2011 Big Ten Football Week 1 Preview, Predictions, Odds & Picks
We are providing Big 10 Football weekly matchup previews, predictions and odds for all Big 10 football teams for the games Thursday September 1 – Saturday September 3, 2011. And to gain a betting edge check our out NCAA Football Handicappers as they offer their free and expert pick. Use our comprehensive and insider information to bet successfully on College Football with our recommend sportsbooks.
Big Ten teams are not generally known for taking too many chances in the non-conference schedule and this year’s opening week is no exception. A quick look at the slate sees a smattering of MAC, Sun Belt and FCS teams for “power” programs looking to ease their way into 2011. The school who really scheduled up is Minnesota butI give them absolutely no chance to win at a USC squad that should be much improved and hungry. The best game of the week should be Northwestern at Boston College. Both schools are dark candidates in their leagues and whoever wins will learn more about their team than the programs looking to get fat and test some backups. Listed pointspreads are provided by BetOnline.com.
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Thursday, September 1, 2011
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UNLV @ Wisconsin – 8:00 PM ET (ESPN)
Huge mismatch here and a perfect spot to introduce new QB Russell Wilson to Badger faithful. I like UNLV to exceed expectations on the whole this season but we won’t see much of that in this contest. Wisconsin won at UNLV last season to open the season covering as 20 point favourites. Not much value here with the Badgers at -35 in this one.
Prediction: Wisconsin 41 – UNLV 7 – Bet Now
Odds: Wisconsin: -35.5 – UNLV: +35.5 – Over/Under: 56
Friday, September 2, 2011
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Youngstown State @ Michigan State– 7:30 PM ET (BTN)
There is not a heck of a lot to say when a team from a power conference squares off against an FCS program. Normally I subscribe to the whole “any given Saturday” stuff but they should stop calling these regular season games – regardless of the FCS teams pedigree. There is a reason they don’t line these games.
Prediction: Michigan State 45 – Youngstown State 3 – Bet Now
Odds: Michigan State: -34 – Youngstown State: +34
Saturday, September 3, 2011
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Indiana State @ #2 Penn State – 12:00 PM ET (BTN)
See above except note that Penn State is not nearly as good as a team at MSU. They might use this game to decide on which starting QB will lead them to another slightly above average season.
Prediction: Penn State 38 – Indiana State 7 – Bet Now
Odds: Penn State: -37 – Indiana State: +37
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Tennessee Tech @ Iowa – 12:00 PM ET (BTN)
Unfortunately more of the same here…and people wonder why you have to be perfect to make the BCS from the Big Ten. Scheduling games like this is why.
Prediction: Iowa 33 – Tennessee Tech 3 – Bet Now
Odds: Iowa: -38.5 – Tennessee Tech: +38.5
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Middle Tennessee State @ Purdue – 12:00PM (BTN)
Finally a real contest. Purdue is looking to rebound big time after a disappointing injury filled 2010. MTSU also was disappointing last year as QB Dwight Dasher failed to deliver. I am surprised to see the line so large for this one, especially given the Boilermaker QB situation. Sure it is Sun Belt vs Big Ten but Purdue is hardly a juggernaut even when healthy and is missing their biggest defensive terror from last year – Ryan Kerrigan.
Prediction: Purdue 27 – MTSU 20 – Bet Now
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Akron @ Ohio State – 12:00PM (ESPN)
A classic Big 10 vs MAC opener. Akron should be thrilled with all of the troubles at OSU these days…maybe. The Zips have no chance in this one but with key players suspended, a new coach and all the emotion the Buckeyes must be experiencing they might be able to hang a little longer in this one. Or all that might add up to one of the worst beat downs of the entire first week card. It is hard to tell. Either way I think OSU should be close to covering unless they cough it up 5 times.
Prediction: Ohio State 45 – Akron 10 – Bet Now
Odds: Ohio State: -34 – Akron: +34 – Over/Under: 48
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Northwestern @ Boston College – 12:00PM (ESPN)
Finally a game worth getting into. In case you didn’t know it NW is pushing QB Dan Persa as a Heisman candidate. I like the proactive approach but the only way he gets even a sniff is if the Wildcats win every 50/50 game on their schedule including this one. Beating BC takes a max effort as the team is solid in most facets of the game…they just can’t pass the ball. Running it might be a chore too with Montel Harris not expected to play. Take the Wildcats in a minor upset. Pound Strong…Go Persa.
Prediction: Northwestern 27 – Boston College 21 – Bet Now
Odds: Northwestern: +3 – Boston College: -3 – Over/Under: 45
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Arkansas State @ Illinois – 3:30PM (BTN)
I am high on Illinois to surprise this year in the Big Ten and will feel much better if they show something in the opener against an Ark State team looking to move up in the Sun Belt. This won’t be a gimme for the Illini as the Wolves can move the ball but Illinois should be able to run the ball and take control of the game early on. Watch out for a backdoor cover.
Prediction: Illinois 30 – Arkansas State 20 – Bet Now
Odds: Illinois: -21 – Arkansas State: +21 – Over/Under: 57.5
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Chatanooga @ Nebraska – 3:30PM
This is the ugliest duckling of them all.
Prediction: Nebraska 41 – Chatanooga 7 – Bet Now
Odds: Nebraska: -35 – Chatanooga: +35
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Western Michigan @ Michigan – 3:30PM (ABC)
This is a highly anticipated game as it launches the Brady Hoke era at UM. I am very interested to see how they plan to use the talents of QB Denard Robinson although this might not be a great indicator given the talent divide of the two clubs. The real indicator to watch for is if the Michigan defense is showing any signs of improvement. They were awful a year and even though Western Michigan is not a powerhouse offensive team they can move the ball effectively through the air. If nothing has changed this game will be closer than it should be.
Prediction: Michigan 42 – Western Michigan 24 – Bet Now
Odds: Michigan: -14 – Western Michigan: +14 – Over/Under: 61
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Minnesota @ USC – 3:30PM (ABC)
The Trojans are just itching to start hitting on somebody else and are primed for a rebound season. They are vastly more talented than the visiting Gophers and I think that will be evident from the get go. It is common knowledge that USC, while still possessing star power, doesn’t have the same kind of depth it has had in the past. As a result I expect the Gophers to chip away at the lead in the second half of a game that will not be nearly as close as the final number might suggest.
Prediction: USC 38 – Minnesota 17 – Bet Now
Odds: USC: -23 – Minnesota: +23 – Over/Under: 51.5
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Ball State @ Indiana – 7:00PM (ESPN)
Nice Hoosier State battle to open things up…just kidding. Indiana should be able to beat up on the Cardinals but that is more reflective of how far the Cards have fallen since Hoke left after a marvelous season a few years back. I like the hire of Kevin WIlson by IU but the Hoosiers are going to have to get most of their wins out of conference. I also like the value here with IU only needing to win by a TD to cash a ticket.
Prediction: Indiana 31 – Ball State 10 – Bet Now
Odds: Indiana: -6 – Ball State: +6 – Over/Under: 55.5
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