The B1G Preview: Let the (Conference) Games Begin!

Gettin’ B1G-y wit it

The non-conference slate is winding down, which means Big Ten conference play is here in full force! Let’s get to it!

#5 Iowa (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) at Maryland (4-0, 1-0)

8:00 PM Eastern (Friday), FS1
Iowa -3

Ooooh this feels like a trap game for Iowa. Next week, a possible top 5 showdown is set for Iowa City when Penn State comes to town, and Iowa has felt like it’s played with fire a little bit thus far. Will the Hawkeyes look ahead to the Lions? If they do, they’ll be looking past a Terrapins team that can actually play offense, which I don’t think Iowa has faced to date. Iowa should be the better team, but man, this feels like prime upset potential.

Should You Watch? Oh hell yes.

Prediction: Iowa 24, Maryland 21

#14 Michigan (4-0, 1-0) at Wisconsin (1-2, 0-1)

Noon Eastern, FOX
Wisconsin -1.5

Wisconsin REALLY needs to figure out their offense, and unfortunately Michigan may not give them that opportunity. Still, the Wolverines struggled in the second half against Rutgers, and I have to feel like if it weren’t for a flurry of pick sixes and giving up special teams TDs, the Badgers could perhaps have done the thing against Notre Dame. Once again, I feel like this could have an upset brewing.

Should You Watch? Indeedy do!

Prediction: Wisconsin 27, Michigan 24

Charlotte (3-1) at Illinois (1-4)

Noon Eastern, BTN
Illinois -11

One of the last few non-conference games, and Illinois will hope to start to add to its win total. Not much else to say about this one, other than that I’m going to reuse a gif from last week because it fits too well.

Should You Watch?

Prediction: Illinois 42, Charlotte 24

Minnesota (2-2, 0-1) at Purdue (3-1, 1-0)

Noon Eastern, BTN
Purdue -2.5

This line feels a bit low, doesn’t it? Minnesota just lost to Bowling Green a week ago, I just have a hard time envisioning Purdue struggling that much. But hey, I’ve been wrong before. Once. We don’t talk about it.

Should You Watch? Nnnnnnnnope.

Prediction: Purdue 31, Minnesota 17

#11 Ohio State (3-1, 1-0) at Rutgers (3-1, 0-1)

3:30 PM Eastern, BTN
Ohio State -15

Give credit where it’s due, Rutgers tweaked some things at halftime against Michigan, and came within reaching distance of pulling the upset. The OSU defense is a cluster right now, but that offense is next level. I don’t think the Scarlet Knights have this upset in them.

Should You Watch? Maybe? It’s the only Big Ten game on at 3:30.

Prediction: Ohio State 49, Rutgers 21

Western Kentucky (1-2) at #17 Michigan State (4-0)

7:30 PM Eastern, FS1
Michigan State -10.5

A week after giving Indiana everything it had, Western Kentucky now gets to take on Michigan State. The turnaround Sparty has made is commendable, but it just feels like MSU has had a weird anti-SPARTY NO thing going on, where they’ve gotten quite a few breaks. I don’t think WKU will be their undoing, but it feels like the Spartans are ripe for a loss (or two or three).

Should You Watch? No, you’ll be watching Penn State take on Indiana under the lights.

Prediction: Michigan State 35, Western Kentucky 17

Northwestern (2-2, 0-1) at Nebraska (2-3, 0-2)

7:30 PM Eastern, BTN
Nebraska -11.5

Holy cow, this is going to be an ugly game. Like, fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. Then someone chopped down the tree, mulched it, and poured it on top of that ugly, ugly body.

Should You Watch? Heavens, no.

Prediction: Nebraska 21, Northwestern 17

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By: Chris Lucia
Title: The B1G Preview: Let the (Conference) Games Begin!
Sourced From: www.blackshoediaries.com/2021/9/30/22702039/the-b1g-preview-let-the-conference-games-begin-bsd-iowa-maryland-michigan-wisconsin-minnesota-purdue
Published Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2021 16:52:00 +0000

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