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Viewer’s Guide: Ranking the Big Ten/ACC Challenge matchups

Michigan v Syracuse

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 06: Head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange looks on in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2013 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at the Georgia Dome on April 6, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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The Big Ten and the ACC announced the matchups for this year’s Big Ten/ACC challenge, and since we know you like to set your schedule seven months in advance, here is a guide to which of the 12 games you need to watch:

Only miss these games to see the birth of your FIRST child:

1. Michigan at Duke: The Wolverines may be losing Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr., but they return enough talent -- including Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III -- that they will be a top ten team when the preseason rankings come out. Duke loses quite a bit of talent as well, but with the recruiting class they have coming in, headlined by Jabari Parker, and Mississippi State transfer Rodney Hood, the Blue Devils have a chance to be scary good. The biggest question: who will guard McGary?

CBT Pick: Duke

2. North Carolina at Michigan State: Michigan State became a serious national title contender when they got word that both Adreian Payne and Gary Harris will be returning to school this season. UNC lost Reggie Bullock to early entry, but with James Michael McAdoo and PJ Hairston back, the Tar Heels still have plenty of weapons. Two legendary coaches heading up two Final Four contenders. A rematch of the 2009 national title game. Yeah, that will be fun.

CBT Pick: Michigan State

3. Indiana at Syracuse: Another rematch, this time from last year’s Sweet 16, when Tom Crean’s high-octane offense couldn’t figure out their way through the Syracuse zone. Let’s see how the Hoosiers will handle it now that their four most dangerous offensive weapons are gone. On another note, Syracuse will host Indiana, Duke and UNC this season. Not a bad home slate for Orange fans.

CBT Pick: Syracuse

You can miss these for a hot date, but they have to be at least a nine and NOT already your significant other:

4. Notre Dame at Iowa: The Hawkeyes are going to be a good team next season. Their front line of Aaron White, Jarrod Uthoff and Adam Woodbury is going to sneak up on a lot of people, and Mike Gesell should have a big sophomore year. But the Irish bring back quite a bit as well, including an excellent perimeter attack -- Eric Atkins, Jerian Grant, Patrick Connaughton, and Cameron Biedscheid.

CBT Pick: Iowa

5. Maryland at Ohio State: The Buckeyes are going to be an interesting team to keep an eye on next season. If they can find a guy to step up and be a go-to scorer, they’ll have a chance to compete in the Big Ten. The Terps lose Alex Len, but Mark Turgeon has some talent on his roster, and they’ll finally have a true point guard with Roddy Peters joining the fray.

CBT Pick: Ohio State

6. Wisconsin at Virginia: This will be a classic ‘close games are not always good games.’ Wisconsin and Virginia both like to slow the game down, which doesn’t exactly make for great entertainment. But both teams should be in the mix at the top of their respective leagues, and Wisconsin will be looking for vengeance for the loss they suffered at home last season. Sam Dekker vs. Joe Harris will be fun.

CBT Pick: Wisconsin

You can play bridge with your Grandmother, just make sure you have the game on in the back ground:

7. Penn State at Pitt: Penn State actually will have some quality perimeter play and might be able to give a good Pitt team a fight next season. I wouldn’t complain if the Nittany Lions became relevant and this turned into a rivalry.

CBT Pick: Pitt

8. Florida State at Minnesota: The Gophers should have some good guards on their roster, which should make them an entertaining watch under Richard Pitino. And Florida State? Well, there’s a chance they have Andrew Wiggins.

CBT Pick: Florida State

You know what? Go ahead. Take a nap. Or play FIFA. Or do whatever. I won’t even be mad:

9. Boston College at Purdue: BC is an intriguing team, as some of their young talent will be reaching veteran status this year. Purdue is still going to be in rebuilding mode, but Ryan Anderson vs. AJ Hammons should be fun.

CBT Pick: Boston College

10. Illinois at Georgia Tech: Georgia Tech should be better this season while Illinois will likely be in a bit of a rebuilding mode. This is the kind of game the Jackets need to win to start being taken seriously.

CBT Pick: Illinois

11. Northwestern at NC State: The Wildcats have never made the tournament and are dealing with a coaching change this season, while NC State lost a ton this offseason and will chock full of young talent. How well has Gottfried handled young talent in his career?

CBT Pick: NC State

12. Miami at Nebraska: Nebraska is still a couple of years away from Tim Miles making them relevant, and Miami loses everyone from last season and will be in major rebuilding mode, even if Angel Rodriguez gets immediately eligible.

CBT Pick: Miami