Five teams get the 2024 portion of their season started this weekend and will look to make good on their New Year’s resolutions. With only one Big Ten matchup, all eyes will be on Wisconsin at Notre Dame, including ours. We’ll be at the game providing live updates as well as analysis after the game. But for now, let’s take a look at this week’s matchups.

I was a shootout loss away from correctly predicting both tournaments last week, but such is the nature of hockey. Ohio State continued its winning ways against non-conference foes and boosted my record last week to a respectable 5-2. Looking ahead to this week’s matchups (and considering the long break some teams have had), my confidence is dwindling.

Last week’s results: 5-2 Season Total: 71-26

Bowling Green vs. Ohio State

The Buckeyes take on in-state rival Bowling Green in a home-and-home series this weekend. The Falcons are having a disappointing year, but always seem to play Ohio State tough. Look for these games to be close, but Ohio State will squeak by in both of them to continue their non-conference domination. Prediction: OSU 2-0

Wisconsin at Notre Dame

In the lone Big Ten matchup of the weekend, the Badgers make the trek to South Bend to take on Notre Dame. Wisconsin is coming into the game riding the high from their tournament wins (and shutouts). The Irish, meanwhile, are 9-4 at home and have been steadily improving. Notre Dame will need to play a near-perfect game (which they’re capable of) to beat the Badgers, but ultimately I think they’ll lose both – one close and one not so much. Prediction: Wisconsin 2-0

Army at Penn State

Penn State will host Army for a one-game series on Saturday and the Nittany Lions have to be excited about this matchup. Army started their season on a nine-game losing streak and have only complied five wins on the season. Offensive-minded Penn State will prove to be too much for the Black Knights and the Nittany Lions will cruise to a victory. Prediction: PSU 1-0

Colorado College at Minnesota

This is by far the most-intriguing non-conference matchup of the week. The Tigers of Colorado College are a good team, only having lost six games on the season. Their offense is as good as anyone’s in the country, but they lack consistency, just like Minnesota. This series will come down to who can stick to their game plan the longest and stay focused for a full sixty minutes. Both of these games will be close with each team winning one. Prediction: Split 1-1