The following teams are off this week:
- Nebraska
- Northwestern
- Wisconsin
Illinois vs Purdue
- Illinois -10.5, Over/Under 54
Both of these defenses have had some issues this year. UI has given up a high of 48 and an average of 29. Purdue has given up a high of 50 and an average of 31.5 so I’m inclined to take that over. As for the points, Illinois looked a lot better against Nebraska and may have sorted out some things with their early bye week. I think they take it to Purdue and cover the double digit spread.
Indiana at Ohio State
- Ohio State -28, O/U 59
The last two years the Hoosiers have lost this game by 15 and 7. This is also the best defensive team Indiana has had in a while. I give them a 5% shot at the insane upset but they can lose by 3 TDs and still cover, I like that. Give me all those points, baby. If Indiana does keep it close, it will be because their offense puts up some points. I’ll take the over then, too. After all IU is averaging a respectable 29 points per game and OSU averages an insane 57 per.
Iowa at Minnesota
- Iowa -2, O/U 50
Why is Iowa favored in this game? I’ll take the points because I think the Gophers win it straight up. Staying the hell away from that over though. Iowa’s defense was waxed a week ago but two weeks ago they were in a 21 point total slop fest. Too erratic to pin down for the over bet.
Maryland at Penn State
- Maryland -2.5, O/U 57
Another road favorite…but this time I’m taking them. UM’s rushing game is 6th in the nation and PSU’s rush defense is 105th. Terps cover on the road.
Michigan at Rutgers
- Michigan -30, O/U 53
Michigan had a lot of sloppy plays a week ago against Wisconsin, I think they use this game as an opportunity to fix some things and as a result the scoreboard turns into a slot machine as it rolls over a ton. UM covers and they put up enough points to threaten that over/under singlehandedly. 52-3? Works for me.
Michigan State vs BYU
- Michigan State -5.5, O/U 49
All of BYU’s games have been decided by 3 points or less. They have lost to Utah (road game) and UCLA by one point and three points respectively. I think Utah and UCLA are as good – if not better than – this MSU team so I’ll take the points expecting another nail-biter. Also going to take the under. BYU’s games have added up to 34, 39, 31, 67, 108. The two that went over were against West Virginia, a high octane offense and Toledo, air raid attack with one of the nation’s best receivers. MSU isn’t in either of those categories. For MSU their games have added up to 41, 64, 36, 45. The game that went over was against Notre Dame who has proven to have zero defense.
Western Michigan vs Northern Illinois
- Western Michigan -20, O/U 66
Northern has the 110th ranked scoring defense going against the 8th highest scoring offense. That looks like a recipe for the Broncos to put up a lot of points and win handily. I’m going to take the under though. Last week WMU dominated in their game 49-10 against a Central Michigan team that is a lot better than NIU offensively. There’s a chance NIU only scores 3-7 points. That forces the Broncos to put up at least 59. That’s a lot for a team that likes to be very balanced and get their rushing game going.
Lightning Round for Non Readers:
Illinois/Purdue – UI, Over
Indiana/Ohio State – Points, Over
Iowa/Minnesota – Points
Maryland/Penn State – UM
Michigan/Rutgers – UM, Over
Michigan State/BYU – Points, Under
Western Michigan/Northern Illinois – WMU, Under
Big Ten and Counting 