The Final Score - Your source for Big Ten Sports

Let the games begin!August is coming to a close.  School is starting back up.  Teams are tired of hitting amongst friends. Week one is upon us.  Let the games begin!

I can't promise any real consistency in posting, as the schedule is as crazy as ever.  But we'll give Get Gamm another shot this fall.  After all, we've been at it for, what, almost a decade?

Thursday
UNLV at Wisconsin - Not a total pushover opponent for starters, but UW will find that Russell Wilson was a coup this summer.  Badgers 37 - Rebels 13

Friday
Youngstown State at Michigan State - MSU fans keep hearing how they may be better but have a worse record. The talent is there and deep. Of note will be the play of a re-vamped O-Line and Linebacking Corp. MSU 45 - Jim Tressel State 7

Saturday
Northwestern at Boston College - Probably the best matchup of the weekend.  NU must have a healthy Persa at the helm all season long if the 'Cats are to surprise. He'll be rusty for this one and facing a very good defense.  BC 24 - NU 20

Akron at Ohio State - Round one of three B10 v MAC games on the slate for week one.  OSU is without some key players until game six and Luke Fickell will carry a new set of nerves.  The QB question is what I'm watching for in a game OSU should roll through regardless.  OSU 31 - Zips 3

Indiana State at Penn State - If this was 1979 and we were talking hoops, it might be another story.  No indication so far of who will start at QB. My money is on Bolden if PSU wants to take a positive step forward. PSU 45 - ISU 6

Tennessee Tech at Iowa - An easy way to break in some new starters for the Hawkeyes who once again will try to fly under the radar and wind up scary good.  Iowa 38 - TTU 0

Middle Tennessee at Purdue - Woe is Purdue.  Seriously, has a program been more decimated by injuries of late?  The Boilers are very inexperienced at QB and this against a team that has fared quite well the past two seasons.  Upset of the day.  Middle Tennessee 26 - Purdue 20

Minnesota at USC - I've seen some (Pat Forde) call for an upset here.  USC is under the radar due to probation and a ho-hum 2010 campaign.  Minnesota has some talent but not the depth or overall horses to win.  USC 31 - Minnesota 13

Western Michigan at Michigan - B10 v MAC II.  The much anticipated Brady Hoke era cuts loose against a pretty good directional Michigan foe.  Western will keep it interesting early but Michigan preps for the big one next week with an easy win.  Michigan 42 - WMU 20

Chattanooga at Nebraska - Is it Big Ten against Tennessee weekend or what?  The Cornhuskers arrive with a bang on both sides of the ball.  Nebraska 56 - Choo Choo 3

Arkansas State at Illinois - Finally, a cupcake for an opener (no more Mizzou). Illinois is a team many think is poised to take the next step.  Thing is, I don't always buy that with Zook's teams.  Illinois 48 - Arkansas State 10

Indiana vs. Ball State - B10 MAC III should be a decent game but really, at Lucas Oil?  IU can't fill Memorial Stadium!  I like the new coach and direction and this will be a win, but there is a lot of work to be done. IU 34 - BSU 16