In the second-to-last week of the regular season, there are a handful of games that will help shape conference championship matchups and potential postseason bowl games. No. 7 USC vs. No. 16 UCLA highlights this week’s top-10 slate.
Ohio State and Michigan are expected to slug it out for the Big Ten East championship Nov. 26 in Columbus.
Before that happens, the third-ranked Wolverines (10-0) play host to the team that seemed on track to win the conference's West Division, Illinois, on Saturday. But the Illini (7-3) have dropped two straight games, to Michigan State and Purdue, making the West a multi-team scrum.
Michigan, meanwhile, is coming off a 34-3 throttling of Nebraska.
FrontPageBets breaks down this game and another of interest for this week's best bets.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings and subject to change.)
In this week's FPBcast, Gerry Ahern and Mike Szvetitz also breakdown top NFL games.
Michigan spread (-17.5) and Over (43) vs. Illinois
Kickoff: Noon
TV: ABC
The rationale: The No. 3-ranked Wolverines have only played one game, against Maryland, within one score. They average 41.4 points per game and yield just 11.2 per contest (No. 1 in total defense). Running back Blake Corum has piled up 1,349 yards with 17 touchdowns. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has seized the starting job, tossing for 1,744 yards (69% completions) with 14 TDs and two interceptions. UM is 6-3-1 against the spread. Illinois puts up 26.5 ppg while allowing just 10.7 (second nationally in total defense). QB Tommy DeVito has 2,083 passing yards with 17 TDs and three picks. RB Chase Brown has picked up 1,442 yards with seven scores. The Illini are 6-4-0 ATS.  Â
The pick: Michigan, 34-13
Clemson spread (-19) and Under (48) vs. Miami
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
The rationale: The ninth-ranked Tigers (9-1) need to keep grinding to get back into the College Football Playoff discussion. Their stumble at Notre Dame aside, this team owns three win over ranked teams and scores 34.2 points a contest. The defense ranks 32nd nationally. D.J. Uiagalelei has thrown 18 touchdowns and five picks. RB Will Shipley has struck for 899 yards with 2 TDs. Clemson is 5-5-0 vs. the spread. Miami (5-5) turned to its defense with four interceptions keying a win over Georgia Tech last time out. Kamren Kinchens had three of the picks. The Hurricanes are 2-8 ATS. Â
The pick: Clemson, 35-10Â
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Gerry Ahern is senior content editor for FrontPageBets. A 35-year veteran sports editor and digital media executive, he has led coverage of the biggest events in sports, from Super Bowls, to Final Fours, to Olympics, to the Masters.
