Illinois vs Nebraska
NU -21.5, O/U 65.5
The last time the Illini played a quality opponent they were obliterated 44-19 by Washington on the road. Guess what, Nebraska is a better team than Washington and Lincoln is probably tougher to win at than Husky Stadium. I think the Husker’s blow them out but Illinois can’t score enough to hit that over.
Indiana vs Maryland
IU -4, Over / Under 69.5
These teams are averaging right about 71 points combined and that is with Indiana’s decent 28 and Maryland’s subpar 24 point games. Considering how their defenses have looked against quality opponents, the over is the safe bet. Have to spend money to make money though so to attack the spread. I am taking Maryland to cover. In fact, years and years of watching Big Ten football tells me we are in store for a classic Indiana meltdown. Huge win followed by major disappointment. Until Indiana proves me wrong, this is the smart bet.
Iowa vs Purdue
UI -9, O/U 47.5
The recipe for gambling success with Iowa seems to be taking the points and the under. Probably another nail biter as Iowa’s offense still isn’t that good but their defense is stout. Purdue has shown marginal improvement the first month of the season. I’m expecting a battle.
Michigan vs Minnesota
Mich -12, O/U 43
Is it me or does the spread seem high? Neither team has looked good against quality opponents (See Michigan’s Notre Dame and Utah games / see Minnesota’s TCU game) but if we operate under the assumption that both teams are terrible. This seems feasible, after all, Kam and I didn’t even have them in our top 10. Minnesota’s defense has been pretty good and Michigan’s offense has been downright terrible. I think this is a recipe for a close game, much closer than 12 points. I also expect it to be low scoring…lower than that O/U. I’m feeling 21-17 – Big Blue in a tight one.
Michigan State vs Wyoming
MSU -28, O/U 48
Remember last week how MSU covered an insane spread and over for us? Let’s ride that formula to straight cash again. Wyoming cannot score (121st in the nation) so we really need the Spartans to do some work and win this thing 49-0. Go Green, Go White!
Northwestern vs Penn State
PSU -9.5, O/U 47.5
Frankly, I have no idea what we are going to get from Northwestern’s offense. They looked good in the second half versus Cal and haven’t since. That makes me worried for the O/U. Penn State should be able to win this by 10+, especially at home. I suppose a degenerate would take the under. I can see PSU winning this thing in the ballpark of 28-3. I mean even 31-14 keeps us under.
Ohio State vs Cincinnati
OSU -17, O/U 62
UC might be a talented team and well coached. They might be the best opportunity to snap OSU’s streak of wins over in-state foes. Sadly though, their 2-0 mark isn’t very impressive. MAC foes Toledo and Miami both gave them competitive games and the RedHawks are terrible. Buckeyes love to drop the hammer in games like this. I think they manage that spread without issue. I’m staying away from the O/U. I think OSU is good for 35-42 points but if the Buckeye defense is firing on all cylinder’s the Bearcats won’t help us hit the over. Of course the opposite is also possible where Gunner Kiel keeps things tight in the first half and a garbage score late helps us hit the over. I don’t like it. Too many moving parts. Stick to the Bucks.
Rutgers vs Tulane
RU -12, O/U 55
Twelve points? Really? That’s it for a 3-1 team at home against a 1-3 club? Tulane was drubbed at Duke 47-13 and dropped by Georgia Tech by 17. Rutgers isn’t as good as Duke (strange to write that sentence on a football blog) but they are comparable to Tech. If it plays out anything like game, Tech and the over was covered. Interestingly, that GT-Tulane game was in New Orleans. It stands to reason that playing at home should be even more of an edge for the Scarlet Knights.
Wisconsin vs South Florida
UW -34, O/U 51
The Bulls have shown signs of life after a horrid campaign last year but I can’t overlook their 49-17 debacle against NC State. If the Wolfpack can hammer them that much in Tampa, what can the Badgers do in Madison? My guess is cover the spread and easily clear the over/under. Badgers could win this thing big with 56 points alone.
Lightning Round
Illinois/Nebraska – Nebraska, Under
Indiana/Maryland – Over, Points (Degenerate Tip)
Iowa/Purdue – Points, Under
Michigan/Minnesota – Points, Under
Michigan State/Wyoming – MSU, Over
Northwestern/Penn State – PSU, Under (Degenerate Tip)
Ohio State/Cincinnati – OSU
Rutgers/Tulane – Rutgers, Over
Wisconsin/South Florida – Wisconsin, Over
Big Ten and Counting 