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Big Ten Football Week 12 Picks, Score Predictions

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Big Ten Week 12 Score Predictions

Ameer Abdullah
Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

Bowl bids are up for grabs in Week 12 as Penn State and Rutgers sit at five wins with winnable matchups, while Illinois is even more desperate with only four wins so far. Minnesota has the first opportunity to legitimize their standing with the Buckeyes coming to town, and Michigan State looks to bounce back after a disappointing loss. The game of the week, Nebraska-Wisconsin, should decide the Big Ten West.

Temple at Penn State, 12:00 p.m., ESPN2

Penn State
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Temple at Penn State, 12:00 p.m., ESPN2

Penn State
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

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 at Illinois, 12:00 p.m., Big Ten Network

Iowa
Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa at Illinois, 12:00 p.m., Big Ten Network

Iowa
Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

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

Ohio State at Minnesota, 12:00 p.m., ABC

Maxx Williams
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State at Minnesota, 12:00 p.m., ABC

Maxx Williams
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

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

Nebraska at Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Melvin Gordon
Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska at Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Melvin Gordon
Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

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 at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m., NBC

Trevor Siemian
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Northwestern at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m., NBC

Trevor Siemian
Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

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 at Rutgers, 3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network

Rutgers
Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana at Rutgers, 3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network

Rutgers
Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports

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

Michigan State at Maryland, 8:00 p.m., Big Ten Network

Connor Cook
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State at Maryland, 8:00 p.m., Big Ten Network

Connor Cook
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

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

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