Iowa Football: Why Texas and Clemson need to win plus all B1G picks

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: Safety Grant Delpit #9 of the LSU Tigers walks off the field after being ejected for targeting during the first half of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl between LSU and Central Florida at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: Safety Grant Delpit #9 of the LSU Tigers walks off the field after being ejected for targeting during the first half of the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl between LSU and Central Florida at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
4 of 5
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 04: Running back Akrum Wadley #25 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is tackled during the first quarter by linebacker Chris Worley #35 of the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 04, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- NOVEMBER 04: Running back Akrum Wadley #25 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is tackled during the first quarter by linebacker Chris Worley #35 of the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 04, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)

Brand-names on Upset Alert

Cincinnati at #5 Ohio State

Point Spread (per ESPN app): OSU -16

Rooting Interest: I guess Ohio State, though we don’t play them this year, so it isn’t like they help our strength of schedule. Ohio State is the one team in the conference – maybe along with Michigan – that could lose a game like this and still make the playoff. Additionally, the game is during Iowa’s game, so I won’t likely be paying much attention to it, aside from the final score.

Point Spread Pick: OSU. I felt like they were toying with FAU last week, and I appreciated it. They gave me one of my four wins from last week. I don’t know that Cincinnati is a rival, but the fact that their head coach also coached at OSU will drive them to a win of more than 16 points.

Army at #7 Michigan

Point Spread (per ESPN app): Michigan -22.5

Rooting Interest: Michigan. Not just because one of my in-laws may read this. We play them in Ann Arbor this year and I want them to be ranked top 3 at that time. There’s totally no reason for this.

Point Spread Pick: Army. Michigan, you failed me last week against Middle Tennessee. I shall not pick you with a large spread against a team I know your fan base is worried about. Don’t worry, Michigan, you’ll still win. If you need help figuring out how to defend the triple option, re-watch the 2010 Orange Bowl.

#25 Nebraska at Colorado

Point Spread (per ESPN app): Nebraska -3.5

Rooting Interest: Colorado. I made the mistake of using Twitter last week, so I am completely unable to publicly root for Nebraska. I completely understand that Nebraska winning is better for the Big Ten and Iowa’s strength of schedule. I just don’t care about that this week.

Point Spread Pick: Colorado. I think this game comes down to a field goal. I wouldn’t be surprised if either team won.