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Big Ten Best Bets for Week 3: Matchups, Odds, Picks, Predictions

Hayley McGoldrick

Last Updated: September 16, 2022 5:26 PM EDT • 2 min 30 sec read.

Quarterback Payton Thorne of the Michigan State Spartans throws the ball against the Akron Zips during the second quarter at Spartan Stadium.
Quarterback Payton Thorne of the Michigan State Spartans throws the ball against the Akron Zips during the second quarter at Spartan Stadium. Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images/AFP.

Every team in the Big Ten East remains undefeated heading into Week 3, and each squad in the Big Ten West has earned at least a win in one of college football’s strongest conferences. We dive into the top matchups for our best Big Ten bets in Week 3.

Four Big Ten teams are ranked heading into Week 3, with Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State all making the conference look good in non-conference games.

Here are our best bets for the Big Ten slate in Week 3 (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook; Pick confidence is based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Big Ten Week 3 Schedule and Odds

  • UConn vs. No. 4 Michigan
  • No. 6 Oklahoma (-410) vs. Nebraska (+330)
  • Southern Illinois vs. Northwestern
  • Purdue (-110) vs. Syracuse (-110)
  • Western Kentucky (+200) vs. Indiana (-240)
  • Rutgers (-900) vs. Temple (+625)
  • No. 22 Penn State (-150) vs. Auburn (+130)
  • Colorado (+1800) vs. Minnesota (-6000)
  • New Mexico State vs. Wisconsin
  • Toledo (+2500) vs. No. 3 Ohio State (-20000)
  • No. 11 Michigan State (+135) vs. Washington (-155)
  • Nevada (+1300) vs. Iowa (-2800)
  • SMU (+145) vs. Maryland (-170)

Big Ten Week 3 Best Bets

Sbr Betting TicketThree Picks

Big Ten Week 3 Predictions

Michigan State (+130) ★★★★

The Spartans may be on the road against the Huskies. But if the team's shutout win over the Akron Zips didn’t convince the public enough to back the Spartans, Michigan State’s ability to run the ball and convert in the red zone should.

Jalen Berger recorded 17 carries for 107 yards and three touchdowns against Akron, while Jarek Broussard added 81 rushing yards and two touchdowns, with the duo accounting for 35 of Michigan State’s 52 points. Payton Thorne was held out of the end zone through the air, but he still managed 212 passing yards.

Meanwhile, Washington’s run defense gave up 147 yards on 39 attempts during Week 1 to Kent State. While the Huskies only allowed up 81 yards to a weak Portland State team, the Spartans’ ground game will be the toughest they've faced yet. Even if 81 yards is all Washington gives up, that’s enough for Broussard to score twice.

  Check out the latest comprehensive and most trusted Sportsbook Reviews by SBR.

Penn State -3.5 and Over 48.5 (+310)★★★

Penn state has won both of its first two games in 2022, including cruising past Ohio 46-10. Meanwhile, Auburn edged underdog San Jose State 24-16 despite holding home-field advantage, just as the Tigers will against the Nittany Lions.

Penn State freshman running back Nick Singleton carried the ball 10 times for 179 yards, including two 40-plus-yard touchdowns. But it was Penn State’s defense that played a crucial role while holding Ohio to just 100 rushing yards, and allowing the opposition to cross midfield just three times.

Both teams have scored 24-plus points in each game to begin the season, with Penn State notching at least 35 in both of its outings to help the Over cash. Auburn relies heavily on its run game, but Penn State's defense can get the required stops.

Maryland -13.5 (+270) ★★★★

Maryland has recorded 21- and 35-point wins to start the season. The Terrapins still managed to notch a 21-point victory during their opener despite quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa failing to throw a touchdown pass. He threw four during a 56-21 win over Charlotte, completing 27 of his 31 attempts for 391 yards.

For SMU, Tanner Mordecai may have tallied three touchdown passes against Lamar, but he also threw an interception and completed just 18 of his 31 attempts.

Maryland’s defense allowed three touchdowns against Charlotte while holding Xavier Williams to just 19-of-35 passing for 191 yards. SMU’s pass defense has yet to face a trio like Tagovailoa and receivers Jacob Copeland and Jeshaun Jones. Toss in the Terps' home-field advantage, and they can handle beating SMU by 14-plus points.

Where To Bet on Big Ten Picks

FanDuel Sportsbook
Caesars Sportsbook
DraftKings Sportsbook
PointsBet
BetMGM

SEE ALSO: All picks, odds, and sports betting news. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

Big Ten Week 3 best bets made on 9/13/2022 at 3:50 p.m. ET.

Written By:
Hayley McGoldrick
Hayley McGoldrick is a Sports Betting Analyst at SportsbookReview.com. After primarily writing about basketball, football, and soccer for the bulk of her career, Hayley covers markets in the NCAAF, Premier League, and international soccer by previewing matches, conferences, and futures. An Ohio State fan since birth and an Arsenal fan by choice, Hayley is used to having high hopes that are crushed by the end of the season. Hayley holds a bachelor's degree in science from Wilfrid Laurier University and a diploma in Sports Journalism from Centennial College. You can find her watching sports, reading about sports, tweeting about sports, or at a concert.