Betting the Big Ten: Spreads, lines and picks for Week 12

Picks have been improving as they season has gone on and as long as you are not parlaying, you’ve been coming out on the positive end of things these last few weeks.

Let’s get into it.

Last week: 4-2

Season overall: 45-41

Here we go for Week 12.

UMass at Northwestern (-40.5), O/U: 57

Northwestern is not good, but UMass is absolutely dreadful. I’m just not sure if the Wildcats are capable of scoring that many points to hit the over.

Pick: Under 57

Michigan State at No. 15 Michigan (-14), O/U: 44.5

Anything can happen in a rivalry game, but I expect Michigan to take care of business today. They have the advantage at just about every position and, at this point, they may just have it at head coach, too.

Pick: Michigan (-14)

No. 14 Wisconsin (-14.5) at Nebraska, O/U: 50

The Badgers will ring in the news of Scott Frost’s extension by playing the bully role on Saturday afternoon.

Pick: Wisconsin (-14.5)

Indiana at No. 9 Penn State (-14.5), O/U: 54.5

This is going to be chaos and potentially the most entertaining Big Ten game of the day. Indiana will put a scare into the Nittany Lions before the home team pulls away late.

Pick: Over 54.5

No. 2 Ohio State (-52.5) at Rutgers, O/U: 62

Poor damn Rutgers. Let’s double down on their misery.

Picks: Ohio State (-52.5), Over 62

No. 8 Minnesota at No. 20 Iowa (-3), O/U: 44.5

It’s not a night game at Kinnick, but still a tough place to play. This is a big test of the resolve and staying power of the Gophs. I’m picking them to win outright.

Pick: Minnesota (+3)