College Football Week 7 Picks & Predictions: Big Ten powers find separation

Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Jake Stoneburner (11) can't come up with the catch against Purdue Boilermakers safety Logan Link (35) in the first quarter of their NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana November 11, 2011. (Dispatch photo by Kyle Robertson)
Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Jake Stoneburner (11) can't come up with the catch against Purdue Boilermakers safety Logan Link (35) in the first quarter of their NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana November 11, 2011. (Dispatch photo by Kyle Robertson) /
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College football Week 7 is going to see the Big Ten powers find a way to separate themselves from the crowd in the Big Ten while Nebraska football rests up.

As college football Week 7 ramps up, there are some important tilts in the Big Ten, but for the most part it’s all about separating the powers of the conference from the also rans this week.

Nebraska football, meanwhile is sitting back, waiting and watching as the college football world keeps rolling on.

College Football Week 7 Picks & Predictions: Big Ten powers find separation

Indiana at Michigan (-33): Sorta feels as though Tom Allen has begun his farewell tour for the Hoosiers. Indiana is setting up to be Michigan’s latest chew toy as the Wolverines continue to try and show they’re the best team in college football. Michigan 49 – Indiana 7.

Ohio State (-18) at Purdue: Nebraska football fans have a vested interest in this one as they still have an outside shot at the Big Ten West with the schedule laid out before them. Even if they didn’t, the Boilermakers are struggling in the Big Ten. Buckeyes 42-17.

Michigan State at Rutgers (-4.5): The college football world in the Big Ten is quite topsy turvy when the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are favored by decent margin over the Michigan State Spartans. MSU is having some very hard times this year. Rutgers 30 – Michigan State 27.

UMASS at Penn State (-42): The Nittany Lions are the only Big Ten team not playing a conference game. Instead, they’ll look to pad their record against the lowly Minutemen. It’s not really in doubt that they’ll win. It’s more by much. I think Penn State falls just a little short of covering. Penn State 38- UMASS 10.

Illinois at Maryland (-13.5): Feels like it’s another of that college football world is topsy-turvy games with this one. There was a time when Maryland being almost two touchdowns favorites over the Illini would be unheard of. Today, the Terps are obviously the better team. Maryland 40 – Illinois 13.

Iowa at Wisconsin (-9.5): It’s a little surprising that Wisconsin is this big a favorite against an Iowa team that has five wins. The Hawkeyes seem to always set the college football world on its ear just when you think they’re down and out. Iowa 20 – Wisconsin 19.