Big Ten Football Week 12 Picks, Score Predictions

Penn State sits at five wins with three games remaining, including Michigan State. With their postseason ban lifted, the Nittany Lions are as desperate for a bowl appearance as anyone after two years of ineligibility. Penn State stopped a four-game slide with a win at lowly Indiana, and the nation’s sixth-best scoring defense should be able to control the line of scrimmage against middling Temple.

Penn State 20, Temple 9

Iowa ran into a surprising buzzsaw at Minnesota last week after a solid stretch of football. Despite a stunning win over the Golden Gophers, Illinois is still one of the Big Ten’s doormats and Hawkeye QB Jake Rudock should bounce back nicely. Kirk Ferentz will be desperate for a win with difficult games against Wisconsin and Nebraska to end the season.

Iowa 30, Illinois 22

Minnesota has certainly been a surprise thus far, but the Golden Gophers are not in Ohio State’s class. With lowly Indiana and Michigan both at home to close the season, Urban Meyer’s full attention will be on this matchup. Minnesota hasn’t faced a high level quarterback since getting obliterated in September by TCU, and J.T. Barrett should have his way with an untested secondary.

Ohio State 37, Minnesota 20

The game of the day is also the game of the year in the Big Ten West. Wisconsin’s inexplicable loss to Northwestern notwithstanding, these two teams are mirror images with nationally elite running backs, uneven quarterback play and solid defense. The team that controls the line of scrimmage and limits big plays will have the upper hand. This should be a tight contest with a slight edge to the home team.

Wisconsin 31, Nebraska 30

Northwestern has really struggled to score all season, 122nd in scoring offense, and their offensive issues have only magnified in recent weeks. An inability to create explosive plays has doomed the Wildcats and their woes should only continue against a solid Notre Dame front. The Irish are reeling after a rough outing in Tempe and will look to rebound with a soft home opponent.

Notre Dame 38, Northwestern 10

Indiana has collapsed since losing QB Nate Sudfeld, while Rutgers has been hammered recently by the Big Ten’s elite. The Scarlet Knights are sitting at five wins with road games at Michigan State and Maryland to finish the season. Expect an inspired effort in a winnable game for Rutgers to solidify bowl eligibility. Hoosier RB Tevin Coleman escaping a recent slump will be Indiana’s only hope for escaping with a win.

Rutgers 23, Indiana 13

The Spartans will venture into a new environment at night after a sobering defeat to Ohio State on Saturday. Michigan State’s College Football Playoff and Big Ten Championship hopes disappeared in one fell swoop, but Mark Dantonio will be out for blood. The Terps need to make some plays early to keep the crowd into this game. If the Spartans are hot early, this game will get out of hand.

Michigan State 44, Maryland 23