Hickey: Ranking the top 10 Big Ten football conference matchups in 2023
Let us take a few moments between realignment rumors to focus on football that will actually be played in 2023. Because in the short-term, that is what actually matters.
Back in the spring, we ranked the top nonconference games on this year’s Big Ten schedule. I’d probably tweak my own order in wake of personnel moves that have taken place since, but the 7 selected are likely to still be the best of the best.
With several schools playing uninspiring nonconference slates, that list was pretty simple to compile. There’s a bit more thinking involved when selecting the top Big Ten games of the season.
But using our highly scientific methodology, we have an answer. These are the 10 most exciting conference matchups of 2023.
10. Michigan at Nebraska
Saturday, Sept. 30
To be frank, it’s an awful matchup on paper. Michigan is stout on both lines and that has been Nebraska’s biggest weakness the past couple of seasons.
But this will be Matt Rhule’s first major home game at Memorial Stadium. And it is potentially Jim Harbaugh’s first game back on the sidelines following a 4-game suspension. Not to mention it’s Michigan’s first road game of the year.
There’s no guarantee of this game being interesting or competitive, but there are enough ingredients swirling around for it to tilt in that direction.
9. Penn State at Illinois
Saturday, Sept. 16
Who could forget the record-setting 9-overtime, um, classic that ensued the last time these teams met?
There may eventually be other 9OT games in college football history, but here’s guessing Illinois’ 20-18 win in 2021 will stand alone for the lowest score in such a scenario.
Two years after that game took place, both programs are in a better place. The Nittany Lions have Playoff aspirations. Illinois is a dark horse to take the final Big Ten West title. It’s likely a must-win for each side if either of those scenarios is to play out.
8. Iowa at Penn State
Saturday, Sept. 23
This comes at an interesting spot in the schedule for the Nittany Lions. Even if Penn State beats Illinois as it should, it will be a physical game with serious body blows. And then the Lions will have to turn around and do the same thing against Iowa.
On top of that, this is Penn State’s 2o23 White Out game. The atmosphere alone will make this fun, and the Hawkeyes should be good enough for that to carry over onto the field.
7. Minnesota at Ohio State
Saturday, Nov. 18
Ye Olde Trap Game.
The Gophers haven’t beaten the Buckeyes since 2000. And they’ve only finished within a touchdown of Ohio State twice in that span.
But strange things almost happen in Week 11. A year ago, Michigan and Ohio State had to hold off challenges from Illinois and Maryland to still show up to The Game undefeated. Minnesota has a chance to make things uncomfortable in Columbus.
6. Michigan at Maryland
Saturday, Nov. 18
Same idea as above, but theoretically with a greater chance of success for the underdog.
For the Terps, a realistic dream season would involve going 10-2 with a win over either Michigan, Ohio State or Penn State. So if all of Maryland’s cards are played the right way, there’s a chance for this to be the biggest home game in program history.
And even if that goal isn’t still in play, there’s potential to spoil the apple cart for the Wolverines.
5. Iowa at Wisconsin
Saturday, Oct. 14
This matchup feels most likely to determine the winner of the final Big Ten West race. And Phil Parker’s defense feels most capable of derailing Luke Fickell and Phil Longo’s vision of a high-octane Wisconsin offense.
Iowa-Wisconsin belongs on this list in any given year, but the changing identity of the Badgers makes it even more compelling against the still-traditional Hawkeyes.
4. Michigan at Penn State
Saturday, Nov. 11
Prior to last season, these teams played 3 straight games decided by 10 points or less. And then the Wolverines absolutely mashed the Nittany Lions up front on the way to a 41-17 win that revealed a gulf between the programs.
There’s optimism around Happy Valley that the gap will be closed this year. If it is, this game could be far better than No. 4 on this list. And if it isn’t, it might not stay in the top 10.
3. Penn State at Ohio State
Saturday, Oct. 21
James Franklin is 0-4 against Ryan Day, and Penn State won’t make the big leap as a program until that changes.
If there’s an area where Day’s teams have shown a vulnerability, it’s defending the run. The combination of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen gives Penn State a chance to test that — but Franklin’s own defense has shown no signs of slowing down Ohio State the past 3 seasons.
2. Ohio State at Wisconsin
Saturday, Oct. 28
The sleeper game of the 2023 Big Ten schedule.
With a win here, the Badgers could announce themselves as a legitimate Playoff hopeful. And though Ohio State has owned Wisconsin for a decade — the Buckeyes have 9 straight wins going back to 2011 — no Wisconsin team has looked like this before. And things always get a little wacky in Madison on Halloween weekend.
A not insignificant detail: this game also takes place a week after the Buckeyes play Penn State. That could prove a tough assignment.
1. Ohio State at Michigan
Saturday, Nov. 25
It’s always going to be here. Yet somehow this year’s version of The Game is even more No. 1 than usual.
Michigan has a chance to win 3 in a row over the Bucks for the first time since 1997 — a year that needs no further explanation for Wolverines fans. Win and the rivalry is firmly flipped in Michigan’s favor.
But if Ohio State gets the W in Ann Arbor, we are heading closer to a level of true rivalry balance that could match that of the Ten Year War of the 1970s.
A monster game regardless of Playoff implications.
