Illinois vs Middle Tennesse
UI -4, Over/Under 62
POINTS, POINTS, POINTS!!! I think the Blue Raiders win this game so with Illinois a favorite, I’ll gladly scoop up those points. I’ll also take the over. Illinois couldn’t catch a cold last week and MT has dropped 70 in two games this year and were alright against Alabama.
Indiana at Wake Forest
IU -3, O/U 54.5
Hoosiers have more offense than Wake can keep up with so they will win and should be able to cover such a small spread. The over is interesting because Wake’s defense hasn’t been awful so there’s a chance for a game like 28-14 but I’m going to hedge my bets when it is Indiana and take the over.
Iowa vs North Texas
UI -25, O/U 54
This game is a sneaky sucker bet. Let me explain, Iowa got up 31-0 against FCS Illinois State then flooded the bench. Ill State put up 14 meaningless points against the scrubs to lose 31-14. If that game had this betting line, which isn’t a stretch of the imagination because a Illinois State is a great FCS team and North Texas is a lousy FBS team, then neither the over nor the spread was covered. NTU has lost their two games by 18 and 14 with one in the 40s and one in the 60s. My gut tells me classy Kirk doesn’t want to embarrass and old friend in Dan McCarney so I will take the points and the under.
Maryland at West Virginia
WVU -17, O/U 57
Terps have zero defense but can score a little bit so I have a feeling that over is toast. 17 is a big spread for two power conference teams but the Terps lost by 21 to Bowling Green, at home. Morgantown has always been a tough place to play, highlighted by their win over Baylor last year and nearly knocking off TCU. Against my better judgement, I’ll ride the Mountaineers to cover.
Michigan vs BYU
UM -7, O/U 44.5
BYU has scored on everyone they’ve played, including top-10 UCLA with 23 points. Their lone loss this season, one point. I’m going to take those points and, perhaps surprisingly, take the over.
Michigan State vs Central Michigan
MSU -26, O/U 54
Spartans seem to be turning to form. I’m going to take last year’s oldie but goodie bet…they cover and the over.
Minnesota vs Ohio
UM -10, O/U 47.5
Gopher’s burned me last week but I do know their defense is for real and their offense is awful so I will take the under. Ignoring the other bet because I have no clue what to expect from Minnesota. Screw it, degenerate bet would say take the points. Let’s go Bobcats!
Nebraska vs Southern Miss
NU -21.5, O/U 68
Southern Miss hung with Mississippi State. I’ll take the points. No clue about the over, that feels like a sucker bet to me.
Northwestern vs Ball State
NU -19.5, O/U 49
Northwestern beat Eastern Illinois 41-0. Why bring this up? Because Ball State is better than EIU. Assume NU scores less and Ball doesn’t get shut out. This should still be under 49 though. Staying away from the spread.
Ohio State vs Western Michigan
OSU -32.5, O/U 61
I know at some point it will blow up in our faces but I’m going to ride the hot ticket and place the same bets as last week with OSU. Points and under.
Penn State vs SDSU
PSU -15, O/U 39.5
That is one of the lowest unders I have ever seen. I think it is toast. First of all SDSU’s defense against FBS competition is giving up 34.5ppg (a FCS win lowers that to 24.0). Second of all PSU dropped 28 on Rutgers last week. In theory, RU is better than the Aztecs. I think this game ends with a similar score to SDSU’s game against Cal which was 35-7. Translation, Lions and over.
Purdue vs Bowling Green
BGSU -4.5, O/U 75
Falcons baby! They’ll crush these sorry Boilers. The over will also be splashed because Bowling Green will easily get into the 40s, if not the 50s.
Rutgers vs Kansas
RU -14.5, O/U 64
In a word, Kansas is awful. I think Rutgers should be able to cover that spread and that is all I’m willing to wager on this sorry game.
Wisconsin vs Hawai’i
UW -24.5, O/U 50.5
Badgers hurt us last week with a really flat game against Troy. Hawai’i has looked good at times this year so I’ll take the points and the under.
Lightning Round:
Illinois/Middle Tennessee – Points, Over
Indiana/Wake Forest – IU, Over
Iowa/North Texas – Points, Under
Maryland/West Virginia – WVU, Over
Michigan/BYU – Points, Over
Michigan State/Central Michigan – MSU, Over
Minnesota/Ohio – Under, Points (Degenerate Pick)
Nebraska/Southern Miss – Points
Northwestern/Ball State – Under
Ohio State/Western Michigan – Points, Under
Penn State/SDSU – PSU, Over
Purdue/Bowling Green – Bowling Green, Over
Rutgers/Kansas – RU
Wisconsin/Hawai’i – Points, Under
Big Ten and Counting 