Idle: Rutgers
Illinois vs Nebraska
NU -7, Over / Under 57
Every game Nebraska has played has been over 57 points. Illinois has had a 55 and a 52 point game…..as well as one clear the 57. I’ll take the over with the Huskers putting up 45 alone. Illinois makes it interesting for most of the game scoring 28. Huskers and over, baby. Let’s make some cash!
Indiana vs Ohio State
OSU -21.5, O/U 66.5
I get that the Bucks are the number one team so they will have such insane spreads but over three touchdowns in a road league game against a 4-0 team? That seems excessive. I’ll take the points. Staying away from the over under because on one hand I could see a 35-14 game just as easily as I could see a 56-35 type barnburner. I don’t like it when my gut is giving off such murky feelings.
Iowa at Wisconsin
UW -7, O/U 44.5
I don’t know who will win, I don’t even want to make a bet on that because these two teams are like my children. I do know this though, Iowa has held teams to 17, 16 and 24 (with a blocked punt so 17 offensive points) and Wisconsin has two shutouts already. This has all the makings of a low-scoring, classic Big Ten grinder.
Maryland vs Michigan
UM (Blue) -15.5, O/U 43
Michigan should cover that and probably easily. Bigger question is does UM (Red) score enough to get the over? I’m going to say no. 35-6, heard it here first, folks.
Michigan State vs Purdue
MSU -21.5, O/U 55.5
13, 3, 14, 20 / 61, 59, 56, 40 – no, those aren’t lotto numbers those are Michigan State’s margin of victory and total points scored. Do you see a trend? Last year we made a ton of money betting the over and MSU. This year, all the turnover at the skill position makes MSU more of a grinder team. Here’s Purdue’s splits: -10, 24, -37, -7 / 72, 52, 75, 63. What does this tell us? Other than Purdue being awful that is. To me it shows a team capable of putting up some points. Even in the Tech fiasco they scored 24. In two of their losses, they hung around (Marshall they should’ve won). Moral of the story, MSU wins by 14-20 in another ho-hum victory. Purdue’s some-what competent offense chips in 14-21 meaning our total max would be somewhere in the 40s. I’ll take the points and the under, factoring in MSU’s games have been against MAC teams. Wait, Purdue lost to a MAC team. Oh know, the bet has already been placed! I feel like the end of The Sting.
Minnesota at Northwestern
NU -3.5, O/U 40.5
Here are the TOTAL number of points for the 8 games between these two teams, starting with the ‘Cats. 22, 41, 29, 43, 40, 43 (OT), 17, 51. Four games cleared 41 points. One of them was against an FCS team. One of them was in overtime. I guess what I’m trying to say is take the under. I think Northwestern’s defense does what Ohio failed to do and that is stop a final drive up by 4. Cats cover……….barely.
Penn State vs Army
PSU -25, O/U 47
Army has given up 37 points to Fordham and 36 points to Eastern Michigan. Granted they scored 58 against EMU to get their win. They have scored just 17 points in their two games against bigger-name programs (UConn, Wake) so it seems to indicate Penn State can cover. As for getting over 47 points? I’m less confident. I’ll take PSU and that under. Something like the Rutgers 28-3 game seems likely.
Lightning Round:
Illinois/Nebraska – NU, Over
Indiana/Ohio State – Points
Iowa/Wisconsin – Under
Maryland/Michigan – UM (Blue), Under
Michigan State/Purdue – Points, Under
Minnesota/Northwestern – NU, Under
Penn State/Army – PSU, Under
Big Ten and Counting 