We roll into week 7 in the Big 10 Conference with four teams ranked in the Top 10, led by Ohio State at No. 2 and Michigan at No. 4. Despite one loss, Wisconsin is ranked No. 9 and undefeated Nebraska comes in at No. 10. Penn State, Maryland and Iowa are all lurking just outside the Top 25. Wisconsin has a huge opportunity this week when they host the No. 2 ranked Buckeyes in what is the biggest game to date in the Big 10 Conference. Even with home turf, the Badgers are catching 10.5 points and the public are laying the points.
Last week Michigan put up 78 points on Rutgers and out gains them 600 to 50 to remain unbeaten and looking like a top five team. The Ohio State Buckeyes started out slow against a pesky Indiana team before pulling away late. Penn State improved to 37-2 against Maryland, while Michigan State lost again, this time to BYU in what has to be a very disappointing season in East Lansing. Iowa beat Minnesota in a defensive struggle and Purdue won at Illinois. Illini head coach Lovie Smith is finding out how hard it is to win in the Big 10, he may not make it past next year.
Things start to heat up this week when Ohio State travels to Madison to face the Badgers. The Buckeyes will be favorites by double-digits but Wisconsin will be ready to play. Nebraska is back in action and look to remain undefeated and will have their hands full playing on the road against a much improved Indiana team. Minnesota hits the road to play Maryland in an all important game as far as seedings go later in the year.
BIG 10 GAME OF THE WEEK
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Ohio State Buckeyes -10.5 at Wisconsin Badgers +10.5, Total 44
Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin - 8:00 p.m., ET -ABC
All-Time Series Record - Ohio State 57-18-5 - Ohio State has won the last four meetings.
The line shows you how much respect the bookmakers have for the Buckeyes. Favored by double-digits on the road against a very good Wisconsin team, shows the strength of the youthful Buckeye squad. Urban Meyer is 75-5 at Ohio State and 4-0 against Wisconsin. Ohio State’s defense looks strong but will face its toughest test yet in a Badgers team that has had a week off and will try to run it right down the mouth of the Buckeyes defense. You will see smashmouth football on both sides of the ball, before the Buckeyes make some big plays on special teams and win a hard fought game. Ohio State 35, Wisconsin 27.
Other BIG 10 games - Week 7 - Odds courtesy of BookMaker Sportsbook
Illinois Fighting Illini -6 at Rutgers Scarlet Knights +6, Total 55
High Point Solutions Stadium, Piscataway, New Jersey - Noon, ET - ESPNews
Lovie Smith may get his first road win of the year when his Illinois team takes on Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights gave up 78 points to Michigan last week and gained under 100 yards. It goes to show you how awful Rutgers is, I mean Illinois on the road favored by almost a touchdown, The Illini are bad too, but if I had to pick this game, I would have to go with the road team and lay the points.
Iowa Hawkeyes -12.5 at Purdue Boilermakers +12.5, Total 50.5
Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana - Noon, ET - ESPN2
All-Time Series Record - Purdue 46-37-3 - Iowa has won the last three meetings.
Is Iowa better than anyone by two touchdowns on the road? They have struggled to score points and will have trouble covering the spread. Take the DOG!
Nebraska Cornhuskers -3.5 at Indiana Hoosiers +3.5, Total 56
Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana -3:30 p.m., ET - ABC
All-Time Series Record - Indiana 9-7-3
Check out the all-time series record - I never would have thought that Indiana has more wins. This line opened with Nebraska favored by 6.5 points and now is down to 3.5 points. Indiana is much improved on the defensive side of the ball and play hard at home in Bloomington. The Corn Huskers get their first taste of competition on the road and will have a tough time staying unbeaten. Indiana upsets Nebraska by a field goal as time expires.
Northwestern Wildcats +4.5 at Michigan State Spartans -4.5, Total 42.5
Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan - 3:30 p.m., ET - BTN
All-Time Series Record - Michigan State 37-17-0
These are the two most unpredictable teams in the conference. The Spartans had high hopes after beating Notre Dame early in the season, but now can not beat anybody. They lost to BYU last week and Indiana the week before. Their offense is bad! Northwestern was hit with multiple injuries to key players and is not a deep enough team to adjust, however, they did beat Iowa on the road and will be ready to play. The game total is low at 42.5 points but these two clubs could play six quarters and not make it to 42.5 points. Take the UNDER!
Minnesota Gophers +6 at Maryland Terrapins -6, Total 49
Maryland Stadium, College Park, Maryland - Noon, ET - WatchESPN
This should be a wide-open, nothing to lose type game. The first team to 30 points, wins. The game total of 49 is too low. Both offenses will get on track in a high-scoring game. The Terrapins will put at least 35 on the board. Take the OVER!
Teams on BYE: Michigan and Penn State
Two-Team Parlay of the week:
Maryland -6 and OVER 49 Maryland, Terps roll!
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 Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Wisconsin Badgers, Saturday, October 15, 2016 at 8:00 p.m., ET. ABC will televise the game live.
