Time to kick off the Buckeyes Wire Big Ten and big game college football picks

It’s time to go on the record and kick off our picks against the spread and straight up with our picks of the lone Big Ten game this week.

If you’ve followed Buckeyes Wire for the last couple of seasons, then you know we like to have a little healthy competition among friends. We pick every Big Ten game straight up and against the spread, then do the same for what we judge to be the six biggest games of the week.

And … since college football has now officially kicked off, we’re teeing it up once again. The real fun and complete slate of games don’t begin until next week, but we at least have to get things going by picking the winner of Nebraska and Illinois.

It’s a rare chance to go one-for-one in both chances straight-up and against the spread and kick off the season undefeated. There’s a long way to go, but stay with us to get our “expert” advice early each game week.

Here’s what the three writers say about Illinois vs. Nebraska.

Game line: Nebraska -6.5 at Illinois

Phil Harrison

Nebraska wins and covers

Mark Russell

Nebraska wins, does not cover

Josh Keatley

Nebraska wins and covers

[lawrence-related id=57858]

So there it is on the record. Let the slaps on the back, mudslinging, and sideways glares begin for the trio of writers on our site. Check back early next week for the full picks for next week’s games, including Ohio State’s trip to Minnesota.

[listicle id=57558]