Big Ten Picks: MLive’s Predictions for Michigan-Fresno State, Michigan State-FAU

A bigger Big Ten means more games for MLive’s college football writers to predict. With a packed schedule like the opening week, that means 18 matchups to start the 2024 season. We pick them all below, taking the spreads into account.

Many will be underwhelming — 11 games have score differentials of at least 20 points — but opening weekend will pit USC against LSU in Las Vegas in what should be a thrilling matchup. USC is one of four new schools in the Big Ten, and they’re all in action this weekend, with games Thursday through Sunday.

Picks from MLive’s Kyle Austin, Andrew Kahn, Aaron McMann, Matt Wenzel and Ryan Zuke are below. Matchups are Saturday unless otherwise noted; all times are Eastern Time.

Rutgers vs. Howard

• When: Thursday, 6 p.m.
• TV: BTN | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: Rutgers -36.5

Is Rutgers a surprise Big Ten contender? (Zuke certainly thinks so.) One thing is for sure: No program is more excited about the league’s expansion. After being stuck in the Big Ten East with Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State, the Scarlet Knights won’t have to play any of those teams in the regular season. And they won’t play the best freshman, Oregon, either.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• Rutgers (-36.5): Zuke
• Howard (+36.5): Austin, Wenzel, McMann, Kahn

Minnesota vs. North Carolina

• When: Thursday, 8 p.m.
• TV: FOX | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: North Carolina -1.5

“Minnesota QB Max Brosmer, a standout from New Hampshire, hopes to be next FCS-to-FBS transfer to make the big break,” read a headline from CBS Sports this week. Minnesota hasn’t had a strong quarterback in years, and reversing that trend would be a big step toward beating UNC and rebounding from last season’s 6-7 season.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• North Carolina (-1.5): McMann
• Minnesota (+1.5): Zuke, Wenzel, Austin, Kahn

Illinois vs. Eastern Illinois

• When: Thursday, 9 p.m.
• TV: BTN | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: Illinois -27.5

Illinois opens Memorial Stadium’s 100th anniversary season against Tony Romo’s alma mater. Tickets are available on the secondary market for $2 and hot dogs have been discounted to $4 (last season they were $6).

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• Illinois (-27.5): McMann, Austin
• Eastern Illinois (+27.5): Zuke, Wenzel, Kahn

Wisconsin vs. Western Michigan

• When: Friday, 9pm
• TVs: FS1 | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: Wisconsin -23.5

Luke Fickell’s return to the Big Ten last season was… good. Let’s see what he can do in year two.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• Wisconsin (-23.5): McMann, Zuke, Austin
• Western Michigan (+23.5): Wenzel, Kahn

Penn State in West Virginia

• When: Saturday, 12 noon
• TV: FOX | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: Penn State -8.5

Is this finally Penn State’s year? The Nittany Lions no longer have to be better than Ohio State And Michigan just needs to reach the Big Ten championship. With no divisions, a 12-team playoff, and only one of the Big Ten’s elite teams (Ohio State, at home) on the schedule, there are no excuses for James Franklin in 2024. Penn State is ranked No. 8 in the preseason AP poll.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• Penn State (-8.5): McMann, Zuke (Lock), Wenzel, Austin, Kahn

Iowa vs. Illinois State

• When: Saturday, 12 noon
• TV: BTN | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: Iowa -22.5

Iowa, ranked 25th, will be without head coach Kirk Ferentz, who is serving a suspension in connection with the signing of former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• Iowa (-22.5): McMann, Zuke, Kahn
• Illinois State (+22.5): Wenzel, Austin

Maryland v. Connecticut

• When: Saturday, 12 noon
• TVs: FS1 | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: Maryland -20.5

Maryland, which is 8-5 each of the last two years, would likely apply again in 2024. UConn hasn’t won a season opener since 2019.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• Maryland (-20.5): Zuke, Wenzel, Austin
• Connecticut (+20.5): McMann, Kahn (suspended)

