Oct 184 min read

Week 8 Picks: 5 Most Important Games in the Big Ten

Week 8 is here and with it, the pressure to win intensifies inside the Big Ten Conference. No. 16 Indiana (6-0, 3-0) will look to prove they are real and a legitimate B1G contender. No. 24 Michigan (4-2, 2-1) at one loss can’t afford to lose another one if they hope to play in Indianapolis come December. At the same time, USC (3-3, 1-3) is on the brink of having their season fall right off the rails if they can’t get back on a winning track.

The B1G has six ranked teams in the Associated Press Top 25 in Week 8 but with Michigan and No. 22 Illinois (5-1, 2-1), that number could be down to five after this week. The B1G’s top teams No. 2 Oregon (6-0, 3-0), No. 3 Penn State (6-0,3-0 ) and No. 4 Ohio State (5-1, 2-1) all sit idle this week and will retain the three of the top four spots a week from now.

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

Nebraska (5-1, 2-1) at No. 16 Indiana (6-0, 3-0) (Indiana -6.5)

FOX, Noon EST, Oct. 19, Bloomington, Ind.

Nebraska +6.5. I have yet to see Indiana really be tested or play anyone of significance. I think Nebraska is a solid team who will keep this game close. I like the Huskers to cover—Brett Fine Jr.

Indiana’s off to their best start in decades thanks to new head coach Curt Cignetti. Most fans don’t realize how balanced they are on defense and offense. Indiana ranks second in points a game (47.5) and 11th in points a game allowed (14.8). Nebraska's first big test of the season they failed losing in overtime to Illinois. Now they face their second on the road. This will be Dylan Raiola's first time playing in a hostile environment and they will struggle. Indiana moves to 7-0 and covers in this one—Mike Germanese

My pick—Neb +6.5: While Indiana has been one of college football's biggest surprises, they still haven't been tested yet, so it's fair to think this could be their first loss of the year—Jay Holahan

Nebraska has shown a lot of improvement this season and has an extra week or preparation coming off of a bye. I still don't think it's enough to stop this revamped Indiana offense under head coach Curt Cignetti. I think Indiana takes it and covers, winning by two scores—Rodney Potts

No. 24 Michigan (4-2, 2-1) at No. 22 Illinois (5-1, 2-1 ) (Michigan -3.5)

CBS, 3:30 p.m. EST, Oct. 19, Champaign, Ill.

Michigan -3.5. Illinois is hit or miss for me but I like Michigan to cover here. I think they can handle the trenches and minimize Illinois offense—Brett Fine Jr.

Michigan has yet to show any ability to throw the ball consistently and is ranked No. 132 in the country in passing yards. Illinois will load the box and force new starting QB Jack Tuttle to beat them with his arm. You have to see it to believe it and until Michigan can prove they can throw the ball at all they won't win many games. Take Illinois and the points—Mike Germanese

My pick—Illi +3.5: Illinois was impressive a few weeks ago in State College, Penn. Odds are they'll be playing their best football against Michigan. Expect this to be close and a low-scoring game—Jay Holahan

This is a huge game for both teams. Illinois struggled against Purdue (1-5, 0-3) and needs a win here to keep pace with the conference leaders. Michigan quarterback Jack Tuttle brings a little more balance to the offense as the starter now. I think Michigan comes out with a close win, but doesn't cover—Rodney Potts

Iowa (4-2, 2-1) at Michigan State (3-3, 1-2) (Iowa -6)

NBC, 7:30 p.m. EST, Oct. 19, East Lansing, Mich.

Iowa -6, they impressed last week against Washington. I trust Iowa's defense against Adrian Chiles—Brett Fine Jr.

Michigan State QB Aidan Chiles has turned it over way too much this season having 8 interceptions to only 5 touchdowns. Iowa comes in ranked 16th in the country in turnover differential at plus-6. An offense that likes to turn it over against a defense that can take it away is not a good matchup. Iowa covers on the road—Mike Germanese

My pick—Mich. State +6: Coming off three straight losses and a bye I think the Spartans will be up to take on the Hawkeyes—Jay Holahan

Iowa had a huge win last week and should keep it rolling against the Spartans. I have the Hawkeyes winning decisively by at least two scores as their offense builds off of last week's success—Rodney Potts

Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1) at Northwestern (3-3, 1-2) (Wisconsin -7.5)

BTN, Noon EST, Oct. 19, Evanston, Ill.

Wisconsin -7.5. Northwestern has been disappointing so far and I’m starting to like what I see from Wisconsin lately. I like Wisconsin big here—Brett Fine Jr.

Wisconsin has scored 40-plus points in their last two games, and might just be turning the corner in running Luck Fickell’s offense. The Northwestern offense is hit or miss, and Wisconsin's defense should be able to keep them in check. Wisconsin covers this one—Mike Germanese

My pick—Wisconsin -7.5: Northwestern was the Big Ten darlings last season, and now they're having a down spell. I like Wisconsin to cover—Jay Holahan

The Badgers are coming off of a big win, blowing out a solid Rutgers (4-2, 1-2) team. I think they build off of that momentum and cover in a convincing win over the Wildcats—Rodney Potts

USC (3-3, 1-3) at Maryland (3-3, 0-3) (USC -7.5)

FS1, 4 p.m. EST, Sept. 19, College Park, Md.

USC -7.5 This is a big bounce back spot for USC. I like the Trojans to win big—Brett Fine Jr.

USC is coming off two tough losses in games they should have won and will want to prove they're better than what their record says. USC is averaging 30.7 points a game and is playing a Maryland team whose defense just gave up 37 points to Northwestern. Miller Moss should have a big game here. USC wins big in this one—Mike Germanese

My pick—USC -7.5: If Lincoln Riley doesn't beat Maryland, no doubt he could be on his way out. However, I can't imagine him having an issue with a Maryland team that's playing subpar football right now—Jay Holahan

The Trojans suffered yet another tough, last second loss last week against Penn State. This should be a bounce back game against a struggling Maryland team. I believe they get the job done here and cover in a win as they try to salvage their season—Rodney Potts