We had a lot of big spreads last week and got a lot of big results. The game of the week was USC hanging on to knock out Iowa from anything exciting postseason wise. Michigan also got a huge boost with
their walk-off in Wrigley. Print the shirts now. This week USC and Oregon have all the eyes on them, but could see see another dramatic finish in the Friendly Confines with the Gophers and Northwestern?
#1 Ohio State Buckeyes (Previously #1)
The Buckeyes did exactly what was expected and beat up on the Bruins 48-10. They were missing their top two receivers in Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, but it did not matter. The Buckeyes are stacked. They host Rutgers this week in what one might call a trap game with Michigan on the horizon, but it’s Rutgers. It might be close for a half, but then things will get ugly. Buckeyes are favored by 31.5 in this one, so if you think they might be looking ahead, take a Scarlet Knights 4 TD cover.
#2 Indiana Hoosiers (Previously #2)
Indiana had to deal with another great effort from Wisconsin in the first half before finally pulling away for a 31-7 win. The Hoosiers have not looked their invincible serves the last few weeks but are still 11-0 and ranked #2 headed into their final bye week of the season. They get a week to prepare to beat Purdue by 60 next week.
#3 Oregon Ducks (Previously #3)
Oregon had absolutely no trouble with the Gophers despite being down a pair of top wide outs. The Ducks crushed Minnesota 42-13 en route to 9-1. They host USC this week for what could almost be a CFP Play-in game. Oregon is favorited by 10.5 in what seems like a really high number, but only time will tell.
#4 USC Trojans (Previously #4)
USC had to fight like crazy but they escaped with a 26-21 win over Iowa to remain in the CFP hunt. The Trojans sit at 8-2 on the season with an absolute must win in Eugene this weekend. Win and a chance at the CFP is still alive. Lose and it’s likely the Alamo Bowl. Ducks are favored by 10.5 which seems high, but just how good is USC? Can they really win a big game when needed?
#5 Michigan Wolverines (Previously #5)
Michigan had to dig and claw but came home from Wrigley Field with a 24-22 win on a walk-off field goal. The Wolverines are 8-2 and can likely lock up a Florida bowl game with a win over Maryland on Saturday. The Wolverines are only 13.5 point favorites in College Park. But will they overlook the Terps with the Buckeyes just a week away?
#6 Illinois Fighting Illini (Previously #7)
Illinois jumps one spot this week after a nonchalant 24-6 win over Maryland to move to 7-3 on the season. Can the Illini go into Madison for a night game for the Badgers Senior night and take out Wisconsin to move to 8-3? A Florida bowl game is likely on the line if they can get it done. Illini are favored by just 7.5 after the Badger defense has shown up in the past few weeks. Tis one could be a dog fight.
#7 Iowa Hawkeyes (Previously #6)
Iowa just can’t win the close one this year. They fall 26-21 at USC and are now 6-4 on the season with all four losses being by a combined 15 points. Ouch. They should get a much easier game for their senior day this week when Michigan State comes to town. Hawkeyes are favored by 16.5 and that might be too few.
#8 Washington Huskies (Previously #10)
Washington moves back up a pair of spots after their drubbing of Purdue 49-13 missing their top running back. The Huskies are 7-3 with what should be a winnable game at UCLA this weekend ahead. Washington is favored by 10.5 in a special Big Ten After Dark 9:30 Central kick time on NBC. But will the Huskies be looking ahead to trying to spoil Oregon’s season next weekend?
#9 Minnesota Golden Gophers (Previously #8)
Unfortunately last weekend was exactly what was expected from the Gophers in Eugene. Never in the game, completely outclassed. They are now 6-4 and if you squint you can see 8-4, but you can also easily see 6-6 ahead. They need to go into Wrigley Field and find a way to defeat Northwestern this Saturday. If they can protect the ball, it might just be enough to get an ugly win. And hey, the Gophers are 2-0 in heir last two games on baseball fields, so whey not make it 3 for 3. But they will be an underdog as Northwestern is favored by 3.5 points.
#10 Nebraska Cornhuskers (Previously #9)
Nebraska drops one spot on their bye week thanks to the Husky big win. They sit at 7-3 and head to Penn State for a must win game for the Nittany Lions on Saturday. Penn State is favored by whopping 9.5 points, so Vegas doesn’t think Nebraska and their backup QB can beet the Nittany Lions and their backup QB.
#11 Northwestern Wildcats (Previously #11)
Northwestern stays at #11 after nearly pulling the upset win over Michigan at Wrigley falling on a walk-off field goal. The Wildcats have been playing tough football but still need a win to get to bowl eligibility. They would rather try and knock off the Gophers this week then need to try and win on the road at Illinois next week. They are 3.5 point favorites over Minnesota in what should be a close if not ugly game.
#12 Penn State Nittany Lions (Previously #12)
Penn State stays at 12 after their route of Michigan State in East Lansing 28-10. The first must win game is done as they are now 4-6, but need to win out to get to a bowl. Next up, Nebraska at home this weekend where PSU is a surprising 9.5 point favorite. With Rutgers next week, this is the toughest one left between Penn State and a likely trip to NYC for the Pinstripe Bowl .
#13 UCLA Bruins (Previously #13)
UCLA stays for the time being at 13 after getting run out of the building by Ohio State—a not uncommon thing. Nobody else behind them wants to move up either. The Bruins are officially out of bowl eligibility but could try and screw up Washington’s run to a better bowl with an upset win this Saturday night in the Rose Bowl.
#14 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Previously #14)
Rutgers stays put after a bye and is 5-5 with two games left. They go to Ohio State this week, so 5-6 is very likely. The Penn State game could be a potential win and in lose and out game for postseason eligibility next week.
#15 Wisconsin Badgers (Previously #15)
Unfortunately the Badgers defense has definitely figured some things out. They gave Indiana trouble for a half before the Hoosiers finally pulled away last week. The offense—-less so. Illinois comes to Madison for Senior night this week in what should be a decent test to see where Wisconsin is before the Battle for the Axe next week.
#16 Michigan State Spartans (Previously #16)
Sparty is hurting bad. A 28-10 loss to Penn State drops them to 3-7 and 0-7 in conference play. Unless they can pull an upset in Iowa City this week those numbers drop even further next week. Yuck.
#17 Purdue Boilermakers (Previously #17)
Purdue gets run out of the building by Washington to fall to 2-9 and remain winless in the Big Ten. They get a late season bye this week before finishing with Indiana next week. Happy Thanksgiving there…
#18 Maryland Terrapins (Previously #18)
Maryland loses at Illinois and the school announces Mike Locksley is officially back next season. They technically have a path to a bowl game, but need to up set Michigan this week to do it. Never say never.
