Nebraska football: Betting the Big Ten games in week 1

The Nebraska football team is one of several huge favorites in the Big Ten in the first-week regular season.

Nebraska football is one of many teams that officially begins its regular season this weekend. This season is going to be more interesting than others in some parts of the country because sports gambling is officially legal.

With that in mind, we decided to start taking a look at how Vegas sees the Big Ten games unfolding. We’ll also be picking each game and see how well we’d be doing if the state of Nebraska got with the program and allowed gambling here.

With that in mind, this is where we’ll place what is certain to become the usual disclaimer that these are just game picks. No money has been or will be wagered on any of these games.

Thursday Games

New Mexico State at Minnesota (-23), 7:00 PM EST (Big Ten Network)

The Aggies actually have a bit of an unfair advantage because they already got to play a game this year. Of course, they lost that game to Wyoming 29-7. That score included a safety recorded by the Cowboys.

On the flip side, Minnesota is starting a walk-on freshman quarterback. This is one of those games where PJ Fleck is likely going to see if his defense, one of the better ones in the country a year ago, can manhandle the Aggie line the way Wyoming did.

Pick: Minnesota

Northwestern at Purdue (-1), 8:00 PM EST (ESPN)

This is a true tossup of a game. Northwestern comes off a 10 win season, though the Wildcats tend to start slow. They started 2-3 a year ago. Purdue is going to come out fired up, no matter who is under center. If this was in Evanston, I’d lean one way, but since it’s in Lafayette, I’m going to lean the other

Pick: Purdue

Friday Games

Utah State at Michigan State (-23.5) 7:00 PM EST (Big Ten Network)

This isn’t nearly as big a mismatch as it might have been even five years ago. Yes the Spartans are going to win this game. They’ll win it largely thanks to a defense that was ranked seventh in the country in 2017. Utah State is a decent enough mid-major that they could make this closer than Sparty is comfortable with.

Pick: Utah State

Western Kentucky at Wisconsin (-36) 9:00 PM EST (ESPN)

A year ago, this might have been an interesting tilt. While Wisconsin had a great (2nd in the country) defense, Western Kentucky had the sixth-best passing offense in college football. Unfortunately, this game takes place in 2018, where the Hilltoppers don’t have Mike White under center anymore.

Pick: Wisconsin

Saturday Games

Texas (-13.5) at Maryland 12:00 PM EST (Fox Sports)

Maryland has the distinction of being the only Big Ten team to open the season as an underdog. In fairness, they have one of the toughest openers of any team in the conference not named Michigan. The Terps are one of two B1G schools who won’t have their head coach on the sidelines because he’s a terrible person. Maryland probably loses this game with Durkin there, but with the summer the team has had, this could get ugly.

Pick: Texas

Oregon State at Ohio State (-38.5) 12:00 PM EST (ABC)

I think OSU wins this game.

Ok got that out of the way. Clearly, the Buckeyes are going to win this game. Even without Urban Meyer they are so insanely talented, they could probably start all their second teamers and still win handily. Where doubt starts to creep in is whether the can win by almost 40 points. Oregon State might be better than they were a year ago, but I can totally see a 49-7 type game.

Pick: Ohio State.

Kent State at Illinois (-16.5) 12:00 PM EST  (Big Ten Network)

Is this the year Lovie Smith gets the Illini turned around? Probably not. They just don’t have a lot of talent there. That’s something that always mystifies me by the way. Former Nebraska football star AJ Bush does get the ball for Illinois, so there’s a reason for Husker fans to watch at least. The good news is Kent State isn’t remotely good either. I think Illinois will put up a season’s worth of points on Saturday.

Pick: Illinois

Texas State at Rutgers (-16) 12:00 PM EST (Big Ten Network)

Much like Illinois, Rutgers is simply not that great a team. Once they start playing teams that possess a pulse, they are going to struggle. Makes you wish they were on the Nebraska football schedule. Lucky for them, Texas State went 2-10 in the Sun Belt conference last year.

Pick: Rutgers

Northern Illinois at Iowa (-10.5) 3:30 PM EST (CBS Sports Network)

Northern Illinois might never have as many fans as it will on Saturday. The MAC power will be looking to go into a Big Ten town and take out the favorite for a second straight season. It’s a safe bet Nebraska football fans would love to see that happen for all sorts of reasons. Unfortunately, Iowa is too stable, and has too good a quarterback to throw two pick sixes. Don’t bet the house on this one though, Northern Illinois has now tasted big time upset.

Pick: Iowa

Appalachian State at Penn State (-23.5) 3:30 PM EST (Big Ten Network)

If ever there was a time for App State to threaten another Big Ten team, it would be when Penn State is playing its first game without Saquon Barkley. The Nittany Lions are one of those weird teams that can look unbeatable one week, and really, really bad the next. I think they’re going to be somewhere in between on Saturday. I don’t think App State’s offense is going to be enough to stay without 30 points.

Pick: Penn State

Indiana (-10.5) at Florida International 7:00 PM EST (CBS Sports Network)

Indiana is the rare Big Ten team to be opening on the road in a non-conference game this week. The Panthers are not a bad squad by any stretch. They just aren’t all that good either. The Hoosiers had a bit of a quarterback controversy similar to the Nebraska football team. Peyton Ramsey won the job after it looked like he would be the backup to Brandon Dawkins. Will the team look to show it made the right choie with Ramsey. Yes they will.

Pick: Indiana

Michigan at Notre Dame (-1.5) 7:30 PM EST (NBC)

This could be one heck of a barn burner. Michigan’s defense and revamped offense thanks to Shea Patterson vs Notre Dame in South Bend. There are a lot of people who are going to put a lot into the Fighting Irish being at home. Michigan defense is worlds better than Notre Dame’s offense. If Patterson is the real deal, this could be a double-digit spread.

Pick: Michigan

Akron at Nebraska (-26) 8:00 PM EST (Fox)

We’re going to have to wait literally all day for the Nebraska football game to start. It’s the latest kickoff time of any team in the Big Ten on Saturday. Is the game going to be worth the wait? Interestingly, the line has actually grown since Adrian Martinez was named the starter. 26 points has me nervous. I thought the Huskers were going to come out and win by five touchdowns but despite all their assurances, I think the offense is going to look a little different without Gebbia waiting in the wings. I still can’t pick the Zips to stay close because their offense is quite frankly, terrible.

Pick: Nebraska