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Week 9 Picks: 5 Most Important Games in the Big Ten

Week 9 in the Big Ten Conference might see fireworks with two top contenders facing the typical trap game. No. 4 Ohio State (5-1, 2-1 B1G) and No. 3 Penn State (6-0, 3-0 B1G) will face off in Week 10 with the winner most likely heading to the B1G championship. The question becomes will one of these teams be looking ahead and giving Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1 B1G) and Nebraska (5-2, 2-2) the chance to pull the upset this week?

Michigan State (4-3, 2-2 B1G) and Michigan (4-3, 2-2 B1G) play this year's edition of the Backyard Brawl. One problem is that the juice surrounding this game is missing due to both teams being very average. No. 13 Indiana (7-0, 4-0 B1G) will be without starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke against Washington (4-3, 2-2 B1G). Losing Rourke will ultimately cost Indiana their perfect record. No.1 Oregon (7-0, 4-0 B1G) has a top-25 matchup against No. 20 Illinois (6-1, 3-1 B1G). If Illinois can pull the upset, then it would enter them into the conversation as a legitimate B1G contender.

College Football Dawgs' B1G reporters will look to pick the winners of the 5 biggest games this week inside the B1G against the spread.

No.3 Penn State (6-0, 3-0 B1G) at Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1 B1G) (Penn State -6.5)

NBC, 7:30 p.m. EST, Oct. 26, Madison, Wis.

Wisconsin's defense has only given up one touchdown in the past three weeks. The Penn State ground game has fallen off track. Problem is Penn State has demonstrated when the pass game is off, the running game is there to pick up the slack vice-versa. Wisconsin primetime is a different animal. I like Penn State to win, but Wisconsin to beat the spread. — Kyle Golik

The Nittany Lions are showing signs of being the same team as usual this season, and this certainly isn’t a big game. I like Penn State by a touchdown —Brett Fine Jr.

This has trap game written all over it with Ohio State coming to Happy Valley in Week 10. Penn State is heading on the road to play a Wisconsin team riding a three-game winning streak. Penn State will get off to a slow start and make their fans sweat but find a way to win by a touchdown. Penn State will cover the 6.5. —Mike Germanese

My pick Wisconsin +6,5 - Penn State has yet to play a complete game against a Big Ten opponent. On the road in Madison, Wis., and with a big game coming up the following week against the Ohio State Buckeyes, this could be a possible "trap game." — Jay Holahan

Wisconsin has shown that it is still a threat to any team in the conference. I firmly believe Penn State is one of the best three teams in the Big Ten and they will cover, remaining undefeated. — Rodney Potts

Michigan State (4-3, 2-2 B1G) at Michigan (4-3, 2-2 B1G) (Michigan -4)

BTN, 7:30 p.m. EST, Oct. 26, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Michigan has betrayed me too much this season. Michigan. State head coach Jonathan Smith has dramatically improved Michigan State, I didn't think they would win four games all year and they sit at 4-3. Aiden Chiles and Nick Marsh are going to be tested but Michigan cannot challenge anyone vertically. I like Michigan State here. — Kyle Golik

Michigan -4. I’m not high on Michigan State. I think this is a good bounce-back spot for the Wolverines. —Brett Fine Jr.

Michigan is seven games in and still doesn’t have a QB. In not one game this season has Michigan been able to move the ball with any consistency. Aiden Chiles can throw a forward pass more than 10 yards and has nice chemistry with wide receiver Nick Marsh. Michigan State not only covers the number they get the win outright. — Mike Germanese

Michigan -4 - I thought Michigan State would be more impressive at this point in the year and while I think this will be a relatively close game throughout, it's one that I think the Wolverines pull out. — Jay Holahan

The Spartans showed that they do have the talent to compete this season as they beat Iowa last week. I think they build off of that momentum and win by a field goal in a road upset. — Rodney Potts

Washington (4-3, 2-2 B1G) at No. 13 Indiana (7-0, 4-0 B1G) (Indiana -6.5)

BTN, Noon EST, Oct. 26, Bloomington, Ind.

