Almost

Well, it's finally time this coming weekend college football returns, and I for one can't wait.  Look for the first picks of the season on Thursday, I have a guest blogger lined up whose team has a huge game this weekend.  We have a tough opener, hell we have a tough schedule, we travel to Cincinnati this weekend to play the bearcats it'll be interesting to see what happens.  For those that don't know we have a new coach, new staff, new attitude.  It's been great reading articles on the progress, and interesting to hear players talk about how now they have to be disciplined and can't be late to practices like they were in the past.  No wonder we had so many penalties under Danny Hope!  So, the big problem facing Coach Hazell in his first year is the schedule, ESPN, and other sites have our schedule ranked 3 or 4th toughest in the COUNTRY.  Everyone agreeing we play the toughest schedule in the B1G so lets take a look at it including my predictions

At Cincinnati- Tough opener for Hazell and the gang, but I like our chances.  Not saying we're going to win but I think we'll be in this one even though everyone is counting us out. 

Indiana State- Home opener a team not from Division 1 or whatever the hell they call the divisions now.  Sycamores are a dangerous team but should be a W.  For those that don't know ISU is where Larry Bird went to college.

Notre Dame- Under the lights at Ross Ade always electric last year a MISSED(HORRIBLY MISSED) delay of game call on ND and we might have won at ND last year.  Not sure what's gonna happen with this one but can't wait.

At Wisconsin- Camp Randall is the toughest place to play in America, or one of them, and the trend lately doesn't support us doing well in this game.

Northern Illinois- Homecoming!!  Taking on last year's cinderella the team that crashed the BCS party and return their 'Heisman" candidate QB.  Last time we played NIU at home we lost hope this is different :)

Nebraska- Easy W right Travis??  haha first time we will play the Husker's in football since they have been added to the B1G never easy to take on a power and they travel really well could be a long day at Ross Ade

At Michigan State- We have had some epic battles with MSU with some CRAZY comebacks

Ohio State- This might sound odd but for some reason Purdue teams don't fear OSU we have won the last two times they have come to Ross Ade, and last year we should have won at the horseshoe we had them beat til our now fired coach made some weird choices and lost in OT.  This could be another thriller

Iowa- Oddly enough the Hawkeyes became our protected rival when they went to divisions got a huge win there last year should be another close one.

At Penn State- Will the sanctions catch up to them a little more this year?  I think so this is winnable. 

Illinois- Such a mystery team last year they sucked the year before opened 6-0 before losing to us who knows what we'll get when we play them

at Indiana- The battle for the Old Oaken Bucket the Boilers OWN this series, iu is suppose to be better but better than what god awful?!  Hazell keeps the bucket in West Lafayette in his first year you heard it here first.

When it comes down to it this is a TOUGH schedule I am hoping for 6-6 and getting a minor bowl which would be successful in Hazell's first year, but that's going to be hard to see.  I think the Cincy game is HUGE start off with a win and who knows what happens.  I do know we start Saturday bring it on, and BOILER UP!

Phats