MNW: After last week's shellackings and shockers, I very nearly came in hot to the OTE Slack channel on Saturday night asking "How many of wisconsin, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Minnesota do we think will be ranked on Sunday?"
(Now I am not, for example, suggesting Northwestern should be ranked. I think the AP Poll folks are good-looking, wise, and not at all cowards.)
The ultimate answer, of course, was "None". Tangled like the rat king of the Big Ten West, the four runners-up to Iowa are over in the corner, insisting wins over Penn State and at an underachieving Washington at Good, Actually. (I have no idea who Nebraska has beaten, and I think the answer is "nobody.")
...
...
...
...I have just been informed that UCLA is ranked, with wins over 2-3 Cal, 2-3 UNLV, Purdue, and Maryland.
Perhaps I am irritated.
About Last Week
Thoughts
- A man could make a good living seeing how I pick, and picking against it.
- It's been a very rough year for us, going another 20 games under .500 this week.
- AlmaOtter takes over the lead in straigh-up picking at .810.
Picks
all times Central (don't blame me)
Friday, October 9
(20) Iowa Hawkeyes @ Washington Huskies
8pm | Fox | Washington -3 | O/U: 41.5
ATS: Iowa 9-4 | Straight Up: Iowa 8-5
Buffkomodo: Yeah Washingmachine isn’t that good. Iowa is at least decent to good. Iowa wins outright.
BRT: Iowa really shines against mediocre teams, and I think Washington is mediocre. The main interest here is the Hawkeyes (not the same as the Hawks, a common mistake) traveling west, but I still like their chances.
HoustonBoiler: What BRT said. Kirk Ferentz lives for games like this.
Transient Buckeye: I guess I’m hoping the almost-competitive showing against USC wasn’t fool’s gold. Or that the cross-country trip gets to Iowa. Huskies win and cover.
IUinVA: Looks like an “Iowa” game. I’ll take Iowa. Hawks over Fisch (I remember using this line two years ago before Iowa won 40-16).
Thumpasaurus: Home Washington doesn’t appear to be strong enough to be a thing this year.
misdreavus79: This is the type of game Iowa loses time after time and as far as I’m concerned they’re still Iowa so… Washington 20, Iowa 10
RockyMtnBlue: I see a lot of picks for Iowa here. Foolish writers are all “they beat Michigan in Ann Arbor. They must be solid.” You adorable idiots. They needed good fortune to beat Michigan. Ergo: they fucking suck. Washington 24-9
MNW: I'm on the road again, in a silly place where the water flows the wrong way. I return home tonight and this is what I have to watch?
Iowa quarterback Hank Brown (hi. MNW here. did you know Iowa's quarterback was named Hank Brown like some generic make-a-player from the 1975 Pittsburgh Colonials of the AFL? if he doesn't have a mustache and smoke four cigarettes a game, he can fuck off) is apparently injured and questionable. His backup, Jeremy Heclinski, looks like this:
There is a senior photo-style picture of this dude in walking barefoot on the beach in Hollister jeans, and I desperately need you to find it for a collage BRT is working on. Please assist. Iowa, 23-8.
Saturday, October 10
(7) Indiana Hoosiers @ Nebraska Cornhuskers
11:00am | Fox | Indiana -7.5 | O/U: 48.5
ATS: Indiana 9-4| Straight Up: Indiana 11-2
Buffkomodo: Despite getting his commitment from Noah Macon out of Rushville, Nebraska, Matt Rhule won’t be winning this game. I mean, I don’t think he will. The Hoosiers feel like they’re on ramp up mode. The win over Northwestern looks better and honestly Nebby struggled early against a rudderless Maryland. Indiana wins. Nebraska backdoor covers.
BRT: I haven't had this as a win all season, but had thought it might not get too ugly. However, then I watched Nebraska against Maryland. Now I think it gets ugly.
glass: IU wins but Nebarka keeps it close enough that the whining out of Bloomington will swell to a crest and roll in like a tide (perhaps a crimson tide?) that may drown us all.
HoustonBoiler: Each week that win over Northwestern looks even better. Indiana wins and covers.
Transient Buckeye: At least Nebraska’s uniforms are red. That’ll hide the blood. Hoosiers win and cover.
IUinVA: Classic matchup between a big red football school and a big red basketball (ok, volleyball) school. Indiana won the last matchup 56-7 in 2024. Nebraska is a good football team, but I don’t think they’re built for this. Does Nebraska football have greatness within them? We’ll find out.
Thumpasaurus: Hoosiers ought to win going away.
misdreavus79: You know, why the hell not. Nebraska 49, Indiana 42
RockyMtnBlue: It’s silly to take Nebby in this game, right? Sure they’ve looked pretty good this year, but they’ve played NOBODY. Still, it just kinda feels like the sort of stupid shit that happens in college football. And of course, by predicting it, I destroy any hope of BRT/DeadRead happiness. Sorry kids. Nebraska 31-28
MNW: That hook, man. That hook. I'm such a sucker for a silly hook on a line in a game that Indiana will probably win by 14. Hoosiers, 31-24.
