Week 2 brings a full slate of Big Ten betting spots, and the board is loaded with huge numbers, a couple of weird line moves, and more than a few games where the spread feels like the whole story.
Last week didn’t treat us especially well, with a 7-11 start overall. The bright spot was calling UMass to cover against Rutgers - and, as it turned out, the outright winner was there too. This week’s card is bigger, and it opens with Rutgers trying to flip the script.
Rutgers at Boston College (-3), O/U 54.5, 7:30 p.m. Friday
Rutgers got laughed at last week, but the market has already moved hard in its direction. Boston College opened at -7.5 and has fallen all the way to -3, which suggests bettors expect Rutgers to show up angry. That’s enough for me to side with the Scarlet Knights.
The pick: Rutgers +3
Oklahoma (-5.5) at Michigan, O/U 43.5, Noon Saturday
This line has moved sharply from a point where Michigan was actually favored by 1.5. That shift says plenty. I’m surprised the number is still this short, and I’d rather grab Oklahoma before it pushes beyond a touchdown.
The pick: Oklahoma -5.5
Howard at Indiana (-56.5), O/U 64.5, Noon
Big spreads like this are always tricky. The early ATS numbers are tempting - Howard is 2-0 ATS, Indiana is 0-1 - but the sample size is too small to mean much. Curt Cignetti’s mood after last week matters more here, so I’m going with the Hoosiers.
The pick: Indiana -56.5
Oregon (-22.5) at Oklahoma State, O/U 57.5, Noon
This number opened around 18.5 before Week 1, and Oklahoma State’s ugly 24-10 loss to Tulsa only pushed things further. Even at 22.5, I still think the Ducks are the better side.
The pick: Oregon -22.5
Penn State (-24.5) at Temple, O/U 49.5, Noon
Both teams covered last week, and the spread itself is awkward to attack at this size. The total feels cleaner.
Penn State scored 45 against Marshall, and Temple put up 38 against Rhode Island. If those offenses repeat that kind of output, the over is the play.
The pick: Over 49.5
Wake Forest (-3) at Purdue, O/U 49.5, Noon
Neither side covered in Week 1, but Purdue at home deserves more respect than it’s getting. That’s enough to take the points.
The pick: Purdue +3
Utah State at Washington (-26.5), O/U 55.5, 3:30 p.m.
Washington had injury issues in Week 1, including one to a starter who was still out there in garbage time for reasons that made no sense. The game should be lopsided, but 55.5 is a lot for a matchup that won’t be close without necessarily turning into a track meet.
The pick: Under 55.5
Mississippi State at Minnesota (-1.5), O/U 55.5, 3:30 p.m.
This line has been all over the place. It opened Minnesota -2.5, flipped to Mississippi State -1.5, then moved back to Minnesota late. I usually like taking the favorite after a bridge-crossing move, and I’m sticking with that early read here.
The pick: Mississippi State +1.5
Duke at Illinois (-6), O/U 51.5, 3:30 p.m.
If you want the numbers to do the talking, this one points toward Duke. Illinois is 0-1 ATS, including 0-1 ATS at home and as a favorite, while Duke is 1-0 ATS. That’s enough to lean Blue Devils.
The pick: Duke +6
Eastern Michigan at Michigan State (-17.5), O/U 49.5, 3:30 p.m.
Michigan State’s number has climbed from 16 to 17.5, and the market keeps nudging it higher. I don’t trust Eastern Michigan at all, so I’m riding with the Spartans.
The pick: Michigan State -17.5
Maryland (-12.5) at UConn, O/U 52.5, 3:30 p.m.
Maryland heads on the road for a rare non-conference game against a non-Power 4 opponent, and UConn doesn’t exactly bring much home-field edge to the table. I’m not all-in on Maryland this year, but 12.5 still looks too low.
The pick: Maryland -12.5
Bowling Green at Nebraska (-29.5), O/U 51.5, 7 p.m.
Nebraska was one of the week’s biggest surprises, and the offense backed it up with 49 points against Ohio. Bowling Green isn’t one of the MAC’s stronger teams, so this has the feel of another one-sided result.
The pick: Nebraska -29.5
San Diego State at UCLA (-12.5), O/U 54.5, 7:15 p.m.
UCLA handled Cal, 45-24, and covered while San Diego State failed to cover against Portland State. The line has moved from UCLA -8.5 to -12.5, and that kind of jump makes the Bruins look like the right side.
The pick: UCLA -12.5
Western Illinois at Wisconsin, No lines available, 7:15 p.m.
Ohio State at Texas (-1.5), O/U 49.5, 7:30 p.m.
This line has stayed remarkably steady at Texas -1.5. Both teams took care of business in Week 1 against lesser opponents, which leaves little to separate them. I’ll lean to the home team, even if it’s not a strong conviction.
The pick: Texas -1.5
Iowa State at Iowa (-14), O/U 40.5, 7:30 p.m.
It’s not the flashiest rivalry, but it’s still a rivalry. The spread has moved toward Iowa, and if you can get the Hawkeyes at -13.5, that’s the better number. Even at -14, I still lean Iowa, just not as strongly.
Louisiana at USC (-30.5), O/U 59.5, 11 p.m.
The big question here isn’t the scoreboard - it’s the crowd. How many fans show up, and how many choose the beach instead? Louisiana is 1-0 ATS, and while I don’t see an upset brewing, I do like the Ragin’ Cajuns to cover.
The pick: Louisiana +30.5
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