It’s tradition now. Every year (and every week of the season), we have a little friendly competition among our writers for world domination when it comes to picking the Big Ten football games and some of the bigger college football contests throughout the season once conference play gets into full swing.
Though we never really know, Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State are getting a lot of national notoriety and were picked by media members to be the three teams contending for league superiority. You can’t count out Michigan despite the loss to Oklahoma, and teams like USC, Washington, Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska hope to also be upstarts and surprise folks.
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So, just how will Week 6 play out in the Big Ten? Our writers take turns picking all the games in the Big Ten straight up and against the spread for your wagering and reading consumption — do with it as you wish.
As a reminder, if there’s an asterisk next to the pick, that means the team will win, but not cover. If there is a tie, rather than have a cage match or old-fashioned duel, we’ll settle it with less violence and go with the tried, yet true, coin flip, where George Washington has the say.
EXAMPLE: If Ohio State is favored -3.5 over Michigan:
If you think Ohio State will win outright and cover: OSU
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If you think Ohio State will win, but NOT cover: OSU*
If you think Ohio State will lose: Michigan
Here are our expert picks for Week 6 as things get deeper into conference play. We throw in the top five non-Big Ten games as well to make it more interesting.
Standings so far
Follow Phil Harrison: 63-7 SU, 39-31 ATS
Follow MarkRussell: 60-10 SU, 36-34 ATS
Follow Griffin Dreifeldt: 64-6 SU, 42-28 ATS
Follow Yesh Ginsburg: 56-14 SU, 40-30 ATS
CONSENSUS PICK: 60-10 SU, 42-28 ATS
Michigan’s Justice Haynes (22) scores in the second half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooner and the University of Michigan Wolverines at the Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
Saturday, Oct. 4
Noon ET | Fox (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
Betting Line | Michigan -17.5
The Picks:
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Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Michigan*
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Michigan
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Michigan
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Michigan
CONSENSUS PICK | Michigan
Illinois at Purdue
Sep 6, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) jumps into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Saturday, Oct. 4
Noon ET | Big Ten Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
Betting Line | Illinois -9.5
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Illinois
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Illinois
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Illinois
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Illinois
CONSENSUS PICK | Illinois
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
Saturday, Oct. 4
3:30 p.m. ET | CBS/Paramount+ (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
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Betting Line | Penn State -24.5
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Penn State
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Penn State
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Penn State
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Penn State
CONSENSUS PICK: Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) runs for yards after the catch against Washington Huskies cornerback Dylan Robinson (6) during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Saturday, Oct. 4
3:30 p.m. ET | Big Ten Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
Betting Line | Washington -6.5
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Washington
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Washington
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Washington
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Washington
CONSENSUS PICK | Washington
Northwestern at UL-Monroe
Aug 30, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Preston Stone (8) passes against Tulane Green Wave during the second half at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Saturday, Oct. 4
3:30 p.m. ET | Big Ten Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
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Betting Line | Northwestern -11.5
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Northwestern
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Northwestern
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Northwestern
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Northwestern
CONSENSUS PICK | Northwestern
Sep 6, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) runs against the Akron Zips during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Saturday, Oct. 4
7:30 p.m. ET | NBC/Peacock (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
Betting Line | Nebraska -11.5
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Nebraska*
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Nebraska*
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Nebraska*
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Nebraska
CONSENSUS PICK | Nebraska
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches a 47-yard touchdown pass in front of Ohio Bobcats cornerback Michael Mack II (9) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025. Ohio State won 37-9.
Saturday, Oct. 4
7:30 p.m. ET | NBC/Peacock (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
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Betting Line | Ohio State -24
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Ohio State
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Ohio State
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Ohio State
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Ohio State
CONSENSUS PICK | Ohio State
Next … Five biggest national games
Sep 6, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Gabe Harris Jr. (0) rushes the passer against the Austin Peay Governors in the third quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Saturday, Oct. 4
Noon ET | ABC (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
Betting Line | Georgia -20.5
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Georgia
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Georgia*
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Georgia
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Georgia
CONSENSUS PICK | Georgia
Sep 20, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian leads his team on to the field before a game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Saturday, Oct. 4
3:30 p.m. ET | ESPN (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
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Betting Line | Texas -7
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Texas
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Texas
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Texas*
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Texas
CONSENSUS PICK | Texas
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Horton (1) celebrates with offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Saturday, Oct. 4
3:30 p.m. ET | ABC (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
Betting Line | Alabama -10.5
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Alabama
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Alabama
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Alabama*
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Alabama
CONSENSUS PICK | Alabama
Sep 20, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Michai Danzy (19) scores a touchdown against the the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
Saturday, Oct. 4
7:30 p.m. ET | ABC Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
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Betting Line | Miami -4.5
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Florida State
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Florida State
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Miami
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Miami
CONSENSUS PICK | Miami
Mississippi State at Texas A&M
Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive end T.J. Searcy (18) congratulates linebacker Taurean York (21) after a sack in the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Saturday, Oct. 4
7:30 p.m. ET | SEC Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
Betting Line | Texas A&M -14.5
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Texas A&M
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Texas A&M*
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Texas A&M
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Texas A&M
CONSENSUS PICK | Texas A&M
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Big Ten and big game CFB expert picks and predictions for Week 6