Betting Value in Big Ten Football
Big Ten football betting is back! This means we can include the Big Ten in the hunt for the College Football Playoff, and more importantly, we can bet on games and futures.
Ohio State, as to be expected, is the heavy favorite to win the conference title, but also a favorite to bring home a national championship.
The conference has decided to play a shortened eight-game season beginning on Oct. 24. Because of the late start, none of the teams will have a scheduled off-week, which will put the conference in a bind should an outbreak cause a cancellation, which we have already seen numerous times around college football.
Big Ten Football Betting Odds
Ohio State is the big favorite at -250. The East side of the conference houses the two best teams, leaving the West wide open.
- Ohio State -250
- Michigan +550
- Penn State +850
- Wisconsin +900
- Nebraska +2000
- Iowa +2500
- Minnesota +2500
- Michigan State +4000
- Indiana +5000
- Northwestern +5000
- Illinois +8000
- Maryland +8000
- Purdue +8000
Michigan should not be at +550, as Penn State is the better team, but name recognition pushes the odds on the Wolverines. Ohio State should win the conference, but in a strange year, the -250 just does not offer enough value.
Should a player go down or an outbreak occur, this could throw a wrench in what should be a sure conference title.
The Nittany Lions provide value, and you can even get them at +1000 on some sites. Penn State is more talented than Michigan, and if you want to bet someone other than the Buckeyes, there is some value.
Penn State gets Ohio State in week 2 in a game that will probably decide the conference champion.
Do Not Bet
Do not touch the Cornhuskers. Their Big Ten football betting odds are inflated at +2000. Scott Frost is a good coach, but it will be another couple of years before he brings the once-storied program back to prominence.
Other Bets
The West looks to be pretty weak again. Wisconsin should be the class of the West, and you can get it at +500 to make the conference title game. This is my favorite bet of the Big Ten Conference.
Iowa should be rebuilding, and Nebraska isn’t ready to compete. The Badgers also avoid Penn State and Ohio State, which should mean they make a trip to Indianapolis in December for the conference title game.
Minnesota is the only other team in the West we like. You can get them at +2500 to win the conference. I like them as a long shot, but I think they take a step back from last year.
If wide receiver Rashod Bateman decides to reverse course on his opt-out, this offense could be good enough to pull off an upset or two. The Golden Gophers can make a big statement as they draw Michigan in week 1.
National Title Odds
Ohio State to win the national title currently comes in at +300. Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence are the best two quarterbacks in college football. Will the two meet in the national title game?
The problem with betting on the Buckeyes at +300 is that there is so little value. If they lose one game, they are probably out. I like taking the longer shots this year as only Clemson seems to have a cakewalk to the College Football Playoff.
Penn State is around 30/1 or 35/1, depending on where you get them. If I am throwing money on Big Ten football betting a team to win the national championship, this is where my money is going.
The Nittany Lions have a legit chance to win the Big Ten, and if you make the Playoff, anything could happen. 2020 has seen a lot of strange things, so the Nittany Lions winning it all would not come as a huge surprise.
