Sep 65 min read

Week 2 Picks: 5 Most Important Games in the Big Ten

The Big Ten Conference opened the year 17-1 with the only loss being from Minnesota. In last week's picks, College Football Dawgs writers went 17-8. Kyle Golik was a perfect 5-0. Now we head into Week 2 and the B1G will look to continue its success from the previous week.

In Week 1, several storylines emerged. They range from Iowa's offense to USC looking to be for real. Nebraska true freshman quarterback Dylon Raiola looks to be worthy of the hype. Michigan and Oregon both looked disappointing and found themselves in fourth-quarter games. Ohio State started slow but turned it on in the second quarter.

Now, as we head into Week 2 with a number of big games, there should be no shortage of storylines throughout the day. Week 2 features a top 10 SEC-B1G matchup, coach Prime comes to Lincoln and the battle for the state of Iowa will be decided.

College Football Dawgs writers take the Top 5 games in the B1G each week and pick who wins against the spread.

Big Ten Picks

Boise State at No. 7 Oregon (Oregon -19)

10 p.m EST, Sept. 7, Eugene, Oregon, Peacock

Oregon wins the game, but Boise’s ground attack shortens the game. Take the points. Take Boise State -19. Kyle Golik

Much like Texas Tech last year, Oregon lacked chemistry with a lot of new faces on the offensive line. I have no questions about (Dillon) Gabriel, he was phenomenal. (Oregon head coach Dan) Lanning has been fiery in practice this week along with the players. I’ve got Oregon. Take Oregon -19. Brett Fine Jr.

Oregon had a close game on the scoreboard last week but on the stat sheet, it wasn’t as close as it looked. Oregon had 270 more total yards, 21 more first downs and ran 40 more plays than Idaho. The only thing the Ducks didn’t do was get in the end zone. Unfortunately for Boise State, the Ducks figure it out and look to prove they are the best team in the B1G. Oregon wins and wins big. Take Oregon -19. Mike Germanese

Boise State will struggle to keep up with Oregon's offense. The Broncos could barely hold it down against Georgia Southern. Take Oregon -19. Mike Brown

The Ducks were underwhelming against Idaho in Week 1, winning 24-14. Look for Dan Lanning and his team to ramp up their level of play against Boise State, which gave up 45 points to Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Ga. The Ducks will cover the 19-point spread, knocking off the Broncos. Victor Haltom

No. 3 Texas at No. 10 Michigan (Michigan +7)

Noon EST, Sept. 7, Ann Arbor, Mich., Fox

Much like the Oregon game, Texas will survive but aren’t 7 points better than Michigan—Stalions or not. Take Michigan -7. Kyle Golik

Texas’ roster is just way too much to handle for Michigan’s new-look team. I worry about the quarterback over there in Ann Arbor. Take Texas -7. Brett Fine Jr.

Entering the season, most of the questions about Michigan came on offense and after last week's game, all those questions have yet to be answered. Michigan couldn’t find any rhythm on offense, the offensive line struggled and not one wide receiver stood out. The saying goes, "If you play two QBs it's because you don’t have one." Take Texas -7. Mike Germanese

Texas enters "The Big House"...yes, the Wolverines seemed to have trouble finding their footing early against Fresno State. I believe they will come out better put together and give the Longhorns a game. Take Michigan +7. Mike Brown

This is a terrific matchup between two college football titans. While the Longhorns are favored by 7 points, Team 145 will successfully defend its home turf in "The Big House." The defending national champs lost numerous players to the NFL, but they remain strong and will upset Texas in this one. Victor Haltom

Iowa State at No. 21 Iowa (Iowa -2.5)

3:30p.m EST, Sept. 7, Iowa City, Iowa, CBS

Cy-Hawk is always a nail-biter and the spread doesn’t deviate from the script. I feel this is 24-20 Iowa. Take the Hawkeyes. Kyle Golik

The Hawkeyes looked mighty impressive last Saturday. I never overreact to Week 1 outcomes because they almost never reflect the remainder of the season. But Iowa showed me what I needed to see for this game. Take Iowa -2.5. Brett Fine Jr.

Fans have come to expect Iowa's defense to be good, and they looked to be good again this season pitching a shootout in Week 1. What fans didn’t expect was the offense to put up 40 points. Led by new offensive coordinator Tim Lester, Iowa will prove the 40 points were not a fluke. Take Iowa -2.5. Mike Germanese

Battle for the Cy-Hawk is always a tough matchup. I believe the Hawkeyes have the defense to control the game and will keep it close. Take Iowa -2.5. Mike Brown

The Hawkeyes will retain the Cy-Hawk Trophy in this exciting clash with the Cyclones. Iowa and Iowa State both cruised to victories against FCS opponents in Week 1. The Hawkeyes will beat the Cyclones in a 17-15 nail-biter. Take Iowa State +2.5. Victor Haltom

Michigan State at Maryland (Maryland -7.5)

3:30 p.m EST, Sept. 7, College Park, Md., BTN

Sparty won’t crack this turtle shell. I like Maryland big in this one. Kyle Golik

The Terps looked impressive in Week 1 while the Spartans didn’t. (Aidan) Chiles showed major concern. Take Maryland -7.5. Brett Fine Jr

Michigan State Week 1 showed new head coach Jonathan Smith has his work cut out for him. Aidan Chiles struggled to find any rhythm and threw 2 interceptions. Chiles' play in Game 1 left fans asking if Chiles is the X-factor they thought. On the other side, Maryland’s new starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. had fans asking, "Taulia who?" Michigan State is just not ready to compete yet in the B1G. Take Maryland -7.5. Mike Germanese

MSU barely made it past FAU. MSU simply does not have a good team this year and the Terps are going to exploit that. Take Maryland -7.5. Mike Brown

The Spartans' new head coach, Jonathan Smith, is one of the best coaches in the country. But, Week 1 revealed that Michigan State is not yet ready to compete at the highest levels, as the Spartans struggled to a 16-10 win over a relatively weak Florida Atlantic team. The Terrapins will win and cover in this matchup, taking Maryland -7.5. Victor Haltom

Colorado at Nebraska (Nebraska -7)

7:30 p.m. EST, Sept. 7, Lincoln, Neb., NBC

I talked to all the Nebraska folks at Media Days, and they believe in (head coach Matt) Rhule’s system. (Colorado head coach) Deion (Sanders) doesn’t have the pieces to keep it close. Nebraska big over Colorado. Take Nebraska -7. Kyle Golik

I think much like other teams with a lot of transfers, Colorado just struggled to gain chemistry early. I think Nebraska could win this game, but I like the Buffs to cover in a close one. Take Colorado +7. Brett Fine Jr.

Dylan Raiola, Nebraska's true freshman starting QB, looked good in Week 1. He will prove he was worthy of the hype in Week 2. Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, as good as they are, won't be able to keep Colorado in this one. A good Nebraska team, plus playing at Memorial Stadium—one of the toughest environments—is too much for Prime's team. Nebraska wins and wins big. Take Nebraska -7. Mike Germanese

Coach Prime still on the struggle bus to get his team to find consistency. I look to Dylan Raiola to have a big game for the Cornhuskers. Take Nebraska -7. Mike Brown

Coach Prime's talented playmakers will continue making explosive plays, but it won't be enough against the Cornhuskers. Dylan Raiola will outshine Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders in Omaha, Neb. Big Red hampers Hunter's Heisman hopes with a convincing 35-20 win. Take Nebraska -7. Victor Haltom