The Big 10 Conference is off to a good start against non-conference foes and has three teams ranked in the top 13, according to the latest Associated Press poll. Ohio State leads the way at No. 3, followed by Michigan at No. 4, Wisconsin No. 9 and the Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 13. Nebraska is playing good ball and could sneak into the Top 25 in the coming weeks. Michigan State also has a competitive squad and if they can upset Notre Dame this week, they could make the poll. The conference looks solid - three or four teams lurking in the top ten and three or four more teams that could make some noise in 2016. Of course, the conference does have some really bad teams; Purdue, Rutgers, Northwestern and Indiana will fight to see who ends up in the cellar in the standings. All are very bad teams.
There are a couple of non-conference games this week that will go a long ways in deciding who will advance to the playoffs. No. 3 Ohio State visits Oklahoma and Michigan State travels to South Bend to face the Irish. Both Oklahoma and Notre Dame have already lost this year, while the Buckeyes and Spartans are undefeated.
Let’s take a look at Week 3 Big 10 Football games.
BIG 10 GAME OF THE WEEK
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Ohio State Buckeyes -1.5 at Oklahoma Sooners +1.5, Total 63
Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, Oklahoma - 7:30 p.m., ET - FOX
This is the game all Buckeyes and Sooners had circled on their calendar, but the luster of the game was tarnished by the Oklahoma loss to Houston in Week 1. The Buckeyes are a young team and will make mistakes. Their offense is loaded and will put points on the board against anyone in the country. OU has home field advantage and has to play better than they did in their loss to Houston. The line at BookMaker sportsbook opened with the Buckeyes favored by 2.5 points and now is down to -1 in some places. Both teams are going to put points on the board! Buckeyes squeak by 35-31 to remain undefeated and eliminate Oklahoma.
Other notable Big Ten games - All odds taken from BookMaker Sportsbook.
North Dakota State at Iowa Hawkeyes
Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa - Noon, EST -
There is no line for this game. Iowa will win but the score will be much closer than people think.
Michigan State Spartans +8 at Notre Dame Fighting Irish -8, Total 52
Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana - 7:30 p.m, EST - NBC
The line on this game keeps climbing. Notre Dame opened up as a 7-point favorite and is currently at eight. The Spartans lost a lot of players to the draft, including their quarterback. Notre Dame will be hungry for a big win after tasting defeat to Texas in their opener. Irish roll, 31-20.
Oregon Ducks +3 at Nebraska Cornhuskers -3, Total 73
Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Nebraska - 3:30 p.m., EST - ABC
This is going to be a track meet. Both teams have high powered offenses and fragile defenses. BookMaker has the total on the game up at 73. The total should be closer to 80. Nebraska wins 41-38.
Colorado Buffaloes +21 at Michigan Wolverines -21, Total 57
Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan - 3:30 p.m., EST - BTN
Michigan is ranked No. 4 in the country and finally have plenty of athletes at multiple positions. Jim Harbaugh loves to run the score up on lesser opponents and this week is not any different.
The Wolverines roll 52-31. Take the OVER!
Duke Blue Devils +5 at Northwestern Wildcats -5, Total 44
Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois - 8:00 p.m. EST - BTN
Northwestern opened up as a 7-point favorite and gamers like the other side, driving down the current line to Northwestern -5. Both teams are bad. Both offenses have struggled and if I was betting this game, I would bet the UNDER 44.
Georgia State Panthers +35 at Wisconsin Badgers -35, Total 60
Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin - Noon, EST - BTN
The Badgers upset LSU in their opener and look to have the athletes to compete for a National title this year. I know absolutely nothing about Georgia State. Wisconsin wins, 42-20.
New Mexico Lobos +5.5 at Rutgers Scarlet Knights -5.5, Total 58
High Point Solutions Stadium, Piscataway, New Jersey - Noon, EST - ESNN
Wow, I wonder how many people will be watching this game. Two lackluster programs battling it out on ESNN. Rutgers you would think have better athletes up front and should be able to bully around the under-sized Lobos. Rutgers by a touchdown.
Temple Owls +9 at Penn State Nittany Lions -9, Total 51
Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA. - Noon, EST - BTN
This game is always closer than you think. Take the DOG!
Maryland Terrapins -8.5 at Central Florida Knights +8.5, Total 59
Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, Florida - 7:00 p.m., EST - CBS Network
Central Florida at home against Maryland, give me the points and the home team.
Western Michigan Broncos -3.5 at Illinois Fighting Illini -+3.5, Total 56
Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois - 4:00 p.m., EST -ESPN
The MAC conference always plays the Big 10 teams well. New Illinois coach, Lovie Smith has his hands full with a hungry Broncos team. Western Michigan wins.
Check out BookMaker sportsbook for all the latest lines on Big 10 football. Enjoy the games!
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 and Oklahoma Sooners square off on Saturday, September 17, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., ET at Ohio Stadium. The matchup will be televised on FOX.
