The Big Ten season finally feels like it has arrived, with each of the 18 teams having played at least one conference game. This week’s slate has no top-25 matchups but still features some intriguing games.
As always, MLive’s college football writers make their picks against the spread for each Big Ten game. Here are the standings through five weeks:
Aaron McMann: 34-20
Jacob Richman: 34-20
Andrew Kahn: 24-30
Ryan Zuke: 23-31
Matt Wenzel: 20-34
This week’s games, all of which are on Saturday, are below. Kickoff times are Eastern and odds are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Illinois at Purdue
When: noon
TV: BTN | Fubo (free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
Line: Illinois -9.5
These teams will play for “The Cannon” on Saturday. Illinois snapped a four-game losing streak in the series with last season’s 50-49 overtime win and should be feeling good after beating USC last week with a field goal as time expired.
MLive staff picks:
Illinois -9.5: McMann, Richman, Wenzel, Zuke
Purdue +9.5: Kahn
Penn State at UCLA
When: 3:30 p.m.
TV: CBS | Fubo (free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
Line: Penn State -25.5
Can Penn State rebound after a double-overtime loss to Oregon? Winless UCLA would seem like the perfect opponent to do so.
MLive staff picks:
Penn State -25.5: McMann, Richman, Wenzel, Zuke
UCLA +25.5: Kahn
Washington at Maryland
When: 3:30 p.m.
TV: BTN | Fubo (free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
Line: Washington -6.5
Undefeated Maryland is coming off a bye, while Washington failed to reach the end zone in a 24-6 loss to Ohio State.
MLive staff picks:
Washington -6.5: Zuke
Maryland +6.5: Kahn, McMann, Richman, Wenzel
Northwestern vs. UL Monroe
When: 3:30 p.m.
TV: BTN | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
Line: Northwestern -10.5
The rare out-of-conference October game for a Big Ten team sees the Warhawks visiting Evanston. UL Monroe, out of the Sun Belt, played one Power Four team already this season, losing to Alabama 73-0.
MLive staff picks:
Northwestern -10.5: Kahn, McMann, Richman, Wenzel, Zuke
Minnesota at Ohio State
When: 7:30 p.m.
TV: NBC/Peacock | Fubo (free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
Line: Ohio State -23.5
Last Saturday, Minnesota beat Rutgers in a back-and-forth game while Ohio State took care of business against Washington. Outside of the preseason AP Poll, the Buckeyes have been the No. 1-ranked team all season.
MLive staff picks:
Minnesota +23.5: McMann, Richman, Zuke
Ohio State -23.5: Kahn, Wenzel
Wisconsin at Michigan
When: noon
TV: FOX | Fubo (free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
Line: Michigan -16.5
Both teams are coming off byes. Wisconsin, already at 2-2, begins a brutal stretch. Luke Fickell is hoping Wisconsin’s top-ranked run defense can slow Michigan’s ground game.
MLive staff picks:
Michigan -16.5: Kahn, McMann, Richman, Wenzel, Zuke
Michigan State at Nebraska
When: 4 p.m.
TV: FS1 | Fubo (free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
Line: Nebraska -10.5
Another matchup in which both teams were off last weekend. The Spartans are visiting Lincoln for the first time since 2018. Each of the last three meetings have been decided by exactly three points.
MLive staff picks:
