Top Games

Duke at Northwestern

Friday, Sept. 6
6:00 pm PT, FS1

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Northwestern -2.5
Over/Under Point Total: 36.5

The style of play could dictate the outcome more than anything else.

Duke wins if…the air raid passing attack can be productive in the open-air practice facility that Northwestern is calling home this season.

The Blue Devils will rely on quick passes, but the elements could be a factor.

Northwestern wins if…their ground game churns out yards and controls the clock.

Northwestern will keep the score low, and the style they play could be better suited for a slog.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Duke
Points total: Under
Outright winner: Northwestern

Akron at Rutgers

Saturday, Sept. 7
9:00 am PT, Big Ten Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Rutgers -23.5
Over/Under Point Total: 39.5

The Zips opened with Ohio State and draw a tough Big Ten assignment for the second straight week.

Akron wins if…they make Rutgers beat them with the pass.

Athan Kaliakmanis threw for three TDs last week but the only way for the Zips to have a chance will be to take the Rutgers run game out of it.

Rutgers wins if…they keep chopping! Kyle Monangai ran for 8.7 yards per carry and 165 yards in the game. Feed him early and often and put this one out of reach.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Rutgers
Points total: Under
Outright winner: Rutgers

No. 3 Texas at No. 10 Michigan

Saturday, Sept. 7
9:00 am PT, FOX

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Texas -7.5
Over/Under Point Total: 43.5

This one resembles an NFL game with the point total set at 43.5 for a marquee matchup. I think Texas wins but it will be a slugfest, and I like Michigan getting 7.5 at home.

The score will stay under, especially if Michigan keeps it tight.

Texas wins if…Quinn Ewers does not turn the ball over. Ewers will get yards through the air, as Mikey Keene was able to for Fresno State last week.

Michigan will pounce on any errors though and make you pay for it. Avoid turnovers and Texas can get the win on the road.

Michigan wins if…They figure out their QB situation. Alex Orji and Davis Warren rotated in the opener and neither one was great.

Warren played better but they probably have more upside with Orji. Either one will need to play better than last week.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Michigan
Points total: Under
Outright winner: Texas

Eastern Michigan at Washington

Saturday, Sept. 7
12:30 pm PT, Big Ten Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Washington -24.5
Over/Under Point Total: 47.5

Last year the Big Ten went 9-0 against the MAC and it was the first time at least one MAC team didn’t pull off an upset of a B1G program since 2005.

Eastern Michigan wins if…the Eagles can get pressure. Last week EMU had 18 QB pressures against UMass.

Sure, that was UMass, but 18 pressures is a ton and Chris Creighton gets the most out of his defense.

If the Eagles can get in the backfield, they’ll have a puncher’s chance.

Washington wins if…they run the ball. Jonah Coleman was the first UW back to rush for 100 yards in his Husky debut since 1960.

Feed him early and often and put this one away in a hurry.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Washington
Points total: Under
Outright winner: Washington

Michigan State at Maryland

Saturday, Sept. 7
12:30 pm PT, Big Ten Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Maryland -8.5
Over/Under Point Total: 44.5

Maryland looked good in their win over UConn. Michigan State did not look good in their win over FAU.

Michigan State wins if…Aidan Chiles plays a lot better. Completing 42% of your passes with two picks is not going to get it done against a Big Ten opponent.

Michigan State needs better play out of Chiles to get a win. The defense did collect seven sacks, that performance will at least keep them in it and the score low.

Maryland wins if…they shut down the Spartans run game. Last week The Terps limited UConn to 88 yards on the ground.

Aidan Chiles was 10-24 throwing the ball for MSU last week. If UMD can make Michigan State rely on the throw, the Terps will get the win.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Maryland
Points total: Under
Outright winner: Maryland

No. 19 Kansas at Illinois

Saturday, Sept. 7
4:00 pm PT, FS1

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Kansas -5.5
Over/Under Point Total: 55.5

Both teams put up huge numbers offensively in the opener but don’t expect the same offensive explosions against vastly better defenses.

Kansas wins if…Jalon Daniels is fully back. Daniels suffered through an injury-riddled 2023.

He did not have to do much last week. If he can get things going against the Illini, it’ll be a good sign.

Illinois wins if…The Luke Altmyer we saw in the opener is legit. The QB threw three or more touchdowns in consecutive games for the first time in his career and was an efficient 19 of 24 for 213.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Kansas
Points total: Under
Outright winner: Kansas

Colorado at Nebraska

Saturday, Sept. 7
4:30 pm PT, NBC

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Nebraska -7.5
Over/Under Point Total: 58.5

In Colorado’s win, Shedeur Sanders became only the second quarterback in the last 20 years to throw for at least 400 yards and four touchdowns in back-to-back season openers (The other is Patrick Mahomes).

