Big Ten Week 13 picks: Penn State vs. Michigan & 3 more

There’s no better time of the year for football than Thanksgiving. This weekend you’ll get to feast on healthy helpings of it across the country in the Big Ten, headlined by traditional powers that have fallen far from grace.

Penn State vs. Michigan

Once a marquee matchup, this has now turned into a meeting between two of the Big Ten’s worst teams. Penn State is WINLESS through five game, thanks in large part to their inability to take care of the football. Sean Clifford has thrown eight interceptions and the Nittany Lions have a -9 turnover margin, the worst in the Big Ten.

Michigan has a couple of wins this year, but does beating Rutgers in triple overtime count as a win? Hardly. Cade McNamara will likely get the start in place of Joe Milton at quarterback. Unlike the latter, McNamara has put ball security at a premium and was an efficient 75% passer last week. Even though it’s a gamble to put your faith in a former backup, that’s exactly what we’re doing here.

Pick: Michigan -1.5

Maryland vs. #12 Indiana

Indiana left it all on the field at the Horseshoe. An emotional loss, Tom Allen’s talk in the locker room after the game made Hoosiers proud.

Does Allen have another one of those ready for Saturday’s pregame speech? The Hoosiers will need it to avoid a let down against a frisky Maryland team. Indiana will do just enough to win, but I think Maryland turns this into a shootout. 

Pick: Over 64

#3 Ohio State vs. Illinois

The Buckeyes could not put away the pesky Hoosiers a week ago, allowing Indiana to shrink a 21-point quarter deficit to just seven with 10 minutes to play. Even though they may not have wowed the College Football Playoff committee, the Buckeyes did something against Indiana they haven’t done all year: run the damn ball.

As Justin Fields struggled, Ohio State turned to Master Teague III, who racked up 169 yards and two touchdowns on the ground on only 26 carries. Consistency in the run game was the missing piece on the Buckeyes’ offense. The last missing piece overall is patching holes in the pass defense, something they will not have to worry about this Saturday.

Pick: Ohio State -27.5

#11 Northwestern vs. Michigan State

The Wildcats are now in the driver’s seat to the Big Ten title game following a win over Wisconsin and the Badgers’ third canceled game of the season. Northwestern won ugly last week, forcing five Wisconsin turnovers. Winning ugly has been Northwestern and Michigan State’s mantra all season long, which is why this game will be close throughout, ending with the underdogs covering. 

Pick: Michigan State +12

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