Week 4 in the Big Ten is in the books and let’s say, no harm, no foul. The teams that were suppose to win, did, and the teams that could lose, did. Michigan shut out BYU, Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Northwestern and Nebraska all earned victories. Maryland and Purdue weren’t so fortunate as both lost. The overall grade for the conference was a solid B+.
Big Ten play continues into Week 5 with 13 teams in action. Rutgers is idle this week. Conference play starts this week with a few intriguing matchups. Let’s take a look at this week’s games. All odds taken from BookMaker Sportsbook.
BIG 10 GAMES OF THE WEEK
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Iowa Hawkeyes +6.5 at Wisconsin Badgers -6.5 , Total 45
Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin - Noon, ET - ESPN
When the Iowa Hawkeyes travel to Madison to face the Wisconsin Badgers it could decide how the “West was won.” It is early in the season, but this game will go a long ways in determining who will win the Big Ten West.
Iowa comes into the game undefeated, even though they really haven’t played anyone that is any good. Their offense has looked good at times, but also has struggled in the red zone. The Hawkeyes will have to do a much better job of cashing in on their chances if they want to pull the upset.
Wisconsin lost their first game of the year to Alabama and has responded with three non-conference wins. The Badgers are healthy and ready to start Big Ten play. The defense has looked stout, allowing a single field goal in their last three contests.
The Badgers have won the last three games versus Iowa, all on the road. The series is now at 44-42-2 in favor of Wisconsin. Even though many view the Big Ten West as the weakest conferences in all of college football, there couldn’t be a better way for each to start their conference seasons.
The key to the game will be which team can stop the run. Both teams will be run heavy which bodes well for the under. Run, run, tick-tock, tick-tock. BookMaker sportsbook has the game total of 45 points. It’s a low total and the public will probably be on the over, but when these two teams hook up, it generally is a low scoring affair.
Minnesota Gophers +4 at Northwestern Wildcats -4 , Total 40.5
Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois - Noon, ET - BTN
Northwestern is 4-0 and ranked No. 17 in the latest poll. Their ranking is well deserved after whipping up on the Stanford Cardinal in Week 1 and then following it up with a 19-10 win on the road against the Duke Blue Devils. The key to their success has been a shutdown defense that is stingy giving up points.
Minnesota comes into the game with a 3-1 record, the only loss was in Week 1 against a very good TCU team. Since then they have squeaked by three weaker opponents.
I expect this game to be a low-scoring defensive battle similar to what we have seen the last three times these two clubs have clashed. Don’t let the low total of 40.5 scare you. The game will stay UNDER the total.
Other notable Big Ten games - All odds taken from BookMaker Sportsbook.
Purdue Boilermakers +21 at No. 2 Michigan State Spartans -21, Total 56
Noon, ET - ESPN2
Michigan State will crush Purdue. They have better athletes on both sides of the ball and will expose the weak Boilermaker defense. Sparty rolls, 41-14.
Nebraska Cornhuskers -6.5 at Illinois Fighting Illini +6.5 , Total 57.5
3:30 p.m., ET - BTN
These two teams are hard to figure. The Illini fired their coach before the season started and responded with three wins before getting pummeled at North Carolina. Nebraska is up and down, winning two and losing two. The pressure is on the Cornhuskers, if they don’t win this game, the faithful in Lincoln will want their new coach axed.
No.1 Ohio State Buckeyes -21 at Indiana Hoosiers +21 , Total 66.5
3:30 p.m., ET - ABC/ESPN2
The Buckeyes offense has struggled so far in 2015 and facing the Indiana Hoosiers may be the perfect recipe to jump start their offensive woes. Buckeyes roll 49-17.
No. 24 Michigan Wolverines -16 at Maryland Terrapins +16 , Total 43
8:00 p.m., ET - BTN
It didn’t take Jim Harbaugh long to put Michigan back on track. After losing the first game of the year to Utah, the Wolverines are rolling. Their defense is one of the best in the country. Shutting out a strong BYU club is proof of that. Michigan romps Maryland, 35-14.
Army Cadets +24.5 at Penn State Nittany Lions -24.5 , Total 47
Noon, ET - ESPNU
Penn State got off to a sluggish start by losing to Temple in Week 1, but has responded with three wins in-a-row. They have too many athletes for the Cadets to keep up with and win this game going away, 31-10.
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! Iowa Hawkeyes and Wisconsin Badgers square off on Saturday, October 3, 2015, at Noon, ET at Camp Randall Stadium. The matchup will be televised live on ESPN.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
