I was 1-2 on the week and am now 6-10 after five weeks of play.

Conference play is in full gear now and we have a pretty full slate of interesting games. I’m feeling good about a number of these lines so I’ll be writing short snippets on more than just three games.

Maryland at Michigan (-17.5), Northwestern at Michigan State (-11.5), Illinois (-4) at Rutgers, Iowa (-6) at Minnesota, Indiana at Ohio State (-27), Nebraska at Wisconsin (-21)

Maryland (+17.5) at Michigan – Noon on ABC

The Terrapins have a very strong rushing attack and I like their ability to keep this game somewhat close and cover in Michigan Stadium. Michigan’s form at home is a concern (they have hammered teams at home and looked suspect on the road) and their defense really looked great after a very sluggish start in Evanston last Saturday. That being said, giving Maryland more than 17 points against a team that has yet to prove they can succeed on offense against a defense with a pulse is too much. Michigan will win this game to keep themselves on pace for showdowns with the other big teams in the East but I like the Terrapins to cover.

Northwestern at Michigan State (-11.5) – Noon on FS1

I do not feel great about this one because the Michigan State Spartans continue to be unimpressive. However, let’s review what Northwestern has been through recently. They lost to Akron at home, star running back Jeremy Larkin was forced to retire due to spinal stenosis, they poured everything into a perfect first half against Michigan before collapsing and losing an emotionally-charged game 20-17. They now sit at 1-3 with the season slipping away. I just don’t think they have much offensive firepower and I’m betting on this being the week the Spartans actually put things together for 60 minutes. Their passing game is going to give Northwestern a lot more problems than what Michigan was able to while the Spartans defensive line is surely licking their chops after watching the second half of last week’s game when the Wildcats could barely manage to keep Clayton Thorson clean for back-to-back plays. Take the Spartans in a comfortable victory.

Iowa at Minnesota – UNDER 43.5 – 3:30 on BTN

Iowa has one of the best defenses in the country (although I still think they are yet to be truly tested by a team with great speed) and a lackluster offense. Minnesota has a solid defense and an offense that is now without Rodney Smith and has a whole lot of questions elsewhere. Barring some defensive or special teams scores, I don’t know how both of these teams get to the 20s to put this over. I think the Hawkeyes win by a score of something like 21-13 but I really like the under here.

Indiana at Ohio State – UNDER 64 – 4:00 on FOX

The Ohio State Buckeyes had a terrific fourth quarter and won a thriller in State College to keep themselves planted firmly as a College Football Playoff favorite. Indiana got ahead 24-7 on Rutgers and slept through the second half, hanging on for a 24-17 victory. The Buckeyes have one of the best offenses in the country but the Hoosiers are solid on defense and have a secondary that should be able to provide a bit of resistance against the Ohio State aerial assault. Make no mistake, the Buckeyes will still put up a lot of points but I don’t think it will be in the 50s. On the other side of the ball, the Hoosiers offense is efficient and Peyton Ramsey does a nice job of limiting mistakes and connecting on short to intermediate passes but the Hoosiers have not been able to stretch the field vertically with his limited arm strength and the run blocking has been average for the past couple of weeks. I think the Buckeyes defense will have a field day against the short passing game of Indiana and you’ll see eight defenders in the box for the majority of the afternoon. I don’t think IU reaches the 20s but the Hoosier defense combined with a conservative approach that limits possessions will keep this total UNDER.

Nebraska at Wisconsin (-21) – 7:30 on BTN

I believe Scott Frost will have Nebraska playing at a much higher level than what we have seen so far. However, things must be evaluated as they currently are and the Huskers are bad. They have not won a game since the middle of last season and their first win is not going to come in Madison. I hesitate taking the Badgers as a large favorite because their passing game has been so pedestrian but they had a bye week to sort things out and I think their running game will do whatever it wants to with the Nebraska defense. The Badgers are going to win in a blowout.