The B1G Preview: Feelin’ Lucky

Several non-conference games are still on tap, including a top 20 showdown in Madison, but the conference slate is starting to pick up. Let’s get to it!

#12 Notre Dame (3-0) at #18 Wisconsin (1-1)

Noon Eastern, FOX
Wisconsin -6.5

BIG. NUDE. KICKOFF. Notre Dame heads on the road to take on Wisconsin, who is fresh off an early-season bye week. The Irish escaped against Purdue last week, but appear to be playing with fire. The Badgers, meanwhile, are looking to put themselves back into the national discussion with a statement win. I think the Wisconsin defense carries the day, and Notre Dame finally takes an L.

Should You Watch?

Prediction: Wisconsin 24, Notre Dame 14

Bowling Green (1-2) at Minnesota (2-1)

Noon Eastern, ESPNU
Minnesota -31

I feel like Minnesota is actually not that bad of a team, but time will tell. This week shouldn’t be much of a challenge for the Gophers, and they get a fairly easy win.

Should You Watch?

Prediction: Minnesota 45, Bowling Green 10

Ohio (0-3) at Northwestern (1-2)

Noon Eastern, BTN
Northwestern -14.5

How bad is Northwestern that they’re barely getting two-touchdown odds over a winless Ohio squad? I don’t think I could bring myself to watch this pillow fight if you paid me to.

Should You Watch?

Prediction: Northwestern 28, Ohio 14

Colorado State (1-2) at #5 Iowa (3-0)

3:30 PM Eastern, FS1
Iowa -23

Iowa is going to win a boring, low-scoring affair. Realistically, the Hawkeyes aren’t going to be tested until Penn State comes to Kinnick in a few weeks. Maryland could end up pushing the defense a bit, but overall, Iowa just looks like a solid team. Top 5? We’ll see.

Should You Watch?

Prediction: Iowa 31, Colorado State 10

Rutgers (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) at #19 Michigan (3-0, 0-0)

3:30 PM Eastern, ABC
Michigan -20

Neither Rutgers nor Michigan have been tested yet this season, and so it’s hard to gauge exactly how good either team is. Michigan has relied heavily on its run game while it tries to sort out its passing game, and Rutgers appears to be getting by on sound defense. I don’t quite think Rutgers has it in them, but I also don’t think this one will be a laugher.

Should You Watch?

Prediction: Michigan 31, Rutgers 21

Illinois (1-3, 1-1) at Purdue (2-1, 0-0)

3:30 PM Eastern, BTN
Purdue -11

Illinois is winless after starting the season with a win, while Purdue just didn’t quite have enough in the tank to beat Notre Dame. Overall I think the Boilermakers are in a better spot, and should have a fairly easy day at the office.

Should You Watch?

Prediction: Purdue 35, Illinois 17

Kent State (1-2) at Maryland (3-0)

3:30 PM Eastern, BTN
Maryland -14.5

Maryland’s win over West Virginia looks better after the Mountaineers took down #15 Virginia Tech, but I also think the Hokies were overrated after beating an overrated UNC squad. Isn’t the transitive property fun? In any case, the Golden Flashes won’t have enough to beat the Terrapins, and Maryland may sneak into the top 25 next week with a win.

Should You Watch?

Prediction: Maryland 35, Kent State 14

Nebraska (2-2, 0-1) at #20 Michigan State (3-0, 1-0)

7:00 PM Eastern, FS1
Michigan State -5

Michigan State has looked surprisingly good so far this year, whereas Nebraska has not. Still, the Huskers managed to only lose by a TD to the #4 team in the country last week, and so perhaps they aren’t quite as lifeless as some might believe. Still, a 5-point spread seems a bit low, and MSU adds another pelt to their wall.

Should You Watch?

Prediction: Michigan State 31, Nebraska 17

Akron (1-2) at #10 Ohio State (2-1)

7:30 PM Eastern, BTN
Ohio State -49.5

Ohio State once again underwhelmed in a win over Tulsa, but truthfully there aren’t a ton of teams that will truly push the Buckeyes until later in the schedule. Akron is not one of those teams.

Should You Watch?

Prediction: Ohio State 56, Akron 10

Indiana (1-1) at Western Kentucky (1-1)

8:00 PM Eastern, CBSSN
Indiana -9

Well looky here! A Power 5 team going on the road to play a Group of 5 team! You don’t see that very often. I get the feeling Indiana is not a bad team, but one that simply had to play two top-10 teams in the first three weeks of the season. Give me the Hoosiers in what should be a pretty exciting game.

Should You Watch?

Prediction: Indiana 35, Western Kentucky 27