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 look for Ohio State to cover the spread at home on Saturday against the Northwestern Wildcats. And it begins with Northwestern's quarterback situation. Aidan Chiles is out for a second straight game, and he was the engine of the Wildcats' offense, with 1,898 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and just one interception, plus 274 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. Backup Nicco Marchiol threw for 181 yards and a touchdown in last week's 24-10 loss to Iowa, and the line moved from Ohio State -9.5 to -13.5 once Chiles was ruled out.

Ohio State's offense has the firepower to build the margin at home. The Buckeyes average 467.9 yards per game, 15th nationally, at 9.6 yards per pass attempt, 8th, with freshman quarterback Luke Fahey throwing for 360 yards against Oregon last week, the most by an Ohio State true freshman quarterback in a game. Jeremiah Smith has 1,200 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, and Bo Jackson has rushed for 685 yards and six touchdowns. Ohio State's defense allows just 287 yards per game, 15th nationally, and 18.3 points per game. The series history backs the home favorite too: Ohio State leads 66-14-1, has won 35 of the last 36 meetings and 11 straight, including 31-7 at Wrigley Field in 2024, and Northwestern last won in Columbus in 1971. I look for a Ohio State blowout here on Saturday.

Jim's Play: 134. Ohio State

Oklahoma State will look to cause an upset against ranked Big 12 side Texas Tech this Saturday night. The Cowboys (6-3) face off against the 8-1 Red Raiders in what promises to be a very entertaining game, as OSU is actually a small favorite at around 3.5 points. I believe Oklahoma State will have success on Saturday for the following reasons:

First, they possess one of the best offenses in the country. Oklahoma State is putting up 43.9 points per game (3rd in FBS) and 533.6 yards per game (2nd in FBS), with 339.1 of that coming through the air. This is great news against a Texas Tech team giving up about 287 passing yards per game. QB Drew Mestemaker should have plenty of big play opportunities.

Naturally Texas Tech can keep up on the offensive front, outscoring teams 37.6 points to 449.3 yards per game. The Red Raiders also average almost 215 yards on the ground and RB J'Koby Williams has been a threat all season long. They should be able to score against an Oklahoma State team that is allowing 27.2 points/game. That said, OSU has been opportunistic on defense this year, with CB Ladainian Fields leading the country in INTs (7). If Oklahoma State can come away with 1-2 takeaways, that may be the difference maker.

Additionally, the Cowboys are 4-0 at home this year and have averaged a whopping 49.3 PPG across those four games. On top of that, Oklahoma State has gone over the number in 7 of 9 games this season. All of this bodes well for a home victory over the #6 Texas Tech squad.

OSU put up 66 points on Kansas State last week, after dropping 49 and 57 in previous weeks vs Iowa State and Colorado respectively. Similarly, Texas Tech just barely eked past WVU 53-48 on Saturday. Expect a shootout here.

While Texas Tech is clearly a tough team to play against, especially with their run game and pass rush, I'll side with Oklahoma State given their prolific aerial attack and tendency to score big at home.

Jim’s Play: 206. Oklahoma State (Big 12 Conf Game of the Year)

might have to go out on a limb here to back Northern Illinois considering they haven't won a game all season long but they are getting points at home and they're going against Nevada. The Wolf Pack average just 309.4 yards per game, 127th in FBS, with 162 passing yards per game, 129th, and 20.8 points per game. They have scored just three points in their last two games combined, and last week against New Mexico they managed only 97 total yards, six first downs, and went 2-of-15 on third downs, with quarterback A.J. Bianco throwing for 106 yards on 14-of-31 passing. Nevada also has a minus-14 turnover margin, 138th in FBS, and its red-zone defense allows opponents to score on 92.9 percent of trips.

Northern Illinois has the offense to stay inside the number at home. Quarterback Taron Dickens has thrown for 1,876 yards and nine touchdowns, with DeAree Rogers catching 70 passes for 719 yards and five touchdowns, and Telly Johnson Jr. rushing for 629 yards at 5.7 yards per carry with six touchdowns. The Huskies put up 400 yards and 24 first downs in last week's 30-19 loss at San Jose State, and they have exceeded their season scoring average in each of their last four games. Nevada has also failed to cover in five of its last six November games as a favorite against non-ranked teams. I look for Northern Illinois to get their first one here as they have the better offense in this game.

Jim’s Play: 216. No Illinois

Two top ranked teams meet here on Saturday as number 15 USC takes on number 6 Indiana. USC is 7-2 on the season while Indiana comes in at 8-1.

 The Hoosiers have played four consecutive one-possession games, and they are 9-1 in one-possession games since 2024, including 4-1 in those contests this season. They are also just 1-8 against the spread this season, a reminder that big numbers have not been kind to anyone backing them.

Indiana's offense has stalled lately, with quarterback Josh Hoover completing just 16 of 37 passes for 200 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in his last two games. Neither Hoover nor Grant Wilson practiced during the bye week, and head coach Curt Cignetti said he would see how the week goes before naming a starter. Indiana is also without starting right guard Joe Brunner, running back Turbo Richard, and defensive lineman Kellan Wyatt.

USC comes in off a bye after a 30-18 win over Ohio State on October 31, and the Trojans boast the second-best pass attack in the Big Ten, averaging nearly 300 yards per game through the air with Jayden Maiava. USC leads the all-time series 4-0. This is just too many points to give the Trojans here on Saturday. I'll take the points with the visitor in this one.

Jim’s Play: 207. USC

Penn State's defense is why I like them to cover the spread here on Saturday against Minnesota. The Nittany Lions allow just 297.3 yards per game, 19th nationally, and their pass defense is still the best among Power 4 teams and third nationally, with 14 turnovers forced and a plus-7 turnover margin. That matters against Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey, who completes 66 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns and 3 interceptions when kept clean, but drops to 41.2 percent with no touchdowns and 4 interceptions under pressure. Minnesota's offensive line is banged up, without interior starters Ashton Beers and Brett Carroll, and its defensive tackle room is thin after losing Riley Sunram last week and Jaylin Hicks for the season.

Minnesota's offense is the weak link here, averaging just 307.6 yards per game, 128th in FBS, with only 98.6 rushing yards per game, 132nd, and converting third downs at 31.5 percent, 129th. Penn State has won two straight out of its bye, including a 28-25 win at Washington, and Chase Sowell leads the passing game with 635 yards and four touchdowns. Penn State leads the series 11-6 and is 6-2 in the last eight meetings. Take Penn State to shut down the Golden Gophers and cover the spread here on Saturday.

Free Play: 140. Penn State