NCAA Football Big Ten Betting Preview
Both divisions in the Big Ten are stacked with talent this season. To no one’s surprise, the Ohio State Buckeyes are once again the favorites to win the Big Ten outright, the Championship Game, and are at +600 to win the National Championship.
OSU isn’t the only high-powered team in the conference or the East division this season. Penn State, Indiana, and Michigan are within reach of the defending Big Ten Champions. It should be another action-packed season in 2021.
Let’s take a look at the Big Ten Conference schedule, betting odds, and then break down some of the top odds to win the East Division and the Big Ten Championship Game.
2021 Big Ten Football Schedule
Saturday, August 28
Illinois vs Nebraska
Thursday, September 2 Minnesota at Ohio State Temple at Rutgers
Saturday, September 4 Penn State at Wisconsin Indiana at Iowa Michigan State at Northwestern West Virginia at Maryland Oregon State at Purdue Western Michigan at Michigan UTSA at Illinois
Saturday, September 11 Oregon at Ohio State Washington at Michigan Iowa at Iowa State Illinois at Virginia Rutgers at Syracuse Buffalo at Nebraska Miami University at Minnesota Ball State at Penn State Eastern Michigan at Wisconsin UConn at Purdue Youngstown State at Michigan State Idaho at Indiana Indiana State at Northwestern Howard at Maryland
Saturday, September 18 Auburn at Penn State Nebraska at Oklahoma Purdue at Notre Dame Michigan State at Miami Minnesota at Colorado Cincinnati at Indiana Maryland at Illinois Tulsa at Ohio State Kent State at Iowa Northern Illinois at Michigan Delaware at Rutgers
Saturday, September 25 Wisconsin vs Notre Dame (in Chicago) Nebraska at Michigan State Illinois at Purdue Rutgers at Michigan Colorado State at Iowa Ohio at Northwestern Indiana at WKU Kent State at Maryland Bowling Green at Minnesota Akron at Ohio State Villanova at Penn State
Saturday, October 2 Michigan at Wisconsin Indiana at Penn State Northwestern at Nebraska Iowa at Maryland Minnesota at Purdue Ohio State at Rutgers WKU at Michigan State Charlotte at Illinois
Saturday, October 9 Penn State at Iowa Michigan at Nebraska Wisconsin at Illinois Maryland at Ohio State Michigan State at Rutgers
Saturday, October 16 Nebraska at Minnesota Army at Wisconsin Michigan State at Indiana Purdue at Iowa Rutgers at Northwestern
Saturday, October 23 Ohio State at Indiana Northwestern at Michigan Wisconsin at Purdue Maryland at Minnesota Illinois at Penn State
Saturday, October 30 Penn State at Ohio State Iowa at Wisconsin Michigan at Michigan State Minnesota at Northwestern Purdue at Nebraska Indiana at Maryland Rutgers at Illinois
Saturday, November 6 Ohio State at Nebraska Iowa at Northwestern Penn State at Maryland Michigan State at Purdue Illinois at Minnesota Wisconsin at Rutgers
Saturday, November 13 Michigan at Penn State Northwestern at Wisconsin Minnesota at Iowa Purdue at Ohio State Maryland at Michigan State Rutgers at Indiana SE Louisiana at Nebraska
Saturday, November 20 Nebraska at Wisconsin Michigan State at Ohio State Michigan at Maryland Minnesota at Indiana Purdue at Northwestern Illinois at Iowa Rutgers at Penn State
Friday, November 26
Iowa at Nebraska
Saturday, November 27 Ohio State at Michigan Wisconsin at Minnesota Northwestern at Illinois Indiana at Purdue Maryland at Rutgers
Saturday, December 4
Big Ten Football Championship Game (in Indianapolis)
2021 Big Ten Championship Game Betting Odds
Team Odds
- Ohio State -227
- Wisconsin +600
- Penn State +900
- Minnesota +900
- Iowa +1200
- Indiana +2000
- Michigan +2500
- Northwestern +4900
- Rutgers +7900
- Nebraska +7900
- Purdue +9900
- Michigan State +9900
- Maryland +9900
- Illinois +14900
2021 Big Ten Regular Season Championship | East Division
Team Odds
- Ohio State -417
- Penn State +475
- Indiana +1100
- Michigan +1500
- Maryland +2900
- Rutgers +2900
- Michigan St. +3900
#1. Ohio St. Buckeyes | -227 to Win Big Ten Championship Game
The Buckeyes have won 3 Big Ten Championship games in 4 straight appearances. They were undefeated at 5-0 overall and in the conference after a controversial ending to the 2020 season.
Justin Fields led the Buckeyes offense a season ago, but now that he is in the NFL, CJ Stroud will be taking the snaps. Stroud is an early Heisman candidate with +2900 odds, tied for 7th amongst other candidates.
Ohio State’s defense barely cracked the top 40 last season but is expected to improve in 2021. Without Fields to put up ridiculous numbers, the defense must get better in a much improved Big Ten East.
Action 247 Sportsbook has the Buckeyes’ win total set at 10.5. They have -417 odds to win the Big Ten East, and -227 odds to win the Big Ten Championship Game. Their +600 odds to win the National Championship are 3rd best in college football.
#2. Penn St. Nittany Lions | +900 to Win Big Ten Championship Game
Penn State’s offense and defense both ranked around 50th in the FBS last season. They need both sides of the ball to step up in order to contest Ohio State for the division and conference.
Sean Clifford returns under center after a good season in 2020. He put up 1,883 passing yards and 335 rushing yards and totaled 19 touchdowns. His 16 to 9 touchdown-to interception ratio must come down this season.
The Nittany Lions offense averaged over 430 yards per game a season ago. Good for 36th in the FBS. Their issues in the red zone kept those yards from converting to points. They ranked 110th in red zone scoring percentage.
Action247 Sportsbook has the Nittany Lions’ win total at 8.5. They have +475 odds to win the Big Ten East and +900 odds to win the Big Ten Championship Game.
#3. Indiana Hoosiers | +2000 to Win Big Ten Championship Game
Indiana went 6-1 in Big Ten play last season and would have made it to the Big Ten Championship had the six-win rule not been adjusted to allow Ohio State in.
The Hoosiers averaged 28.9 points per game last season, but they put up nearly 34 at home. The offense was led by quarterback Michael Peniz Jr. who will return as the starter this season.
Head coach Tom Allen has been raving all camp about Penix. The Hoosiers definitely need him to take the next step. He finished the 2020 season with 1,645 passing yards and 14 touchdowns to 4 interceptions. His completion percentage was a bit low at 56.5%.
Most of Indiana’s defense is returning in 2021, which bodes well since they only allowed 20.2 points per game and were ranked 20th in the nation. Senior linebacker Micah McFadden led the team in tackles, tackles for a loss, and sacks. He was also 3rd on the team with two picks.
According to Action247 Sportsbook, the Hoosiers have +1100 odds to win the Big Ten East and +2000 odds to win the Big Ten Championship. Their regular season win total is set at 7.5.
* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.
Last updated:October 31, 2021 Big 10, Football