Big Ten Week 10 picks: Michigan vs. Indiana & 3 more

Ohio State stands far above the rest of the field in the Big Ten after an ugly Michigan slip up. Can the Wolverines rebound on Saturday with a win over No. 13 Indiana?

We have betting odds and a pick for that marquee matchup as well as three more Big Ten games.

#23 Michigan vs. #13 Indiana

The head and the heart disagree with one another in this week’s biggest Big Ten matchup.

My heart wants the Hoosiers to win their way to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1967. The hero of the overtime win over Penn State, Michael Penix Jr. proved he can make the big plays necessary to overthrow a Big Ten titan. One of the best scoring offenses in the conference, they can turn any game into a shootout.

Similar to Penix, Michigan’s Joe Milton does just about everything for Jim Harbaugh’s offense. The difference is that Milton is only in his first year quarterbacking Michigan.

My head tells me that Michigan’s loss to Michigan State was just another classic case of the Harbaughs. He beats the teams he is supposed to, while he loses to his rivals. The Wolverines are now 1-6 at home against Ohio State and Michigan State under Harbaugh. Even though this week he’s going on the road to play a ranked team, it’s still just a trip to Bloomington.

The internal conflict only grows once I use my usual tool of clarity. ESPN’s SP+ rankings have a knack for sniffing out funny business in a line. In this case the numbers actually side with Indiana and the points, calling for a Michigan win by 2.7 points.

Ultimately, my gut disagrees with the computer and my heart. This is a great bounce back opportunity for Michigan after a bad loss to a rival that brought their best stuff out to get what will likely be their only signature win in a shortened season. This week the Wolverines will reassert their place of prominence in the league by taking the wind out of Indiana’s sails and crushing their "Rosy" dreams. 

Pick: Michigan -3

Nebraska vs. Northwestern  

Does the Big Ten West run through Evanston? With Wisconsin likely out of the picture due to COVID-19 and a brutally difficult schedule for the Huskers, the division could be left up to Purdue or Northwestern.

First-year offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian has revitalized the Wildcats’ offense that was in the FBS gutter just a year ago. Through two games they lead the Big Ten in rushing (234 yards per game) and turnover margin (+2). Limiting Nebraska offensive possessions with a physical run game is the recipe for success against Scott Frost’s Huskers.

Pick: Northwestern -4

Minnesota vs. Illinois

A home team getting points is always enticing, particularly when the favorite is winless and coming off an overtime road loss to a not-so-good Maryland team. Even though the Gophers have been unable to stop anybody this year, the Fighting Illini don’t have enough firepower to scare me away from this number. Tanner Morgan and Co. will finally get in the win column with a ton of points in Champaign to cover the spread.

Pick: Minnesota -7

Michigan State vs. Iowa

The line opened at Iowa -9 but the money has been all over the Spartans after their upset of Michigan. Folks are putting WAY too much stock into Mel Tucker’s first win. In a rivalry emotions run high. They’ll come back to Earth once they get popped in the mouth by the Hawkeyes’ physical attack.

Pick: Iowa -6.5

Wager on Week 10 of the college football season at BetAmerica.