College football is officially back! And, with it, sports betting is back (where legal). Each week, we will update the betting odds to win the Big Ten to observe how the lines move with each big win and disappointing loss.
Michigan comes into 2024 as the back-to-back-to-back champions, (alleged) cheating notwithstanding. It’ll be difficult for a four-peat with the turnover both on the field and among the coaching ranks. Plus the whole NCAA investigations for the COVID recruiting and the three years of cheating, of course.
It looks like Ohio State’s four-peat from 2017 through 2020 will stand as the last four-in-a-row.
All odds via Fanduel Sportsbook
Week 1 Best Odds to Win the Big Ten
The Contenders
Ohio State (+145)
Oregon (+200)
Penn State (+500)
Michigan (+900)
To start, no surprises here, of course.
Michigan and Ohio State have won each of the last seven Big Ten titles. Right before that run, Penn State won its first outright Big Ten title since 1994 (second overall). To boot, Oregon has built an elite squad for the 2024 season and beyond.
Starting with the favored Buckeyes, Ohio State owns the most outright Big Ten titles in conference history with 24 (40 overall if you include shares and the 2010 season). The Buckeyes brought back an obnoxious amount of NFL-ready talent AND added a few absolute dogs from the transfer portal. 11 wins feel like the floor and a rematch in Indianapolis against Oregon feels just as inevitable.
Oregon, meanwhile, is not far behind with the second-best odds to win the Big Ten. Considering the fact they were two three-point losses to the eventual National Championship runner-up a year ago and upgraded at a number of positions, it makes sense. Dillon Gabriel (+500) is currently the favorite to bring home the Heisman.
Penn State had an elite defense last year and looks to do the same in 2024. The question for the Nittany Lions will be whether or not Drew Allar will take that step forward. He has an improved wide receiver corps to throw to and one of the top one-two punches at running back. Plus, they get Ohio State at home and while it hasn’t helped them much in recent memory (only one win since the beginning of the Urban Meyer in 2016 and it was the first home win since 2005), it’s a factor.
Finally, despite all of the uncertainty, scandal, and turnover, Michigan clocks in with the fourth-best odds. Considering they should have an elite defense yet again, it makes sense. We will, however, see if they are as elite without already knowing the offense’s plays, of course. At quarterback, do they have a quarterback? That’s the Wolverines’ biggest question heading into 2024.
Could Make Noise
USC (+2000)
Iowa (+4200)
Nebraska (+5000)
Wisconsin (+5000)
While the Big Ten feels like a four-horse race to start the year, there are a few teams who could make things interesting.
USC is going to be intriguing. With Lincoln Riley, the Trojans’ offense should be more than fine. Miller Moss finally gets his shot and his top receiver, Zachariah Branch, was the top-rated wide receiver of the 2023 recruiting class for a reason. Will their defense be as atrocious as it was a year ago? We shall see! They hired UCLA’s defensive coordinator, so that should help.
Iowa is Iowa. Elite defense, underwhelming offense. Rinse and repeat.
Nebraska is a wild card to make some noise. Matt Rhule has named true freshman five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola as the starting quarterback. There’s a very real timeline that the Huskers are undefeated heading into their matchup with Ohio State.
Wisconsin had some growing pains last year as they were moving away from the traditional Wisconsin-style offense. Luke Fickell will have his team ready to roll behind new quarterback Tyler Van Dyke.
Longshots
Washington (+11000)
Rutgers (+12000)
Maryland (+15000)
Indiana (+20000)
Should you use your hard-earned money on some of the longshot odds to win the Big Ten? We aren’t here to TELL you what to do, but there are reasons for optimism.
Washington lost quite a bit to the NFL and the portal, including head coach Kalen DeBoer. However, they brought in a solid portal class, recruiting class, and up-and-coming coach Jedd Fisch.
If there’s a team this author would be willing to throw money at for at least making the Big Ten championship, Rutgers might be a fun pick. Greg Schiano has his team buying in and they have one of, if not the best running backs in the Big Ten in Kyle Monangai. Look at the Rutgers schedule. 10 wins are possible.
Maryland will finally be led by a quarterback not named Taulia Tagovailoa as MJ Morris and/or Billy Edwards, Jr. takes over. One bit of good news is Roman Hemby is still a stud carrying the football. Last year, the Terps started the year 5-0 and lost five of their final seven games before taking down Auburn in the Music City Bowl.
Finally, from this group, Indiana might be better than most would expect. Kurtis Rourke was a baller at Ohio. The former MAC MVP threw for 7,651 yards and 50 touchdowns in four seasons. He also added 828 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. New coach Curt Cignetti is talking his smack and was a winner at James Madison and is not afraid to let you know. The Hoosiers won three games last year. Bowl eligibility is well within the realm of possibilities. Four aside from a weak non-conference schedule, four opponents have worse odds to win the Big Ten.
Donations
Minnesota (+25000)
UCLA (+25000)
Michigan State (+25000)
Illinois (+30000)
Purdue (+40000)
Northwestern (+50000)
Listen, if you want to throw some cash at what looks to be the bottom six of the conference, more power to you. If there’s anyone this author would be willing to bet on finishing above their projected standings, it’d be Michigan State. Jonathan Smith can coach. The Spartans might manage to get to bowl eligibility but Smith has what it takes to get them back to the second tier at the very least.
Honestly, if you put money down on any of these odds to win the Big Ten, more power to you.
