Week 5 in the Big Ten is in the books and after a sluggish start to the year, the conference is shaping up to be better then the experts thought. Ohio State, Michigan State, Northwestern, Iowa and Michigan are all top 25 teams. The Big Ten plays hard-nosed defense and often times that is overlooked. Ask Stanford about it, who consistently puts up 50 points a game against conference foes, but could only muster up 6 against Northwestern in Week 1. The style of play is different, somewhat boring, but gets the job done.
Big Ten play continues into Week 6 with all 14 teams in action. Conference play is starting to heat up with a few intriguing matchups. Let’s take a look at this week’s games. All odds taken from BookMaker Sportsbook.
BIG 10 GAME OF THE WEEK
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Northwestern Wildcats +8 at Michigan Wolverines -8, Total 36
Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan - 3:30 p.m., ET - BTN
Northwestern travels to No. 18 Michigan this weekend for a battle of top-20 teams that surprisingly contains more hype and intrigue than we originally thought. The Wildcats are a perfect 5-0 and now face a red-hot Wolverines team that has won four in-a-row.
Both teams are a mirror image of each other. Both have great defenses, a suffocating secondary. Both rely on the run game and both have average quarterbacks. The game will come down to the quarterback play, who executes and who takes care of the ball.
BookMaker sportsbook has the game total at 35 and it is one of the lowest of the year, but don’t let that scare you - this game will be a low-scoring, smash mouth run-fest. The play is on the UNDER!
Other notable Big Ten games - All odds taken from BookMaker Sportsbook.
Maryland Terrapins +32 at Ohio State Buckeyes -32, Total 54
Noon, ET - BTN
The Buckeyes have looked unfocused and bored in their last few ballgames. I believe it’s time for them to get back on track and put up at least 50 points this week. I love the OVER!
Wisconsin Badgers +1 at Nebraska Cornhuskers -1, Total 49
3:30 p.m., ET - ABC/ESPN2
Two disappointing teams that have struggled to put things together. Last week Wisconsin looked pathetic losing to Iowa and Nebraska looked even worse losing at Illinois. I have no clue what to expect in this meaningless game.
Illinois Fighting Illini +10 at Iowa Hawkeyes - 10, Total 44
Noon, ET - ESPNU
Iowa remains unbeaten and this looks like a trap game. The Hawkeyes are coming off a big win on the road against Wisconsin and may have a huge letdown against an upstart, hungry Illinois squad. I like the points.
Michigan State Spartans -15 at Rutgers Scarlet Knights +15, Total 55
8:00 p.m., ET - BTN
Michigan State is due for a blowout and needs one to make a statement in the rankings. Sparty rolls, 42-17.
Indiana Hoosiers +7 at Penn State Nittany Lions -7, Total 54.5
Noon, ET - ESPN2
Indiana played Ohio State tough a week ago but in the process lost some key players with injuries. Penn State, at home, is never an easy thing. The Nittany Lions add another win to their resume.
Minnesota Golden Gophers -3 at Purdue Boilermakers +3, Total 45.5
3:30 p.m., ET - ESPN
This is my upset special. Minnesota is a average team. Purdue is hungry for a win. I like the home field advantage when two lackluster teams face each other. The Boilermakers get a big win and upset the Golden Gophers.
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! Northwestern Wildcats at Michigan Wolverines square off on Saturday, October 10, 2015, at 3:30 p.m., ET at Michigan Stadium. The matchup will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.
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