I should stop doubting Curt Cignetti's Indiana Hoosiers, I really do. I just don't like Kurtis Rourke's injury. Yes, he will be back, but this opens it up for Jedd Fisch to get this signature win early and show his program has life. I like Washington here. — Kyle Golik

Indiana -6.5. Cignetti and the Hoosiers certainly caught my eye by the way they won last week's game against Nebraska. I’m not high on Washington, either. Give me IU to continue the streak. — Brett Fine Jr.

Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke is out for the game but I don’t think it matters. Indiana will lean on their run game if Tayven Jackson has trouble throwing the ball. The Hoosiers rank second in the B1G in total yards with 1,417, and first in the B1G in touchdowns with 28. Curt Cignetti has Indiana looking like a B1G contender in Year 1 and it's going to stay like that after this game. Indiana covers the 6.5. — Mike Germanese

My pick - Indiana -6.5. I like Indiana to win this game big. The Hoosiers just crushed Nebraska. The Pac-12 teams have struggled in their Big Ten road games. — Jay Holahan

Even without quarterback Kurtis Rourke, Indiana should win and cover in this one. They are rolling on both sides of the ball and Curt Cignetti seems like he won't allow his team to lose to any lesser opponents this season. — Rodney Potts

No. 20 Illinois (6-1, 3-1 B1G) at No. 1 Oregon (7-0, 4-0 B1G) (Oregon -21.5)

BTN, Noon EST, Oct. 26, Evanston, Ill.

Teams who have had to cross multiple time zones have not fared well. I think the Fighting Bielema's will give Oregon fits all day, but it won't be enough. Oregon wins the game, Illinois beats the spread. — Kyle Golik

I think last week was a big win for Illinois and this could be a spot where they forget about the task ahead. A flight across the country to Oregon will be tough. I like Oregon with an extra day off at home here. -21.5. — Brett Fine Jr.

Oregon is the No. 1 team in the country and unlike Jack Tuttle, Dillon Gabriel can consistently throw a forward pass. Illinois needed 3 turnovers to beat Michigan a week ago, and Oregon won’t make the same mistakes. The Ducks have too many weapons on offense for Illinois defense to contend with. Oregon covers the number. — Mike Germanese

My pick - Illinois + 21.5. The spread for me is too large. I can't imagine Oregon blowing Illinois out by more than three scores. — Jay Holahan

Oregon is the top team in the country for a reason. Illinois has been very impressive but does not have the playmakers outside on defense to keep up with this Oregon passing attack. Gabriel won't turn the ball over like Jack Tuttle did last week against the Illini. I have Illinois still covering in a two- or three-touchdown loss. — Rodney Potts

Maryland (4-3, 1-3 B1G) at Minnesota (4-3, 2-2 B1G) (Minnesota -4.0)

FOX Sports 1, 3:30 pm EST, Sept. 26, Minneapolis, Minn.

Two teams that will leave your head scratching. The comeback against USC last week was the first time Maryland came back from a 14-or-more-point deficit against an opponent in the fourth quarter since Minnesota in 2020. This is a game Maryland needs for bowl eligibility because the remaining games include Oregon, Iowa, and Penn State. I like Maryland to win here. — Kyle Golik

I think this is a tough road trip for Maryland, give me the Gophers -4. — Brett Fine Jr.

Maryland is coming off a win over a bad USC team 29-28 while Minnesota enjoyed the bye week. Maryland ranks 80th in yards allowed per game giving up 373.4. The good news for Maryland fans is Minnesota ranks 115th in total yards a game with 318.9 and 88th in points with 25. Maryland's defense does enough on the road to get the win. Maryland covers the -4.0 in this one. — Mike Germanese

My pick: Minn -4. If Minnesota can play their brand of football that beat USC a couple of weeks ago, they should beat a reeling Terrapins team. — Jay Holahan

I believe this will be competitive throughout the entire game. Minnesota has been impressive this year and they get the job done over the Terrapins. I think they end up winning by a touchdown and cover at home. — Rodney Potts