Big Ten picks: MLive’s predictions for Michigan-Ohio State, Michigan State-Penn State – mlive.com

Big Ten picks: MLive’s predictions for Michigan-Ohio State, Michigan State-Penn State – mlive.com
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It’s rivalry week across the country and in the state of Michigan, with Michigan playing Ohio State and Michigan State and Penn State battling for the Land Grant Trophy.

At the MLive predictions contest, meanwhile, we’re all rivals heading into the final week of the regular season as we vie to finish first (or at least not finish in last).

Overall standings

Kyle Austin: 53-40

Matt Wenzel: 51-42

Andrew Kahn: 49-44

Ryan Zuke: 45-48

Aaron McMann: 45-48

It’s a full slate of seven games to pick this Thanksgiving week:

Adrian Martinez

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)AP

IOWA at NEBRASKA

Iowa needs to beat Nebraska and have Wisconsin lose to earn a spot in the Big Ten championship game. Nebraska is playing for very little at 3-8, particularly with Scott Frost seemingly returning next year, but has continued to play hard through five straight losses by single digits, including to Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan.

MLive staff picks

  • Iowa (-1): Austin, Wenzel, McMann, Zuke, Kahn
Taulia Tagovailoa

Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa looks downfield during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich.AP

MARYLAND at RUTGERS

The Terrapins are somehow a road favorite after losing six of seven and by 41 to Michigan last week. Rutgers is 2-2 in its last four with a 35-point win at Indiana but was also shut out, 28-0, at Penn State last week.

MLive staff picks

  • Maryland (-1 ½): Wenzel, Zuke
  • Rutgers (+1 ½): Austin, McMann, Kahn
Purdue football

Purdue’s Jack Sullivan (99) and George Karlafits (5) celebrate after sacking Northwestern quarterback Ryan Hilinski (12) during the second half of a NCAA football game Nov. 20, 2021 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Purdue won 32-14. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)AP

INDIANA at PURDUE

Can Indiana go from top-20 in the preseason AP poll to winless in the Big Ten? Tune in to find out in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket. Purdue has won three of four going into the game thanks to a passing offense that’s now the second-best in the Big Ten.

MLive staff picks

  • Indiana (+16): Austin, McMann, Zuke, Kahn
  • Purdue (-16): Wenzel
Northwestern football

Northwestern’s Dom D’Antonio (63) celebrates after teammate Marshall Lang (88) caught a touchdown pass during the first half of a NCAA football game against Purdue Nov. 20, 2021 at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Purdue won 32-14. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)AP

NORTHWESTERN at ILLINOIS

Illinois coach Bret Bielema missed his team’s last game due to COVID-19 but he hopes to return this week. Northwestern has lost five straight and only one of those losses has been by less than 18 points as a disappointing year in Evanston comes to a close.

MLive staff picks

  • Northwestern (+6 ½): Austin, McMann, Zuke
  • Illinois (-6 ½): Wenzel, Kahn
Wisconsin football

Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen (0) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 35-28. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)AP

WISCONSIN at MINNESOTA

Wisconsin can win and complete an unlikely run to the Big Ten title game after a 1-3 start to the year thanks to a defense that has allowed single-digit scoring in three of its last four outings. Minnesota has been tough to figure out, with losses to Bowling Green and Illinois but wins at Purdue and Iowa. Take your best guess.

MLive staff picks

  • Wisconsin (-7): Austin, Wenzel, Kahn
  • Minnesota (+7): McMann, Zuke
Michigan football

Michigan defensive back Vincent Gray (4), defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) and linebacker David Ojabo (55) react after a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Maryland and Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in College Park, Md. Michigan won 59-18. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)AP

OHIO STATE at MICHIGAN

McMann’s pick: Anyone out there have Michigan 10-1 and playing for a trip to Indy before the season started? Jim Harbaugh and his new-look staff deserve a ton of credit for steering the ship. The Wolverines boast one of the nation’s best defenses, but they haven’t had to face a passing attack like this one. Pressure on C.J. Stroud will be key, but I’m really looking to see how the secondary holds up against three of the best receivers in the country. For Michigan to win this game, it’s going to need to play keep away, and that means long, clock-churning drives on the ground — and converting inside the red zone. Harbaugh’s team is much better equipped to play with Ohio State this year, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to win. Talent wins out here, and that’s where I give the edge to the Buckeyes. Final: Ohio State 35, Michigan 28

MLive staff picks

  • Ohio State (-8): Austin, Wenzel, Zuke
  • Michigan (+8): McMann, Kahn
Ohio State vs Michigan State, November 20, 2021

MSU QB Payton Thorne (10) looks for a receiver during first half action Saturday afternoon, November 20, 2021, during the game between Ohio State and Michigan State in Columbus. The Buckeyes led 49-0 at halftime, and went on to win 56-7.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

PENN STATE at MICHIGAN STATE

Wenzel’s pick: Kenneth Walker III is nursing an ankle injury and Michigan State may be without its top two receivers in Jayden Reed and Jalen Nailor. Left tackle Jarrett Horst and defensive tackle Simeon Barrow have missed multiple games, linebacker Quavaris Crouch played a limited role in last week’s loss at Ohio State with a brace on his right knee and safety Xavier Henderson didn’t play in the second half due to a shoulder injury, although he doesn’t believe it’s serious. The Spartans continually preach next man up, but that’s a lot of talent that could be on the sideline. Then there’s Penn State, which ranks fourth in the nation in scoring defense and has a veteran quarterback in Sean Clifford and Jahan Dotson, one of the nation’s top receivers, who will be difficult for Michigan State to cover. Penn State 24, Michigan State 17

MLive staff picks

  • Penn State: Austin, Wenzel, McMann
  • Michigan State: Zuke, Kahn

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