Season Predictions: Toughest Regular Season Game?

1. Toughest Regular Season Game (excluding possible bowl games)?

Pete's Take--How can it not be Eastern Illinois? Honestly, what do you know about them? The team probably knows just as much, but there can only be one answer to this question--and that is Ohio State. Penn State and Ohio State are the best two teams in the conference and have been for the past few years. This game like the recent few will probably decide the winner of the Big 10 and who goes to the BCS. On paper this should be a great game that should be another defensive struggle and Penn State may need someone to make a Mark Rubin like play to beat the Buckeyes at home.

Greg's Response--I know Eastern Illinois is the "trendy" pick, but come Pete, go out on a limb for once. Ohio State is clearly the "right answer" which is unusual for a opinion question. (I guess you should blame the question-maker.) The Ohio State game is almost always the "toughest game of the year," but this year there is one factor that will make it even tougher: a 4:30 p.m. kickoff instead of the customary 7 or 8 p.m. kickoffs of the past. What’s the difference this year? This year's game will be played in “November” and apparently the Big Ten does not allow night games in November because of "the weather." (Are you kidding me???) What a bailout for the Buckeyes. Beaver Stadium is one of the toughest places to place under normal conditions, but I would argue there's no place tougher than Beaver Stadium AT NIGHT. An 8 o'clock kickoff would have favored Penn State even more, now the earlier kickoff will only benefit Ohio State. The only other game I considered here was @ Michigan State to finish the year, which would have been even tougher if it's for an undefeated season, Big Ten Championship, or BCS Championship birth.

Pete's Final Word--I know I took the easy way out with Ohio State. I agree that Michigan State could be tough, but I don't know if they are quite ready to be in Penn State or Ohio State's class. Illinois could be tough early because they have a strong offense and early in the year they may have a shot at our defense before it comes together.