Week 1 - Big Ten, Big East, Mid American, Sun Belt Previews

WEEK 1 (Sep 1 - 5)

Excitement for the 2011 college football season is everywhere and we're proud to roll out a new format to The Nitty Griddy this year. Here are some conference previews for Week 1 from the Big Ten, Big East, Mid American and Sun Belt conferences. More conference spotlights will follow tomorrow and Wednesday with additional content later in the week. Thanks for joining us and enjoy opening week with games Thursday - Monday. Is there a better way to spend a holiday weekend?

BIG TEN:

WISCONSIN -35 vs. UNLV (9/1/11): The Badgers open up 2011 with transfer QB Russell Wilson leading the team. The QB at NC State for the last 3 seasons, Wilson chose to come to Madison instead of pursuing professional baseball or suiting up for the Auburn Tigers after graduating early from NC State. The Badger defense is led by Chris Borland and a BCS bowl berth could be on the horizon for Wisconsin. The Running Rebels of UNLV come into the game with a lot of youth on both sides of the ball. Sophomore Caleb Herring has locked up the starting QB job and will look to replace Omar Santos, who played more games at QB for the Rebels than anyone in school history. This one should be over by halftime at Camp Randall, with Wisconsin cruising to victory.

MICHIGAN STATE OFF vs. Youngstown State (9/2/11): No line on this game from our source, but Michigan State comes in ranked in the Top 25 and has BCS bowl aspirations. The Spartans are led by Senior QB Kirk Cousins who has a host of weapons on the offensive front. The word out of camp is the defense is better and Coach Dantonio knows this is the key to taking the next step in East Lansing. The Penguins are led by Sophomore QB Kurt Hess and Senior LB John Sasson. Don't expect Coach Eric Wolford's Penguins to put up too much of a fight here. The Spartans should roll easily with the second string getting some playing time.

BIG EAST:

WEST VIRGINIA -21 vs. Marshall (9/4): West Virginia enters the season as the only team in the conference ranked in the Top 25. They feature Junior QB Geno Smith and are considered to be the most complete team in the league by many. Former Mountaineer assistant Doc Holliday returns home to lead his Marshall Thundering Herd and their stout defense against West Virginia. Without a clear cut #1 QB, expect Marshall's offense to struggle in Morgantown against the superior Moutaineers.

PITTSBURGH OFF vs. Buffalo (9/3): No line from our source on this one, but intriguing as Pitt has a chance to make noise in the league. Redshirt Junior QB Tino Sunseri returns as the starter of an offense that is projected to run the spread this year, which is a change from Pitt's traditional 'pro-style' offense. Buffalo's head coach Jeff Quinn, a Brian Kelly disciple, looks to rebound from the 2-10 record the Bulls posted in his first year at the helm. Look for Pitt's talent to take over in the second half and bury the Buffalo Bulls.

MID AMERICAN:

Western Michigan +13 @ MICHIGAN (9/3): Head Coach Bill Cubit begins his 7th year in Kalamazoo with another extremely talented offensive group. Junior QB Alex Carder will look to light up the scoreboard with the help of 6th year Senior WR Jordan White. The Bronco defense, which was much improved in 2010 under new coordinator Dave Cohen, will be the key to success for WMU. Michigan opens the 2011 campaign with Junior QB Denard Robinson adapting to new head coach Brady Hoke's system. There may be some growing pains in Ann Arbor this year, but I don't see another opening day upset at the Big House.

Akron OFF @ OHIO STATE (9/3): No line here from our source, but the story will be The Ohio State University and life after disgraced Head Coach Jim Tressel. While not much is expected of the woeful Akron Zips this year, who are coming off a 1-11 season in Coach Rob Ianello's first season, all eyes will be on Columbus to see the new look Buckeyes.

SUN BELT:

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL -14.5 vs. North Texas (9/1): FIU is a favorite in the Sun Belt and a sleeper pick to bust up the BCS. Playmaker T.Y. Hilton is a force for Coach Mario Cristobal, who is coming off leading the Panthers to their most successful season since becoming a program in 2002. Former Urban Meyer assistant Dan McCarney takes over a beleaguered Mean Green squad that is looking to lay a foundation for the future. Expect FIU to roll in this one.

~Marcus A. Reath