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College Football Week 5 Picks & Predictions: Big Ten powers could roll

By Oliver Vandervoort

Penn State tight end Khalil Dinkins celebrates after making his first catch of the season, a 9-yard touchdown reception, during the White Out game against Iowa Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in State College, Pa.
Penn State tight end Khalil Dinkins celebrates after making his first catch of the season, a 9-yard touchdown reception, during the White Out game against Iowa Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in State College, Pa. /
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The college football picks for Week 5 is Big Ten football-centric as the powers of the conference are set up to all win big. Is there one potential upset in there?

The college football season is starting really ramp up now. The haves are separating themselves from the have nots. And that’s especially true when you look at what’s happening this week in the Big Ten.

Quite a few of the B1G’s best teams are facing off against programs who are considered also-rans. It pains me to say that Nebraska football has to be considered one of those also-rans. Until they prove otherwise.

College football Week 5 picks & predictions: Big Ten edition

Michigan (-18) at Nebraska: The Michigan Wolverines are expected to roll in Lincoln. However, it’s worth noting this is the smallest line Vegas has given Jim Harbaugh’s boys so far this season. The problem here is the Huskers offense hasn’t been all that solid, even against lesser opponents. While the Blackshirts appear to be back, I don’t think it’s going to be enough against the powerhouse Wolverines. Michigan 35 – Nebraska 14.

Penn State (-26.5) at Northwestern: Northwestern pulled off a big upset against Minnesota last week. Unfortunately, this week they face a much better opponent in the Nittany Lions. The only question here is will Penn State cover the spread. I think this is gonna be ugly early and will finish ugly late. Penn State 56 – Northwestern 20.

Lousiana at Minnesota (-11): It’s probably a bit of an indictment of Minnesota that they aren’t even two-touchdown favorites against the Ragin Cajuns. Louisiana might be 3-1 but their wins are against Northwestern State, UAB and Buffalo. They also have a loss against Old Dominion. Minnesota 35 – Louisana 17.

Indiana at Maryland (-14.5): If it weren’t for Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan, the Terapins would probably be getting a lot more run in the Big Ten East. As it is, they look like they are for real and haven’t scored less than 30 points this season. Indiana, on the other hand, had to rally in OT to beat Akron. Maryland 38 – Indiana 16.

Illinois at Purdue: This college football game is a pick ’em as neither team has looked all that good so far this year. Both teams entered 2023 hoping to contend for the Big Ten West title. While that still might be the case, both teams have taken a step back from last year. Last week, Illinois had to rally to beat Casey Thompson-less FAU while Purdue got stomped on by Wisconsin. Purdue 17 – Illinois 14.

Wagner at Rutgers: There’s no line for this game as Wagner is an FCS team. This is the kind of college football game that isn’t getting a lot of eyeballs outside of the teams’ indvidiual fans. Having said that, the Scarlet Knights should be just two more wins this season away from a bowl game. Rutgers 50 – Wagner 10.

Michigan State at Iowa (-10.5): Considering the freefall the Spartans are in after the firing of Mel Tucker, the only reason the line isn’t bigger here is because of how bad Iowa’s offense is … once again. The Hawkeyes can take out some frustration from it’s blowout loss to Penn State last week. Iowa wins what could be a very ugly college football game. Iowa 18 – Michigan State 10.

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