Big Ten Week 9 Betting Odds: Nittany Lions Hit the Road

Big Ten West Division-Leading Illinois Ready to Move Closer to Big Ten Title Game

Can Michigan State Make it Three Wins in a Row Against Michigan?

When it comes to the Big Ten Week 9 betting odds, this is not looking like a week to remember with four of the five games featuring double-digit point spreads.

Penn State has shown itself to be the college football version of “Not Ready for Prime Time Players” and the Nittany Lions get another shot at a ranked team when they face Ohio State.

When looking at the NCAAF odds, the game that could be the most competitive this week is the Illinois-Nebraska showdown.

Michigan’s annual Michigan State game could be a one-sided affair.

Ohio State is second and Michigan fourth in both the Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association national poll. Penn State comes in at No. 13 in both polls while Illinois in No. 17 in the AP rankings and 18th in the coaches’ poll.

Ohio State is priced at -450 in the odds to win the Big Ten title followed by Michigan (+400), Illinois (+1000), Purdue (+2800) and Penn State (+3300).

Uncover Exclusive Picks & Predictions From Our Experts.

Game of the Week

Ohio State Buckeyes vs Penn State Nittany Lions

Date, time (TV):
Line: Ohio State -15.5

Continuing Our Big Ten week 9 Betting Odds Preview: Penn State has lost its last nine regular-season games to ranked squads so this is another chance for the Nittany Lions to prove that they belong to be mentioned among the Big Ten elite programs.

Despite injuries slowing key offensive playmakers TreVeyon Henderson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Buckeyes (7-0, 4-0 in the Big Ten) keep rolling along.

Iowa never had a chance last week and now it is Penn State’s turn.

The Nittany Lions (6-1, 3-1) are seventh in the Big Ten in total defense. A key for Penn State will be ball security as the Nittany Lions lead the conference in turnover margin.

The biggest improvement for Ohio State has come on defense as the Buckeyes have gone from allowing 373 yards per game in 2021 to giving up 240 this season.

Ohio State is only allowing 2.85 yards per rushing attempt so it will be worth watching to see if Penn State freshman Nicholas Singleton has more of an impact against Ohio State than he did in the Michigan game when he was limited to 19 yards on six carries.

Smith-Njigba is still on a snap count, but look for him to play a larger role as the season moves on.

Ohio State has won the last five matchups with Penn State. However, the Nittany Lions have covered in four of them.

Other Games to Watch

Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs Minnesota Golden Gophers

Date, time (TV):
Line: Minnesota -14

Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim was limited to a season-low 3.4 yards per carry in last week’s loss to Penn State. He will be facing a Rutgers defense that is surrendering just 2.9 yards per carry.

For Rutgers (4-3, 1-3), freshman running back Samuel Brown just had his first career 100-yard game in a win over Indiana. His emergence could be crucial as the passing game for Rutgers doesn’t scare anybody. Only Iowa has fewer passing yards and a lower passing efficiency rating than Rutgers.

The Scarlet Knights already have more interceptions this season than in all of last 2021.

It was a tough first start for Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis as he was 9 of 22 for 175 yards with a TD pass and an interception. Perhaps he will be more comfortable this week for the Gophers (4-3, 1-3).

Minnesota has won the two previous meetings and that includes a 42-7 win in 2019 as a 28-point favorite.

Illinois Fighting Illini vs Nebraska Cornhuskers

Date, time (TV):
Line: Illinois -7.5

Illinois (6-1, 3-1) is the surprise leader in the Big Ten West Division. However, Nebraska (3-4, 2-2) can move into a tie for first place with a win on Saturday.

Chase Brown is the leading rusher in the country with 1,059 yards for the Fighting Illini. He has run for more than 100 yards in each of the seven games and he has 72 carries over the last two games.

Nebraska is allowing the most yards (190.4) and yards per carry (4.9) in the Big Ten so this could be a tough matchup for the Cornhuskers.

Nebraska’s Anthony Grant has just 82 rushing yards over the last two games. Another concern is that quarterback Casey Thompson has five interceptions over the last three games.

Nebraska has won six of the last nine meetings, however Illinois has won the last two games and covered in both of them.

Northwestern Wildcats vs Iowa Hawkeyes

Date, time (TV):
Line: Iowa -11

Either Northwestern (1-6, 1-3) or Iowa (3-4, 1-3) will move out of the cellar in the Big Ten West Division.
Iowa leads the Big Ten in total defense, but is last with 227.3 yards per game on offense. No other team is under 300 yards per contest.

Northwestern has had some defensive issues as they are tied for the Big Ten lead with 11 plays from scrimmage of 40 yards or longer allowed.

Iowa’s Jack Campbell and Bryce Gallagher of Northwestern rank first and second in the conference with 72 and 70 tackles.

Each of the last five meetings between Iowa and Northwestern have finished under the total with an average of 28 combined points being scored.

Michigan State Spartans vs Michigan Wolverines

Date, time (TV):
Line: Michigan -22.5

Can the Spartans do it again? Concluding Our Big Ten Week 9 Betting Odds Preview;

The only blemish in Big Ten play for Michigan was a 37-33 loss to Michigan State. Kenneth Walker, who ran for five touchdowns in that game, is now a member of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.

Only Indiana and Iowa have fewer rushing yards among big ten football teams than Michigan State (3-4, 1-3).

Michigan (7-0, 4-0) is led by Heisman Trophy candidate Blake Corum as he leads the conference with 13 rushing touchdowns and is second with 901 rushing yards.

Michigan is second in the conference with an average of 4.03 yards allowed per play.

Michigan State has won the last two meetings and covered in each of them.


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