quarter when the third string allows the chic UNT team to put points on the board
misdreavus79: Death star does not relent. Indiana name your price, North Texas 0
IUinVA: I do believe that Indiana’s roster is more talented this season (32 spots higher in the 24/7 team talent composite), but this program’s bread and butter is still execution. It takes time to get there, so they won‘t be running at peak efficiency in Week 1. The offense could be a bit clunky and there may be some blown assignments, fumbles, penalties, etc. Friend of the IU program, Tayven Jackson, will likely get stuffed in a locker, but at least he’ll be in town to see the shiny, new National Championship signage unveiled. I’ll take Indiana 42-10, but give me North Texas to cover. They‘re Mean. They’re Green. Get used to it.
RockyMtnBlue: I started to type something and then noticed it was almost exactly what misdreavus said. Cignetti is Harbaugh-mean, but without the crazy. Indiana 52-3
Ohio Bobcats @ Nebraska Cornhuskers
11am | FS1 | Nebraska -23.5 | O/U:45.5
Buffkomodo: Nebby wins.
RuReady4Brazil: No Parker Navarro, no stress for the Huskers.
Transient Buckeye: Nebraska will win, but Ohio is a sneaky-good MAC team, and I don’t trust the Huskers’ offense to cover a 23.5-point spread.
HoustonBoiler: I also don’t trust the Huskers to cover a 23.5 point spread. Nebraska wins, but Ohio covers.
BoilerUp89: I heard Solich is doing the coin toss. Nebraska wins by exactly 24.
misdreavus79: My understanding is Ohio doesn’t suck. Nebraska 20, Ohio 10
RockyMtnBlue: I honestly have no idea what to expect from Nebraska this year. Two years ago I was pretty sure they were really on the rise. But they weren’t. Nebraska 34-13
Ball State Cardinals @ Ohio State Buckeyes
11:30am | BTN | Ohio State -50.5 | O/U:55.5
Buffkomodo: Sweet lord that’s a lot of points. Surely they don’t cover that.
RUReady4Brazil: Ball State isn’t that bad are they?
Transient Buckeye: They were 4-8 last year and have turned over more than half their roster. This is a “baby fur seal walks into a club” game. But OSU’s glacial pace of play won’t let them cover a 50-point spread.
HoustonBoiler: Ball State is bad - I mean Purdue shut them out 31-0 last year. Ohio State can name their score in this one. The only question is how high will it be? I’m sure they could easily cover if they wanted to, but I expect Ohio State will play like they did last season. No sense in risking injury while running up the score. I expect Ohio State to be in full python mode and squeeze Ball State to death, but not score over 50.
BoilerUp89: Ball State is that bad. Purdue crushed them last year. 50.5 isn’t nearly enough.
misdreavus79: I don’t care how good Ohio State is. A single score makes this impossible. Ohio State 55, Ball State 10
RockyMtnBlue: /looks at picks spreadsheet. /sees picked Balls Tate to cover. Shit. It NEVER feels like a good idea to bet against Ohio State, even when you’re getting 50.5 Ohio State 52-3
Boise State Broncos @ Oregon Ducks
2:30pm | CBS | Oregon -24.5 | O/U:51.5
Buffkomodo: Is Boise State good? I don’t know, but I do know there’s a new OC in Oregon so I’ll take Boise to cover.
RUReady4Brazil: Boise should be pretty good this year and the Ducks gave mercy last year to anyone they saw no reason to embarrass.
Transient Buckeye: Ashton Jeanty isn’t walking through that door. Ducks win and cover.
HoustonBoiler: I expect Oregon to win and cover.
BoilerUp89: Oregon is my preseason pick to win the conference and the CFP so obviously I think they cover this.
misdreavus79: Here’s to hoping! Oregon 38, Boise State 20
RockyMtnBlue: Ah yes. Another one of those way-west teams none of us wanted. Look at the bright side. The game is in Eugene. Can you imagine see The Fighting Highlighters on that God-awful blue field??? Oregon 42-10
Marshall Thundering Herd @ Penn State Nittany Lions
2:30pm | FS1 | Penn State -23.5 | O/U:52.5
Buffkomodo: I’ll believe in the new regime until I simply can’t anymore.
RUReady4Brazil: Penn State looking to make a statement, I’m just not sure they are that good. Iowa State was pretty good in early games recently though, right Kirk?
Transient Buckeye: Is Marshall any good? I think they’re back to kind of sucking, right? If so, PSU should win and cover.
HoustonBoiler: I have to believe Matt Campbell wants to get off to a good start in Happy Valley. Look for PSU to run it up early and coast to a cover.
BoilerUp89: Penn State is just last year’s Iowa State with another year of experience, right? Last year’s Cyclones were fine, but not a spectacular team either. I’m not nearly as high on these Nittany Lions as most. Marshall gets the backdoor cover.
misdreavus79: “Most” aren’t high on Penn State at all, so “not being as high” on them just makes one part of the pack. Iowa State East 38, Marshall 7
RockyMtnBlue: HOW ARE WE NOT DONE YET? “Penn State to cover at home against a tomato can” never feels wrong. Penn State 35-7
Northern Illinois Huskies @ Iowa Hawkeyes
3:15pm | BTN | Iowa -31.5 | O/U:44.5
Buffkomodo: Can Iowa score 32 points?
