Big Ten Predictions: Week 8 picks against the spread

Oct 17, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back

(26) hurdles over Ohio State Buckeyes safety

(23) as linebacker

(33) and safety

(11) defend in the second quarter at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a bit of a slow week with only five Big Ten games on the schedule. However, the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes are in action, as are the Michigan State Spartans, fresh off their amazing win. Check out this week’s picks against the spread. 

The Big Ten conference is full of surprises from week to week. That was clear in a big way during Week 7 when the Michigan State Spartans marched into Ann Arbor and left with an amazing victory in an upset of the favored Wolverines. What surprises are in store this week?

It’s a bit of a light schedule with Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota and Purdue all enjoying off weeks.

Last week gave us perhaps the most improbable ending in the history of college football. However, despite the huge win, Michigan State remains at No. 7 in the newest AP Top 25 poll.

More from Big Ten

• Michigan State vs. Maryland: Location, time, prediction, and more
• Wisconsin vs. Purdue: How to watch, odds, injuries, weather, and history
• College Football Playoff: Projected top 4 after Week 3
• Biggest winners and losers from College Football Week 3
• Ohio State football: 3 takeaways from win over Western Kentucky

Now that Michigan lost, the surprise of the conference so far this season has to go to Iowa. The Hawkeyes demolished a Northwestern team that has seen its hopes of a magical season dashed the last two weeks. With the loss, the Wildcats dropped out of the top 25, leaving four Big Ten teams ranked heading into this week.

Also staying undefeated was Ohio State, who avoided a trap against Penn State and kept hold of its No. 1 ranking.

When looking at the schedule for this week there are no Big Ten games that jump of the page, as none of the ranked teams are taking on each other. Despite that, there are still some interesting matchups to look forward to. Wisconsin versus Illinois and Penn State at Maryland are two games that could really go either way.

It’s time to take a look at the lines and make predictions for this week’s slate of Big Ten games.

Note: Lines used in the following slides come from Vegasinsider.com and are current as of Wednesday, October 21, 2015.

Next: Northwestern at Nebraska