Purdue vs Indiana State

• When: Saturday, 12 noon
• TV: BTN | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: Purdue -33.5

The Boilermakers will look to build on last season’s 4-8 mark, which began with a home loss to Fresno State.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• Indiana State (+33.5): McMann, Zuke, Wenzel, Austin, Kahn

Ohio State vs. Akron

• When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
• TV: CBS | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: Ohio State -49.5

The best team $20 million can buy, second-ranked Ohio State, takes the field for the first time with the goal of a national championship.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• Ohio State (-49.5): Austin, Kahn
• Akron (+49.5): McMann, Zuke, Wenzel (suspended)

Indiana vs. Florida International

• When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
• TV: BTN | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: Indiana -21.5

In Week 1 of the Big Ten, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Eastern Illinois and Illinois State will be among the 14 opponents outside the Power Conference.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• Indiana (-21.5): McMann, Zuke, Wenzel
• Florida International (+21.5): Austin, Kahn

Nebraska vs. UTEP

• When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
• TV: FOX | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: Nebraska -26.5

When will Nebraska football really be back? And to be clear, a successful season – a feat last achieved in Lincoln in 2016 – would be a prerequisite.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• Nebraska (-26.5): McMann, Zuke, Wenzel, Austin, Kahn

Northwestern vs. Miami-Ohio

• When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
• TV: BTN | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: Northwestern -2.5

Northwestern was one of the more pleasant surprises in college football last season, finishing 8-5 and making a bowl appearance in David Braun’s first season as head coach.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• Northwest (-2.5): McMann (suspension), Zuke, Wenzel, Austin, Kahn

Oregon vs Iowa

• When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
• TV: BTN | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: Oregon -44.5

Oregon vs. Idaho on the Big Ten Network will take some time. The Ducks are ranked third in the country.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• Oregon (-44.5): McMann, Zuke, Wenzel
• Idaho (+44.5): Austin, Kahn

UCLA in Hawaii

• When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
• TV: CBS | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: UCLA -14.5

UCLA is already traveling a lot in the revamped Big Ten, so why not plan a trip to Hawaii to start the season?

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• UCLA (-14.5): Wenzel
• Hawaii (+14.5): McMann, Zuke, Austin, Kahn

Washington vs. Weber State

• When: Saturday, 11pm
• TV: BTN | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: Washington -26.5

We get our first taste of Big Ten after dark. Washington is the defending national runner-up, but has lost its head coach and most of its talent from that team.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• Washington (-26.5): McMann, Zuke, Wenzel, Austin
• Weber State (+26.5): Kahn

USC at LSU

• When: Sunday, 7:30 p.m.
• TV: ABC | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: LSU -4.5

USC, which begins the season ranked No. 23 in the AP preseason poll, plays No. 13 LSU in Las Vegas the night before Labor Day.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• LSU (-4.5): McMann, Zuke, Wenzel, Austin (lock), Kahn

Michigan State vs. Florida Atlantic

• When: Friday, 7 p.m.
• TV: BTN | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV
• Line: Michigan State -13.5

These two headlines appeared side by side on MLive’s Wolverines page at times this week: “FAU coach says Spartan Stadium is ‘significantly louder’ than the Big House” and “Fresno State coach excited for Michigan trip: ‘I love hostile environments.'” Should Tom Herman call Tim Skipper and tell him Michigan Stadium isn’t all that hostile? I guess that would only disappoint Skipper.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• Michigan State (-13.5): Zuke, Wenzel, Austin, Kahn
• Florida Atlantic (+13.5): McMann

Michigan vs. Fresno State

• When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
• TV: NBC | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream | Sling TV | Peacock
• Line: Michigan -21.5

The reigning national champions, who have not lost since December 31, 2022, will face Fresno State for the first time ever. And for the first time, alcohol will be sold on the entrance level of the Big House. The Wolverines are ranked ninth.

Recommendations from MLive staff:

• Michigan (-21.5): Wenzel, Austin, Kahn
• Fresno State (+21.5): McMann, Zuke