Week 3 Picks: 5 Most Important Game in the Big Ten

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College Football is back for Week 3, and the Big Ten Conference enters the week with six teams in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. Ohio State (2-0) holds the top spot out of B1G teams at No. 3, while Nebraska is the lowest-ranked team at No. 23. Iowa (1-1) dropped out of the ranking after losing last week to No. 21 Iowa State (2-0). Michigan (1-1) dropped the most spots from No. 9 to No. 17 after losing to No. 2 Texas (2-0) 31-12 a week ago.

This upcoming week in the B1G has a few firsts, the Civil War and the Apple Cup both feature B1G teams for the first time. Those two matchups also mark the first time a B1G team is playing an in-state West Coast rivalry game.  

The biggest matchup this week in the B1G features an Southeastern Conference vs. B1G game for the second straight week. The SEC proved too much for their B1G opponent a week ago and now No.4 Alabama (2-0) will head to Madison, Wis., looking to do it again. No. 18 Notre Dame (1-1) will continue their many rivalries against B1G teams playing Purdue (1-0). This will be the 87th meeting between the two programs.

College Football Dawgs B1G reporters will look to pick the winners of the biggest B1G games against the spread each week. Last week they went a disappointing 8-17 and are 25-25 on the season. B1G columnist Kyle Golik holds the best record so far going 7-3.

No. 4 Alabama (2-0) at Wisconsin (2-0) (Wisconsin +16)

FOX, Noon EST, Sept. 14, Madison, Wis.

Wisconsin’s attempt to change the offensive identity to the Air Raid hasn’t gone well. This won’t be pretty and Alabama’s might be doing the “Jump Around” in the Fifth Quarter. Take Alabama to cover—Kyle Golik

I believe the train is gonna start rolling for teams who have had rough starts. Bama is one of them. Take Alabama to cover—Brett Fine Jr.

Luck Fickell brought his version of Air Raid offense to Wisconsin last season, and it didn’t look good after two games into this, season you can say the same. It's very hard to trust a Wisconsin team that doesn’t hammer the rock, especially in a game where they have to win the tim of possession. Alabama was in a close game with USF (1-1) heading into the fourth quarter but realized they were Alabama and went on a 28-3 run for a 42-3 win.  The SEC will embarrass another B1G team. Take Alabama and the points—Mike Germanese

I'm taking Wisconsin in this one. Even though they're 0-2 against the spread this season I think the game being at Camp Randall will give the Badgers an edge in this one. Take Wisconsin and the points—Jay Holahan

Washington State (2-0) at Washington (2-0) (Washington -5)

Peacock, 3:30 p.m EST, Sept. 14, Seattle

WSU is too reliant on their quarterback. Fisch got a solid cupboard that should get another "W" in the Apple Cup that is in “neutral” Seattle Seahawks stadium. Take Washington to cover—Kyle Golik

This game was down to the wire last year, and I think the same will happen again. Wazzu, as 5-point home underdogs, is too much to pass up against a new-look Washington team. Take Washington State and the points—Brett Fine Jr.

This is the Washington State Super Bowl and they will have something to prove after being left behind in the Pac-12 Conference. Washington has looked good under new head coach Jedd Fisch and will look to put his mark on the Apple Cup in Year 1. Washington is 13-and-2 in the last 15 times these teams have played, and a win here will make it 14 wins. Take Washington to Cover—Mike Germanese

Washington State is 2-0 ATS and both of these teams are about equal to start the season. So I'm just going to go based on their ATP records. Take Washington State and the points—Jay Holahan

No. 9 Oregon (2-0) at Oregon State (2-0) (Oregon -16.5)

FOX, 3:30 p.m EST, Sept. 14, Corvallis, Ore.

Oregon cannot run the ball to save its life. This is OSU’s Super Bowl. Oregon might win the game, but aren’t 17 points better. Take Oregon State and the points—Kyle Golik

I’ve taken Oregon to cover these big spreads twice now. And I am happy to be wrong here. I need Oregon to show me this time. Take Oregon to cover—Brett Fine Jr.

In Weeks 1 and 2, Oregon went in as a big favorite in both and didn’t cover. Last week it took a punt and kick return for the Ducks to get the win. Yet, I still think head coach Dan Lanning will get this team to finally look like the team everyone believed to start the season. Oregon State was gutted after head coach Jonathan Smith left and just doesn’t have enough playmakers to keep up with the Ducks. As the old saying goes, "fool me once, shame on you. Tool me twice, shame on me." Hopefully it's not a third time. Take Oregon and the points—Mike Germanese

The Ducks haven't looked good to start the season and with this game being in Corvallis I'm gonna go with the Beavers—Jay Holahan

© Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

No. 18 Notre Dame (1-1) at Purdue (1-0) (Purdue +10)

CBS, 3: 30 p.m EST, Sept. 14, West Lafayette Ind.

Purdue will keep it close but Notre Dame will squeak by the 10-point spread. The offense cannot be any worse this week. Take ND to cover—Kyle Golik

I think the Irish fell asleep at the wheel last weekend. I believe Notre Dame will have a bounce-back performance. Take Notre Dame to cover—Brett Fine Jr

Notre Dame is coming off a loss to NIU, the loss wasn’t just bad it was one of the worst in college football history. Coming off a loss like that coach Marcus Freeman will have the Irish ready to play knowing another loss will have fans calling for his job. Unfortunately for Freeman, Purdue had a bye last week giving them 14 days to prepare for this matchup. Ryan Walters is looking for his first signature win as Purdue head coach and might get it in this one. Take Purdue and the points—Mike Germanese

Notre Dame played poorly against NIU last weekend. They were riding high from the win against Texas A&M at College Station, Texas, and will bounce back. Take Notre Dame to cover—Jay Holahan

Maryland (1-1, B1G 0-1) at Virginia (2-0) (Maryland -3)

ACC Network, 8 p.m. EST, Sept. 14, Charlottesville, Va.

The Terps had a let down against Sparty (Michigan State). That hangover won’t be there this week. Take Maryland to cover—Kyle Golik

I like the Terps to bounce back after what should’ve been a win last week, I don’t trust UVA. Take Maryland to cover—Brett Fine Jr.

Maryland lost last week to a Michigan State team that was picked to finish dead last before the season. Maryland won the turnover battle yet lost every other category. Maryland will look to bounce back and prove there is more of the team we saw in Weeks 1 and 2. Virginia gave up 544 total yards last week to Wake Forest and some how still won the game. Virginia won’t make it three in a row. Take Maryland to cover on the road—Mike Germanese

Even though they lost to a below-average Michigan State team, the Terrapins are much better than the Cavaliers and should win this going away. Take Maryland to cover—Jay Holahan