It’s been a bad year for YBYA in its return. The current leader (ME!) is at -$250 for the season (god damn I need to stop blowing this $100 bets), and every player has a below .500 picks record.

Matt O’Neall had the first winless week of the competition last week going 0-5 on his picks, which is a feat within itself. I, for one, am proud of his accomplishment.

Now, things will start to turn around — at least for some of us not named Austin — as we learn more about each team. The beginning of this year was kinda nuts, but soon things will stabilize as they always do. Wisconsin will win the west. Pat Fitzgerald will lose dumb games. Iowa will Iowa. Nebraska will maybe even win a game again!

But, with how our collective picks records have been going, Minnesota may just end up winning the conference.

Here’s a reminder of the rules before we get to this week’s gambling picks:

• Each participant will bet on every Big Ten game being played that weekend, and they can bet either the point spread or the over/under
• The participant will assign an amount to their bet, which can be either $25, $50 or $100. Each participant is allowed only one $100 bet per week. Everybody starts with a $0 balance, and balances can be negative
• Standings are by money with overall picks record serving as the tiebreaker.

Illinois @ Rutgers (+5), O/U 50

Birkhead: $25 Under 50

Repplinger: $50 Illinois (-5)

Jabs: $100 Illinois (-5)

O’Neall: $25 Rutgers (+5)

Huisinga: $100 Illinois (-5)

Thumpasaurus: $50 Rutgers (+5)

Schaer: $25 Illinois (-5)

Jabs: Worst case scenario is I lose $100 being a homer. Worse things have happened.

Thumpasaurus: I said it when I picked Rutgers to beat us last year and I’ll say it again: PROVE ME WRONG.

Maryland (+17) @ #15 Michigan, O/U 48

Birkhead: $25 Over 48

Repplinger: $50 Over 48

Jabs: $25 Michigan (-17)

O’Neall: $50 Maryland (+17)

Huisinga: $25 Maryland (+17)

Thumpasaurus: $25 Maryland (+17)

Schaer: $25 Maryland (+17)

Repplinger: You know...this Michigan team could still win the Big Ten East. Illinois could also still technically win out the rest of the season too I guess...

Thumpasaurus: Maryland might have the best offensive line Michigan has faced. This won’t be a walkover.

Northwestern (+9.5) @ #20 Michigan State, O/U 43

Birkhead: $50 Over 43

Repplinger: $100 MSU (-9.5)

Jabs: $50 Over 43

O’Neall: $25 Over 43

Huisinga: $50 Over 43

Thumpasaurus: $50 Northwestern (+9.5)

Schaer: $25 MSU (-9.5)

Schaer: It’s not November yet, so Fitzy is gonna have some more bad games, right?

Iowa @ Minnesota (+7), O/U 42

Birkhead: $50 Iowa (-7)

Repplinger: $50 Iowa (-7)

Jabs: $25 Iowa (-7)

O’Neall: $100 Iowa (-7)

Huisinga: $25 Iowa (-7)

Thumpasaurus: $100 Under 42

Schaer: $50 Iowa (-7)

Birkhead: Iowa is one of the most underrated teams in the country, just how Coach Kirk likes it.

Indiana (+25.5) @ #3 Ohio State, O/U 64

Birkhead: $25 Under 64

Repplinger: $25 Ohio State (-25.5)

Jabs: $50 Ohio State (-25.5)

O’Neall: $50 Over 64

Huisinga: $50 Indiana (+25.5)

Thumpasaurus: $25 Ohio State (-25.5)

Schaer: $25 Indiana (+25.5)

Repplinger: Dwayne Haskins heisman trophy highlight reel game? I think so.

Nebraska (+19) @ #16 Wisconsin, O/U 57

Birkhead: $50 Under 57

Repplinger: $50 Nebraska (+19)

Jabs: $50 Over 57

O’Neall: $50 Wisconsin (-19)

Huisinga: $25 Wisconsin (-19)

Thumpasaurus: $50 Wisconsin (-19)

Schaer: $25 Wisconsin (-19)

Thumpasaurus: Everyone forgot about Jonathan Taylor. Suburban Dad Paul Chryst is even more annoyed by that than by you messing with the thermostat.

Money on the line this week

Birkhead: $225

Repplinger: $325

Jabs: $300

O’Neall: $300

Huisinga: $275

Thumpasaurus: $300

Schaer: $175

Standings

1. Birkhead -$250 (24-25), Last Week -$100 (2-3)
2. Thumpasaurus -$275 (23-26), Last Week -$150 (2-3)
3. Schaer -$300 (21-28), Last Week -$100 (1-4)
4. Repplinger -$275 (19-30), Last Week -$175 (1-4)
5. O’Neall -$400 (21-28), Last Week -$250 (0-5)
6. Huisinga -$425 (21-28), Last Week-$100 (2-3)
7. Jabs -$625 (18-32), Last Week -$175 (1-4)

For vintage inspired, high quality, and well-designed University of Illinois apparel, check out Fourth and Kirby, and look for the TCR Collection while you’re at it!