Big Ten picks: MLive’s predictions for Michigan State-Central Michigan, Michigan-East Carolina

Everyone is 0-0 on the season, and hope springs eternal.

That’s true for your favorite Big Ten football team, whether that’s Michigan, Michigan State or someone else.

And it’s true for our five Big Ten football writers, who will be picking every game this season against the spread.

Some are trying to follow up on strong seasons last year. Some are looking for redemption. All start the year on equal footing in an important week, with 10 Week 1) games to set the tone for the season.

Games run Thursday through Sunday as the Big Ten gets things underway (note that there was no line available for Maryland/Towson):

• When: 8 p.m. Thursday
• Line: Minnesota -7

The Big Ten season officially opens with a conference game, as the Matt Rhule era begins at Nebraska with a trip to play Minnesota. Rhule has plenty back on defense but will have a new-look offense, including Georgia Tech quarterback transfer Jeff Sims. Minnesota will have plenty of new faces, too, as Tanner Morgan has finally moved on along with Mo Ibrahim. Western Michigan transfer Sean Tyler put up big numbers in Kalamazoo and may be the Gophers’ featured back.

MLive staff picks:

• Nebraska (+7): Aaron McMann, Ryan Zuke, Andrew Kahn
• Minnesota (-7): Kyle Austin, Matt Wenzel

Just when Purdue seemed to get things going, Jeff Brohm departed for Louisville. Ryan Walters takes over as a young and unproven coach who will try to keep the momentum going at a place that’s proven difficult to win consistently. Texas transfer Hudson Card is the new quarterback in the fold. Fresno State is a dangerous first opponent: the Bulldogs have had back-to-back 10 win seasons.

MLive staff picks:

• Purdue (-3 ½): Austin, Wenzel, McMann, Zuke, Kahn

Cade McNamara makes his Hawkeyes debut as he looks to add some firepower to what’s been a lackluster Iowa offense that’s continually let down one of the best defenses in college football (McNamara got hurt in camp but returned to practice this week). Is that enough to cover a 25-point spread? Utah State is coming off of a 6-7 campaign last year.

MLive staff picks:

• Utah State (+25): Austin, Wenzel, McMann, Zuke, Kahn

• When: 3:30 p.m.
• Line: Wisconsin -27 1/2

Are you ready for some air-it-out Wisconsin offense? That’s what Luke Fickell is expected to bring to Madison as he takes over as head coach and installs SMU transfer Tanner Mordecai and a new-look offense in what’s been one of the steadiest programs in the conference. Buffalo looked improved last year Maurice Linguist and should be one of the better teams in the MAC.

MLive staff picks:

• Buffalo (+27 ½): Austin, Zuke
• Wisconsin (-27 ½): Wenzel, McMann, Kahn

• When: 3:30 p.m.
• Line: Ohio State -29

Tensions are high in Columbus after back-to-back losses to Michigan and as the Buckeyes head into the opener with a new starting quarterback, Kyle McCord, following a long camp battle. In Bloomington, this looks like a make-or-break year for Tom Allen coming off back-to-back 3-9 seasons.

MLive staff picks:

• Ohio State (-29): Austin, Wenzel, McMann, Zuke, Kahn

• When: 7:30 p.m.
• Line: Illinois -9 1/2

This could be a sneaky good opening-week game: Toledo is coming off of a MAC title and bringing back a starting quarterback and seven defensive starters. Illinois was the surprise team of the Big Ten for the start of the season before faltering late. Bret Bielema has plenty of holes to fill from that roster, and we’ll find out quickly how well he’s done.

MLive staff picks:

• Toledo (+9 ½): Austin, McMann, Kahn
• Illinois: (-9 ½): Wenzel, Zuke

• When: 7:30 p.m.
• Line: Penn State -20 1/2

A season of great expectations in Happy Valley begins with the only non-conference Power 5 game for a Big Ten team in Week 1. Much-hyped Drew Allar takes over at quarterback alongside Nick Singleton at running back and a slew of other key starters. West Virginia could use a win like this one as Neal Brown is likely coaching for his job in Morgantown.

MLive staff picks:

• Penn State (-20 ½): Austin, Wenzel, McMann, Zuke, Kahn

• When: Noon Sunday
• Line: Rutgers -6 1/2

How will Northwestern look after the late-summer dismissal of Pat Fitzgerald and the firestorm of controversy in Evanston? We’ll find out early as the Wildcats go on the road to open the season against a Rutgers program that hasn’t yet found its footing in the second tenure of Greg Schiano.

MLive staff picks:

• Northwestern (+6 ½): Zuke
• Rutgers (-6 ½): Austin, Wenzel, McMann, Kahn

• When: 7 p.m. Friday
• Line: Michigan State -14

Wenzel’s pick: Following a disappointing 5-7 season and key losses to the NFL and transfer portal, coach Mel Tucker heads into year four with plenty of uncertainty and he’s not revealing much. The Spartans will be breaking in a new starting quarterback and I’ll go with Noah Kim while Katin Houser gets at least a few series of his own. UConn running back transfer Nathan Carter stars in his debut and Michigan State’s reworked defensive line dominates. Michigan State 30, Central Michigan 14

MLive staff picks:

• Central Michigan (+14): Austin
• Michigan State (-14): Wenzel, McMann, Zuke, Kahn

EAST CAROLINA at MICHIGAN

When: Noon

Line: Michigan -36 1/2

McMann’s pick: I have zero doubt that Michigan will win this game, and likely in blowout fashion. They have a huge edge in experience and talent on both sides of the ball, the homefield advantage and should be motivated by not having Jim Harbaugh (and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore) on the sideline. But assuming they jump out to a big first-half lead, how much are the starters going to play? And what type of effect could a banged-up secondary have in slowing a normally fast-paced, high-scoring East Carolina offense? Between all the distractions, a new play caller (Kirk Campbell) and position battles needing clarity, I’m expecting a less-than-polished opener for the Wolverines and lean to the Pirates covering this massive number. The better play here might be to take the over (51.5), as I’m expecting a lot of points. Final: Michigan 45, East Carolina 10

MLive staff picks:

East Carolina (+36 ½): McMann, Zuke

Michigan (-36 ½): Austin, Wenzel, Kahn