This is the last week for some teams as we head down the final stretch of Big Ten Football. A lot is on the line. Both divisions are still up for grabs and other teams are fighting for wins in order to be bowl eligible. Once again the conference has four teams ranked in the top 10 and arguably is the best conference in the nation. The No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes face No. 3 Michigan in a huge game in Columbus that could clutter the BCS picture even more. If the Buckeyes win and Penn State beats Michigan State, the Buckeyes would be ranked No. 2 in the country, but it would be Penn State that would represent the east in the Big Ten Championship game. The Nittany Lions beat Ohio State and would win the tiebreaker. Elsewhere, Minnesota travels to play Wisconsin in a big division West matchup. The Badgers control their own destiny and are a two touchdown favorite. Penn State hosts Michigan State and the Iowa Hawkeyes look to keep things rolling with a home game against Nebraska.
Last week both Ohio State and Michigan struggled early before pulling out wins. Penn State dominated Rutgers to keep their hopes alive. Wisconsin pounded Purdue, Minnesota got a big win against Northwestern, Nebraska shut down Maryland and Iowa shutout Illinois.
BIG 10 GAME OF THE WEEK
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Michigan Wolverines +6.5 at Ohio State Buckeyes -6.5, Total 45.5
Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio - Noon, ET - ABC
All-time series record - Michigan leads 58-47-6, Ohio State won last 4
This is basically a playoff game for both teams when Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines travel South to Ohio to face the Ohio State Buckeyes. The winner moves and the loser goes home. The stakes are high and Buckeyes Head Coach, Urban Meyer, thrives in games like this. Ohio State has won four in a row in the series and are a touchdown favorite. Michigan will start junior quarterback John O’korn who will be making his second career start and it won’t be easy, on the road in a hostile environment. The game total opened up at 49 and now is all the way down to 45.5. The weather forecast looks decent, which is particularly good for Buckeyes quarterback, J.T. Barrett, who seems to struggle in bad weather games and play lights out when Mother Nature holds up. Barrett and the Buckeyes pull away late and win by double digits. Ohio State 28 - 17.
Friday, November 25, 2016
Nebraska Cornhuskers +1 at Iowa Hawkeyes -1, Total 41
Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa - 3:30 p.m., ET - ABC
All-time series record - Nebraska 29-14-3
The line for this game opened up with Iowa favored by a field goal but early action on the Corn Huskers have driven the line down to one point. Injuries have hampered the Huskers hopes and they may have to start their third string quarterback. Iowa has struggled on offense for most of the year and rely on their defense to make big plays. The game total of 41 seems low but both teams are going to run the ball and play the field position game, all the while eating up the clock. Iowa wins 17-14. Play the UNDER!
Let’s take a look at the other Week 13 Big 10 games - Saturday, November 26, 2016
Michigan State Spartans +13 at Penn State Nittany Lions -13, Total 54
Beaver Stadium, University Park , PA. - ESPN
All-time series record - Michigan State 15-14-1, Michigan State won last 3
Sparty has won three in a row in the series but that all changes this Saturday as the Nittany Lions take advantage of their home field and give Michigan State a butt whipping. Penn State 35, Michigan State 17
Minnesota Gophers +15 at Wisconsin Badgers -15, Total 44
Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin - 3:30 p.m., ET - BTN
All-time series record - Minnesota 59-58-8, Wisconsin won last 12
Wisconsin has been rolling and now can distance themselves from the Gophers with a win and claim the Big Ten West. This is a true rivalry, take a look at the series record, 125 games thev’e played and one win separates them, unreal. The Gophers are 6-3 on the year but when they play someone good, they get beat, simple as that. Their schedule is weak. They didn’t have to play Ohio State or Michigan and now face a Wisconsin team that may be the best team in the league. The line for this game continues to go up. The savvy gamer leaped on the Badgers -13.5. Currently the line is up to 15. The Badgers aren’t flashy but steady and sound in all phases of the game. Home field will be huge and this game will be a crush job for Wisconsin. They prove again why they are a top five club. Wisconsin romps 34 - 10.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights +14 at Maryland Terrapins -14, Total 52
Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium, College Park, MD. - Noon, ET - ESPNews
All-time series record - Maryland 6-5
Maryland needs a win to become bowl eligible and guess what, they are playing Rutgers and they will get that win. Playing at home against the worst team in the conference, the Terrapins pounce all over the Scarlet Knights and win going away, 34 - 17.
Illinois Fighting Illini +16.5 at Northwestern Wildcats -16.5, Total 44.5
Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois - Noon, ET - BTN
All-time series record - Illinois 55-49-5
First year Illinois head coach Lovie Smith is finding out just how difficult it is to win in the Big Ten Conference. So far he’s mustered up just two wins in league play and three overall and things don’t get any easier this week when the Fighting Illini face rival Northwestern. The Wildcats are one of those teams that are 5-6 on the year and need one more win to become bowl eligible. Northwestern gets the win, but Illinois covers. Northwestern 24 - 13.
Purdue Boilermakers +20.5 at Indiana Hoosiers -20.5, Total 63.5
Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana - Noon, ET - WatchESPN
All-time series record - Purdue 72-40-6
Purdue is done for the year but the Hoosiers need one more win to become bowl eligible. The Boilermakers struggle to stop anyone and will give it up again this week. Bragging rights are on the line and the Hoosiers come up big, 45 - 21.
The College Football betting odds and props for this week’s games were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. Live wagering during commercials offers adjusted moneylines, totals and spreads. Log in and start gambling during the game now! The Michigan Wolverines take on the Ohio State Buckeyes, Saturday, November 26, 2016 at Noon, ET. ABC will televise the game live.
