2011 Big Ten Football Week 5 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 October 1, 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.
Now that most of the conference is into league play there should be less embarrassing matchups than we have seen the last few weeks. I say less because whoever Indiana and Minnesota are playing have little to fear right now…I am looking forward to seeing Illinois against Northwestern on Saturday. They are both sleeper teams for me and if Dan Persa plays there will be an intriguing battle between him and Illini QB Nathan Scheelhaase. Both are run/pass threats and that game might be the most entertaining on the card…Obviously the game of the week is Nebraska vs Wisconsin. The Huskers are gunning to win the first championship in the new Big Ten and this should be their stiffest test. Wisconsin might have what it takes to sneak into the BCS title game if they keep playing the way they have been. Listed pointspreads are provided by BetOnline.com.
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Saturday, October 1, 2011
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Penn State @ Indiana – 12:00 PM on ESPNU
Indiana didn’t do the conference any favours by losing to North Texas last week as 6 point favourites – the rebuilding road is going to be a long one for the Hoosiers. Meanwhile Penn State jumped all over Eastern Michigan in an easy win. In the contest (if you can call it that) QB Matt McGloin was by far the superior performer. You have to think that he will get the starting nod in conference play from here on out. They need to develop someone competent at the position if they want to be able to compete with any of the real contenders.
Prediction: Penn State 38 – Indiana 17 – Bet Now
Odds: Penn State: -16 – Indiana: +16 – Over/Under: 47
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Northwestern @ #24 Illinois – 12:00 PM ET on ESPN2
Illinois didn’t look too sharp last weekend against Western Michigan, but WMU is better than most people think. You know you are on the road to a special season when you play poorly and still win. For Northwestern they were off last week. Even with the extra week of rest there is still no definitive word on whether QB Dan Persa will suit up for the Wildcats…and if he does it is reasonable to expect that his first game out might be a little rough. Illinois is still my sleeper choice in their division and they should ease into conference play with a victory in the battle of state of Illinois.
Prediction: Illinois 28 – Northwestern 20 – Bet Now
Odds: Illinois: -8 – Northwestern: +8 – Over/Under: 50.5
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Minnesota @ #19 Michigan – 12:00 PM ET
Things are getting worse in Minnesota. They lost to North Dakota State last week by 13 and their coach is putting his health first and leaving the team until he can get his seizures under control (obviously the smart way to go). The expectations were low but now it looks like even a conference victory might be too much to expect for the Golden Gophers. On the opposite side of the field Michigan finally showed some defensive prowess in holding San Diego State to just 7 points while QB Denard Robinson ran for more than 200 yards in the victory. This looks like another one where he should be able to dance and prance the team to a win.
Prediction: Michigan 41 – Minnesota 17 – Bet Now
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Michigan State @ Ohio State – 3:30 PM ET on ABC
The first of two pretty good games to kick things off for the conference. Michigan State rebounded last week against Central Michigan but that was to be expected. MSU had a great season last year in part because they dodged having to play the Buckeyes. They have lost 7 straight to OSU and most of them haven’t been close so they may be a little bit in their head. Ohio State had little trouble with Colorado and this week marks the last game of suspension for the Tattoo gang. With them out and a mother of a game against Nebraska next week in stands to reason that they might be looking ahead and taking the Spartans lightly. They shouldn’t, MSU can certainly pull the road upset, especially with the Buckeye’s frosh QB, Braxton Miller, at the helm.
Prediction: Michigan State 31 – Ohio State 28 – Bet Now
Odds: Michigan State: +3 – Ohio State: -3 – Over/Under: 43.5
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Notre Dame @ Purdue – 8:00 PM ET on ESPN
I am not sure why ABC would waste a prime time slot on Notre Dame vs. Purdue this weekend. Even if they were undefeated does anybody actually care to see them play Purdue? The Boilermakers were off last week so they should be well prepared game plan wise for the Fighting Irish. The problem is ND has used the last couple of weeks to get their confidence back – even if they do look skittish at times. It is going to be hard for Purdue to slow down the ND attack now that Tommy Rees has settled in at QB…but with Robert Marve back at the helm maybe the Boilers can get throw a few punches to make the Irish sweat a little. They haven’t been great under pressure this season.
Prediction: Notre Dame 35 – Purdue 19 – Bet Now
Odds: Notre Dame: -12 – Purdue: +12 – Over/Under: 48
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#8 Nebraska @ #7 Wisconsin – 8:00 PM ET on ABC
Best game of the week obviously. Before the season it would have been easy to say that whichever teams rushes for the most yards would win but quarterback Russell Wilson has been so good that I am now of the opinion that the Badgers can win even if they don’t have their ground game rumbling at maximum efficiency. I am not sure the Huskers like their chances as much if Taylor Martinez has to make some key plays with his arm. On the whole Nebraska has the better defense with next level playmakers at every level but Wisconsin has the advantage of hosting this mega tilt at Camp Randall stadium, an underrated home advantage. It is hard to imagine this one being a blowout either way but it is definitely more important for Nebraska and Martinez to hold the lead early. They just aren’t built for comebacks. Lets say whoever has the ball last will have a chance to force the game into overtime.
Prediction: Wisconsin 31 – Nebraska 24 – Bet Now
Odds: Wisconsin: -9 – Nebraska: +9 – Over/Under: 56.5
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