2011 Big Ten Football Week 3 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 Saturday September 17, 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.
Last week wasn’t exactly a great one for the Big Ten. Penn State was humbled by Alabama; Iowa let rival Iowa State stay in the game and win it in overtime; and Ohio State was far from dominant against little brother Toledo. It was an exciting victory by Michigan to cap Saturday but beating Notre Dame is far from something special these days. This week there are some tough contests on the schedule as team’s venture a little deeper into the pool. I am very curious to see how Temple looks against Penn State and after losing last week I wouldn’t be surprised to see Iowa fall agains to visiting Pitt. With due respect to OSU vs Miami I think the most interesting contest will be Arizona State at my Big Ten sleeper Illinois. Listed pointspreads are provided by BetOnline.com.
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Saturday, September 17, 2011
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Eastern Michigan @ Michigan – 12:00 PM
After last week’s thrilling ending it is natural to expect a bit of a letdown for Big Blue. Lucky for the Wolverines they are playing a team so pitiful they can probably get away with a weak effort and still win by more than three touchdowns.
Prediction: Michigan 41 – Eastern Michigan 10 – Bet Now
Odds: Michigan: -29.5 – Eastern Michigan: +29.5 – Over/Under: 63
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Penn State @ Temple – 12:00 PM ET on ESPN
One of these days Temple is going to get the better of Penn State. They have covered in their last two contests losing by just 9 points last season. I don’t want to go out on a limb and say the Owls are the better team but they get PSU at home this year and they should be feeling confident after two early victories. Meanwhile Penn State looks like a mess at so many spots, especially on offense. If they were ever going to end their 36 game winless streak against the Lions this seems like the year. As a dog of more than a TD you have to love the Owls.
Prediction: Temple 26 – Penn State 21 – Bet Now
Odds: Temple: +7.5 – Penn State: -7.5 – Over/Under: 44.5
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Pittsburgh @ Iowa – 12:00 PM ET on ESPN2
The battle for bragging rights for the state of Iowa was exciting but it also revealed that Iowa is just a mediocre Big Ten Team this year. Usually this squad exceeds expectations but over the last couple of seasons they have disappointed more often than usual. Coach Kirk Ferentz might be one of those motivation maestros who can rally a dog but can’t handle being the favourite, which give me pause about backing Iowa as a favourite even at home. Both of these teams are looking to prove something in this non-conference that might provide confidence moving forward.
Prediction: Iowa 27 – Pittsburgh 24 – Bet Now
Odds: Iowa: -3 – Pittsburgh: +3 – Over/Under: 51
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Southeast Missouri State @ Purdue – 12:00 PM ET
Purdue coach Danny Hope must have been feeling a lot of heat to win to open the season with MTSU, Rice and now Southeast Missouri State. Doesn’t he know that Big Ten teams fatten up on the MAC? Right now they are just 1-1 and haven’t looked good at all. I just looked at their schedule and this might be their last win unless they start playing better. I hope they enjoy it.
Prediction: Purdue 31 – Southeast Missouri State 7 – Bet Now
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South Carolina State @ Indiana – 3:30 PM ET
The Hoosiers lost a close one vs Virginia and are desperate for a win to avoid a catastrophic season for their new coach Kevin Wilson. Timing is everything as South Carolina State is served up to give these guys an easy way to get into the win column this season.
Prediction: Indiana 33 – South Carolina State 10 – Bet Now
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Miami (OH) @ Minnesota – 3:30 PM ET
What a scare it was when Minnesota coach Jerry Kill collapsed on Saturday. Right now his status is unknown which makes it hard to get a read on a team that is winless so far this season. Miami is one of the better teams in the MAC and is capable of pulling off the upset. They have had an extra week to prepare after staying close with Missouri and now they have another shot at a Big 6 upset before opening MAC play the following week. Coach Kill is great so here is hoping for a speedy recovery.
Prediction: Miami (Ohio) 28 – Minnesota 24 – Bet Now
Odds: Miami (Ohio): +5 – Minnesota: -5 – Over/Under: 46.5
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Northwestern @ #Army – 3:30 PM ET
The Wildcats had little trouble following up their upset of Boston College with an easy victory over Eastern Illinois. QB Dan Persa didn’t play last week and I have yet to find a source guaranteeing he will start on Saturday. If he is back then their chances vastly improve but they can beat Army either way if they can get a strong defensive effort. Army has an option attack that can be lethal if you are not prepared for it. NW is very well coached and smart so they should be able to have success and keep the winning going.
