Big Ten Games to Circle

Continuing a look at games to circle with the Big Ten. Here are six I picked out where you have the opportunity to fade teams:

October 10- Northwestern at Michigan: There’s a lot of excitement about Michigan this season with coach Jim Harbaugh in Ann Arbor. One of their bigger games on the schedule is against Michigan State at home. With Northwestern going to Michigan the week before, I can see the Wolverines overlooking the Wildcats.

October 17- Nebraska at Minnesota: I’m going to pick on Nebraska a few times here. They have a new coach and lost their star running back. The Cornhuskers host Wisconsin on October 10. Regardless of that result, I can see a major letdown from Nebraska when they travel to Minnesota a week after.

October 31- Nebraska at Purdue: Purdue is probably the worst team in the conference but this might be a time to back them against the spread. Nebraska plays Michigan State the week after and I’m not sure if the Cornhuskers will be too excited about being in West Lafayette on Halloween.

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College Football: Week 7 Picks

Here are my Week 7 college football picks and the rest of the pool plays:

Minnesota (-4) over Northwestern

UL Monroe (+21.5) over Kentucky

Oregon (-3) over UCLA

Washington (+3.5) over California

Texas A&M (-2) over Ole Miss

Arizona (+3) over USC

Pool Plays 

Washington State (+17) over Stanford- Friday Night

Louisville (+9.5) over Clemson

Kansas (+20.5) over Oklahoma State

Penn State (+1) over Michigan

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College Football: September 6 Picks

Thursday and Friday picks

I have three picks this week all on Saturday. The explanation for each game is hyperlinked

Missouri (-4) over Toledo

Arkansas State (+17.5) over Tennessee

Northwestern (-7.5) over Northern Illinois

Pool Plays

USC (+3) over Stanford

Florida (-37.5) over Central Michigan

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Northern Illinois vs Northwestern Pick

Two of the best programs in the state of Illinois (not saying much) meet on Saturday in Evanston. Northern Illinois opened the post-Jordan Lynch era off with an easy with against FCS Presbyterian. Northwestern was upset at home by California.

With the line at Northwestern -7.5 this appears to be an overreaction to what happened last week. The Wildcats were a double-digit favorite against California. There is no way that Northern Illinois is a better team than California this season. Pat Fitzgerald will make sure his team has a maximum effort this week. The Wildcats should be a 10-point favorite or more in this game.

Pick: Northwestern (-7.5) over Northern Illinois

Big Ten Win Total and Standings Preview

Best Bets

Iowa over 8.5 wins (-115): This pick mostly has to do with the schedule. The Hawkeyes avoid Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan in the East. Their toughest non-conference game is at Pittsburgh. Starting 10-0 is a really possibility for Iowa before hosting Wisconsin and Nebraska to end the season. The Hawkeyes return most of their offensive contributors including quarterback Jake Rudock and running back Mark Weisman. Continue reading