The 2017 Big Ten football season is just days away — let's take a look at the week one matchups and rank the best Big Ten games in the first week of college football action.
RELATED: Big Ten Power Rankings — Ohio State and Penn State Lead in Preseason
MORE: Team Comparison Tool — How do B1G Teams Stack Up?
Here's a look at each of the 13 opening Big Ten games in order of what you should pay attention to:
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13. Illinois vs. Ball State
When: Saturday, Sept. 2; noon ET, BTN
This could be a close game, maybe even an upset for Ball State. That doesn't mean it should be high on your list of games to watch.
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12. Nebraska vs. Arkansas State
When: Saturday, Sept. 2; 8 p.m. ET, BTN
The only storyline worth noting here is the debut of Tulane transfer quarterback Tanner Lee for the Cornhuskers.
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11. Minnesota vs. Buffalo
When: Thursday, Aug. 31; 7 p.m. ET, BTN
P.J. Fleck's debut for the Golden Gophers is about the only reason to tune in here if you're not a Minnesota fan.
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10. #6 Penn State vs. Akron
When: Saturday, Sept. 2; noon ET, ABC
Penn State is going to be really, really good this year. Unfortunately, a tune-up game against Akron won't tell us much.
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9. #9 Wisconsin vs. Utah State
When: Friday, Sept. 1; 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Utah State is 1-11 in their last 12 road games. This shouldn't be close.
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8. Rutgers vs. #8 Washington
When: Friday, Sept. 1; 8 p.m. ET, FS1
Don't watch unless you love Washington or hate Rutgers.
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7. Purdue vs. #16 Louisville
When: Saturday, Sept. 2; 7:30 p.m. ET, FOX
Watch this game to see Lamar Jackson, not Purdue.
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6. Michigan State vs. Bowling Green
When: Saturday, Sept. 2; noon ET, ESPNU
Everyone wants to know if Michigan State's struggles in 2016 were a fluke or a sign of things to come. If they struggle against Bowling Green, we might find out.
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5. Northwestern vs. Nevada
When: Saturday, Sept. 2; 3:30 p.m. ET, BTN
Northwestern is the favorite, but Nevada could be interesting with its air raid attack. They'll test the Wildcat defense, but Clayton Thorson, Justin Jackson and the Northwestern offense should be able to win if this turns into a track meet.
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4. Maryland at Texas
When: Saturday, Sept. 2; noon ET, FS1
The Terrapins have to go on the road with a new starting quarterback to take on Tom Herman in his first season at Texas. The Longhorns have struggled as of late, but Herman is among the most hyped young coaches in the country, and his coaching debut at Texas will be interesting to say the least.
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3. Iowa vs. Wyoming
When: Saturday, Sept. 2; noon ET, BTN
Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen is the real deal for the Cowboys, and a strong showing in week one against a Power 5 opponent could help his Heisman candidacy and NFL Draft stock.
Iowa, meanwhile, has suffered three non-power five losses in the last five seasons — 2016 (FCS – North Dakota State), 2013 (MAC – Northern Illinois), and 2012 (MAC – Central Michigan). They don't want to make it four in the past six years.
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2. #2 Ohio State at Indiana
When: Thursday, Aug. 31; 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
The only Big Ten vs. Big Ten game on the schedule this week, the Thursday night opener is a can't miss. Ohio State should roll, but Indiana is better than you think. They're just probably not good enough to compete for four quarters.
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1: #11 Michigan vs. #17 Florida
When: Saturday, Sept. 2; 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
By far the best game on the Big Ten schedule, Michigan gets a shot at a top-20 team and gets a chance to make an early statement to the College Football Playoff committee.
The Wolverines only return five starters this year, so everyone is waiting to see how Jim Harbaugh's highly-touted recruiting classes will pan out. This is one of the best games on this weekend, Big Ten or otherwise.
