Mid-November is here, and we’re down to the nitty-gritty in the college football season. Will the current rankings hold? Or will chaos reign before the College Football Playoff?
The best college football picks this week are all about Big Ten chaos. So take a look at this guide for the NCAAF best bets before laying your Saturday action.
Northwestern vs. Wisconsin (-24.5)
The dominant teams in the Big Ten East face a real challenge to their playoff dreams should they play this Badgers team in a conference championship game.
Since starting the season 1-3, the Wisconsin Badgers have rattled off five wins in a row, going 4-1 ATS.
They’ve received little value in the college football betting world, but people are quickly learning how good this Wisconsin team is.
Why is Wisconsin so hot? They are playing a dominant brand of defense that ranks first in yards allowed per game (213.8) and fourth in points allowed (15.4).
They’ve also found their stride on offense, as coach Paul Chryst adjusted his game plans to focus on the Badgers’ current strengths, those being a bruising offensive line and a stable of athletic running backs.
Northwestern, however, continues its slide to mediocrity. After a stellar 2020 season, the Wildcats and coach Pat Fitzgerald experienced an exceptional amount of turnover in their administration. They also lost a lot of talent.
The 2021 Wildcats allow 226.2 rushing yards per game. They also have trouble scoring, averaging less than 20 points per game.
This matchup favors the Badgers. While a 24.5 spread is significant considering the absence of starting Wisconsin RB Chez Mellusi, I believe Wisconsin will bully the Wildcats in the trenches.
Minnesota (+6) vs. Iowa
The Iowa Hawkeyes jumped to second in the AP Poll after beating Penn State in Week 6. Anyone who paid attention to that game knew that Iowa’s eventual fall was one of the most apparent college football predictions.
Penn State dominated the game early. Iowa’s offense couldn’t keep up, and the defense looked exposed. The fate of that game hinged on a hit that injured Penn State QB, Sean Clifford.
It was only after Clifford left the game that Iowa’s defense could manage to stop the bleeding.
College sports betting fans saw Iowa for what they are, a team with an above-average defense that can’t keep up with the big boys on offense.
While Minnesota never reached the heights of the Hawkeyes, they are a team of the same mold. Minnesota boasts an elite defense that’s seventh in yards allowed per game (299) and only allows 18.3 points per game.
Like Iowa, the Minnesota Golden Gophers struggle on offense. They average 153.6 passing yards per game and score a paltry 25.9.
They can run the ball well, but Iowa’s defense is stingy and allows only 98.3 rushing yards per game.
This game will be a defensive slugfest, but I believe Minnesota can keep it close. The Hawkeyes will again be without starting QB Spencer Petras, making it even harder for Iowa to score points.
I’m not confident who will win this game, but I believe it will be by a field goal margin, making this one of my favorite Week 11 college football picks.
The Best College Football Picks This Week
The best college football picks this week come from the Big Ten. Minnesota and Wisconsin are just good enough to burn one of their East Division counterparts in a championship game.
Are you ready for the push to the playoff? Do you think the Hawkeyes can cover this week?
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