Week 6 Picks: 5 Most Important Games in the Big Ten

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The calendar has now flipped to October and the pressure to win increases with conference play in full swing. Big Ten Conference play is separating legitimate contenders from pretenders for this season's championship game. As many expected, No. 3 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) looks to be the team to beat in the conference. No. 7 Penn State (4-0, 1-0 B1G) and No. 6 Oregon (4-0, 1-0 B1G) look to be Ohio State's biggest challengers.

The biggest surprise after five weeks is No. 23 Indiana (5-0, 2-0 B1G), which finds itself undefeated for the first time since 1967. Meanwhile, Rutgers (4-0, 1-0 B1G) is also off to a great start. The Scarlet Knights have yet to crack The Associated Press Top 25 poll but with a win over Nebraska (4-1, 1-1), they could find themselves on it for the first time since September 2012

Big Ten Disappointment: Michigan

Michigan (4-1, 2-0 B1G) at this point is the most disappointing team this season. The Wolverines can't figure out their passing game and look more like a 6-6 team than an 11-1 or 10-2 one. Michigan faces its first road test this week when the Wolverines play Washington (3-1, 1-1 B1G). Washington is not off to the start it wanted, but new head coach Jedd Fisch has the Huskies playing better each week and will be looking for his first top 25 win this week.

College Football Dawgs B1G reporters will look to pick the winners of the five biggest games this week inside the B1G against the spread.

Iowa (3-1, 1-0 B1G) at No. 3 Ohio State (4-0, 1-0 B1G) (Ohio State -19.5)

CBS, 3:30 p.m. EST, Oct. 5, Columbus, Ohio

If this was in Iowa City, then I would entertain the Hawkeyes. While Iowa's offense is improved, its passing deficiencies and lack of explosiveness will cause errors that will allow Ohio State to cover. — Kyle Golik

Iowa's offense has scored 30 or more points in three of the four games this season, but the Hawkeyes haven’t played a defense like Ohio State. The Buckeyes rank fifth in the country in yards per game allowed, giving up 195.5, and second in points allowed with 6.8. Ohio State has NFL talent at almost every position on offense. True freshman WR Jeremiah Smith has been the story. At only 18 years old, he is already emerging as the Buckeyes' best wide receiver. The Iowa defense won’t have an answer for Smith or the other weapons. Take OSU to cover. — Mike Germanese

OSU -19.5 - Iowa won't be able to hold up with Ohio State's offense. If this game is close at halftime, then Iowa might have a shot at keeping it close but it's likely over by then. — Jay Holahan

Ohio State struggled early with multiple tight end looks against Michigan State last week. I think they will see similar personnel from Iowa and their run-heavy offense. I think the Buckeyes will be much sharper on defense this time out. I'm taking Ohio State to cover relatively easily at home. — Rodney Potts

Rutgers (4-0, 1-0 B1G) at Nebraska (4-1, 1-1 B1G) (Nebraska -7)

FOX Sports 1, 4 p.m. EST, Oct. 5, Lincoln, Neb.

The Va Tech win was nice but this is in Lincoln and I feel Raiola is maturing by the week at a great pace. Nebraska covers at home. —Kyle Golik

Memorial Stadium is a tough place to play and Rutgers needs to play their best game of the

season to remain perfect. The Nebraska defense ranks 19th in yards allowed per game but has yet to play a running back like Kyle Monangai. The question in the game will be if Nebraska can keep Monangai at bay. After losing at home to Illinois, all the pressure will be on Nebraska to get this win. That pressure will lead to penalties just like the Illinois game. Rutgers comes out of Week 6 with a win, take the Scarlet Knights and the points. —Mike Germanese

My pick - Rutgers +7.5 - Rutgers is ready to show its the real deal this season. What better way to prove it than on the road in a hostile environment? — Jay Holahan

Rutgers has been impressive early this year. They are, however, going into a hostile stadium on the road. Nebraska's lone loss came in a close overtime contest against a very good Illinois team. I have a talented Nebraska squad winning, but not covering. — Rodney Potts

No. 10 Michigan (4-1, 2-0 B1G) at Washington (3-2, 1-1 B1G) (Washington -3)

NBC, 7:30 p.m. EST, Oct. 5, Seattle, Wash.

It’s odd that an unranked team is a favorite to a Top 10 team. I don’t trust Washington in letdowns on the Apple Cup and Rutgers. Michigan will win ugly behind dominance in the trenches and Will Johnson is back. Orji won’t put the Wolverines in danger. —Kyle Golik

The No. 10-ranked team in the country heads on the road and is a 3-point underdog to an unranked team. Right there should be everything you need to know. Michigan has had no passing threat at all this season and I can't see it changing here. Fisch will load the box and force Alex Orji to beat them with his arm, and he just can’t do that. Washington will win the game outright. —Mike Germanese

My pick - Washington - 3 - Not a good situation for Michigan to walk into. This will be a close game, but I think Washington rises to the task with a "revenge game" on the line. — Jay Holahan

This is still a national championship rematch despite both teams looking vastly different this season. It should still be a very competitive matchup. I think Michigan absolutely covers as underdogs and I have them winning as well. —Rodney Potts

No. 11 USC (3-1, 1-1 B1G) at Minnesota (2-3, 0-2 B1G) (USC -8.5)

BTN, 7:30 p.m. EST, Oct. 5, Minneapolis, Minn.

USC had a slow start against Wisconsin but I don’t see that happening again this week. Minnesota will play spirited but aren’t potent enough to hang with USC. Take USC. — Kyle Golik

It’s been back-to-back slow starts for USC but they get it right here. If Michigan had a decent passing attack last week, that game is probably not close. Miller Moss will be the best QB Minnesota has played all year. Moss will keep the Minnesota defense guessing by mixing up the running and passing plays. USC will look to prove a point and get themselves back inside the top 25.  USC wins big in this one. — Mike Germanese

My pick - USC +8.5 - I know Minnesota almost came back to beat Michigan last week at "The Big House," but USC's offense can put up some big numbers and they'll do that here. — Jay Holahan

The Golden Gophers are coming off two hard-fought battles in losses against Iowa and Michigan. I think the beatings continue to add up and USC ultimately pulls away and covers. — Rodney Potts

Michigan State (3-2, 1-1) at No. 6 Oregon (4-0, 1-0 B1G) (Oregon -24)

FOX, 9 p.m. EST, Oct. 4, Eugene, Ore.

Dan Lanning meets his old Civil War rival Jonathan Smith. Smith clipped the Ducks in ‘22 but these Spartans are still a year or two away from making this interesting. Statement to be sent to the Buckeyes ahead of clash in Autzen next week. Take Oregon. — Kyle Golik

The Ducks started slow but are flying now. Michigan State QB Aidan Chiles is young and very talented but can’t continue throwing interceptions every game and keep playing. Dan Lanning will be looking to get the Ducks out to a comfortable lead so he can get the starters out with Ohio State just a week away. The Ducks will win but MSU will cover the number. — Mike Germanese

My pick - MSU +24.5 - Michigan State likely won't win this game, but they'll probably make this a close game by halftime. If Aidan Chiles can keep this a close game with his dual-threat ability, I think MSU can keep this within three scores. — Jay Holahan

The Ducks have seemed to really find their footing after struggling very early in the year. Michigan State travels into a tough environment after a tough loss to the Buckeyes. I have Oregon winning and covering at home over the Spartans. — Rodney Potts