The following teams are off:
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Ohio State
Indiana vs Wake Forest
Indiana -7, Over/Under 45
Wake’s defense has looked good in the 3-0 start but their offense is just 102nd in scoring. I’m not sure that is the key to success against the offensive-minded Hoosiers so I’m confident Indiana wins. By how much, hmm, I would have said a touchdown earlier in the week but a push is an absolute joke for a gambling post so I’ll say they manage to cover and win by 10-ish. IU’s defense has been surprisingly stout so I’m leaning towards that under, too, because the score that popped into my head was 28-17 and aww crap, that is 45, dead on the over line! Since an Indiana offensive explosion and/or defensive letdown are more likely, I’m overruling my first instinct and taking the over.
Iowa at Rutgers
Iowa -13, O/U 56
Barf, can I just stay away from this one? So let’s operate under this assumption: Iowa played tight, worried that a narrow win or loss would be an embarrassment. Let’s also factor in that North Dakota State is the real deal. Honestly, the only thing different about them is 20 fewer scholarships. Lastly, NDSU has won 5 titles and beaten a ton of FBS level teams but never a ranked team so they had more ‘want’ in the game. So, let’s take a closer look at the Miami (OH) and Iowa State games. Iowa dominated them. On the flip side, Rutgers struggled a ton with New Mexico and was bushwhacked by Washington. I don’t know how they do it, but Iowa covers.
Minnesota vs Colorado State
Minnesota -17, O/U 56
Colorado State has improved a lot since the Rocky Mountain Showdown and the last time I picked the Gophers as two touchdown-plus favorites they let me down. Gophers find a way to win, but it won’t be by 17.
Michigan vs Penn State
Michigan -18, O/U 56.5
Taking the over first and foremost because Michigan can score in a hurry and Penn State’s defense has given up 27 points per game and has had a rash of injuries. If not for a bonkers first quarter, UM would have covered last week against Colorado and honestly, I think the Buffs are a tad better than these Lions. I’ll give up 18.
Michigan State vs Wisconsin
Michigan State -4.5, O/U 42
This is a no-brainer, Wisconsin is banking on a new quarterback in their first road game of the year. Nah, Spartans cover. I’m a tad surprised it’s under a touchdown, honestly.
Nebraska at Northwestern
Nebraska -8.5, O/U 48
I’ve been buying stock in the Huskers offense since the get-go, they cover. In fact, I think they can score 35+, putting that over in jeopardy, too.
Purdue vs Nevada
Purdue -5.5, O/U 60
Purdue has the 104th ranked rushing defense with 219 yards allowed per game. Nevada has the 46th ranked rushing attack with 208 yards per game. James Butler is a really good running back that no one has heard of but guess what, Big Ten fans will be hearing of him when he runs circles around this sorry Purdue defense. I’ll gladly take 5.5 points because I think the Wolf Pack win straight up.
Western Michigan vs Georgia Southern
Western Michigan -7, O/U 53.5
And yes, as long as Western remains hot and their 2-0 mark in the Big Ten holds up, I am going to have them be an honorary member of the league and include them in all posts. So speaking of rushing defense versus rushing teams, Western is 11th in yards per game allowed. This doesn’t bode well for the option oriented Eagles. If their offense is bottled up in anyway, I’m not sure they can pass their way out of it. Broncos fend off a really good Sun Belt team to cover. Row the boat!
Lightning Round for Non Readers:
Indiana/Wake Forest – IU, Over
Iowa/Rutgers – Iowa
Minnesota/Colorado State – Points
Michigan/Penn State – UM, Over
Michigan State/Wisconsin – MSU
Nebraska/Northwestern – NU (red), Over
Purdue/Nevada – Points
Western Michigan/Georgia Southern – WMU
Big Ten and Counting 