It's a Big Day for the Big Ten ... at least that is what those Nationally suggest!

By the way, Toledo pounds Colorado 54-38 on Friday night. Purdue, from the Big Ten, opened the '09 season with a respectable win over Toledo. Of course, neither game was a surprise.

Where does the Big Ten stand right now nationally? Well, the Sagarin ratings has the Big Ten just behind the ACC at #5 nationally. The ACC saw two programs in Week 1 fall to FCS programs. Like last year, will we see the ACC get more love than deserved? The top program, Virginia Tech, lost to Alabama in Week 1.

The Big Ten finished Week 1 with a 10-1 record. Missouri spanked Illinois in the Big Ten's only loss in Week 1.

Here's Cidsports Week 1 ratings for the Big Ten:

1. Ohio State (1-0) - The Buckeyes, like the USC Trojans (1-0), have won a share or outright conference title, since '05. While the Buckeyes have taken a hit nationally, since they lost back to back BCS Championships in '06 and '07, this is still the #1 program in the Big Ten and team to beat in '09. This week, it's The Game of the Year for the Big Ten: USC @ Ohio State in prime time on ESPN.


2. Penn State (1-0) - Just how good will the Nittany Lions be in '09? The Akron game is in the books, with Syracuse (0-1) next up in Happy Valley, followed by Temple in Week 3. Not since '02, will the Big Ten opener, have interesting pattern for the Nittany Lions, with four straight home games to open the season. For the fun of it, let's hope the results are similar!


3. Michigan State (1-0) - The Spartans won the '09 opener over a FCS team. In the preseason, the Spartans were picked to finish in the Top 3 in the Big Ten. Are the going to contend in '09 for the Big Ten title. With a new QB and RB, it far too early to project the Spartans ready and able, but Coach Dantonio is earning respect entering his third season in East Lansing and host Central Michigan (0-1) in Week 2.


4. Iowa (1-0) - A win is a win. Unlike Michigan in '07, vs. FCS Appalachian State, the Hawkeyes won in Week 1 lead by back to back blocked FGs in a span of 7 seconds to out last 17-16 in a win over Northern Iowa (0-1), one of the Top 5 FCS programs right now. The Cy-Hawk series is up in Week 2 as the Hawkeyes travel to Ames to face Iowa State (1-0), under first year coach Paul Rhoades. The Hawkeyes have not given up a touchdown to ISU in 10 quarters and are looking for their first win in Ames, since the '03 game.


5. Michigan (1-0) - The Wolverines (3-9 in '08) got back to winning football in Week 1, with a win over Western Michigan and their first win in an opener, since the '06 season. It's a big rivalry game in Week 2 as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-0) head to Ann Arbor today. Coach Rich Rodriquez vs. Coach Charlie Weis in the Big House should be a good one.


6. Northwestern (1-0) - The Wildcats opened the '09 season with a sound victory over the FCS opponent, Towson. The Wildcats face Eastern Michigan (0-1) in Week 2 in Evanston, in a game that should be all purple.


7. Illinois (0-1) - The Fighting Illini have more questions than answers at this point, after an ugly loss vs. Missouri in Week 1. Illinois will attempt to get the kinks out vs. a FCS opponent in Week 2, when Illinois State (0-1) comes to town. In '03, the Redbirds played in Champaign, with the Illini winning 49-22. The Fighting Illini have a bye week next week, then open the Big Ten slate in Columbus in Week 4.


8. Wisconsin (1-0) - The Badgers opened the '09 season with a 28-20 win vs. Northern Illinois in Madison. Week 2 will be a much bigger test for the Badgers with Fresno State (1-0) coming to town. Junior Scott Tolzien is the new QB in '09 unseating returning starter, senior Dustin Sherer, with the opening game start. If the Badgers can get the quarterback play that was missing in '08, the Badgers should continue to improve in the Big Ten.


9. Minnesota (1-0) - The Golden Gophers pulled off the OT win @ Syracuse in Week 1. The new offense passed it's first test. Though, Week 2 will be a huge test in the debut of the new on-campus stadium for Minnesota. Air Force (1-0) @ Minnesota should be a good prime time test for the Golden Gophers, who are breaking in a new offense and their fourth DC in four years.


10. Purdue (1-0) - Coach Danny Hope opened his first season in West Lafayette in winning fashion with a solid win over Toledo in Week 1. The Boilermakers have a strong test in Week 2 @ Oregon (0-1), who disgraced the Ducks program to a degree in the opening game loss at Boise State in the season opener on opening day.


11. Indiana (1-0) - The Hoosiers introduced the "pistol offense" under third year coach Bill Lynch with a win over an FCS opponent, Eastern Kentucky. The Hoosiers host Western Michigan (0-1) in Bloomington in Week 2 in a bigger test.

It will be a tough set of tests for the Big Ten with games @ Iowa State and @ Oregon. But, the biggest tests will be home match ups in Columbus and Ann Arbor. The Nation is watching or are they really, other than the USC and Notre Dame showcases?

peace