Odds To Win 2011 Big Ten Championship

Future Betting Odds

Nebraska’s defection from the Big 12 ushers in a new era for Big Ten football by not only adding one of the premier programs in the country that will undoubtedly elevate its overall status, but by changing the entire competitive structure as well. With a total of 12 teams, the Big Ten has been split into two divisions; the Leaders and the Legends which in turn sets the stage for a conference championship game in early December.

Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, and Wisconsin will comprise the Leaders Division. Bodog.com has opened Wisconsin as the favorite to win this division at 7/5 and second-favorite to win the Big Ten at 13/5. The Badgers lost a large majority of their starters from last year’s 11-2 squad but they could have struck gold with the addition of former NC State QB Russell Wilson, who has been declared eligible to play this season. His favorite target could be WR Nick Toon, who caught36 passes for 469 yards last year but should be able to, at the very least, double those numbers this season. Also back are RB’s James White and Montee Ball. These two should also be a force this season after combining for over 2000 yards rushing and 32 TD’s in 2010.

Despite all the turmoil that cost head coach Jim Tressell his job and QB Terrelle Prior his senior year at the school, the Ohio State Buckeyes are second favorites to win the division at 2/1 and third-favorites to win the conference at 5/1. The Buckeyes remain loaded with talent with players such as RB Dan Herron and WR Devier Posey, but it will be up to new Head Coach Luke Fickell to put all the off-field distractions aside and get this team ready to play some football.

The ageless Joe Paterno will once again lead the Nittany Lions this season, who have been listed as third favorites in the Leaders Division at 43/20 and fourth favorites in the conference at 11/2. The Lions return 16 starters from a 2010 team that went 7-6 overall and 4-4 in the conference. Sophomore QB Rob Bolden should be the starter come opening day against Indiana State, but Matt McGloin will be waiting in the wings. Whoever is throwing the ball, their primary target will most likely be WR Derek Moye. He led the team in 2010 with 53 receptions for 885 yards.

he current odds to win the division for the remaining teams have Illinois at 10/1, Purdue at 33/1 and Indiana at 40/1.

The Legends Division is made up of the remaining six teams; Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Northwestern. The newest member of the group is also the best as the Cornhuskers are the favorites to win the division at 1/2. They are also favored to win the conference at 8/5 their first year running. DT Jared Crick and DE Cameron Meredith along with CB Alfonzo Dennard join four other returning starters to form the most complete defense in the conference. QB Taylor Martinez will lead the offense and remains a duel threat to beat you with both his arm and his legs. RB Rex Burkehead should handle most of the carries out of the backfield after gaining close to 1000 yards last season in a supporting role.

Michigan State is the second favorites to win the division at 4/1 and fifth-favorite in the conference at 10/1. The Spartans are coming off a gaudy 11-2 record last season, but a much more challenging schedule this season that includes Notre Dame, Ohio State, Nebraska, and Iowa on the road, will move those numbers downward. The good news is that there is still some star power on this team with QB Kirk Cousins and RB Edwin Baker back on offense and DT Jerel Worthy in the trenches on defense.

The Michigan Wolverines are the third-favorites in the Legends Division at 11/2 and listed at 16/1 to win the conference. This team could be the dark horse of the group with 18 starters back from last year’s team, including Heisman Trophy hopeful Denard Robinson. Last year Robinson was a one-man show with 2,570 yards passing and 18 touchdown throws to go along with 1,702 yards on the ground and 14 TD’s. If the defense can improve upon the 35.2 points a game it gave up in 2010, the Wolverines are more than capable of beating anyone in the conference.

The odds for the remaining teams in this division have Iowa at 7/1, Northwestern at 9/1, and Minnesota at 50/1.

Note: The Big Ten future lines listed above were current odds at the time the article was written. Please click here!! to get the up to the minute odds to win the 2011 Big Ten title.