Dec. 04--When Rutgers took a 31-10 lead over Maryland on Saturday, I thought: "Sweet. I finally picked a Terps game right."
Then Maryland scored 33 second-half points, rewarding those crazy enough to bet on a game featuring two coaches about to get pink-slipped.
It cemented Maryland as the bane of this feature's existence. I went 1-7 in Big Ten games involving the Terps.
I've had a bit more luck with Michigan State (5-3) and Iowa (4-4) in conference play, and I feel good about this Big Ten title game pick: Take the over, which is 51. The point totals in the first four Big Ten title games, all played at climate-controlled Lucas Oil Stadium, were 81, 101, 58 and 59.
And these quarterbacks can sling it.
As for the main selection, I wanted to find a logical way to side with Iowa, which has been undervalued since fall camp. But Michigan State has superior athletes and a quarterback who is 33-4 as a starter and was the MVP of this game two years ago.
Plus the Spartans offensive line finally is healthy, symbolized by 295-pound center Jack Allen stiff-arming his way to a 9-yard touchdown run last week against Penn State.
So with the spread curiously small at Michigan State minus-3 1/2, I will roll with the Spartans.
Last week: 4-3.
Season: 46-54-1.
Big Ten play: 28-28.
