Big Ten Week 5 Preview and BSD Challenge

Another week of college football is in the books, and the Big Ten seems to be settling in a bit. Some teams are still creating havoc – looking at you, Maryland – but we’re starting to see some logic and reason descend on the conference. That can only mean that we’re into upset season! How will this week’s B1G games go down? Let’s find out!

Big Ten Week 5 Preview

Nebraska (2-2, 1-0 Big Ten) at Illinois (2-1, 0-0)

Friday, 8:00 PM at Champaign, IL

Line: Nebraska -7

After squeaking by Rutgers, I don’t have much faith in Nebraska, but I have even less faith in the Illini. If the Cornhuskers make a bowl this year, it may be due to the fact that they have a relatively easy schedule. I’ll take Big Red over Illinois on the road.

Prediction: Nebraska 27, Illinois 14

Northwestern (2-1, 0-0) at #10 Wisconsin (3-0, 0-0)

Saturday, 12:00 PM at Madison, WI

Line: Wisconsin -14.5

Northwestern had an underwhelming first few games, and then got an early bye week. Wisconsin had their bye week as well, and is still the clear favorite in the West – at this point I can only see maybe Iowa being tough enough to hang with the Badgers. Wisconsin will continue to pummel the West – and begin to steadily rise up the rankings.

Prediction: Wisconsin 35, Northwestern 20

Maryland (2-1, 0-0) at Minnesota (3-0, 0-0)

Saturday, 12:00 PM at Minneapolis, MN

Line: Minnesota -12.5

I was actually really impressed with Maryland in the early goings of the season, but the injury bug came after their quarterbacks hard, and now I’m once again wondering if the Terrapins will make a bowl game. Minnesota, meanwhile, is quietly undefeated and coming off a bye. Give me the Golden Gophers at home.

Prediction: Minnesota 27, Maryland 17

Iowa (3-1, 0-1) at Michigan State (2-1, 0-0)

Saturday, 4:00 PM at East Lansing, MI

Line: Michigan State -3.5

Iowa gave Penn State everything it could handle, and was 4 seconds away from completing yet another top 5 upset at night in Kinnick Stadium. If the Hawkeyes continue to play like they did against the Lions, the West will come down to a Wisconsin-Iowa showdown. MSU, meanwhile, fell flat on their face against Notre Dame, which makes the current point spread all the more confusing. Give me the Hawkeyes in an easy win.

Prediction: Iowa 27, Michigan State 14

#11 Ohio State (3-1, 1-0) at Rutgers (1-3, 0-1)

Saturday, 7:30 PM at Piscataway, NJ

Line: Ohio State -29

Oof. Do I need to write about this game? Rutgers is not good, and Ohio State is. The Buckeyes may look to improve on last year’s 58-0 win.

Prediction: Ohio State 49, Rutgers 7

Bye Week:

#8 Michigan (4-0, 1-0), Purdue (2-2, 0-1)

BSD Staff Picks

A mostly straightforward week means that there hasn’t been much movement at the top of the leaderboard, and everyone is still within one or two games of each other. For this week, once again there were some unanimous choices:

• #10 Wisconsin over Northwestern
• #4 Penn State over Indiana
• #11 Ohio State over Rutgers

After the Huskers have struggled to start their season, Cari, Tim, Eli, and Dlando all think the Illini will beat Nebraska. Also, despite being on their third quarterback, Jared and Eli both think Maryland will upend Minnesota. Lastly, Tim, Dlando, and Clay all apparently weren’t watching either Iowa or Michigan State play last week, and have picked Sparty to defeat the Hawkeyes. What say you, dear reader? Did the masthead get it right?