I have been unable to figure out Purdue this season but I took a stab at picking them last week against Minnesota. Sure enough, it bit me in the backside as the Boilermakers were routed by the Gophers. However, I cashed in on the overs on my other two picks (rather easily) and went 2-1 on the week, moving to 19-21-1 on the year. The schedule of games is as follows:

Ohio State (-14.5) at Maryland (total of 58.5), Michigan State (-2) at Nebraska (total of 48.5), Penn State at Rutgers (-26) (total of 49.5), Northwestern (-3) at Minnesota (total of 50.5), Iowa (-16.5) at Illinois (total of 58.5), Wisconsin at Purdue (-6) (total of 52), Indiana at Michigan (-28) (total of 53.5)

Ohio State (-14.5) at Maryland – Noon on ABC

The Ohio State Buckeyes defense finally looked like the unit we had expected to see during the 2018 season last Saturday when they smothered the Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing. Their offense didn’t click on all cylinders that is okay as I don’t see it turning into a consistent issue. I saw Maryland in-person last season and Anthony McFarland is a star at running back. However, he won’t find the same success against the Buckeyes as he did against the Hoosiers. In addition, the Maryland secondary had all kinds of issues with Indiana’s vertical passing game, something that was mostly invisible up until last Saturday. Ohio State will have no problem picking apart the Terps through the air and I think Maryland might be demoralized after losing a bowl bid securing sixth win due to a late fumble by Ty Pigrome. Maryland will wilt and the Buckeyes will pull away for a big win to set up their showdown with Michigan.

Michigan State at Nebraska (+2) – (OVER 48.5) – Noon on FOX

The Cornhuskers are a team that I have been very dialed on this season. Early in the year, I faded them and it was one of the few things I was finding success on. Recently, I have taken their “over” and taken them as underdogs and again, there has been success. Michigan State does not have the offense to stay with the Huskers in Lincoln and I like Nebraska to win this game outright. Adrian Martinez has the Nebraska offense humming and they are showing a glimpse of what could be coming in the next couple of years with the partnership of him and Frost leading the way. Michigan State has a very tough defense but I trust this offense to reach the 30s, despite the slow tempo and strong D of the Spartans. While I don’t like Michigan State’s offense at all, I do think they can put up some points on this woeful Nebraska defense to take this game over the total.

Iowa at Illinois (+16.5) – 3:30 on BTN

There are few teams that have been as disappointing in the past month as the Iowa Hawkeyes. They have lost close game after close game and their inability to get the ball into the hands of their two best players (tight ends Noah Fant and TJ Hockenson) is infuriating (imagine how the Hawkeye faithful feel!). Their defense continues to be very solid but Nathan Stanley has regressed the Black and Gold have gone from looking at a 10-2 season to hoping for seven wins. After losing at home and watching Northwestern celebrate a Big Ten West title, Iowa hits the road to play a surprisingly competent Illinois squad. The defense stinks but they are shockingly strong at running the ball. The Illini are currently fifth in rushing offense on S&P+. They have five players averaging at least 5.8 yards per carry and Reggie Corbin has been dynamite. I think Iowa wins this game but it seems foolish to expect this Iowa team to beat anyone on the road right now by more than two touchdowns, particularly a team that can at least put up some points. Give me the Illini to keep this one close enough to cover.