Big Ten Week 12 Betting Odds: Illini Stand in Way of Epic Showdown

Michigan, Ohio State Prohibitive Favorites

The Big Ten Week 12 betting odds show Michigan and Ohio State as strong favorites. The Buckeyes and Michigan need to win to set-up next week’s game, where a playoff berth will basically be on the line. Ohio State should have an easier time but Illinois is struggling a bit right now.

Michigan State and Wisconsin are playing for bowl eligibility, while several teams are playing out the string. That’s always worth considering in your picks and parlays NCAAF style. Players on losing teams are often more concerned with the holidays than they are the upcoming game.

Game of the Week

Illinois vs Michigan

Date, time (TV):
Line: Michigan -18


The Big Ten Week 12 betting odds have the Wolverines (10-0, 7-0) favored by 18 and a total of 42.The Illinois defense, which is allowing just 12.5 points per game, has been torched recently. The Illini (7-3, 4-3) have allowed 54 points the past two weeks, dropping both games as favorites. That isn’t how you want to enter a game with Michigan. As a result, Illinois is now in a four-way tie for the Big Ten West Division lead after appearing to have it locked up two weeks ago. While you can point the finger at the Illinois defense for the last two weeks, it’s the rushing game that has to share the blame. The Illini have averaged 3.3 and 3.1 yards per rush the last two weeks.

The biggest obstacle Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines may face Saturday is the dreaded look-ahead situation that bites teams in the butt on occasion. Michigan has a huge statistical advantage but if they’re not focused on their opponent, it goes to waste. Everybody has seen stranger things happen in college football. The Wolverines like to run the ball and have gained at least 250 rushing yards in each of their last four games. The passing game has been quiet but if you’re running the ball well, it doesn’t matter. Michigan can wear down the Illinois defense but would much rather put the Illini in a hole early on.

Other Games to Watch

Ohio State vs Maryland

Date, time (TV):
Line: Ohio State -27

The Big Ten Week 12 betting odds have the Buckeyes favored by 27 with the total sitting at 64. The Buckeyes (10-0, 7-0) cruised to victory last week after a relatively close call against Northwestern the previous week. Ohio State gained 662 yards of total offense and allowed 269. The Buckeyes have the edge at every position, it’s a matter of being focused for the game. Maryland (6-4, 3-4) has a decent team which will be playing in a bowl game but are heading the wrong way. The Terps managed just 134 yards against Penn State last week and have failed to cover the college football point spreads in five straight games.

Iowa vs Minnesota

Date, time (TV):
Line: Minnesota -3

If your favorite play in football is the punt, this is a game you don’t want to miss. The Big Ten Week 12 betting odds have Minnesota (7-3, 4-3) favored by 3 with a miniscule total of 32.5. That’s the lowest total in college football this season. The total isn’t so low because the two offenses are incompetent, but rather due to the defenses that are exceptional. The Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3) hold teams to 11.1 fewer points than their season average. The Gophers hold teams to 8.6 fewer points than they average. Both teams have been scoring at a decent rate the past three weeks, with each averaging close to 27 points a game.

Wisconsin vs Nebraska

Date, time (TV):
Line: Wisconsin -13

Perhaps not the most exciting game ESPN has televised this season, but it is a TV game. Plenty of us will be watching due to having a vested interest in the outcome. The Big Ten Week 12 betting odds have the Badgers favored by 13 and a total of 39. Wisconsin (5-5, 3-4) does need the victory to earn its sixth win of the season and a bowl berth. The Badgers may be a little better than their record.

the Cornhuskers (3-7, 2-5) haven’t completely thrown in the towel this season.

Wisconsin is scoring 5.8 more points than their opponents allow. The Badger defense is holding teams to 2.5 points less than their season average. Those are the numbers of a winning football team. To their credit, the Cornhuskers (3-7, 2-5) haven’t completely thrown in the towel this season. They’re still playing hard but are simply playing more talented teams than they are.

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