How bad is Nebraska?
This is a team that fired a coach for winning nine games a year. Now, the Cornhuskers are staring at a real possibility of losing nine games this season. Husker fans are hoping the 55 points given up to Purdue is rock bottom. We’re not sure how much further they can sink.
This should be an interesting week in the conference, with Penn State at Northwestern offering intrigue, along with the aforementioned Cornhuskers hosting Michigan State. Also, this is a game many are circling as Iowa’s lone remaining challenge this season.
Here are two games we’ll keep an eye on this weekend. Last week’s betting guide for each major conference went 7-1 and was 2-0 in the Big 10. Overall for the season, the betting guides have been 9-7 in the Big 10 and 47-39 overall in the power-five conferences.
Iowa (-7) at Indiana
We know everyone’s looking at this game as possibly the matchup that trips up the Hawks.
Not so fast.
The Hawkeyes are getting healthier and now have a stable of backs, instead of what they’ve used in the past while being ravaged by injuries. The offensive and defensive lines are manhandling opponents and Iowa seems to be getting better throughout the year.
The same cannot be said about Indiana. The Hoosiers gave a good college try four weeks ago against Ohio State. Indiana pushed the defending champs to the brink, but came up short.
Before that game, the Hoosiers were 4-0. Now, Indiana is 4-4, and the defense is actually getting worse.
Indiana has surrendered 55 and 52 points respectively in its last two games to Rutgers and Michigan State…not exactly top-tier offenses. The Hoosiers are providing little resistance and that won’t help against the Hawkeyes.
Iowa will dominate time of possession and will wear down the Hoosiers in the second half. — Go chalk with Iowa
Penn State (+2.5) at Northwestern
Penn State is quietly putting together a solid season. Look at the Nittany Lions’ two losses — Temple and Ohio State, teams with a combined one loss.
The Temple loss isn’t looking near as bad today as it did in week 1. The offense is starting to get some rhythm, too. In three of the last four games, Penn State has scored more than 28 points.
Christian Hackenberg is getting more comfortable at the quarterback position and he will likely be the best offensive option on the field Saturday.
We know Northwestern has been a national headline throughout most of the season, with early season wins against Stanford and Duke, but lately, we’ve been unimpressed.
The Wildcats have lost two-of-three, and their only win in that period was a victory against Nebraska, which just allowed more than 50 points to Purdue. Northwestern’s offense isn’t good enough to move the ball against Penn State and we’re getting points in this contest.
Don’t only take the spread in this one. Moneyline the Nittany Lions. — Go against the chalk with Penn State
Other Big 10 games
Illinois (-2) at Purdue
Rutgers at Michigan (-21.5)
Wisconsin (-12) at Maryland
Michigan State (-6) at Nebraska
Minnesota at Ohio State (-23)