RUReady4Brazil: Only against Rutgers can Iowa put up 32 or more. Prove me wrong!
Transient Buckeye: Not sure Iowa has a quarterback. It won’t matter this week. They’ll win easily, but 31.5 is a lot for a team that might not have an offense. NIU covers.
HoustonBoiler: Can Iowa score enough on defense and special teams to cover? It will be close, but they’ll fall short. Kirk won’t care.
BoilerUp89: Iowa isn’t scoring 32 points.They will win, but covering seems out of the question without multiple defensive/special teams scores. That could happen, but I’m not betting on it.
misdreavus79: I liked it better when Iowa’s points came from safeties and field goals. Iowa 40, Northern Illinois 0
RockyMtnBlue: So was Iowa’s confusing competence on offense last year a product of a veteran QB, or just the absence of Brian (I miss him almost as much as I miss Frosty). I’m leaning on “That’s just how bad Brian was” until proven otherwise. Iowa 38-3.
Western Michigan Broncos @ Michigan Wolverines
6:30pm | NBC | Michigan -27.5 | O/U:48.5
Buffkomodo: Uhhh…Michigan?
RUReady4Brazil: Western Michigan isn’t bad but Michigan has a good offensive line, so they will probably cover.
Transient Buckeye: WMU should be a pretty good MAC team. But Michigan should be a pretty good B1G team, and good B1G teams splatter good MAC teams. Wolverines win and cover.
HoustonBoiler: Michigan plays with its food some, but still wins and covers.
BoilerUp89: Michigan starts slow, leading 10-3 at the half. Then they put up 14 in the 3rd quarter before adding another touchdown in the 4th to cover.
misdreavus79: Western Michigan is favored to win the MAC, right? Michigan 28, Western Michigan 17
RockyMtnBlue:Yes, misdreavus, they are. Barring injuries, I’d take Michigan to cover this line with three or four games under their belt with the new coaching regime. But right out of the gate? No. Michigan 31-13
UCLA Bruins @ California Bears
9:30pm | ESPN | UCLA -2.5 | O/U:53.5
Buffkomodo: Give me UCLA I guess?
RUReady4Brazil: I took Cal at home, but this is probably a toss up and whoever shows will win by 17.
Transient Buckeye: UCLA could weaken the “Suzy-Hang-Around” vibe with a win. I’d love to see them do it. I don’t think they will.
HoustonBoiler: Cal is at home and I have to believe they have an axe to grind over how the Pac-12 fell apart. I look for them to win outright.
BoilerUp89: Why are we predicting Pac 12 games? I’ll take the home team I guess.
misdreavus79: Cal
IUinVA: UCLA flies west to play at an ACC team. Is Calimony still a thing, even after Cal remarried a new conference? I’ll take Cal.
RockyMtnBlue: Now THIS is a nerd bowl. This game makes jNW/Duke look like a couch-buring MSU kegger. The football quality? Who the hell knows? UCLA 24-21
Sunday, Sept 6
Washington State Cougars @ Washington Huskies
3pm | NBC | Washington -23.5 | O/U:50.5
Buffkomodo: Go Huskies.
RUReady4Brazil: The Apple Cup in Week 1?!?!?!?!?! Sad.
Transient Buckeye: Wassou should still be pretty terrible. I think Washington has JUST enough to cover.
HoustonBoiler: Washington should be solid again this season so I think they will win the Apple Cup and cover.
BoilerUp89: Is Ryan Walters still at Washington? Again, I ask why are we predicting Pac 12 games? Washington but not by 24+. Rivalries can get weird. Plus the basketball program is too cowardly to play Wazzu anymore so this is Wazzu’s chance to make a statement this sports season.
misdreavus79: Why don’t they call Iowa State Washington State East? Washington 42, Washington State 3
RockyMtnBlue: I believe UDub is sneaky good at home and a tire fire east of the Mississippi. I will continue to believe this until there are several pieces of evidence to the contrary. Purple Puppies 41-10
Wisconsin Badgers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish
6:30pm | NBC | Notre Dame -20.5 | O/U:47.5
Buffkomodo: Whoever the fuck made the schedules in Wisconsin the last few years should be fired and barred from scheduling again.
RUReady4Brazil: Wisconsin’s offense was terrible in an open practice we heard, but I’m sure it will be rolling by Week … 10.
Transient Buckeye: We saw last year what happens when Wisconsin faces playoff teams. It wasn’t pretty. Domers win and cover. Prove me wrong, Badgers.
HoustonBoiler: When I look “meteor game” up in the dictionary, I see these two teams playing. While I will be cheering for the meteor, f’ing domers win and cover.
BoilerUp89: Boo! Boooooooooooo! I’m with HB.
misdreavus79: Here’s to hoping! Notre Dame 35, Wisconsin 20
RockyMtnBlue: Oh Boilerbots. Bless your sheltered little Big10 West hearts. You’re in a conference with Ohio State and you’re calling out wisconsin??? Notre Dame 31-7 Eat at Arbys.