Colorado wins if…the defense can get pressure on Dylan Raiola. If the Buffs can rattle the young QB, it will cause a lot of problems for the Huskers offense.

Nebraska wins if…they run the football. The more effective the run game is the easier things will be for Raiola.

Additionally, the longer the Huskers control the football the less time Sanders and the CU offense will be on the field.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Nebraska
Points total: Under
Outright winner: Nebraska

Boise State at No. 7 Oregon

Saturday, Sept. 7
7:00 pm PT, Peacock

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Oregon –19.5
Over/Under Point Total: 61.5

Boise State gave up a lot of points to Georgia Southern while Oregon found themselves in a fight with Idaho, mainly due to some sacks and an inability to convert on third down.

Boise State wins if…Ashton Jeanty is again the best player on the field by leaps and bounds.

Broncos running game had a day in Statesboro, GA, last week and Jeanty himself had a record-setting day.

If the Broncos can establish the run, they’ll have a chance, but Oregon allowed just 49 yards on the ground last week.

Oregon wins if…they just continue to play their game. The sky is not falling and the season is not lost due to a 10-point win over Idaho.

Dillon Gabriel completed 41 of 49 for 380. The defense shut down Idaho.

The issues were correctible. The Ducks will be fine in the long run and they’ll be fine in this one. The UO offense is better than GSU’s. Oregon will score often.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Oregon
Points total:  Over
Outright winner: Oregon

Best Bets

Iowa State at Iowa

Saturday, Sept. 7
12:30 pm PT, CBS

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Iowa –2.5
Over/Under Point Total: 35.5

Cade McNamara threw three touchdowns, all to WRs. Last year the entire WR unit combined for three TDs—ALL SEASON!

Iowa has won seven of the last eight in the Cy-Hawk series. This one should be tight, but I like the Hawkeyes by a field goal or more at Kinnick Stadium.

Iowa State wins if…Rocco Becht can complete almost 80% of his passes again. The QB was efficient last week and will need to be better in this one.

He will need to get rid of it quickly and make good decisions. Turnovers will kill ISU.

Iowa wins if…Iowa has an offense. Again, regardless of the opponent, Iowa put up numbers offensively—that doesn’t happen often. If it becomes the norm, look out.

Also, the defense produced a very ho-hum performance allowing just 189 yards of total offense and forcing three turnovers.

Hawkeyes still don’t need a ton of offense but a little bit—oh boy.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Iowa
Points total: Under
Outright winner: Iowa

Utah State at No. 13 USC

Saturday, Sept. 7
8:00 pm PT, Big Ten Network 

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: USC –28.5
Over/Under Point Total: 63

That win turned some heads and the Trojan defense looked good creating pressure.

Utah State ran for 303 yards and put up almost 650 yards of total offense in their season-opening win.

The Aggies offense is good, but it’s not LSU and the USC defense looks markedly better than that of Robert Morris.

USC must avoid the hangover after its big win last week, but with a bye next week, I don’t think the Trojans will get caught looking ahead.

The improved USC defense keeps this one under the 63-point total.

Utah State wins if…they can run the ball like they did in the opener. LSU averaged 4.5 yards per carry vs USC last week.

If the Aggies can get the ground game going, they could hang around with the Trojans for a while.

USC wins if…Miller Moss plays like he did last Sunday. Moss stepped in for Caleb Williams and played phenomenally against LSU.

The offense was clicking under Moss to the tune of 7.5 yards per play.

They will need to get more from the rushing attack, but if Moss can consistently play like he did in the opener, the Trojans will be in good shape.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: USC
Points total: Under
Outright winner: USC

Stephen Vilardo’s Big Ten Game Picks

2024 Week 2 Big 10 Games	Straight-Up Picks
Duke at Northwestern Sept 6, 6:00 pm PT	Northwestern
Akron at Rutgers Sept 7, 9:00 am PT	Rutgers
No. 3 Texas at No. 10 Michigan Sept 7, 9:00 am PT	Texas
Eastern Michigan at Washington Sept 7, 12:30 pm PT	Washington
Michigan State at Maryland Sept 7, 12:30 pm PT	Maryland
No. 19 Kansas at Illinois Sept 7, 4:00 pm PT	Kansas
Colorado at Nebraska Sept 7, 4:30 pm PT	Nebraska
Boise State at No. 7 Oregon Sept 7, 7:00 pm PT	Oregon
Iowa State at Iowa Sept 7, 12:30 pm PT	Iowa
Utah State at No. 13 USC Sept 7, 8:00 pm PT	USC
Vilardo’s Overall Big 10 Record	8-2 (80%)