Despite Alabama-LSU getting called off last week, Coach Rick enjoyed a successful week going 2-0 as Oregon-Washington State went Over and Northwestern covered in a win over Purdue.
Onto Week 12 of the college football schedule, where we have three matchups of ranked opponents. For the first time every No. 9 Indiana has beaten Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State all in the same season. Can they add Ohio State to their victim list?
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The Hoosiers-Buckeyes matchup leads our cast of three big games this week. Here are your best bets.
(#9) Indiana vs. (#3) Ohio State Predictions
It’s the Week 12 game of the week. Hard to believe unbeaten Indiana vs. No. 3 Ohio State will be the best game of the season in the Big Ten East. As stated already, the Hoosiers have wins over Big Ten East trifecta – Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State.
The problem this week is that the Hoosiers will simply be outmatched. They do not have the roster to compete with Ohio State. They will be on the road in Columbus and, even though the Buckeyes won’t enjoy a true home crowd advantage, the Hoosiers will be a long way from home.
Plus, Indiana doesn’t run the ball all that effectively. The Hoosiers average just 95.3 rushing yards a game. That ranks 118 th in the nation. As good as Indiana QB Michael Penix is, don’t expect him to sit back and throw the Hoosiers to victory.
Believe it or not, the Buckeyes are 0-5 ATS against Hoosiers in the last five games played in Columbus. Sorry Hoosier fans, you’re team is good, but not that good.
BEST BET: OHIO STATE -20.5
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(#10) Wisconsin vs. (#19) Northwestern Predictions
Wisconsin finally got another game in last week after missing two weeks due to the coronavirus. The layoff didn’t seem to affect the Badgers as they manhandled Michigan 49-11.
The offense has scored 45 and 49 points in its two games. That might not be the case against a pretty good Northwestern defense. The Wildcats are giving up just 14 points per game thus far in 2020.
Northwestern always seems to play the Badgers close at home. In fact, Northwestern has covered the spread in five of the last six games with Wisconsin and eight of the last nine home games against the Badgers.
With the whole COVID-19 thing, the home field advantage won’t provide as much of an advantage to Northwestern. For that reason, Coach Rick likes the Badgers score early and often against the Wildcats…and cover the 7-point spread.
BEST BET: WISCONSIN -7
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(#14) Oklahoma State vs. (#18) Oklahoma Predictions
The Bedlam rivalry continues and Oklahoma tries to put its stamp on owning it with a sixth consecutive victory over the Cowboys. The Sooners won 34-16 last year in Stillwater.
Oklahoma did something this season it hasn’t done in quite a while – lose two consecutive games. After dropping games to Kansas State and Iowa State early in the season, the Sooners are 4-0 in their last four games. That includes back-to-back 62 point outbursts against Texas Tech and Kansas.
Don’t expect those numbers against a very good Oklahoma State defense. The Cowboys lost a shootout to Texas giving up 41 points in the process. In their other five games, Oklahoma State is allowing just 13.2 points per game.
Oklahoma is 18-1 straight up in its last 19 games at home in Norman. Oklahoma State is 4-1 ATS in its last five games and, even more impressive, the Cowboys are 12-2 ATS in their last 14 games where they have played as the underdog.
BEST BET: OKLAHOMA STATE +7