All week, we've been giving you a closer look at the nonconference opponents on Big Ten schedules in 2015.
Of course, there are the marquee opponents such as Alabama, Oregon, Miami, Stanford, Virginia Tech, etc., who will in large part make or break the league's national perception during the regular season. But what about the "little" guys, the teams from non-Power 5 leagues who could pick off a Big Ten team in a September shocker?
That's the subject of today's #B1GFridayFive: Five teams from the Group of 5 conferences who pose the most serious upset threats this fall (Note: For these purposes, we're not including BYU, which is an independent). Make sure to tell us what you think of these selections on Twitter using the #B1GFridayFive hash tag.
No. 5: Temple (vs. Penn State, Sept. 5)
The Owls are being talked up as a potential contender for the American Athletic title this season while bringing back 18 starters from last year's 6-6 team. They get the Nittany Lions at home, but they will need some serious luck to beat Penn State for the first time since 1941.
No. 4: Bowling Green (at Maryland, Sept. 12, at Purdue Sept. 26)
The Falcons won the MAC East last year and beat Indiana at home. This season, they'll get two shots to gain another Big Ten scalp. An explosive offense that rang up 30 touchdown drives of two minutes or less in 2014 -- especially against two Big Ten defenses that were spotty a year ago -- makes them dangerous.
No. 3: Western Kentucky (at Indiana, Sept. 19)
Here's another team with a high-scoring offense, led by quarterback Brandon Doughty and boasting a lot of returning experience. The Hilltoppers could be a fringe contender for the Group of 5 spot in the New Year's Six bowls, and Indiana has been vulnerable, to put it kindly, against non-Power 5 opponents in the past.
No. 2: Colorado State (vs. Minnesota, Sept. 12)
The Rams have the resources and tradition to rival some Power 5 schools and are coming off a 10-win season. They've got a new coach, as Mike Bobo replaced Jim McElwain, and must replace prolific quarterback Garrett Grayson. But they also have a star receiver in Rashard Higgins and get Minnesota at home nine days after the Gophers have a high-profile game against TCU.
No. 1: Marshall (vs. Purdue, Sept. 5)
The Thundering Herd were in the Top 25 late last season, and though they lost four-year starting quarterback Rakeem Cato, they will still be one of the top teams in Conference USA. It's a tough opener for Purdue, which has had its share of troubles lately. This might not even be considered an upset if Marshall were to win; a Boilermakers victory could portend a breakthrough for Darrell Hazell's team.