Betting the Big Ten: Spreads, lines and picks for Week 9

We’re just trudging along here in the weekly picks. One week we get back to respectability, followed by several weeks in a row of disappointment. Such is the life of a #MichiganMan, I suppose.

Here’s how we did last week.

Last week: 2-4

Season overall: 33-35

Onward!

Illinois at Purdue (-9.5), O/U: 55

Illinois is due for a down week after putting a scare into Michigan and then upsetting Wisconsin. Going on the road should bring them back down to earth.

Pick: Under 55

Liberty at Rutgers (-7.5), O/U: 43.5

Nobody would be surprised if Liberty won this game because, well, Rutger. If I have to make a pick, it’s for chaos and the over.

Pick: Over 43.5

No. 20 Iowa (-8) at Northwestern, O/U: 36.5

This is a prime candidate for “turn your children away from the television” levels of horrifyingly Big Ten football of the week. This Northwestern team is horrid, but some folks seem to think they will put up a fight in this one. The over screams to me, even though this has the makings of a 14-11 game.

Pick: Over 36.5

No. 13 Wisconsin at No. 3 Ohio State (-14.5), O/U: 49

At some point, Ohio State is going to look mortal enough for Michigan fans to talk themselves into them having a chance to win The Game. That isn’t to say that OSU loses on Saturday, but a bit of a scare could be in play. Also in play is an obliteration of the Badgers, so who knows?

Pick: Wisconsin (+14.5)

Indiana at Nebraska (-2), O/U: 54

Indiana’s quest to win nine games winds up in Lincoln, where the Huskers are set as the favorite. Not so fast, my friend.

Pick: Indiana (+2)

Maryland at No. 17 Minnesota (-16.5), O/U: 58.5

Minnesota needs to keep winning because they’ve got as tough as schedule as any Big Ten team to end the year. Look for the Gophs to take care of business at home.

Pick: Minnesota (-16.5)

No. 6 Penn State (-5) at Michigan State, O/U: 43

This is the type of game that Mark Dantonio wins, but it feels like that magic is gone. Penn State didn’t even play that well last week but was able to survive Michigan. Look for the Nittany Lions to send a message in this one.

Pick: Penn State (-5)

No. 8 Notre Dame at No. 19 Michigan (pick’em), O/U: 50

It’s going to rain all night in Ann Arbor. I’m on record picking the Wolverines to win, but this one could be a sloppy bar fight.

Pick: Under 50