Ball State Cardinals @ Northwestern Wildcats
11:00am | BTN | Northwestern -36.5 | O/U: 52.5
ATS: Northwestern 9-4 | Straight Up: All Kittens
Buffkomodo: Cats gerrrrrrrr.
BRT: What a waste of time in Week 6.
HoustonBoiler: The Fighting Librarians smash the robot birds with books. Northwestern wins and covers.
Sounds like within the department, there was only one digit that was raised in response to the proposal....
Transient Buckeye: Ball State’s quarterback is built like Charles Barkley and is fun to watch, but the Cardinals are turbo-bad. ‘Cats roll.
IUinVA: No line is too high for these Northwestern Wildcats.
Thumpasaurus: Ohio State crushed these guys. Nern is better.
misdreavus79: 36 and a half? Who do they think Northwestern is playing, Penn State? Wildcats 35, Ball State 7
RockyMtnBlue: Northwestern is almost as surprising as my team is this year (except in the opposite direction). Still, I can’t pick Northwestern to cover more than 5 touchdowns. I just can’t. Northwestern 42-7
MNW: Well here's the guarantee game so all the luxury boxes would be treated to at least one Northwestern win in the new stadium. I hope the 20,000 in attendance enjoy, because you know they don't feel the need to go back.
NUMBalums, last I checked, won't be marching on the field for Homecoming. Fuck you, Northwestern. 'Cats, 30-10.
(21) UCLA Bruins @ (13) Oregon Ducks
2:30pm | CBS | Oregon -11.5 | O/U: 58.5
ATS: UCLA 8-5 | Straight Up: Oregon 12-1
Buffkomodo: I guess Oregon puts their foot down and beats the tar out of someone finally?
BRT: I picked UCLA. Just vibes, I guess. I will either look terribly foolish, or like a savant.
HoustonBoiler: UCLA’s defense is bad, but their offense is good enough to keep it close. Oregon wins but UCLA covers.
Transient Buckeye: I’m actually starting to believe in UCLA this year. Not enough to think they’re going to win, but enough to think they can hang around and get the cover.
IUinVA: Oregon wins, but I’m confident that UCLA can keep this within ten points. Did we run out of Big Ten games to preview this week?
Thumpasaurus: Should be a fun one. I lean home team here.
misdreavus79: I reckon UCLA won’t enjoy playing an actual team with a pulse. Oregon 33, UCLA 21
RockyMtnBlue: I would like UCLA to win this game SO MUCH. Oregon 34-21
MNW: I have no interest in what's going on here. Oregon, 41-28.
Illinois Fighting Illini @ Michigan State Spartans
2:30pm | FS1 | Illinois -2.5 | O/U: 47.5
ATS: Illinois 10-3 | Straight Up: Illinois 11-2
Buffkomodo: I originally picked Sparty, but that goes against everything I believe in, and with regards to Illinois I do believe in Bert. Illinois wins and covers.
BRT: Illinois doesn't look good, but I do think they may be more disciplined and a bit better than MSU.
HoustonBoiler: In Bert versus Pat, Illinois bounces back by beating MSU and covering.
Transient Buckeye: This game is really being played? Will no one think of the children? Illini win and cover, I guess.
IUinVA: So ya just lost at home to a program that hadn’t beaten a P4 team since the Tom Allen administration, yet you’re favored a week later AT a Big Ten opponent? Sparty might be bad, but I can’t call them dead yet. Is Illinois going to lose to Purdue and Michigan State in consecutive weeks? Hoo buddy.
Thumpasaurus: The vibes around both of these programs are unbelievably rancid. I don’t know what to expect other than a competitive and terrible contest.
misdreavus79: Michigan State is not Purdue, so there’s no reason to worry. Illinois 17, Michigan State 3
RockyMtnBlue: This has all the makings of a DEEPLY stupid game. I shall honor it by taking a deeply stupid position: the middle! Illinois 21-20
MNW: Bert loves sitting on Fitz. Illinois, 27-10.
Maryland Terrapins @ (5) Ohio State Buckeyes
3:15pm | BTN | Ohio State -34.5 | O/U: 56.6
ATS: OSU 11-2 | Straight Up: All Death Star Jr.
Buffkomodo: OSU by 35 in the first half. Resting their starters the second half and they win the second half by 10 to covers.
BRT: Oh no.
HoustonBoiler: There’s no way that Maryland wants to be in Columbus and it shows. Death Star rolls.
Transient Buckeye: That is a massive spread for a conference game. Maryland can’t be that bad, can they? Upon further reflection, it appears that maybe they can. Ohio State wins and covers.
