Big Ten football picks: #7 Minnesota at #23 Iowa & 4 more

This week's slate of games features P.J. Fleck and Minnesota rowing their undefeated boat into Iowa, while the Penn State Nittany Lions are still licking their wounds as they look to bounce back against newly ranked Indiana. Let’s get to the picks (all games previewed are Saturday).

#7 Minnesota at #23 Iowa, 4 p.m. ET, FOX

Is this the week Minnesota’s dream season gets a dose of reality? The Gophers head into Iowa City a week after a program-defining win against Penn State, and oddsmakers certainly seem to think the Gophers are vulnerable, despite a huge jump in the College Football Playoff rankings. The line makes more sense when you consider Minnesota must overcome a letdown situation of such a significant win and will also have to overcome more history. The Gophers haven’t won in Kinnick Stadium since 1999.

This is a different Minnesota team, led by a dynamic coach who has made his career by defying the odds and reimagining what’s possible. Nevertheless, this is a situation where even the great P.J. Fleck may not be able to get his team to come down from the clouds enough to focus in on getting the job done against Iowa.

Before the Penn State game, the Gophers played an amazingly soft Big Ten schedule. I believe in this Minnesota squad and think they are more talented than Iowa, but I’m going to side with the situation and let the line guide me. Hawkeyes by a touchdown.

Pick: Iowa -3

#24 Indiana at #9 Penn State (-15.5), noon ET, ABC

Let me start by acknowledging the resiliency and mental toughness Indiana quarterback Peyton Ramsey has exhibited this season. Although he lost his starting position at the beginning of the season to redshirt freshman Michael Penix Jr., the junior stayed the course, stepped right in for the injured Penix and helped lead the Hoosiers to a top 25 ranking and a 7-2 record, which includes a 4-2 mark in the Big Ten.

However, let’s remember that one of those losses was a 51-10 shellacking at home against Ohio State. Penn State may not win by 41, but the Nittany Lions will be angry after their loss to Minnesota, and they will win going away.

Pick: Penn State -15.5

#15 Wisconsin (-14.5) at Nebraska, noon ET, Big Ten Network

This was supposed to be the game that decided the Big Ten West, as Scott Frost was expected to return Nebraska to its glory days, with the help of a Heisman contender in Adrian Martinez. Clearly preseason expectations were overblown in Lincoln, as a rabid fan base remains hungry for a winner. And with talented running back Maurice Washington not with the team and freshman sensation Wan’Dale Robinson questionable, it’s dicey to take the Cornhuskers in this situation.

Even though I believe in Frost and Martinez, it just seems like the season has gotten away from both of them. I’m tempted to take the Cornhuskers, but Wisconsin will smother them on defense and steamroll them on offense with Jonathan Taylor.

Pick: Wisconsin -14.5

Michigan State at #14 Michigan (-13.5), noon ET, FOX

This was another game that fans had circled heading into the year, but it’s been a nightmare season for the Spartans, who completely fell apart in a loss to Illinois last week and gave up 27 points in the fourth quarter. Coach Mark Dantonio has had an impressive 13-year run in East Lansing, but many are calling for a change, and a blowout loss to the hated Wolverines might be the last straw.

Pick: Michigan -13.5

Massachusetts at Northwestern (-41), noon ET, Big Ten Network

The Wildcats haven’t scored more than 30 points all season, but they'll find a way to somehow cover this ridiculous number against one of the worst teams in the nation.

Pick: Northwestern -41

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