CFB Big Ten Saturday Slate: Can the top remain undefeated?

Entering week seven of college, we are halfway through the year and multiple teams in the Big Ten have their bye weeks. However, there are still undefeated teams that compete this weekend as Iowa and Michigan State attempt to keep their win streaks alive. Currently, I am 16-4 in predicting the outcome of games, let’s try and build upon that record and continue to make the correct picks. Here we go. 

Michigan State at Indiana

Both of these teams entered the year with completely different expectations, Indiana was supposed to contend for the Big Ten title while Michigan State wasn’t considered a good program. However, that narrative has changed, Michigan State is now ranked No. 10 in the country while Indiana is struggling to stay afloat. The Spartans are scoring about 37 points per game and averaging 488-total yards on offense. Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III and quarterback Payton Thorne have turned out to be an elite duo that is causing many issues for opposing defenses. Indiana’s is having offensive struggles as they are turnover prone but the issue is the defense. They are giving up 351-total yards on defense and 128-rushing yards, I believe that Walker III will cause too many issues for the Hoosiers. The Spartans trounce Indiana in Bloomington on Saturday. 

Michigan State 35 Indiana 14

Nebraska at Minnesota 

The Cornhuskers will dominate this ballgame, the spread has Nebraska as a four-point favorite but I anticipate a bit of a rout. Nebraska is 1-3 in their last four games, the three losses have come to top 10 teams in Oklahoma, Michigan State, and Michigan. All games have been within a touchdown. Minnesota is not playing good football in the middle of the season. Tanner Morgan is showing that he can’t compete at a high level as Head coach P.J. Fleck is not trusting him, Morgan is averaging 18 throws a game and only has four touchdowns through five games. Nebraska’s offense will continue to roll, they are averaging 493-total yards per game. I like Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez to lead his team into a hostile environment and get the Cornhuskers back in the win column. 

Nebraska 31 Minnesota 17

Purdue at Iowa

Iowa is coming off their toughest game of the year after they beat Penn State in week six. The Hawkeyes need to have a one-game a time mentality because their second half of the schedule doesn’t feature a ranked opponent. Unfortunately for Purdue, they are going into Iowa City and playing an Iowa team that prides itself on defense. The Hawkeyes will shut down any sort of threat Purdue has on offense and they will force turnovers. However, I think this is a low-scoring game as Purdue will show up.

Purdue 13 Iowa 23

Rutgers at Northwestern 

Rutgers is coming off two losses in a row and they now have to travel to Evanston, Illinois to face Northwestern. The Wildcats are coming off a bye week and they are recovering from a blowout loss to Nebraska. Rutgers is hungry after getting humiliated by Ohio State and Michigan State. Northwestern’s defense is normally their strength but in 2021 it is the Wildcats weakest unit. Northwestern is giving up 451-total yards on defense and I think Rutgers will take advantage through the passing game with quarterback Noah Verdal. Look for a close game on Saturday but I have no trust in the quarterback situation for Northwestern. 

Rutgers 30 Northwestern 24

References: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/

Writer

-By: Justin Howard