Michigan football and Big Ten odds: Picking the Week 2 games

The Michigan Wolverines take on UNLV on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET looking to move to 2-0 on the season. We botched their gambling pick last week after the over on the point total missed by 18.5 points. It was symbolic of a first week with a lot of “meh” action.

Last week was a rough start with a 4-6 record, but a new week presents a new set of challenges. Let’s get after it and see how we bounce back.

Record last week: 4-6
Record in 2023: 4-6

Michigan football and Big Ten picks: Week 2

Indiana State at Indiana (-31, o/u 46), 7 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network (Friday)

A fierce rivalry is renewed on Friday night in Bloomington. I’m not sure if Indiana is good enough to score 31 points, let alone win by that much. But they hung in tough last week against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Tom Allen gets them one of their elusive wins this season.

Pick: Under 46

Illinois at Kansas (-3.5, o/u 56.5), 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2 (Friday)

This is the game of the night and the return of Jalon Daniels at quarterback for Kansas. The Illini barely escaped with a win over Toledo last week, and are now heading to a place that should be rocking. Lance Leipold has them playing good football.

Pick: Kansas -3.5

Nebraska at No. 22 Colorado (-2.5, o/u 58.5), 12 p.m. ET, FOX

Colorado is the toast of the town in the college football world right now, but this week should give us a better idea of where they are as a program. The Cornhuskers have a ton of work to do and have to limit turnovers to have a chance on the road. Boulder is ready for the Coach Prime show in person. But it will be a competitive, physical game.

Pick: Under 58.5

Purdue at Virginia Tech (-2.5, o/u 49.5), 12 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Purdue’s loss to Fresno State was predicted here, and they look like they could have a rough go of it this season. This line seems low, which might cause some to go the other way. In Blacksburg, Virginia Tech rolls. Enter Sandman.

Pick: Virginia Tech -2.5

UNLV at No. 2 Michigan (-37.5, o/u 57), 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS

You won’t have to rush to find a Peacock login this week, as Michigan makes its 2023 CBS debut. There’s a lot to iron out from last week, and the team gets OC/OL coach Sherrone Moore back. It should be able to get whatever it wants offensively. We expect the second team to play better, too.

Pick: Michigan -37.5

Iowa at Iowa State (+3.5, o/u 36.5), 3:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Cade McNamara’s first big game as an Iowa quarterback is here, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it looked a lot like his win at Penn State in 2021. Hawkeyes win because they have the better quarterback who has been here before.

Pick: Over 36.5

UTEP at Northwestern (+1, o/u 40), 3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network

If Northwestern doesn’t get this one, a winless season is very much in the realm of possibility. They are the worst team in the conference by a mile.

Pick: UTEP -1

No. 19 Wisconsin at Washington State (+6, o/u 58), 7:30 p.m., ABC

Anytime Big Ten teams go out west, things get a little sketchy. This one should be a shootout and is a huge test to see where Luke Fickell’s Badgers are.

Pick: Washington State +6

Charlotte at Maryland (+24.5, o/u 50.5), 7:30 p.m., NBC

Roll damn Biff Poggi. That’s all that needs to be said.

Pick: Charlotte +24.5

Eastern Michigan at Minnesota (-20.5, o/u 48.5), 7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network

Chris Creighton always has his Eagles ready to play and compete, and Minnesota was underwhelming in the opener. Look for the artists formerly known as the Hurons to give them a bit of a scare.

Pick: Under 48.5

Temple at Rutgers (-8.5, o/u 44), 7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network

In a week full of under, we end with a Rutgers game. Nobody will be watching this one, either.

Pick: Under 44

Not on the board: Richmond at Michigan State, Youngstown State at Ohio State, Delaware at Penn State

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