The following teams do not have a betting line this week:
- Iowa vs Northern Iowa
The following teams are off this week:
- Michigan State
Illinois vs South Florida (Neutral Site)
- USF -13.5, Over / Under 57.5
Bulls flashed some big play potential against Georgia Tech a week ago. The Illini O is still a major work in progress. Take the safer bet and go with South Florida.
Indiana vs Ball State
- UI -15.0, O/U 59
I’m leaning towards attributing Notre Dame’s game against Ball State to them being hungover after such an emotionally charged victory over Michigan and less to do with Ball State improving as a program. As a result, I’m taking the Hoosiers to cover.
Maryland vs Temple
- UM -15.0, O/U 56.0
Temple has lost to a FCS team and to a MAC team. Both are good teams for their respective levels, but Temple was supposed to be a competent American Athletic Conference team. Terps roll.
Michigan vs SMU
- UM -36.5, O/U 52.5
SMU lost 42-12 a week ago. That was a home to their arch rival in a driving rain storm. Theoretically, bad weather would have impacted the more skilled team – right? I mean this is the old argument. The little brother at home would have been up for the game more – right? That is another old argument. Based on that information, I’m predicting a similar outcome. Taking Michigan and the over.
Minnesota vs Miami (OH)
- UM -13.0, O/U 47.0
Miami was shut out by Cincy. Bearcats are a nice 2-0 team but the Gophers D should be as good, if not better, than what Cincy has. I’ll take Goldy to cover and thanks to UM’s D, I’ll also take the under.
Nebraska vs Troy
- NU -9.5, O/U 55.5
I think the Huskers roll thanks to Troy having lost so many key pieces off last year’s team. Still, Troy runs a nice offense that put up 59 against FCS Florida A&M and 20 against Boise State. I could see this game being a 42-28 type affair. I’ll take the over, too.
Northwestern vs Akron
- NU -21.0, O/U 46.0
Difficult one because of how NU looked a week ago but talent to talent, Northwestern is the better club. Let’s assume they play up to it and do the safer bet. This smell like a sucker bet though and you know what that means. Our first degenerate pick of the year!
Ohio State vs TCU (Neutral Site)
- OSU -13.0, O/U 58.5
The first thing I noticed was that over. Yes please. The Bucks score a lot, TCU scores a lot. I know this is the best defense either club has faced so far but I don’t think it is a stretch to say this game is going to be in the high 20s or 30s. If we get a 35-28 classic, then we’re good. But do we want to make things interesting? The answer is, no. I’m not 100% sure on how OSU will look in their first road game against a real team. I make this gambling guide to try to make money, not for the sheer thrill of gambling.
Penn State vs Kent State
- PSU -35.0, O/U 64.5
That over scares me because I could see another score like last week when PSU won 51-6. Going to be a little conservative and just take the Lions to cover.
Purdue vs Missouri
- MU -6.0, O/U 66.5
Mizzou is 2-0 and have already put up over 90 points on the young season. Purdue’s defense, especially the secondary, has really struggled in the Boiler’s 0-2 start. I know Purdue is backed into a corner and a home underdog but the strength of Missouri: that passing game going against Purdue’s biggest weakness doesn’t bode well for the Big Ten school today. Tigers roll.
Rutgers at Kansas
- KU -2.5, O/U 44
I think Rutgers has the worst offense of power-five teams. Kansas at least has the ability to score some as demonstrated a week ago against Central Michigan. Give me the Jayhawks in a truly garbage game.
Wisconsin vs BYU
- UW -22.5, O/U 51
Yes, BYU will most likely lose the game. They are vastly improved over last year but still not quite as dangerous as where they were back under Bronco Mendenhall. What I like about this spread is that UW can still win big, like 21-3 and still not cover. Based on how BYU already beat Arizona and only lost to a good Cal team by three, I’m taking the Cougars to cover.
Lightning Round for Non-Readers:
Illinois/South Florida – USF
Indiana/Ball State – IU
Iowa/Northern Iowa – Off
Maryland/Temple – UM
Michigan/SMU – UM, Over
Minnesota/Miami (OH) – UM, Under
Nebraska/Troy – NU, Over
Northwestern/Akron – NU (Degenerate Pick)
Ohio State/TCU – Over
Penn State/Kent State – PSU
Rutgers/Kansas – KU
Wisconsin/BYU – Points
Big Ten and Counting 