In the old days of the Big Ten, long before the conference outgrew its title in membership, the league was derisively referred to as the big two and little eight. In recent years, with Michigan’s resurgence in the Big 10 football standings under John Harbaugh, the league has gone back to that distinction. Since Penn State won in 2016, either Michigan or Ohio State has won the Big Ten in football every season.
Looking at the Big 10 conference odds will reflect that the opinion of many observers hasn’t changed which teams will be at the top. Michigan Wolverines, the two-time defending conference champions, have the second-best odds to win the Big Ten at +180. While Ohio State, which claimed the title in the previous four seasons, are the favorites at +145.
Will anyone else be able to step up in the arms race? Here’s a look at how the race in the Big Ten standings could go.
Ohio State wants to grab the title back
The Buckeyes have dropped back-to-back games to Michigan, a streak that the Ohio State are tired of having to live with. Ohio State Buckeyes will have to replace C.J. Stroud at quarterback, who was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. The Buckeyes don’t have a starter firmly yet, but it is expected Kyle McCord will be named the starter.
McCord will have one of the best wide receivers in the country at his disposal. Marvin Harrison Jr. will return this season after catching 77 passes for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. Ohio State’s offense adjusting to a new starter will have a major impact on Big 10 Conference winner odds.
During Ryan Day’s tenure as Buckeyes coach, Ohio State has been able to plug and play with quarterbacks. If McCord can get up to snuff quickly, it will be tough to stop Ohio State.
Can Michigan bully its way back to a title?
The Wolverines are one of the NCAAF teams keeping the reputation of the Big Ten pointed in the direction of hard-nosed football. Michigan’s offense was powered by a strong offensive line that produced a ferocious running attack last season. The Wolverines’ defense let them down in the College Football Playoff last season.
Michigan returns quarterback J.J. McCarthy and has a soft out-of-conference NCAAF schedule. The Wolverines won’t have any challenges out of conference and will need to find a way to step up their game against Penn State Nittany Lions and Ohio State to win a third straight conference title.
Penn State ready to break through
The Nittany Lions dominated the Rose Bowl last season in a way that made people question how Penn State would do if it wasn’t stuck in the brutal Big Ten East Division. College football odds show the Nittany Lions have the third-best Big 10 conference winner odds at +550. Penn State will also be breaking in a new quarterback this season.
Drew Allar will now be under center following the long tenure of Sean Clifford with the Nittany Lions. Penn State will be a program that many people make college football picks on them to win throughout the season. The Nittany Lions don’t have many landmines in the non-conference and will host Michigan this season.
Can anyone else break through?
Picking anyone outside of the top three in the East Division to win, won’t be the best college football bet. Wisconsin Badgers has the fourth-best odds to win the conference at +800. However, the Badgers may not be ready to challenge for the big time yet.
Wisconsin is adjusting to a new coach in Luke Fickell, who had a lot of success at Cincinnati. There aren’t any other teams in the Big 10 Conference winner odds that are a serious threat to lift the trophy by the end of the season.
Who will win?
Ohio State has been the best program in the conference over the past 10 seasons. While Michigan has started to turn the tide, the Wolverines will be missing a lot of key pieces. The Buckeyes will go into the Big House and score a victory to earn another division title and will go on to win the conference title.
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