#10 Wisconsin (-3) @ Iowa
Few teams have looked better in defeat than the Badgers, who pushed a more talented team to the brink for the second consecutive game. Wisconsin's offense showed great balance (236 rush yards, 214 pass yards) as running back Corey Clement sizzled and quarterback Alex Hornibrook continued to show moxie. A second-half lull ultimately doomed Wisconsin, which might need to win out to claim the Big Ten West Division crown.
Iowa wins at home
Purdue @ #8 Nebraska (-24)
Anyone who has watched Indiana knew Saturday's trip wouldn't be easy. The Huskers saw a 17-0 lead dwindle, and quarterback Tommy Armstrong (10-of-26 passing) made some of those uh-oh throws that have plagued him in the past. But Nebraska made enough plays to prevail in an evenly played game. After finding every way to lose last fall, the Huskers are 6-0 for the first time since 2001.
Nebraska covers.
N.C. St. @ #7 Louisville (-20)
Whether Louisville fell victim to an open-week hangover or Duke's pressuring defense, it didn't show its typical dominance Friday. If not for a roughing-the-kicker penalty, the Cardinals would have been sweating it out in the closing minutes with a 3-point lead. Lamar Jackson showed he's human (13-of-26 passing) but still posted his fifth 100-yard rushing-performance in six games.
Louisville covers
Oregon St @ #5 Washington (-37)
The Huskies are nationally relevant again. How will they handle that success? Coach Chris Petersen continues to shield his team from the national spotlight as much as possible, but quarterback Jake Browning is an emerging Heisman Trophy candidate, and others are generating attention. Washington gets back to action this week against Oregon State before a potentially tricky stretch (at Utah, at Cal, USC).
Washington covers
Illinois @ #3 Michigan (-38)
Jim Harbaugh hit the scheduling jackpot: eight home games and an open week right at the midpoint of the slate. The Wolverines are rested for a second half featuring more challenges, perhaps not this week against Illinois but the following week at Spartan Stadium, where they haven't won since 2007. Jabrill Peppers remains very much in the thick of the Heisman race.
Michigan covers
#2 Ohio St. (-19.5) @ Penn. St.
There would be no double-digit win this time. The Buckeyes worked for every point at Camp Randall Stadium, and post-halftime heroics from J.T. Barrett propelled them to an overtime win. Barrett accounted for three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing) and showed incredible poise. Ohio State's defense struggled for stretches but made key plays late. The Buckeyes face another prime-time road test this week at Penn State.
Ohio St covers
Now the GAME OF THE WEEK
#6 Texas A&M @ #1 Alabama (-19)
Debate the rest of the rankings if you'd like, but there's no doubt about No. 1. Alabama recorded its most dominant performance of the season against Tennessee, recording two more nonoffensive touchdowns and three rushing scores from Jalen Hurts. The freshman quarterback is unstoppable running the zone read in the red zone. Alabama enters its showdown against Texas A&M oozing with confidence.
Kevin Sumlin and his players got a chance to catch their breath after last week's wild and exhausting win over Tennessee. The Aggies now get a chance to validate themselves as national title contenders as they visit Alabama. Trevor Knight might be the anti-Johnny Football off the field, but Texas A&M wouldn't mind if he replicated Manziel's heroics against an opportunistic Tide defense
Alabama Covers
