Big Ten and biggest college football game expert picks and predictions for Week 6

Our writers continue on with their big ten and biggest college football game picks and predictions against the spread and straight up for Week 6.

It's tradition now. Every year (and every week of the season), we have a little friendly competition among our writers for world domination when it comes to picking the Big Ten football games and some of the bigger college football contests throughout the season once conference play gets into full swing.

Though we never really know, Ohio StateOregon, and Penn State are getting a lot of national notoriety and were picked by media members to be the three teams contending for league superiority. You can't count out Michigan despite the loss to Oklahoma, and teams like USC, WashingtonIowa, Illinois, and Nebraska hope to also be upstarts and surprise folks.

So, just how will Week 6 play out in the Big Ten? Our writers take turns picking all the games in the Big Ten straight up and against the spread for your wagering and reading consumption — do with it as you wish.

As a reminder, if there’s an asterisk next to the pick, that means the team will win, but not cover. If there is a tie, rather than have a cage match or old-fashioned duel, we’ll settle it with less violence and go with the tried, yet true, coin flip, where George Washington has the say.

EXAMPLE: If Ohio State is favored -3.5 over Michigan:

If you think Ohio State will win outright and cover: OSU

If you think Ohio State will win, but NOT cover: OSU*

If you think Ohio State will lose: Michigan

Here are our expert picks for Week 6 as things get deeper into conference play. We throw in the top five non-Big Ten games as well to make it more interesting.

Standings so far

Follow Phil Harrison: 63-7 SU, 39-31 ATS

Follow MarkRussell: 60-10 SU, 36-34 ATS

Follow Griffin Dreifeldt: 64-6 SU, 42-28 ATS

Follow Yesh Ginsburg: 56-14 SU, 40-30 ATS

CONSENSUS PICK60-10 SU, 42-28 ATS

Wisconsin at Michigan

Michigan's Justice Haynes (22) scores in the second half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooner and the University of Michigan Wolverines at the Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.

Saturday, Oct. 4

Noon ET | Fox (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

Betting Line | Michigan -17.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Michigan*

Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Michigan

Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Michigan

Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Michigan

CONSENSUS PICK | Michigan

Illinois at Purdue

Sep 6, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) jumps into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Saturday, Oct. 4

Noon ET | Big Ten Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

Betting Line | Illinois -9.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Illinois

Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Illinois

Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Illinois

Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Illinois

CONSENSUS PICK | Illinois

Penn State at UCLA

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images

Saturday, Oct. 4

3:30 p.m. ET | CBS/Paramount+ (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

Betting Line | Penn State -24.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Penn State

Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Penn State

Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Penn State

Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Penn State

CONSENSUS PICK: Penn State

Washington at Maryland

Sep 27, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) runs for yards after the catch against Washington Huskies cornerback Dylan Robinson (6) during the first quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Saturday, Oct. 4

3:30 p.m. ET | Big Ten Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

Betting Line | Washington -6.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Washington

Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Washington

Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Washington

Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Washington

CONSENSUS PICK | Washington

Northwestern at UL-Monroe

Aug 30, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Preston Stone (8) passes against Tulane Green Wave during the second half at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Saturday, Oct. 4

3:30 p.m. ET | Big Ten Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

Betting Line | Northwestern -11.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Northwestern

Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Northwestern

Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Northwestern

Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Northwestern

CONSENSUS PICK | Northwestern

Michigan State at Nebraska

Sep 6, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) runs against the Akron Zips during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Saturday, Oct. 4

7:30 p.m. ET | NBC/Peacock (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

Betting Line | Nebraska -11.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Nebraska*

Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Nebraska*

Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Nebraska*

Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Nebraska

CONSENSUS PICK | Nebraska

Minnesota at Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) catches a 47-yard touchdown pass in front of Ohio Bobcats cornerback Michael Mack II (9) during the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 13, 2025. Ohio State won 37-9.

Saturday, Oct. 4

7:30 p.m. ET | NBC/Peacock (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

Betting Line | Ohio State -24

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Ohio State

Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Ohio State

Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Ohio State

Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Ohio State

CONSENSUS PICK | Ohio State

Next ... Five biggest national games

Kentucky at Georgia

Sep 6, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Gabe Harris Jr. (0) rushes the passer against the Austin Peay Governors in the third quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Saturday, Oct. 4

Noon ET | ABC (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

Betting Line | Georgia -20.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Georgia

Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Georgia*

Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Georgia

Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Georgia

CONSENSUS PICK | Georgia

Texas at Florida

Sep 20, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian leads his team on to the field before a game against the Sam Houston State Bearkats at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Saturday, Oct. 4

3:30 p.m. ET | ESPN (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

Betting Line | Texas -7

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Texas

Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Texas

Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Texas*

Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Texas

CONSENSUS PICK | Texas

Vanderbilt at Alabama

Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Horton (1) celebrates with offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Saturday, Oct. 4

3:30 p.m. ET | ABC (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

Betting Line | Alabama -10.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Alabama

Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Alabama

Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Alabama*

Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Alabama

CONSENSUS PICK | Alabama

Miami (FL) at Florida State

Sep 20, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Michai Danzy (19) scores a touchdown against the the Kent State Golden Flashes during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images

Saturday, Oct. 4

7:30 p.m. ET | ABC Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

Betting Line | Miami -4.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Florida State

Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Florida State

Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Miami

Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Miami

CONSENSUS PICK | Miami

Mississippi State at Texas A&M

Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive end T.J. Searcy (18) congratulates linebacker Taurean York (21) after a sack in the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Saturday, Oct. 4

7:30 p.m. ET | SEC Network (Stream fuboTV (watch here))

Betting Line | Texas A&M -14.5

The Picks:

Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) | Texas A&M

Mark Russell (@MarkRussell1975) | Texas A&M*

Griffin Dreifaldt (@griffin_drei) | Texas A&M

Yesh Ginsburg (@yesh222) | Texas A&M

CONSENSUS PICK | Texas A&M

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Big Ten and big game CFB expert picks and predictions for Week 6

Category: General Sports