Betting the fifth week of football action in the Big Ten Conference

Here we are in Week five of the Big Ten season, officially putting us at the halfway point. A few weeks back, this piece of content made you money if you followed it. Last week, we broke even.

This week, we’re going to start feeling saucy again with multiple picks in a few games. Let’s get after it.

Last week: 3-3

Overall: 17-10

Odds via Vegas Insider Consensus, all times Eastern

Friday Night: Purdue (-2.5) at Minnesota, o/u 61 — 7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network

I refuse to pick Minnesota after the fool they’ve made me to be this season and it’s too close for me to do anything comfortably. Let’s hit the “ugly” button.

Pick: Under 61

No. 9 Indiana at No. 3 Ohio State (-20.5), o/u 66.5 — 12 p.m., FOX

At this point, it’s pretty clear that Indiana is probably the stiffest challenge left on the schedule for Ohio State until the crossover game in the last weekend of the year. After a week off, I expect Ohio State to roll and Indiana to come back down to earth.

Pick: Ohio State -20.5

Illinois at Nebraska (-15.5), o/u 59 — 12 p.m., Big Ten Network

Nebraska has a chance to get to .500 with a win over Illinois and I expect them to do so at home. The spread is a little high for me in this game, but I don’t necessarily like Illinois to cover it, either. I’m taking the easy way out.

Pick: Under 59

No. 10 Wisconsin (-7.5) at No. 19 Northwestern, o/u 44 — 3:30 p.m., ABC

This is the game of the weekend in the Big Ten despite a top ten matchup set to take place in Columbus. Wisconsin has not really been smacked around this year and I expect them to take some punches on Saturday night. I like the Badgers to win a slugfest with Northwestern keeping it tight.

Picks: Northwestern +7.5, over 44

Iowa (-2.5) at Penn State, o/u 46.5 — 3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network

I get that it’s the Big Ten, but when I see an over/under set below 50, I’m inclined to take it. With that said, I feel the least confident in this pick this week.

Pick: Over 46.5

Michigan (-11.5) at Rutgers, o/u 54.5 — 7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network

It feels like I’ve gotten everything wrong with Michigan this year, but for goodness sake. It’s Rutgers. I think this is the week that that can at least take some positives out of their game prep and get what they want against an opponent. This Rutgers team is tough and competitive, but there’s got to be some pride this week from the Wolverines.

Picks: Michigan -11.5, under 54.5

Note: Michigan State at Maryland was canceled due to COVID-19 within the Terrapins football program.