The Big Ten has three games on Saturday. All three matchups are bye games, so we’re expecting three wins for the league. However, there are some interesting things to watch.
Let’s take a look at the schedule.
Game of the Day:
-Sacred Heart Pioneers at Penn State Nittany Lions
- Time/TV: 6:00 PM ET (Peacock)
- KenPom Spread: Penn State by 14
It’s been a relatively positive start to the season for the Nittany Lions. The team jumped out to a 5-0 start and its only loss came away from home against a solid Providence squad. Penn State bounced back after that loss and took care of Boston University on Tuesday. The question is whether it can keep that momentum going against another underwhelming opponent in Sacred Heart.
The Pioneers enter this one amid some struggles. The team is just 2-4 overall and its only wins came against atrocious US merchant Marine and Holy Cross squads. For perspective, KenPom has Sacred Heart rated 272nd nationally on KenPom. The team’s best player is likely forward Anquan Hill, so Josh Reed and Ivan Juric might have their cut out on Saturday. Otherwise, the roster looks pretty flawed and undersized. As such, expect a lopsided win for Penn State. Sacred Heart’s best hope is Penn State comes in unfocused.
- Pick: Penn State
The Rest:
-Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at No. 25 Indiana Hoosiers
- Time/TV: 12:00 PM ET (BTN)
- KenPom Spread: Indiana by 18
The Hoosiers enter this one red hot and sitting at 6-0 after beating Kansas State at home on Tuesday. Indiana is clearly favored against a Bethune-Cookman squad rated 229th on KenPom. The only real questions are about whether Indiana gets caught looking ahead and/or what we see out of the bench. This is one of Indiana’s final opportunities to unload the bench, so it should be interesting to see players like Jasai Miles and Sam Alexis get some time. Otherwise, this should be lopsided.
- Pick: Indiana
-South Carolina Upstate Spartans at Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Time/TV: 2:00 PM ET (B1G+)
- KenPom Spread: Nebraska by 25
Nebraska will put its 11-game winning streak on the line on Saturday, as it faces off against USC Upstate at home. Fortunately for Husker fans, the streak shouldn’t be too at risk, as the Spartans enter as one of the nation’s weakest teams. As long as Nebraska plays decently, it should win. Perhaps players like Braden Frager can get some run in this one before the schedule gets tougher.
- Pick: Nebraska
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Picks Record This Season: 13-1
