Friday, October 25, 2013

B1G Weekend Matchups

The  Big Ten Network got lucky this weekend, able to host one of, in my opinion, the best matchups of the weekend with BC and Minnesota. This weekend also features the final points of the Hockey East vs. Big Ten Challenge. Hockey East currently leads 9-4 but Big Ten teams get home advantage this weekend. Game on.

No. 5 Boston College at No. 1 Minnesota – This tops the list for college matchups for the weekend. Two successful series sweeps for Minnesota moved the Gophers up in both college polls this week. BC is doing alright for themselves including a 9-2 romping of highly touted (and Minnesota rival) Wisconsin last Friday. Mariucci is one of the best places to hold home ice but guarantee that the Eagles recall last year’s 8-1 route by the Gophs and will want to avenge the loss. The Big Ten will broadcast Friday’s game and Fox Sports North takes on Sunday’s matinee feature at 1 p.m. CT.

No. 18/NR UMass-Lowell at No. 4 Michigan (and Michigan State) – After one lone week at No. 1 before being stunned and upset by Sacred Heart in the opening weekend, UMass-Lowell keeps the tumble with a home-and-home sweep by Quinnipiac last weekend. This is a team desperate for a win but it won’t be easy with games in the Mitten State. I am especially excited to see the Saturday contest against Michigan.

No. 13/14 Boston University at No. 4 Michigan -- BU faces Michigan State on Saturday, but again, that’s not the game I am interested in watching. The Wolverines have two big tests this weekend with above UMass-Lowell and BU who handed a beating to Wisconsin (tough Boston visit for the Badgers yikes) 7-3 last Saturday. Can’t wait to see if the Terriers or Wolverines have the bigger bite in this game.


Also this weekend:  RIT and Vermont at Penn State & Robert Morris vs. Ohio State home-and-home series. Wisconsin gets the weekend to recoup.