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topicnews · September 12, 2024

Betting odds and tips for the Big Ten Football Week 3 2024 schedule

Betting odds and tips for the Big Ten Football Week 3 2024 schedule

Week 3 of the Big Ten season offers a number of surprisingly good matchups. Many top teams will be put to the test one last time in non-conference games before things heat up in the Big Ten next weekend.

The headliner: Wisconsin hosts No. 4 Alabama in the Fox Big Noon Kickoff. The Badgers are heavy underdogs but have a chance to win a program-deciding victory on the national stage.

Related: Ranking of Big Ten football teams by remaining strength at the start of week three

Other notable matchups include No. 9 Oregon vs. Oregon State, Purdue vs. No. 18 Notre Dame, Washington vs. Washington State, Indiana vs. UCLA and Maryland vs. Virginia.

Overall, the Big Ten is 29-5 heading into the weekend. Top teams No. 3 Ohio State, No. 8 Penn State, No. 9 Oregon, No. 11 USC, No. 17 Michigan and No. 23 Nebraska are currently at the top. It would be a surprise if that record and position didn’t improve this weekend.

As we do every Thursday now, we’re picking every Big Ten football game against the spread for the upcoming weekend. Week 1 was a rocky start at 7-11, but our Week 2 performance rebounded at 10-5. Hopefully that momentum can carry over to our picks for Week 3 of the Big Ten season:

Season record: 17-16 (10-5 in Week 2, 0-2 overall in Wisconsin selection games)

All odds via BetMGM:

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore leaves the field after the 31-12 loss to Texas at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK

Spread: Michigan favored by 23 1/2

Choose: Michigan minus 23 1/2

Michigan needs a decisive win to rebound after a tough loss to No. 2 Texas. It’s a fair question whether the team can even score in the 30s to comfortably close that gap. The offense seems to be a bigger problem than many thought. But I think a comfortable win to rebound is in order this weekend.

For more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinion visit Wolverines Wire

November 11, 2023; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema reacts to a call during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Spread: Illinois favored by 18 1/2

Choose: Central Michigan plus-18 1/2

Watch out, Illinois could be pretty good. The team is 2-0, with a 45-0 win over Eastern Illinois and a blowout victory over a top-ranked Kansas team. The Illini may have a better chance than many believe given a tough schedule.

That said, this is a disappointing spot after one win on the season. Central Michigan is No. 115 in ESPN SP+, but a 20-point win may be too much to ask for Illinois.

August 31, 2024; Eugene, Ore.; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Idaho Vandals at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Craig Strobeck-USA TODAY Sports

Spread: Oregon favored by 16 1/2

Choose: Oregon minus 16 1/2

It’s time for Oregon to become the challenger we all expected at the beginning of the season. That comes in the form of a decisive, overwhelming win, not a close win against Idaho and Boise State. It’s a rivalry game, so there’s no reason to overlook the opponent. Oregon should win this game handily.

For more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions, visit Duck wire

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates during the 90th annual Sun Bowl game against Oregon State on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, in El Paso, Texas. Photo credit: GABY VELASQUEZ/ EL PASO TIMES-USA TODAY NETWORK

Spread: Notre Dame with a 10 point lead

Choose: Purdue plus-10

Notre Dame suffered its upset loss of the year to Northern Illinois on Saturday. Normally, that would lead to a comeback, but I think this Purdue team is underrated. They are 1-0 after a 49-0 Week 1 win over Indiana State. Importantly, QB Hudson Card is emerging as one of the best in the conference. 10 points is a lot to ask of a struggling Notre Dame offense on the road against a team that can score.

September 7, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Jonathan Smith runs down the sideline during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Spread: Michigan State favored by 45 1/2

Choose: Prairie View A&M plus-45 1/2

Granted, I have no idea if Michigan State will erase a nearly 50-point lead. But I do know that this game precedes a treacherously tough trip to No. 24 Boston College, then games against No. 3 Ohio State and No. 9 Oregon. This is more of a quiet week after a big road win at Maryland, so maybe the Spartans will only win by 30 points.

For more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinion visit Spartans Wire

October 21, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach PJ Fleck watches a replay of the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Spread: Minnesota favored by 17 1/2

Choose: Minnesota minus 17 1/2

There are a lot of wide spreads this week. Teams will either look to make a statement before conference play or they will be fine with just going home with wins. I’m going to go with the former situation in this game. Nevada is No. 117 in SP+ and Minnesota needs to make up ground after losing to North Carolina in Week 1. I think PJ Fleck will realize this is an important spot and work to win by a wide margin.

August 31, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch returns to the sidelines after sustaining an injury during the second quarter against the Weber State Wildcats at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Spread: Washington favored by 4 1/2

Choose: Washington minus 4 1/2

Washington is going unnoticed after some solid opening wins. That could be permanent, as 11 p.m. kickoff times aren’t going over well on the East Coast anymore. But I like what I’ve seen from the Huskies, especially QB Will Rogers. I think a decisive win in this game is why everyone is paying attention.

For more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions, visit Huskies Wire

October 14, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during warmups before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Spread: Iowa favored by 22 1/2

Choose: Troy plus-22 1/2

Normally, that would be an overreaction to Iowa’s fluky loss to Iowa State. But I’m starting to raise alarm bells about the Hawkeyes’ offense, especially QB Cade McNamara. I think Iowa will improve with Brendan Sullivan, who transferred from Northwestern, at quarterback. There would be some teething issues, but that’s what this game is for.

Since McNamara is still playing, I’m betting on the underdog.

For more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinion visit Hawkeyes Wire

August 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule reacts during the second quarter against the UTEP Miners at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Spread: Nebraska favored by 32 1/2

Choose: Nebraska minus 32 1/2

Not only is Nebraska really good, but they should understand the circumstances. Big wins lead to improvements in ESPN FPI, SP+ and other ratings, which could make the difference in whether the team makes the College Football Playoff. That’s why I see the Cornhuskers in a good position before Big Ten play begins.

For more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinion visit Cornhuskers Wire

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti walks among players before the start of the Indiana-Florida international football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK

Spread: Indiana favored by 3 points

Choose: Indiana minus 3

This game intrigues me. Indiana just set records with its first two wins of the season, while UCLA is 1-0 after a close win over Hawaii. This could lead to a correction on both sides. Or it could mean that the Hoosiers are actually pretty good and UCLA is not. I bet the latter is the case.

More (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Cable

August 31, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach David Braun takes on the Miami (Oh) Redhawks at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Spread: Northwestern favored by 24.5 points

Choose: Northwest minus 24.5

This is a classic “new quarterback boost” situation. The Wildcats are looking to move Jack Lausch to quarterback after Mike Wright had a rough couple of weeks. I think the move will at least help and further motivate the team. I expect a big rebound after last week’s loss to Duke.

December 30, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley waits to take the field before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Spread: Maryland favored by 2.5 points

Choose: Virginia plus-2.5

My bold predictions before the season were that two Big Ten coaches would be fired before November. My picks were Maryland’s Mike Locksley and Minnesota’s PJ Fleck. Maryland’s loss to Michigan State is exactly what I pointed out. I think the trouble will only continue against Virginia.

September 7, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell during the game against the South Dakota Coyotes at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Spread: Alabama favored by 16.5

Choose: Wisconsin plus-16.5

I picked Wisconsin to win each of the first two weeks. The Badgers have missed by more than a touchdown each time. My gut tells me Alabama will win this one by a landslide, but I have to pick the Badgers and hope my winning streak ends.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on on facebook. to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinions.

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