IUinVA: Ohio State can play like trash and cover this line on talent alone. I do think one of these teams plays it close to the vest and grinds the clock to stay fresh for the B1G Game of the Year next weekend (Rutgers-Maryland).
BoilerUp89: Huge spread. No problem.
misdreavus79: If they didn’t fire him the two other weeks, they’re not going to do it now. Ohio State 91, Maryland 3
RockyMtnBlue: This feels like one of those games where Ohio State is SO over the other team, they just kinda mail it in and allow a backdoor cover to a team they could beat by 50 in their sleep. OSU 42-8
MNW: Maybe it's a charity act of Maryland – they didn't want to fire Locks and have some poor interim come in, try to motivate the squad, and then spend the game grimacing, Chris Ash-style, at a Bugs Bunny-style scoreboard flipping through OSU touchdowns. Buckeyes, 51-10.
(19) USC Trojans @ Penn State Nittany Lions
6:30pm | NBC | Penn State -1.5 | O/U: 54.5
ATS: USC 11-2 | Straight Up: USC 10-3
Buffkomodo: OSU by 35 in the first half. Resting their starters the second half and they win the second half by 10 to covers.
BRT: Oh no.
HoustonBoiler: There’s no way that Maryland wants to be in Columbus and it shows. Death Star rolls.
Transient Buckeye: That is a massive spread for a conference game. Maryland can’t be that bad, can they? Upon further reflection, it appears that maybe they can. Ohio State wins and covers.
IUinVA: Ohio State can play like trash and cover this line on talent alone. I do think one of these teams plays it close to the vest and grinds the clock to stay fresh for the B1G Game of the Year next weekend (Rutgers-Maryland).
BoilerUp89: Huge spread. No problem.
misdreavus79: If they didn’t fire him the two other weeks, they’re not going to do it now. Ohio State 91, Maryland 3
RockyMtnBlue: This feels like one of those games where Ohio State is SO over the other team, they just kinda mail it in and allow a backdoor cover to a team they could beat by 50 in their sleep. OSU 42-8
MNW: RMB just made a little whoopsie with the copy/pasta, but instead of being a good guy and fixing it, I want you to know that I'm the only writer who cared enough to actually give you thoughts about USC-Penn State!
Penn State stinks. King Miller scores 4 touchdowns for my fantasy team. Thump cries about it. USC, 38-23.
Minnesota Golden Gophers @ Purdue Boilermakers
7pm | BTN | Minnesota -2.5 | O/U: 50.5
ATS: Minnesota 8-5 | Straight Up: Minnesota 9-4
Buffkomodo: The magic is over Purdue fans. Minny wins.
BRT: Minnesota following up their big win by losing to Purdue would be hilarious, but I think the Gophers get it done.
glass: Screw it, let me dream a little. I am ready to believe we can finish 4-8. Purdue wins.
HoustonBoiler: Minnesota wins and covers as Purdue makes too many mistakes. Hey Boilers, show me you can be more disciplined and I might be inclined to pick you in this kind of game. That said, I would love to point and laugh at the Goofs.
Transient Buckeye: I was strongly tempted to take Purdue here, but I don’t think Purdue football is allowed to have nice things in consecutive weeks. Gophers win and cover.
IUinVA: I picked the Trains to win outright last week and I’m doing it again this week. If Minnesota wins, they would be 5-1. That record would tell me that they are a good football team, and I just can’t get there with Minnesota. Prove me wrong, Golden Gophers.
BoilerUp89: Just because the Illini are imploding doesn’t mean Purdue suddenly got competent. Gophers roll.
Thumpasaurus: I love Illini Football. Purdue wins their first B1G game in three years and the consensus is that no, in fact, they have not turned a corner.
I think Minnesota wins this comfortably.
misdreavus79: Beat Michigan at home for the first time since the 60s? The insane obsession with doing the absolute minimum to win games? Yeah Purdue is taking this. Purdue 24, Minnesota 20
RockyMtnBlue: See my comments above regarding Iowa. One score, Minnesota? For shame. Purdue 31-14
MNW: God, this is so the game the Gophers historically fuck up, and it'd be so damn funny if they did. (They won't. This season is as close to "being Iowa" is PJ Fleck has come in almost a decade.) Minnesota, 24-17.
Too Cowardly To Play
Michigan Wolverines
Wisconsin Badgers
Buffkomodo: Michigan still has time to figure it out. You know, because of the second thing? Couple weeks too late? I’ll see myself out.
HoustonBoiler: How will wolverines and skunks do against the animal control department? I’m betting on a stinky situation.
Transient Buckeye: It’s not surprising that these teams have combined for just two Big Ten wins going into the bye week. What is surprising is who has both of those wins…..
IUinVA: Oh, this is nice. They should do this more often.
misdreavus79: Of course they get a bye before playing Penn State.
RockyMtnBlue: These teams are going in opposite directions. This does not surprise me. Which is going which way, on the other hand…
