Better Know the Non-Con: Week 2

Big Ten-SEC narratives abound in Week 2.

This is, of course, the week of Power 5 matchups across the Big Ten as well as a VERY timely rest break for a team who really earned it in Week 1.

Ohio State Buckeyes at Texas Longhorns
Saturday, Sept. 12 | 6:30pm | ABC

“Can Arch Manning win the Heisman?” I ask, checking to make sure all the SEO is finished on the article before I walk out into traffic.

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones
Saturday, Sept. 12 | 6:30pm | NBC

I mean, obviously. No one is going to enjoy this, but it beats watching OSU-Texas on mute lest you, again, throw yourself into that onrushing traffic.

Mississippi State Bulldogs at Minnesota Golden Gophers
Saturday, Sept. 12 | 2:30pm | CBS

BRING YOUR COWBELLS. BRING YOUR PASSIVE AGGRESSION. LET’S. GET. WEIRD.

Jeff Lebby and CLANGA are here to push the tempo and the ball down the field. PJ Fleck and Minnesota are here to sit dourly on the ball for 40 minutes and pretend Drake Lindsey is the second coming of Bryan Cupito.

This is a clash of styles and fanbases and networks and I am here for the mess and intrigue.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Boston College Eagles
Friday, Sept. 11 | 6:30pm | ESPN2

Maryland Terrpins at UConn Huskies
Saturday, Sept. 12 | 2:30pm | CBSSN

These should be Big East matchups, both of them. (I realize Maryland was in whatever that other conference was. I don’t care.)

Did YOU know it was already three years ago, now, that Jeff Hafley left BC for the NFL? I sure didn’t. But we get probably the last few games of Ol’ Buttchin Bill on Chestnut Hill, so let’s savor them together, shall we? (His first-and-final year defensive coordinator is Ted Roof. I know a mailed-in march to a buyout clause when I see one.)

As for Maryland-UConn: Jason Candle has never had a losing season as a head coach. The Huskies have a gentle schedule, though back-to-back road trips to Hattiesburg and Oxford follow this one—life as an independent is so exciting, isn’t it?—and they bring a deep backfield and Candle’s commitment to controlling the clock. (Nunzio Campanile is the Huskies’ OC, just for shits and giggles.)

This is some straight-up hot slop from the East Coast. I, for one, cannot wait.

Northwestern, who is taking a Week 2 bye after a 25% chance of losing to South Dakota State.

That, or Indiana for playing Howard (9/12, 11am, BTN). I get that wisconsin is picking on someone its own size by playing Western Illinois at home (9/12, BTN, 6:15pm); regardless, ew.

• Michigan vs. Oklahoma [9/12, 11am, FOX]

• Oregon at Oklahoma State [9/12, 11am, ESPN]

• Purdue vs. Wake Forest [9/12, 11am, FS1]

• Penn State at Temple [9/12, 11am, ESPN2]

• Illinois vs. Duke [9/12, 2:30pm, FS1]

• Michigan State vs. Eastern Michigan [9/12, 2:30pm, BTN]

• Washington vs. Utah State [9/12, 2:30pm, BTN]

• Nebraska vs. Bowling Green [9/12, 6pm, FS1]

• UCLA vs. San Diego State [9/12, 6:15pm, BTN]

Michigan vs. Oklahoma [9/12, 11am, FOX]

Oregon at Oklahoma State [9/12, 11am, ESPN]

Purdue vs. Wake Forest [9/12, 11am, FS1]

Penn State at Temple [9/12, 11am, ESPN2]

Illinois vs. Duke [9/12, 2:30pm, FS1]

Michigan State vs. Eastern Michigan [9/12, 2:30pm, BTN]

Washington vs. Utah State [9/12, 2:30pm, BTN]

Nebraska vs. Bowling Green [9/12, 6pm, FS1]

UCLA vs. San Diego State [9/12, 6:15pm, BTN]

That’s a really engaging, amusing schedule. I can’t wait to see it all blow up in someone’s face.