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Welcome to B1G bets.
Each week, we take a look at the spreads, totals and any intriguing prop bets we come across for upcoming Big Ten games.
As always, this is not an attempt to tell you what to do with your money. We barely know what to do with our own money. Our goal is to bring your attention to wagers which you might consider placing based on your own due diligence.
With that established, let’s see what Week 6 has to offer.
Maryland at No. 7 Ohio State
Line: Ohio State -21 (DraftKings), -20.5 (FanDuel)
Total: 70.5 (DraftKings), 71.5 (FanDuel)
Interesting prop: Maryland +7 in first quarter
It’s possible Maryland is still in a daze following last Friday’s 51-14 humiliation to Iowa. But it seems more likely the Terrapins will at least start this game on a good note, both having something to prove and the benefit of an extra day to prepare.
Also, the first quarter is Ohio State’s lowest-scoring quarter this season. Half of the Buckeyes’ 48 first-quarter points were scored in last week’s win at Rutgers as the Scarlet Knights imploded early. While that could be the start of a new trend, it’s reasonable to think Maryland can keep it close for 15 minutes against a leaky Ohio State defense — especially given that the Terps have outscored teams 45-23 in the first quarter this season.
Maryland doesn’t have to outscore Ohio State in the first quarter, but just keep it within a touchdown.
Of note: Maryland’s past 7 games against Top 10 opponents have gone over the total, though this is an awfully high number to keep that streak going.
No. 11 Michigan State at Rutgers
Line: Michigan State -5.5
Total: 50.5 (DraftKings), 49.5 (FanDuel)
Interesting prop: Michigan State over 27.5 points (+100)
The Spartans are averaging 37.8 points per game. Rutgers is allowing a respectable 21.2 points per game, but is only 11th in the Big Ten in total defense, allowing 5.3 yards per play. Takeaways have been the primary factor in Rutgers allowing relatively few points, though all of that went out the window in last week’s 52-13 wipeout against Ohio State.
The 27.5-point total seems like the right number for Michigan State, but the fact you can get double your money if the Spartans crack the over has to be tempting.
Of note: The total has gone over in 7 of Rutgers’ 8 most recent home games against ranked opponents.
Wisconsin at Illinois
Line: Wisconsin -10
Total: 42
Interesting prop: Illinois +0.5 in first quarter (+115)
Wisconsin is averaging just 18.5 points per game, so the Badgers certainly don’t do quick starts. They are outscoring opponents 10-7 in the first quarter through 4 games.
If you think Bret Bielema’s new team can keep it close against his former employer for a quarter or more, there is money to be made.
Of note: Surprisingly, this is Wisconsin’s first true road game of the season. The Badgers have played 3 at Camp Randall in addition to a neutral-site game at Soldier Field in Chicago. The reason that’s noteworthy? Wisconsin has covered the spread in its first road game for 5 straight seasons.
No. 4 Penn State at No. 3 Iowa
Line: Iowa -1.5
Total: 40.5 (DraftKings), 41.5 (FanDuel)
Interesting prop: Penn State under 19.5 points (+100)
With 17 points, Iowa State is the only opponent to score thrice on Iowa this season. And though Penn State has an explosive offense, the Nittany Lions were limited to 16 points in their season-opening win at Wisconsin.
Plus, must we remind you that these schools once played a 6-4 game? In the 21st century? During the tenure of Iowa’s current head coach?
Even if you like Penn State to win this game, betting on Iowa’s defense feels like a pretty good hedge.
Of note: Including the aforementioned 27-17 win at Iowa State, 6 consecutive Hawkeyes games in the state of Iowa have gone under the total.
No. 9 Michigan at Nebraska
Line: Michigan -3.5
Total: 50
Moneyline: Nebraska (+150)
Interesting prop: First quarter over/under, 10.5
Both teams are capable of putting some points on the board, but they have not tended to do so early. Based on how they’ve done in the opening quarter this season, Michigan would have an 8-5 lead over the Cornhuskers. And even that modest number is above the first-quarter total. That makes this a pretty interesting bet whether you’re pro-over or pro-under.
Alex Hickey is an award-winning writer who has watched Big Ten sports since it was a numerically accurate description of league membership. Alex has covered college football and basketball since 2008, with stops on the McNeese State, LSU and West Virginia beats before being hired as Saturday Tradition's Big Ten columnist in 2021. He is an Illinois native and 2004 Indiana University graduate.