Big Ten Preview and BSD Challenge - Week 6

Penn State gets a much-needed break after a tough loss to Ohio State, but the rest of the league plays this week. There are a few interesting matchups this week, not the least of which will be in East Lansing. Read on, make your own picks, and see if you know better than the masthead!

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Maryland (3-1, 1-0) at #15 Michigan (4-1, 2-0)

Ann Arbor, MI

Saturday, October 6th, 12:00 PM

Line: MICH -17.5

Maryland has quietly put together a nice start to their season, despite an odd loss to Temple. Michigan’s offense has looked mortal, though their defense is lights out. Still, the Wolverines needed a late comeback to defeat Northwestern, and Maryland is a better team than the Wildcats. Michigan wins, but doesn’t cover.

Michigan 24, Maryland 14

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Northwestern (1-3, 1-1) at #20 Michigan State (3-1, 1-0)

East Lansing, MI

Saturday, October 6th, 12:00 PM

Line: MSU -11.5

Speaking of bad offenses, Michigan State’s run game is terrible! But this is a sneaky good game, as it seems like Northwestern is trying to turn a corner. Like Michigan, I think the Wildcats will give the Spartans a test, but I don’t think they can get the win. Northwestern keeps it tight.

Michigan State 28, Northwestern 21

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Illinois (2-2, 0-1) at Rutgers (1-4, 0-2)

Piscataway, NJ

Saturday, October 6th, 3:30 PM

Line: ILL -2.5

Well this is going to be an ugly game. What happens when a stoppable force meets a moveable object? We’ll find out on Saturday! I think the Illini win by at least a field goal in a slop fest.

Illinois 24, Rutgers 17

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Iowa (3-1, 0-1) at Minnesota (3-1, 0-1)

Minneapolis, MN

Saturday, October 6th, 3:30 PM

Line: IOWA -5.5

Another secretly good game against two possible dark horse teams in the West. Iowa had their shot against Wisconsin and missed, but they can still make some noise on that side of the conference. The Hawkeyes get the win, but Minnesota hangs tight.

Iowa 24, Minnesota 21

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Indiana (4-1, 1-1) at #3 Ohio State (5-0, 2-0)

Columbus, OH

Saturday, October 6th, 4:00 PM

Line: OSU -25

As much as I’d like to hope that Ohio State suffers a gigantic blowout loss the week after an emotional win against Penn State, this game is at home instead of at Kinnick. And this game is against Indiana, not Iowa. I do think the Hoosiers keep it somewhat close - somewhat being fewer than 25 points, that is.

Ohio State 42, Indiana 20

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Nebraska (0-4, 0-2) at #16 Wisconsin (3-1, 1-0)

Madison, WI

Saturday, October 6th, 7:30 PM

Line: WIS -21

Oy. Nebraska is just not looking good right now, and while the Badgers have been a little shaky to start the season, I don’t see a world in which they lose to the Cornhuskers. 21 points is a lot, however, so I think Big Red actually beats the spread on this one. Just barely, but the Fightin’ Scott Frosts stay under the spread.

Wisconsin 45, Nebraska 27

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BSD Challenge

Check out the staff’s picks below. The masthead was unanimous for just one game:

• Illinois -2.5 over Rutgers

That leaves five games up for grabs:

There was a sizable split on Michigan-Maryland, with most taking the Wolverines. Similarly, a good number of pickers went with the Spartans to cover over Northwestern. Just Tim and I like Minnesota to hang tough with Iowa, while three of us think Indiana can keep the game somewhat close with Ohio State. Lastly, I’m the only one to pick Nebraska - call me crazy, but I just don’t see the Badgers annihilating the Cornhuskers.

What do you think, dear reader? Who ya got in week six?