Ad Disclosure
Welcome college football fans to Week 9 of the college football slate! Halloween is now right around the corner, and that means the November stretch of the football season is upon us.
After Week 9, the B1G schedule will feature a loaded slate of all conference action every week over the month of November. Before we get there, 5 league games dot the landscape of this weekend.
Ohio State must travel to Wisconsin in the primetime game of the week. Maryland also comes off a bye week in search of bowl eligibility while Nebraska can take a step toward a bowl game if the Huskers beat Purdue.
Without further ado, here are Tradition’s staff picks for the weekend:
Records through Week 8
- Alex Hickey: 15-12
- Paul Harvey: 16-11
Indiana vs. Penn State (-32)
- AH: The Hoosiers are horrendous, but the only team to beat Indiana by more than 31 points this year is Michigan. And it is quite clear that the Nittany Lions don’t have that kind of offense. It won’t be close, and Penn State will be pretty fired up after its latest letdown against Ohio State. But I think IU (barely) covers this enormous spread. PICK: Indiana
- PH: Penn State comes off the loss to Ohio State, but how will the Nittany Lions bounce back? Indiana should not prove much of a challenge for James Franklin’s squad but 32 is a massive number. I actually think Penn State will bounce back with a vengeance. While there’s nothing Penn State can prove against the non-elite B1G teams, I think the Nittany Lions will come out swinging. PICK: Penn State
Maryland (-13.5) vs. Northwestern
- AH: The only question is whether the Terrapins will be fully awake for a game that kicks at 11 a.m. in Evanston and will draw fewer people than a family reunion. But after a bye week that followed a disappointing loss to Illinois, Maryland should be able to handle Northwestern. PICK: Maryland
- PH: Maryland comes off a bye week with renewed focus after a pair of tough losses. Northwestern has fought hard in a tough situation this season, but I think the Terrapins REALLY want to get the bowl-game monkey off their backs as soon as possible. Taulia Tagovailoa is due for a huge day. PICK: Maryland
Michigan State vs. Minnesota (-7)
- AH: This will be ugly. The nation’s 114th scoring offense (Minnesota) squares off against the 120th scoring offense (Michigan State). And that makes a touchdown a larger spread to cover than you’d expect. But as long as Darius Taylor is healthy, the Gophers should be able to handle it. PICK: Minnesota
- PH: Minnesota accomplished the rare victory without a touchdown in a 12-10 win against Iowa last weekend. Facing the Spartans should lead to a victory for PJ Fleck’s squad, but I’m not convinced it will be a blowout. The Gophers will try to grind things out as much as possible and they’re just anemic enough to keep this one close. PICK: Michigan State
Fans looking to get in on the weekly odds can take part with the Michigan Online Casinos promo code to get started.
Purdue vs. Nebraska (-2.5)
- AH: Stat I couldn’t make up if I wanted to: Purdue is 0-7 the week after Taylor Swift releases an album. And she just released “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” on Friday. Put the mortgage on the Huskers. She’s more powerful than we can comprehend. PICK: Nebraska
- PH: I understand there are still concerns at Nebraska, including youth and a poor turnover margin so far this season. However, I am starting to become a believer in what Matt Rhule is putting together. Also, Purdue’s defense is bound to give up some points on the road. PICK: Nebraska
Ohio State (-14.5) vs. Wisconsin
- AH: A classic suspicious hook. Ohio State, fresh off its win over Penn State, might come out a bit groggy before pulling away late against a Wisconsin team that doesn’t seem likely to hang for 60 minutes. But I’m thinking the Buckeyes win by 9-14 points rather than extending this to a 3-score margin. PICK: Wisconsin
- PH: This line is intriguing because Ohio State’s offense doesn’t currently lend itself to blowout wins against quality competition. However, the big story here will get the Badger offense and whether or not Braedyn Locke can get the unit moving against an elite Buckeye defense. I think the defense of Ohio State creates a turnover or two, and the return of TreVeyon Henderson helps the Buckeyes hit the number here. PICK: Ohio State
Anyone hoping to take part in Ohio State’s weekly odds and the showdown vs. Wisconsin can utilize the Caesars Ohio promo code to get started!
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.