Welcome to another busy week in the Big Ten Conference. While Penn State is on the road at Washington on Saturday afternoon, there are plenty of other games to keep up on in the wide-open conference race.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Nebraska (5-3, 2-3) at Illinois (5-3, 3-2), 8 p.m. on FOX
Details: The Huskers have lost three straight in excruciating fashion, so seeing them as a road favorite against an Illinois team on the brink of bowl eligibility seems a little surprising. However, it almost feels like Matt Rhule’s
team is destined to find a way to lose another weird game in a place where weird games typically happen.
Line: NEB -4.5, Total 50.5
Should I watch this one: Sure. At least turn it on in the fourth quarter to see what crazy way it ends.
SATURDAY EARLY AFTERNOON
No. 8 UCLA (8-0, 5-0) at Minnesota (5-3, 3-2), Noon on FOX
Details: The conference’s lone unbeaten heads on the road to face one of the league’s most mercurial teams. The Golden Gophers came within a 60-yard field goal of knocking off Indiana on the road last week. So, this should be a major challenge for the Bruins – who outside of that gritty win in Eugene haven’t really been all that challenged and will be playing an early body clock game. The total seems a little high in this game with both teams being run heavy, defense-first squads. It’s the Big Ten in November.
Line: UCLA -5.5, Total 39.5
Should I watch this one: Yes – most interesting game of the early window for this blogger.
Maryland (3-5, 2-3) at Purdue (3-5, 2-3), 12:30 p.m. on BTN
Details: Here’s a winnable game for two teams that aren’t likely to get to a bowl game. Maryland competed and had its chances against Illinois. Meanwhile, we saw Purdue up close. This is a game that will be played on the schedule.
Line: PUR -6, Total 57.5
Should I watch this one: No.
SATURDAY LATE AFTERNOON
Oregon (5-3, 3-2) at No. 12 Ohio State (6-2, 4-1), 3:30 p.m. on CBS
Details: The Buckeyes are clinging to their playoff hopes and using a backup quarterback to do it. Meanwhile, Oregon has found some footing after disappointing early losses and the injury to Dante Moore. Still, Ohio State is a solid home favorite in this must-win game for them.
Line: Ohio State -7.5, Total 46.5
Should I watch this one: Well, you’ll be busy watching another game.
Rutgers (2-6, 1-4) at Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2), 4:15 p.m. on BTN
Details: Their uniforms look alike – and maybe their seasons sort of do as well. Wisconsin seemed to have things turned around and the Badgers were ranked in the Top 25 headed into last week at Kinnick. Iowa thrashed them and where does Luke Fickell’s squad go from here? Well, hopefully not down the same road as Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are just playing out the string at this point.
Line: WIS -17.5, Total 45.5
Should I watch this one: Under zero circumstances should you watch any of this game.
SATURDAY EVENING
No. 19 Iowa (6-2, 3-2) at Northwestern (6-2, 3-2), 7:30 p.m. on FOX
Details: The roles are a bit reversed for the Wildcats, who a week ago were a road underdog at Autzen. Iowa is coming off one of its better performances in years, easily handling Wisconsin in a Big Noon game. Both of these teams can keep alive slim playoff hopes with a win. The loser will be thinking about maybe earning a nice bowl game in Florida.
Line: NU -3, Total 45.5
Should I watch this one: I’d keep an eye on it – there are bigger games happening on Saturday night.
Michigan State (2-6, 0-5) at Michigan (5-3, 2-3), 7:30 p.m. on Peacock
Details: The Spartans aren’t very good and Michigan’s offense is not worth watching. This figures to be a relatively boring one.
Line: MICH -13.5, Total 39.5
Should I watch this one: If you want to watch a Big Ten game, stick with Iowa and Northwestern.
