The following do not have lines or over/under listed:
- Illinois vs Western Illinois
- Northwestern vs Eastern Illinois
- Purdue vs Indiana State
Indiana vs FIU
IU -8, Over/Under 56
FIU’s offense was awful a year ago but they relied on some solid defense to stun UCF in their opener 15-14. Hoosiers racked up a million yards and 48 points last week but gave up more yards and 47 points. I think the over is toast. As for that spread? It is Indiana football, lets avoid that thing like the plague.
Iowa at Iowa State
UI -3, O/U 50
Hmm, I had Iowa winning this 35-28 in the preview season. I kind of like that mark with the openers in the book still. Iowa put up 31 but then pulled everyone since it was 31-0 and there was no point of getting anyone injured. ISU struggled a bit but then got things going in the second half against UNI so I think they are more than capable of scoring 28 points. Always risky taking Iowa in this game but this is a post about gambling so…screw it! Double dip, baby.
Maryland vs Bowling Green
UM -7.5, O/U 71.5
I think Bowling Green is a tough team. I had UM winning this by just 4 in the preseason (28-24) and after a shaky game for 2 and a half quarters against Richmond I am thinking I’ll take the points. Considering how the Falcons racked up points against Tennessee, I think that over is trashed. I’d feel safe giving each team another touchdown for a 35-31 type final.
Michigan vs Oregon State
UM -15, O/U 45.5
In the preseason I had Michigan winning this by 11 (28-17) but after seeing OSU struggle with Weber State and Michigan move the ball against Utah I am inclined to give Michigan the nod. Of course 28+17 is 45 so what to do about that over? I think Michigan still scores 28-35 points but I think OSU is held to just 7-10. I’ll take the Maize and Blue and go under.
Michigan State vs Oregon
MSU -4, O/U 65
Preseason pick…42-38. Oops. Smart thing is to stay away from the line and just bet the over. Both defenses had some lapses a week ago against much softer opponents. Lots of playmakers on this field so I expect the game to be in the 30s, dashing the over.
Minnesota at Colorado State
UM -5, O/U 54.5
I had the Gophers winning 28-10 in the preseason and I stand by that. Gopher defense is really good so that over feels safe and despite being a 10-win team a year ago CSU lost a lot of talent as well as their coach taking the Florida gig. They’re a good team but Gophers are simply better.
Nebraska vs South Alabama
NU -27.5, O/U 54
Husker offense looked surprisingly sharp against BYU so you have to expect them to pass last week’s 27 point total pretty easily against a weaker opponent. Let’s assume they can get up to 42 to 45. That means they can give up 14 to 17 points and still cover and pass the over. Can’t believe I’m doing this after how shaky the defense looked last week but I expect the Husker blackshirts to find some swagger against USA. I can see the cliff and I’m still jumping off with a Nebraska cover and the over.
Ohio State vs Hawai’i
OSU -41, O/U 65
Preseason pick was 56-3. I like that. Give me the Bucks but take the under. It is hard to score 65 by yourself and with the Rainbow Warriors not likely to score very much, I think the over is safe…barely.
Penn State vs Buffalo
PSU -17.5, O/U 48
Well first of all, let’s take the under. If Buffalo pulls the upset it will be because PSU doesn’t score again. I had the number 31-14 pop into my head which means under and points. Can Penn State bounceback? Sure. Will they? Who knows, so since the name of the game is gambling I am going to be a degenerate gambler and say that PSU is flat again by taking the points.
Rutgers vs Washington State
RU -3.5, O/U 63
Stay away! Stay Away! Stay Away! In the preseason I had RU winning 45-42. That helps me with absolutely nothing now since I have no idea what to make of either of these teams. I supposed a degenerate would want to throw down some though, so if pressed to pick something…I would take Rutgers to cover.
Wisconsin vs Miami (OH)
UW -31.5, O/U 52
Last time Wisconsin was held to as few a rushing yards as they were against Alabama they took it to Indiana the next week with over 500 yards. I had them winning 42-10 in the preseason but with Joel Stave looking pretty crisp against Alabama as one of the few bright spots in that game I predict UW hits half a hundred in this one…let’s double dip with the Badgers and over, despite both big numbers.
Lightning Round:
Indiana/FIU – Over
Iowa/Iowa State – UI, Over
Maryland/Bowling Green – Points, Over
Michigan/Oregon State – UM, Under
Michigan State/Oregon – Over
Minnesota/Colorado State – UM, Under
Nebraska/South Alabama – NU, Over
Ohio State/Hawai’i – OSU, Under
Penn State/Buffalo – Under, PSU (Degenerate Pick)
Rutgers/WSU – Stay Away, RU (Degenerate Pick)
Wisconsin/Miami (OH) – UW, Over
Big Ten and Counting 