The Big Ten has been dominated by Michigan and Ohio State over the last six seasons, and again, they are tied atop the odds list. It’s not overly surprising as the two have the most talented rosters, the best recruiting classes, and arguably the best coaching staff in the conference.
With the Big Ten set to expand after this season, can Michigan and Ohio State continue their reign of dominance into the new era of the conference?
Big Ten CFB Futures Odds
Keep track of the best Big Ten betting lines for the college football season:
CFB odds used to make these predictions were current as of Friday, July 14, and were found at DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Ohio State (+165)
- Michigan (+165)
- Penn State (+600)
- Wisconsin (+700)
- Iowa (+1400)
- Illinois (+3000)
- Minnesota (+4000)
Best Bet To Win Big Ten
Michigan (+165)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
The Michigan Wolverines have won the Big Ten in back-to-back seasons and have done so by a combined 60 points in their two Big Ten Championships.
After failing to beat Ohio State in Jim Harbaugh’s first six seasons, they’ve won back-to-back games against their archrival and have done so in convincing fashion.
Michigan, a top contender for a National Championship, returns starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, a Heisman Trophy candidate in Blake Corum, and will again have one of the top offensive lines in the country. With the physicality of the offensive line and defensive front seven, my best bet is backing the Wolverines to win a third-straight Big Ten Title.
Bet on college football and the Michigan Wolverines at the top Michigan Sportsbooks.
Favorite To Win Big Ten
Ohio State (+165)
DraftKings Sportsbook
Ohio State has been the premier football school in the Big Ten since 2000 and is unsurprisingly, a Big Ten and National Championship contender again this season.
Even though the Buckeyes lost to Michigan last season, they were able to get into the playoff and fell just short against the eventual National Champion Georgia Bulldogs in the CFB semi-final.
This Ohio State team has more question marks than in years past, specifically at quarterback as the unproven Kyle McCord takes the reigns.
The junior will have the benefit of distributing to the top wide receiver class of the Big Ten, and arguably the nation, anchored by Marvin Harrison Jr. – who was also a high school teammate.
Offensive mastermind Ryan Day will have a bigger challenge on his hands, but even if Ohio State takes a step back this season they’ll be among the top offenses in the country.
The defense should be able to take a step forward in year two under DC Jim Knowles, but a late November matchup against Michigan will again tell the tale of the season.
Find the best CFB Big Ten Conference betting sites.
Sleeper Bet To Win Big Ten
Penn State (+600)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Unit
Penn State has received a ton of offseason hype this year as they look to highly touted sophomore quarterback Drew Allar to replace longtime starter Sean Clifford.
The Nittany Lions return a ton of production from last season, including the top two rushers led by a 1,000-yard rusher, Nicholas Singleton. Although they lost three of their top four receivers, they added two solid pieces – Dante Cephus and Malik McClain from the portal and return a ton of depth behind them.
The defense returns eight starters from one of the top units in the Big Ten and should be among the top secondaries not only in the Big Ten but the country this season.
Penn State has the best chance of anyone to knock off Ohio State and Michigan, but will have to go on the road to take on the Buckeyes. They’ll also have to take on Iowa. Outside of those three games, the schedule is among the easiest in the Big Ten.
Big Ten Team To Fade
Wisconsin (+700)
DraftKings Sportsbook
At this number, you would have to be almost sure Wisconsin is going to win the Big Ten West and even then, they’d have a matchup against the Big Ten East opponent who would assumedly be at least a touchdown favorite.
I love new head coach Luke Fickell, and the offense returns 10 starters and very well may have upgraded at Quarterback with SMU transfer Tanner Mordecai, but it seems optimistic that the Badgers make the jump from 7-6 last season to Big Ten Champions in a brand new system.
The Badgers will have to play Ohio State and although do get Iowa at home, have Illinois, Minnesota, and the always stingy Purdue team on the road. Even at (+700), the value just isn’t there for me to back the Badgers.
