Homecoming Saturday: Iowa hosts Northwestern at Kinnick

Prediction:

Iowa Hawkeyes 27

Northwestern Wildcats 16

Battle of two improving Big Ten teams in the conference opener. Iowa won at Evanston last year, but the Hawkeyes allowed the Wildcats to get taste of victory the previous visit. It should be a classic chess match between coaches.

Purdue is the only Big Ten team not playing a Big Ten opener. Joe Tiller's Boilermakers travel to South Bend for a game with Norte Dame.

Minnesota at Ohio State - Glen Mason will be on hand to watch his alma mater and call the game of his former team on the Big Ten Network. Irony, Mason is honorary captain for today's game.

Wisconsin at Michigan - Coach Rich Rodriquez gets his official welcome to the Big Ten Conference as Bret Bielema's Badgers travel to Ann Arbor with the showdown with Michigan.

Michigan State at Indiana - This could be a dangerous game for the Spartans, if IU can slow down Jovon Ringer and the MSU ground attack. IU is coming off loss to Ball State and could feel the pressure, if they don't get a good early start in the Big Ten.

Illinois at Penn State - This is the biggest national game, with both teams appearing to go in opposite directions. The Fighting Illini played in a BCS game last year, but have some chinks in the armor entering '08, while PSU appears to be the best option to give Ohio State a run for the Big Ten crown this year.

Big Ten standings

Team Conference/All Games

Minnesota 0-0 4-0

Northwestern 0-0 4-0

Penn State 0-0 4-0

Wisconsin 0-0 3-0

Iowa 0-0 3-1

Michigan State 0-0 3-1

Ohio State 0-0 3-1

Illinois 0-0 2-1

Indiana 0-0 2-1

Purdue 0-0 2-1

Michigan 0-0 1-2

Well, it's time to head to Iowa City and Kinnick Stadium for the kickoff of the 2008 Big Ten season! On Iowa!

peace