Ad Disclosure
The B1G slate of games this week is so shallow.
How shallow is it?
It’s so shallow gnats can’t even dive into it without getting a concussion.
Even B1G loyalists are excused if the basicness of fall activities cuts into watching more than one conference game. Get lost in a corn maize, herniate a disc with some pumpkin tossing (not really a thing), pelt stroller-joggers with candy corn. Do something to avoid the lukewarm matchups after you lay a little money down.
And, off a 1-1-1 weekend, it’s time to make a late-season run to claim an even record. How else are we going to get that Lexus to go along with the obnoxious oversized bow you bought your significant?
(All lines taken from mybookie.ag)
Author’s note: Lines may have shifted from when I pulled the number for the column. Lighten up gang.
Wisconsin -4.5 vs.Northwestern o/u 53
The pick: Wisconsin
Illogical reasoning: Fresh off its “bye within a game” experience against Illinois where the Badgers rung up 49 points on the Illini, Wisconsin still has a chance to win the B1G West, and reap whatever acclaim comes from that. Wisconsin isn’t so much a disappointment as the program came down to reality after a fortunate 2017 where the team didn’t lose until the B1G Championship. The overall record of their conference opponents last year was 53-59. Throw in a weakened defense and a passing game that wants you to believe it’s competent and the season, even with only one conference loss, is a collective ugh.
That being said, Wisconsin still owns the sort of offensive line to grind out a win against Northwestern. With an unimpressive win against Rutgers (anything under 35 points is unimpressive) and an improbable home win against Nebraska, Northwestern can be handled up front. The Wildcats are 49th in the nation in rushing defense, giving up roughly 145 yards on the ground per game. Expect running back Jonathan Taylor to break a few long ones and end with about 125 yards rushing in a Wisconsin win on the road.
Iowa +6 vs. Penn State o/u 52.5
The pick: Iowa
Illogical reasoning: I don’t know what to think of Penn State after a three-game stretch where the Nittany Lions were soul-crushed against Ohio State, followed Michigan State’s lead and got ugly with the Spartans, and disappointed those with financial confidence in them in a WBNC (win but no cover) against Indiana.
I know what to think of Iowa. The one-loss Hawkeyes lead again with their defense, ranked third in the country behind Michigan and Miami. The sense of unrest in State College will play into the Hawkeyes’ hand or talon, if we want to establish a theme. To help assuage bettors’ doubts Iowa is also 6-1 ATS this season, their lone loss coming at home against Wisconsin where 3 points weren’t enough to cover the number even though they led at home late in the 4th quarter.
The number seems just a tick high for a Penn State team short on verve and enthusiasm after two losses. Iowa dominated other B1G competition outside of the Wisconsin game. Look for Iowa to cover and the game to come down to a last-second field goal.
Purdue +1 vs. Michigan State o/u 51
The pick: Purdue
Illogical reasoning: Purdue is the most entertaining team to watch in the B1G. Michigan linebacker Devin Bush did some serious shoe-cleaning on the Spartan logo not out of hate for the university, out of hate for having to watch film of Michigan State. My judgement is colored.
Yes, Purdue should be on high alert for a Michigan State team that brings opponents down to their level of inefficient offensive football, but the injury to quarterback Brian Lewerke and tumultuous nature of the Spartan’s season gives me the confidence that Purdue covers.
Last week’s record: 1-1-1
Overall record: 10-13-1
Main Event Status: Ties are nothing to be ashamed of, but they aren’t enough to keep one in the mid-level world either. The 1-1-1 record left me in search of that consistent run to get above the even mark. No matches on television, a few spot shows filling in for B. Brian Blair as half of the Killer Bees.
Nick is a writer for saturdaytradition.com. Your overuse of GIFs forced him away from Twitter. He removed himself from consideration in the Vanderbilt heading coaching search.