Prediction: Northwestern 31 – Army 21 – Bet Now
Odds: Northwestern: -7.5 – Army: +7.5 – Over/Under: 54.5
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#15 Michigan State @ Notre Dame – 3:30 PM ET
Clearly Michigan State got the memo I was referring to in this column last week about smoking FCS squads. It may have only been against Sun Belt Florida Atlantic but they were absolutely dominant giving up just 1 first down the entire game. It is hard to imagine them not being supremely confident against a Notre Dame team that lost a heartbreaker to Michigan on Saturday night. Controversy is swirling around this hallowed program which is facing a possible (probable I think) 0-3 start. The Irish have proven they can move the ball but also that they are not afraid to give it to the opposing team…a lot Right now they are 4.5 point favourites which I find absolutely shocking.
Prediction: Michigan State 31 – Notre Dame 27 – Bet Now
Odds: Michigan State: +4.5 – Notre Dame: -4.5 – Over/Under: 51.5
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Washington @ #10 Nebraska – 3:30 PM ET on ESPN
Everyone is making a big deal about how this is the third time these two teams are playing each other in the last 12 months. That makes for interesting Twittering but really, despite the split of the previous two games, this is still a huge mismatch. Nebraska is a legitimate championship contender while Washington is in the middle tier of the PAC 12. I think that difference will be evident on Saturday especially with Husker QB Taylor Martinez looking so sharp in the first two games. He is the difference maker. If he plays well again they will romp over the Huskies like they did in G1 last year.
Prediction: Nebraska 37 – Washington 14 – Bet Now
Odds: Nebraska: -16.5 – Washington: +16.5 – Over/Under: 54.5
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#7 Wisconsin vs Northern Illinois – 3:30 PM ET
I always think UNI is great bet so I have to be careful here as they get the rare opportunity to host a team the calibre of Wisconsin in DeKalb. The Badgers have been one of the most impressive teams in the country thus far while Northern Illinois lost to Kansas last weekend. I still like how the Huskies can match the physicality of Big 6 teams and their leadership at the QB position with Chandler Harnish. But they should have handled their business against the Jayhawks as 4 point favourites. The Badgers are all business right now and even though this will be their biggest challenge to date they will emerge with a relatively easy victory.
Prediction: Wisconsin 38 – Northern Illinois 24 – Bet Now
Odds: Wisconsin: -17 – Northern Illinois: +17 – Over/Under: 64
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#22 Arizona State @ Illinois – 7:00 PM ET
With due respect to the game below I think this one is more interesting. Arizona State is looking to be a bonafide contender in the PAC 12 coming off a solid victory over Missouri. Illinois is my sleeper in the Big 10. They run the ball well and Nathan Scheelhaase looks like he has become a better passer meaning they can mix it up and play catchup if need be. Illinois has always been one of those sleeping giant programs and this looks like a year when they will be wide awake. With the game at home, the Illini will be tough to beat provided they can make ASU work for their yards on offense. This should be a very physical affair.
Prediction: Illinois 27 – Arizona State 24 – Bet Now
Odds: Illinois: -1.5- Arizona State: +1.5 – Over/Under: 59.5
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#17 Ohio State @ Miami – 7:30 PM ET
With Miami a mess and Ohio State’s weak performance against Toledo this game has lost much its lustre. Last year it was supposed to confirm the resurrection the “U” and it can contribute to that goal again if they play well. I am not sure about the decision to switch QBs for the Canes. Jacory Harris was brutal against OSU last year so throwing him into the fire might kill Miami’s chances of winning. I guess Coach Golden believes it gives them the best chance to win or he might want to be displaying some loyalty to a senior on his last go around. Either way the Canes have an advantage at QB and will have several additional key contributors back in the lineup this week. OSU is still a couple of games from getting their full complement back.
Prediction: Miami 30 – Ohio State 24 – Bet Now
Odds: Miami: -2.5- Ohio State: +2.5 – Over/Under: 48
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