The weekly tradition continues. 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, now that conference play is in full swing, and the regular season is winding down.
It's Rivalry Week, and that means there are a lot of fantastic games on the docket. In the Big Ten, Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana are getting a lot of national notoriety and seem to be the three teams contending for league superiority. However, you can't count Michigan, who also have just one loss in the conference, and hopes to have something to say about it all. And Penn State ... well -- that's another story for another day.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSo, just how will Rivalry Week play out in the Big Ten? Our writers take turns picking all the games in the conference 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
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIf you think Ohio State will win, but NOT cover: OSU*
If you think Ohio State will lose: Michigan
Here are our expert picks for Rivalry Week as we get ready to sort out what the postseason looks like. We throw in the top five non-Big Ten games as well to make it more interesting.
Standings so far
Follow Phil Harrison: 136-34 SU, 90-80 ATS
Follow MarkRussell: 135-35 SU, 85-85 ATS
Follow Griffin Dreifeldt: 140-30 SU, 93-77 ATS
Follow Yesh Ginsburg: 130-40 SU, 95-75 ATS
CONSENSUS PICK: 138-32 SU, 96-74 ATS
First up ... Big Ten games
Iowa at Nebraska
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz looks on during a NCAA Big Ten Conference football game against Nebraska, Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.Friday, Nov. 28
Noon p.m. ET | CBS (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBetting Line | Iowa -6
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Iowa*
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Iowa
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Iowa
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Iowa
CONSENSUS PICK | Iowa
Indiana at Purdue
The Hoosiers celebrate after the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.Friday, Nov. 28
7:30 p.m. ET | NBC/Peacock (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
Betting Line | Indians -28.5
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Indiana
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Indiana
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Indiana
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Indiana
CONSENSUS PICK | Indiana
Ohio State at Michigan
Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord is hit by Michigan defensive end Jaylen Harrell as he throws an interception.Saturday, Nov. 29
Noon ET | Fox (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBetting Line | Ohio State -10
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
Oregon at Washington
Oregon outside linebackers Matayo Uiagalelei, right, and Teitum Tuioti, left, sack Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks host the Washington Huskies Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.Saturday, Nov. 29
3:30 p.m. ET | CBS (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
Betting Line | Oregon -6.5
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Oregon
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Oregon
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Oregon
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Oregon
CONSENSUS PICK | Oregon
Wisconsin at Minnesota
Nov 29, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers offensive linenam Greg Johnson (65) celebrates with the Paul Bunyan Football Trophy following the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn ImagesSaturday, Nov. 29
3:30 p.m. ET | FS1 (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBetting Line | Wisconsin -1.5
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Wisconsin
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Wisconsin
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Wisconsin
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Wisconsin
CONSENSUS PICK | Wisconsin
Penn State at Rutgers
Penn State Nittany Lions interim head coach Terry Smith in the first half of the college football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.Saturday, Nov. 29
3:30 p.m. ET | Big Ten Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
Betting Line | Penn State -13.5
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
Maryland at Michigan State
Sep 6, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State running back Makhi Frazier (5) runs the ball in the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn ImagesSaturday, Nov. 29
7:00 p.m. ET | FS1 (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBetting Line | Off
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Michigan State
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Michigan State
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Michigan State
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Maryland
CONSENSUS PICK | Michigan State
UCLA at USC
USC linebacker Kennedy Urlacher intercepts a pass as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.Saturday, Nov. 29
7:30 p.m. ET | NBC (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
Betting Line | USC -21.5
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | USC*
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | USC*
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | USC
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | USC
CONSENSUS PICK | USC
Northwestern at Illinois
Northwestern's Cam Porter fumbles the football in the second half against Illinois as Xavier Scott (14) and Malachi Hood (45) defend.Saturday, Nov. 29
7:30 p.m. ET | Fox (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBetting Line | Illinois -7
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Illinois
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Illinois
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Illinois
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Illinois*
CONSENSUS PICK | Illinois
Next ... 5 biggest non-Big Ten games
Texas A&M at Texas
Oct 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Jamarion Morrow (23) celebrates with offensive lineman Chase Bisontis (71) and tight end Theo Melin Ohrstrom (17) after a touchdown during the second half against the Louisiana State Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesFriday, Nov. 28
7:30 p.m. ET | ABC (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
Betting Line | Texas A&M -2.5
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Texas
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Texas A&M
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Texas A&M
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Texas
CONSENSUS PICK | Texas A&M
Arizona at Arizona State
Arizona State Sun Devils defensive lineman Anthonie Cooper (96) celebrates his interception against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks during a football game at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Aug. 30, 2025.Friday, Nov. 28
9:00 p.m. ET | Fox (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBetting Line | Arizona -1.5
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Arizona State
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Arizona State
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Arizona
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Arizona State
CONSENSUS PICK | Arizona State
Miami (FL) at Pittsburgh
Oct 17, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) looks for a passing option against the Louisville Cardinals during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesSaturday, Nov. 29
Noon ET | ABC (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
Betting Line | Miami -7
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Miami
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Miami
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Miami
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Pittsburgh
CONSENSUS PICK | Miami
LSU at Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Taylor Wein (44) celebrates a tackle during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Missouri Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. Oklahoma won 17-6.Saturday, Nov. 29
3:30 p.m. ET | ABC (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBetting Line | Oklahoma -10
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Oklahoma*
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Oklahoma
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Oklahoma
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Oklahoma*
CONSENSUS PICK | Oklahoma
Vanderbilt at Tennessee
Nico Iamaleava. Tennessee Volunteers versus Vanderbilt Commodores football on November 30, 2024 at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols WireSaturday, Nov. 29
3:30 p.m. ET | ESPN (Stream fuboTV (watch here))
Betting Line | Tennessee -3
The Picks:
Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Tennessee
Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Tennessee
Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Tennessee
Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Tennessee
CONSENSUS PICK | Tennessee
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Big Ten, other CFB football expert picks, predictions for Rivalry Week
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