Big Ten Week 8 Odds: Money > Bye Weeks

Don’t feel like talking about it much, to be honest. Duties will be fulfilled, so why not throw some change on the Big Ten and cash with your friend, Alex? That sounds delightful.

Last Week’s Results

Penn State Team Total Under 14.5-W

Minnesota -1-L

Wisconsin-Purdue Over 48-L

Rutgers-Indiana Under 66-L

Northwestern-Iowa Over 40.5-W

Michigan State +7.5-W

Big Ten Record: 42-32

Northwestern at Nebraska

Line: Nebraska -9, 48

The wheels may have been completely jarred loose in Evanston. After being titled as one of the best defenses in the country the Wildcats have had 78 points tossed up on them in consecutive losses.

For the Cornhuskers, the offense appeared well-oiled in a convincing 23-point win in Minnesota. Pat Fitzgerald may need a Bill Murray speech from Space Jam when the Tune Squad desperately needed a bucket to upend the Monstars, and I think the defense shows at least a little bit of pride here.

Pick: Nebraska-Northwestern Under 48

Penn State at Maryland

Line: Penn State -6.5, 48

Is Hackenberg elite? Can Hackenberg beat Kentucky basketball? Does anyone rag on Hackenberg more than me? Check down ‘no’ for all three as the Nittany’s have now scored 14 or less in eight of ten road games. With their signal caller limping near the end of the game in Columbus, perhaps a dose of the running game is summoned to keep the clock churning here.

Pick: Nittany Lions Team Total Under 27.5

Indiana at Michigan State

Line: Michigan State -16.5, 63.5

This could be a ginormous sandwich spot for Sparty with the corn consumers swinging a massive bat on deck. Or it could be the proper momentum that Michigan State needed to propel this team into full submission.

Remember the ‘fight or flight’ formula earlier in the year? IU’s Kevin Wilson is a blemish-free 4-0 against the spread after losing as a respectable favorite and has won all four games. I’ll grab the 16.5, however. Nate Sudfeld can pick apart this Michigan State secondary.

Pick: Indiana +16.5

Wisconsin at Illinois

Line: Wisconsin -6.5, 44

This is my toughest matchup of the week here with the Badgers and Illini squaring off in Champaign.

Illinois gets a well-rested club back off of a bye week and will play this one in front of alumni for homecoming. Wisconsin only notching 24 points really scares me in taking the blue and orange, yet it's hard to ignore that the Badgers haven’t covered in their previous six conference games.

Pick: Fighting Illini +6.5

Ohio State at Rutgers

Line: Ohio State -21, 65

Jeez, keep me far away from this one, please. We actually won an Ohio State game last weekend thanks to NOT TOUCHING THE SPREAD for once.

I have nowhere to go with this one, so give me the first half under in Piscataway.

Pick: First Half Under 31.5