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Penn State Football and Big Ten Picks ATS | Week 5

By Lawrence Santa Maria

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 7: Will Levis #7 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on during the second half of the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium on November 7, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 7: Will Levis #7 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on during the second half of the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium on November 7, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Oct 24, 2020; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano speaks to defensive lineman Mike Tverdov (97) during the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2020; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano speaks to defensive lineman Mike Tverdov (97) during the fourth quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Rutgers +12 vs Michigan

Even at 1-3, Rutgers is much improved this season and showed last week they just don;t know how to win games yet.

Rutgers led Illinois 13-7 at the half, then after scoring only seven points in the second half, fell to the Illini 23-20. Despite putting up 422 yards of total offense, it was the -2 turnover differential that did in the Scarlet Knights.

Coach Schiano may have found something in junior back Isaih Pacheco, who ran for 150 yards, averaging almost seven yards a carry.

For Michigan, there is no optimism or silver linings at this point.

One would have to believe the seat is getting hot underneath Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh’s khakis after losing three straight and being outscored by 55 points the last two games.

Michigan Quarterback Joe Milton opened last week’s game against Wisconsin with an interceptions on both of his first two passes, having now thrown four interceptions during the three game losing streak. Dom Brown’s defense just does not have the athletes in coverage, as Michigan ranks twelfth in the Big Ten in passing yards allowed.

This is going to be a weird ugly game in Piscataway, with a very motivated Rutgers squad smelling blood in the water. Schiano gets his first big win since returning to New Jersey. Rutgers 28-27.

The Pick: Rutgers +12

Next. 3 Penn State keys to beating Iowa. dark

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