Big Ten Week 2 Best Bets: Another Walk in the Park for Wolverines

It will be worth watching to see how many of the 10 undefeated teams in the Big Ten will remain perfect heading into Week 3.

Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State remain ranked in the Top 10 in both national polls. Ohio State did drop two spots to No. 5 in the Associated Press poll.

Don’t look for much to change when it comes to the national title odds for the Big Ten contenders based on the Week 2 results.

Some Fun for the Defense?

Jeff Sims has five more touchdown passes than interceptions in four years of college football.

He was intercepted three times in his first game at Nebraska and also lost a fumble. Colorado is certainly generating plenty of buzz as Deion Sanders‘ Buffaloes topped 2022 national runner-up Texas Christian in a wild affair that took a team with a 1-11 record in 2022 and got them ranked in both national polls.

Sanders is not one to put together a conservative game plan so look for plenty of pressure to be put on Sims in this matchup. It is also fair to assume that Nebraska could offer more resistance on defense than TCU did a week ago so with that in mind, don’t be surprised if the offense doesn’t have all the fun in this matchup that will have plenty of those who bet online checking things out.

Pick: There Will Be a Defensive or Special Teams Touchdown Scored +220

Michigan To Light It Up

UNLV had a pretty solid defensive effort in its season opener. However, it is a huge jump going from playing Bryant to Michigan.

Michigan lining up in a formation to honor head coach Jim Harbaugh for a three-game suspension imposed by the university after the NCAA has accused Harbaugh of not being forthcoming in conversations with their investigators is rather silly. However, if they can get motivation from playing the first three games without Harbaugh, more power to them.

Michigan has experienced playmakers at various offensive skill positions and that should become rather evident early in Saturday’s game.

Pick: More than 30½ Points To Be Scored In the First Half

Only 5 Days Until Michigan Wolverines Is Back! 〽️ #JabrillPeppers #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/4xpDxkpxbo

— GoBlueU.com (@RealGoBlueU) August 28, 2023

Wisconsin To Cover on the Road

This will not be the easiest of road trips as Wisconsin heads to Pullman, Washington, to face Washington State. Perhaps that is why the line for the game has Wisconsin favored by six points, according to the college football betting lines.

The Badgers seem to be a little undervalued in this matchup facing a Washington State defense that allowed more than 350 yards and 5.6 yards per play to Colorado State.

The teams played a pretty tight affair in 2022 with Wisconsin winning 17-14.

The Badgers will be attacking much more of offense under new head coach Luke Fickell and there should be chances for that offense to make some plays in this non-conference showdown/

Pick: Wisconsin To Cover At a 6-Point Favorite at Washington State.

Bryant Could Be Popular Target

Pat Bryant matched his 2022 total for receiving touchdowns in the season opener for Illinois. Now that Chase Brown, who finished third nationally in rushing yards per game, is gone there could be more emphasis on the passing game for the Fighting Illini and that could benefit Bryant.

Bryant had as many games with 50 receiving yards as he did with no yards. Don’t expect that to happen this season as he figures to be a popular target.

Only West Virginia allowed a higher opposing passer rating among Big 12 teams in 2022 than the Jayhawks so there should be chances for Bryant to make his presence felt.

Pick: Pat Bryant to go over 40½ receiving yards -114

Minnesota Still Figuring Things Out

With all the key offensive players gone from last year’s Minnesota team, it is not a surprise that the offense had a rough time of it at times during the season opener.

This is an offense that might be marching up and down the field later in the season. Right now, it is more of a work in progress.

Even though Minnesota will be the more talented team, don’t assume that means that the Gophers will simply overwhelm Eastern Michigan.

Eastern Michigan surrendered nearly 400 yards in its season opener so expect Minnesota to top the 251 yards it had against Nebraska.

Pick: Neither Team Will Have At Least Three Straight Scores +180