The Big Ten Conference began its 2020 season last weekend and wasted no time in providing drama for fans and bettors alike. Saturday’s games included two big upsets when Rutgers stunned Michigan State 38-27, and No. 8 Penn State fell to Indiana, 36-35 in overtime.
Rutgers, who was a 9.5-point underdog to Michigan State, was +300 on the moneyline. The Scarlet Knights jumped out to a 14-0 lead and never trailed.
It was the first time Rutgers had won a Big Ten Conference game in 21 contests, ending the second-longest losing streak in conference history.
Rutgers upsets Michigan State 38-27 to win their 1st Big Ten game since 2017!
✅RUT +290
✅RUT +9.5
✅Over 45 pic.twitter.com/lRqLtAWzu3— SportsBettingDime (@SBD) October 24, 2020
Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano made his return to the program after previously coaching the Scarlet Knights from 2001-2011. Schiano told reporters this is just the beginning for the team that finished 2-10 last season.
“It’s great to get started with a victory, but we’ve got to make sure we keep it all in perspective,†Schiano said. “We have a lot of work to do. We know that. It’s a good start, but that’s really what it is, a start.â€
Indiana Stuns No. 8 Penn State
Another long-running streak in the Big 10 came to an end on Saturday when Indiana defeated No. 8 Penn State, 36-35 in overtime. The Hoosiers were 0-41 against opponents ranked 10th or better in the AP Top 25 — a streak that dated back to 1987.
Hosting the Nittany Lions in Bloomington, Indiana pulled off the upset and paid +220 on the moneyline. The 6.5-point underdogs handed Penn State its eighth loss as a top-10 team in the last five seasons. Only Auburn, with 10 losses, has more over that span.
The Hoosiers pulled the upset when quarterback Michael Penix was able to convert a two-point conversion in overtime.
Indiana goes for 2 to win in overtime…
What’s the call?
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 24, 2020
Not everyone thought Penix converted the two-point conversion, but Penn State head coach James Franklin said he hadn’t seen enough to overrule the play.
“I looked at the jumbotron, that’s the best look I get,†Franklin said. “I talked to the guys on the headset up in the booth to see what they saw. You know, to me, from what I was told, it could have went either way. But if it’s something that could have went either way, then it’s inconclusive and the call stands.â€
Trevor Lawrence INT Pleases Bettor
Not everyone was upset when Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw the first pick-six of his career on Saturday. An unidentified bettor at Bet America placed a $20,000 wager on the first-half over.
The interception, which was run in by Syracuse’s Garrett Williams with 1:18 remaining before halftime, made the score 24-14, pushing the total over the 31.5-point line. The gambler doubled his money.
Dumb Bet of the Week
One misguided gambler was so confident that Clemson would defeat Syracuse that he placed $8,600 on the moneyline at a FanDuel sportsbook. Clemson won, 47-21, and the unidentified bettor won a whopping $8.60.
At least he didn’t put his money on the Tigers and the point spread. Clemson, which was a 47.5-point favorite, failed to cover for the fourth time in six games. Head coach Dabo Swinney has a 1-6 record against the spread when his team is favored by 45 or more points.
It was the second time this season they failed to cover in that situation. The Tigers were a 50.5-point pick over The Citadel in Week 3, but won 49-0.
Stat of the Week
Central Florida quarterback Dillon Gabriel is the third player in the last 15 seasons with 400 passing yards, five TDs, and no interceptions in consecutive games. He joins a list that includes past No. 1 NFL picks Jared Goff (2015), and Joe Burrow (2019).
