College football is just around the corner -- we're less than 12 weeks away from the Gophers' season opener against New Mexico State on Aug. 30. So, with that in mind, I'll be examining some story lines, players and trends to watch over the next few weeks. Here's today's installment:
The best and worst nonconference opponent of each Big Ten East team
(Teams listed in order of last year's conference finish. The Big Ten West analysis was posted Tuesday.)
Ohio State
Best: vs. TCU at Arlington, Texas, Sept. 15. Kudos to the Buckeyes for scheduling two Power Five opponents (Oregon State is the other) in their nonconference schedule. The Horned Frogs went 11-3 last year, played in the Big 12 title game and won the Alamo Bowl over Stanford. But TCU lost eight starters on offense, so it'll lean on its usually reliable defense. The Horned Frogs have enough talent to hang with the Buckeyes, who'll be breaking in a new starting quarterback.
Worst: vs. Tulane, Sept. 22. The Green Wave is coming off a 5-7 season and is projected to be a middle-of-the-pack team in the American Athletic Conference's West division.
Penn State
Best: at Pittsburgh, Sept. 8. There's never been much love lost between the Nittany Lions and Panthers, so what better reason to play annually for Western Pennsylvania supremacy? Unfortunately, the four-year contract ends after the 2019 meeting, and it doesn't appear as if the sides will renew the series anytime soon. The Nittany Lions should have the edge this year, but their last visit to Pitt in 2016 ended with a 42-39 loss.
