Unbeaten Manasquan boys lacrosse 'spreading the wealth' with new head coach

Big Ten football Week 2: Expert predictions for every game against the spread

Bob Jordan
Asbury Park Press

The Big Ten football teams are off and running in a condensed season and we can barely recognize things.

Week 1 saw losses by Iowa, Penn State and Michigan State (all made appearances in the Big Ten Championship game in the last five years). Purdue, Indiana and Rutgers rose up and were among the winners. We can't wait to see what Week 2 has to offer.

The USA TODAY Network beat writers who cover the teams across the conference are bringing you their selections for every game this season, against the spread.

Here’s our roster of writers and their records so far: 

  • Frank Bodani @YDRPennState (Covers Penn State at ydr.com) 4-3
  • Mike Carmin @carmin_jc (covers Purdue at JConline.com) 4-3
  • Graham Couch @Graham_Couch (columnist at LansingStateJournal.com) 3-4
  • Mark Emmert @MarkEmmert (covers Iowa at HawkCentral.com) 3-4
  • Chris Iseman @ChrisIseman (covers Rutgers at app.com) 3-4
  • Chad Leistikow @ChadLeistikow (Iowa columnist at HawkCentral.com) 1-6
  • Zach Osterman @@ZachOsterman (covers Indiana for IndyStar.com) 0-0
  • Jeff Potrykus @jaypo1961 (covers Wisconsin at JSonline.com) 4-4
  • Rainer Sabin @RainerSabin (covers Michigan, MSU at Freep.com) 3-4
  • Orion Sang @orion_sang (covers Michigan at Freep.com) 3-4
  • Chris Solari @chrissolari (covers Michigan State at Freep.com) 6-1

Here are this week's games (Minnesota-Maryland is Friday; Wisconsin-Nebraska is canceled; the rest of the games are Saturday) and the selections. Make sure to get the latest updates on lines at BetMGM.com:

Minnesota (-20.5) at Maryland

BODANI: Minnesota

CARMIN: Maryland 

COUCH: Minnesota

EMMERT: Minnesota

ISEMAN: Minnesota

LEISTIKOW: Minnesota

OSTERMAN: Minnesota

POTRYKUS: Minnesota 

SABIN: Minnesota

SANG: Minnesota

SOLARI: Minnesota

Big Ten power rankings:  What teams are down, up?

Purdue (-6) at Illinois

BODANI: Illinois

CARMIN: Illinois

COUCH: Illinois

EMMERT: Illinois

ISEMAN: Purdue

LEISTIKOW: Purdue

OSTERMAN: Purdue

POTRYKUS: Purdue

SABIN: Purdue

SANG: Purdue

SOLARI: Purdue

Is it possible?:  The Big Ten wants to play for the national championship

Indiana (-11.5) at Rutgers

Oct 24, 2020; Bloomington, Indiana, USA;  Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) dives with the ball to score a two point conversion and win the game in overtime during the game at Memorial Stadium. The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 36 to 35.  Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

BODANI: Indiana

CARMIN: Rutgers

COUCH: Rutgers

EMMERT: Indiana

ISEMAN: Rutgers

LEISTIKOW: Indiana

OSTERMAN: Rutgers

POTRYKUS: Indiana

SABIN: Rutgers

SANG: Indiana

SOLARI: Rutgers

No distractions:  How Greg Schiano brings out the 'chop' to keep Rutgers focused

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano hugs running back Isaih Pacheco (1) in celebration during the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium.

Michigan State at Michigan (-25)

BODANI: Michigan State

CARMIN: Michigan State

COUCH: Michigan

EMMERT: Michigan

ISEMAN: Michigan State

LEISTIKOW: Michigan State

OSTERMAN: Michigan

POTRYKUS: Michigan 

SABIN: Michigan State

SANG: Michigan State 

SOLARI: Michigan

Looking ahead:  3 things to watch for in Michigan State vs. Michigan

Michigan running back Hassan Haskins celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half against Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium.

Northwestern at Iowa (-2.5)

BODANI: Northwestern

CARMIN: Iowa

COUCH: Northwestern

EMMERT: Iowa

ISEMAN: Iowa

LEISTIKOW: Iowa

OSTERMAN: Northwestern

POTRYKUS: Northwestern

SABIN: Iowa

SANG: Iowa

SOLARI: Northwestern

Compensation:   8 former Iowa football players seek $20 million, Kirk Ferentz's firing

Iowa defensive back Matt Hankins (8) intercepts the ball in front of Purdue wide receiver Amad Anderson Jr. (10) in the second quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Ohio State (-13) at Penn State

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Friday, Sept. 27, 2019, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Breaking barriers:  Jesse Arnelle's legendary reach carried beyond Penn State sports

BODANI: Ohio State

CARMIN: Ohio State

COUCH: Ohio State

EMMERT: Ohio State

ISEMAN: Ohio State

LEISTIKOW: Penn State

OSTERMAN: Ohio State

POTRYKUS: Ohio State

SABIN: Ohio State

SANG: Ohio State

SOLARI: Ohio State