Holy guacamole! Are the words to describe last week’s action in the Big 10 Conference. Near upsets and topsy-turvy games highlighted Week 4.
The Iowa and Penn State game was one of the better games you will ever see. Just when it looked like the Hawkeyes would pull off another upset in Iowa City, the Nittany lions took the ball 75 yards and scored on the last play of the game to stay undefeated and deflate the Hawkeye faithful.
Elsewhere, Michigan lost their starting quarterback but came out big on defense to thwart the upset at Purdue, eventually pulling away, 28 - 10. Notre Dame romped Michigan State, putting head coach, Mark Dantonio on the hot seat. Speaking of hot seats, Nebraska squeaked by Rutgers to allow Cornhuskers head man, Mike Riley to live another day. Ohio State crushed UNLV, Indiana did the same to Georgia Southern and the only real blemish in the conference was Maryland losing at home to Central Florida.
In Week 5, the marquee game again includes the Iowa Hawkeyes who hit the road to take on Michigan State in a game that may spell the end for Mark Dantonio if they lose. Minnesota hosts Maryland and try to remain unbeaten. Northwestern travels to Madison to take on the No. 8 ranked Badgers. Ohio State takes on Rutgers and Penn State welcomes Indiana to Beaver Stadium.
Big 10 Game of the Week
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Iowa Hawkeyes +3.5 at Michigan State Spartans -3.5, Total 45
Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan - 4:00 p.m., ET - FOX
Michigan State looked horrible last week at home against Notre Dame, losing by four touchdowns. Spartan head coach Mark Dantonio will be looking for another job real soon if he doesn’t turn things around quickly and it doesn’t get any easier this week as they host the upstart Iowa Hawkeyes who lost a heartbreaker to No. 4 ranked Penn State. This game will be a punt-fest. Run, run, tick-tock, tick-tock. The UNDER is the play.
All-time Series Record: Iowa 23-21-2
Other Big 10 Games:
Friday, September 29, 2017
Nebraska Cornhuskers -6 at Illinois Fighting Illini +6, Total 49.5
Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois - 8:00 p.m., ET - FS1
Another coach on the hot seat is Nebraska’s Mike Riley. They already fired the A.D. and if the Corn don’t win this week, Riley will be gone. Illinois has shown some improvement under second year head coach Lovie Smith, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Both teams lack playmakers on offense which equals lack of scoring. These teams will grind it out, making the UNDER a must play.
All-time Series Record: Nebraska 10-3-1
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Maryland Terrapins +10.5 at Minnesota Gophers -10.5, Total 47
TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota - Noon, ET - FS1
Central Florida exposed Maryland last week handing the Terrapins their first loss of the year. Now they hit the road with a first year quarterback and playing a Minnesota team that had two weeks to prepare. The Gophers remain undefeated and crush Maryland by three scores.
All-time Series Record: Tied 1-1-0
Northwestern Wildcats +15 at Wisconsin Badgers -15, Total 52
Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin - Noon, ET - ABC
Both teams are coming off a bye week. The Badgers are one of the top teams in the country in all facets of the game and their depth will wear out the undermanned Wildcats squad. In the end, Wisconsin will pull away and win by at least 20 points.
All-time Series Record: Wisconsin 58-35-5
Ohio State Buckeyes -30 at Rutgers Scarlet Knights +30, Total 51
High Point Solutions Stadium, Piscataway, New Jersey - 7:30 p.m., ET - BTN
Crush job! Ohio State will score early and often and their defense will force multiple turnovers and cruise to a 35-point victory.
All-time Series Record: Ohio State 3-0-0
Indiana Hoosiers +17 at Penn State Nittany Lions -17, Total 61
Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA. - 3:30 p.m., ET - BTN
Penn State pulled out a miracle win last week at Iowa and could come out flat against an Indiana team that is much improved on the defensive side of the ball. The Nittany Lions will have enough to win the game, but it will be closer than you think. I like the points.
All-time Series Record: Penn State 19-1-0
Teams on a BYE week: Michigan Wolverines, Purdue Boilermakers
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 Iowa Hawkeyes square off against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium, Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 7:30 p.m., ET. ABC will televise the game live.
