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.