The Big 10 will go one more week before starting conference play, so this week is a little dull with quality matchups.
Teams will be involved in nine games with spreads at two touchdowns or more, so the excitement level likely won’t happen until the fourth quarter when you’re rooting for Central Michigan to kick a field goal when Michigan has it down by four touchdowns.
Despite the anti-climatic Saturday, there are still a few games we’ll keep an on eye when the Big 10 hits the field.
San Diego State at Penn State (-15.5)
After week 1, this spread likely would have been much smaller.
Three weeks later, this appears to be a massive mismatch. The Nittany Lions aren’t the same team that lost to Temple in week 1. Penn State was decent in last week’s win against Rutgers, and it appears that Christian Hackenberg looks to be getting more comfortable behind an improving offensive line.
Meanwhile, San Diego State, has shown its true colors after defeating San Diego in week 1. The Aztecs didn’t put up a fight against California in week 2, and lost to South Alabama last week by two touchdowns.
Expect Penn State to keep getting better and this should be a game where the Nittany Lions flex their muscles. Penn State wins by more than two touchdowns. — Go chalk with Penn State
Ohio at Minnesota (-10)
We’re not sold on Minnesota. We weren’t jumping on the hype train when the Golden Gophers were competitive against TCU, and we especially aren’t keen on Minnesota after beating Kent State by three points.
That’s why we’re extra satisfied to take 10 points with Ohio. The Bobcats aren’t that bad either. Ohio is undefeated, with one of its wins coming against Marshall, which happened to beat Big 10 team Purdue.
Minnesota’s offense just isn’t able to the move ball consistently. Don’t forget that Ohio’s defense held a powerful offense in the Thundering Herd to only 10 points. The Bobcats will be able to stop the Gophers and will keep this within 10 points. — Go against the chalk with Ohio
Other Big 10 games with a spread
Odds are provided by Oddsshark
Kansas at Rutgers (-14)
BYU at Michigan (-6.5)
Central Michigan at Michigan State (-27)
Southern Miss at Nebraska (-22)
Bowling Green (-5) at Purdue
Indiana (-3.5) at Wake Forest
Maryland at West Virginia (-17)
North Texas at Iowa (-25)
Western Michigan at Ohio State (-31.5)
Middle Tennessee at Illinois (-6)
Ball State at Northwestern (-20)
Hawaii at Wisconsin (-25)
