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Ultimate Big Ten road trip: Week 1

It's nice that spring practice is back to give us a little bit of a football fix in this long offseason. But it only has us jonesing for some real games, which are still a long way away.

We'll have to make do by planning -- for fantasy purposes, at least -- our dream schedules for the fall. We're going to take a look at each week of the 2015 Big Ten schedule and pick where we'd go if money and editorial decisions were no object. The only limit is that we can only choose one game per week.

Let's get started with Week 1:

Thursday, Sept. 3

TCU at Minnesota

Michigan at Utah

Friday, Sept. 4

Kent State at Illinois

Michigan State at Western Michigan

Saturday, Sept. 5

Southern Illinois at Indiana

Illinois State at Iowa

Richmond at Maryland

BYU at Nebraska

Norfolk State at Rutgers

Penn State at Temple

Wisconsin vs. Alabama (Arlington, Texas)

Stanford at Northwestern

Sunday, Sept. 6

Purdue at Marshall

Monday, Sept. 7

Ohio State at Virginia Tech

Brian Bennett's pick: Ohio State at Virginia Tech

There are some outstanding opening-week games on the docket, which gets me even more excited for Labor Day weekend. I'm very torn on my choice, because TCU-Minnesota could be great, Wisconsin-Alabama is another chance for the Big Ten to continue its momentum from the postseason, and the Jim Harbaugh debut in Salt Lake City is mighty tempting. But I want to see the defending champs go on the road on Labor Day night behind whoever is starting at quarterback, and it would be my first time in Lane Stadium. I'll bring ear plugs.

Austin Ward's pick: Michigan at Utah

There aren’t many opportunities to follow the Big Ten west to Salt Lake City and one of the most gorgeous venues in college football, and this trip comes with the added intrigue of Harbaugh’s debut with the Wolverines. There are perhaps more appealing matchups on the opening slate, but the combination of seeing how Harbaugh’s team looks early and the atmosphere The Muss provides is too good to pass up.

Dan Murphy's pick: Ohio State at Virginia Tech

Listening to "Enter Sandman" at Lane Stadium belongs on every college football bucket list. I've yet to cross it off mine, and can't think of a better week to do it. Ohio State returns to Virginia Tech on a Monday night to avenge its only loss of the 2014 season. That game might be our first look at the Buckeyes' solution to their overabundance of quarterbacks and the Hokie fans are sure to make it an electric atmosphere for at least the first few series.

Josh Moyer's pick: Wisconsin vs. Alabama

I’m a sucker for BBQ and good football, so I’ll be taking my talents down south to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Don’t get me wrong; I’d prefer seeing the pageantry at Tuscaloosa or Madison. But checking out the world’s fourth-largest HDTV – and a shot at seeing the B1G shock the SEC one more – isn’t a terrible consolation.

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