The first full week of the college football season is over. For the Big Ten, that meant all 18 teams were on the field on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Although only one Big Ten team (Minnesota) lost, the results were more varied among our tipsters. The rankings after Week 1 are below, with each tipster’s “Best Bet” record in parentheses.
- Aaron McMann: 12-6 (1-0)
- Ryan Zuke: 11-7 (1-0)
- Matt Wenzel: 8-10 (0-1)
- Kyle Austin: 8-10 (0-1)
- Andrew Kahn: 7-11 (0-1)
This week, three Big Ten teams face FCS opponents and therefore there are no point spreads for the following games: Western Illinois at Indiana (Friday), Rhode Island at Minnesota and South Dakota at Wisconsin.
Below are picks against the spread from MLive’s Kyle Austin, Andrew Kahn, Aaron McMann, Matt Wenzel and Ryan Zuke. All kickoff times are Eastern Time and all odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Northwestern vs Duke
- When: Friday, 9pm
- TVs: FS1 | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
- Line: Northwestern -2.5
The Wildcats are fresh off a 13-6 win over Miami Ohio, fending off Miami’s offensive drive. Northwestern lost to Duke 38-14 last season.
Recommendations from MLive staff:
- Northwestern -2.5: Kahn
- Duke +2.5: Austin, Wenzel, McMann (best bet), Zuke
Penn State vs. Bowling Green
- When: Saturday, 12 noon
- TV: BTN | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
- Line: Penn State -34.5
A lightning delay was just about the only glitch in Penn State’s 34-13 win at West Virginia to open the season. Bowling Green struggled against Michigan last season.
Recommendations from MLive staff:
- Penn State -34.5: Austin, Wenzel, Zuke
- Bowling Green +34.5: McMann, Kahn
Rutgers vs Akron
- When: Saturday, 12 noon
- TV: BTN | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
- Line: Rutgers -23
Last week, the Scarlet Knights scored a touchdown on the final play against Howard to secure the lead, 44-7.
Recommendations from MLive staff:
- Rutgers -23: Austin, McMann
- Akron +23: Wenzel, Zuke, Kahn
BETS: Check out Michigan’s best sportsbooks
Iowa vs. Iowa State
- When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
- TV: CBS | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
- Line: Iowa -2.5
The Hawkeyes have won seven of the last eight games in this rivalry, including a 20-13 victory in Ames last season. Iowa won its opening game 40-0 against Illinois State.
Recommendations from MLive staff:
- Iowa -2.5: Austin (best bet), Wenzel, McMann, Zuke (best bet), Kahn
Washington vs. Eastern Michigan
- When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
- TV: BTN | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
- Line: Washington -27.5
Eastern Michigan is playing against a Big Ten team, but it’s a 2,000-plus-mile trip. After a slow start, Washington beat Weber State 35-3 last week.
Recommendations from MLive staff:
- Washington -27.5: Wenzel
- Eastern Michigan +27.5: Austin, McMann, Zuke, Kahn
Illinois vs. Kansas
- When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
- TVs: FS1 | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
- Line: Kansas -6
After not playing each other since 1968, Illinois and Kansas are now playing a home-and-away series for the second time. Kansas won the last game of the season in Lawrence 34-23.
Recommendations from MLive staff:
- Illinois +6: Zuke, Kahn (best bet)
- Kansas -6: Austin, Wenzel, McMann
Ohio State vs. Western Michigan
- When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
- TV: BTN | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
- Line: Ohio State -38.5
The Buckeyes took some time to get going against Akron, but ended up winning 52-6.
Recommendations from MLive staff:
- Ohio State -38.5: Austin, Zuke, Kahn
- Western Michigan +38.5: Wenzel, McMann
Nebraska vs Colorado
- When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
- TV: NBC | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
- Line: Nebraska -7.5
Dylan Raiola, the third-best quarterback in the 2024 class, had a terrific debut for Nebraska in a 40-7 win over UTEP. Colorado looked shaky against North Dakota State but has won three straight games against Nebraska, including a 36-14 win in Boulder last season.
Recommendations from MLive staff:
- Nebraska -7.5: Austin, Wenzel, McMann, Kahn
- Colorado +7.5: Zuke
Oregon vs Boise State
- When: Saturday, 10pm
- TV: Peacock
- Line: Oregon -19.5
The Ducks were 44-point favorites against Idaho last week, but were only three points ahead late in the fourth period and won 24-14. Boise State has won all three previous meetings, most recently in 2017.
Recommendations from MLive staff:
- Oregon -19.5: Austin, Wenzel, McMann, Zuke
- Boise State +19.5: Kahn
USC vs Utah State
- When: Saturday, 11pm
- TV: BTN | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
- Line: USC -28.5
USC earned one of the biggest wins of the opening weekend with Sunday night’s victory over LSU in Las Vegas, jumping to No. 13 in the AP poll.
Recommendations from MLive staff:
- USC -28.5: Wenzel, McMann, Zuke, Kahn
- Utah State +28.5: Austin
Michigan vs. Texas
- When: Saturday afternoon
- TV: FOX | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
- Line: Texas -7
This is the game of the week, a top-10 matchup that brings both FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff and ESPN’s College GameDay to Ann Arbor. Both teams made the playoffs last season.
Recommendations from MLive staff:
- Michigan +7: Kahn
- Texas -7: Austin, Wenzel (best bet), McMann, Zuke
Michigan State vs. Maryland
- When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
- TV: BTN | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
- Line: Maryland -8
The Spartans looked shaky in a win over Florida Atlantic, while Maryland rolled over UConn with new starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. Maryland has easily beaten Michigan State the last two seasons.
Recommendations from MLive staff:
- Michigan State +8: Wenzel, McMann
- Maryland -8: Austin, Zuke, Kahn
