We're less than a month away from the start of another college football season so it's time to start getting ready for all the action by breaking down the futures odds to win all the major conferences. This time around we will zero-in on the Big Ten

The following is a closer look at a few of the top contenders to win the Big Ten this season based on odds provided by Sportsbook.ag as well as the odds for all the teams to win the conference.

Ohio State Buckeyes

• Odds to win the Big Ten Leaders Division -450
• Odds to win the Big Ten Championship -110
• Odds to win a BCS Championship +650

From the look of all the futures odds for the Big Ten it appears to be a one-horse race to this year's Rose Bowl or possible BCS Championship Game with the Buckeyes leading the charge. Taking over a program that beset with issues, most notably a one-year ban from postseason play, Urban Meyer was once again able to work his magic as head coach to squeeze a perfect 12-0 campaign out of his squad.

With nine starters back on offense including Heisman hopeful Braxton Miller at quarterback, look for Ohio State to be even better than last year's team that was ranked 10th in the nation in rushing and 21st in scoring with an average of 37.2 points a game. The Buckeyes only return four starters on the defensive side of the ball but back is All-American cornerback Bradley Roby and All-Conference linebacker Ryan Shazier to help lead the way for all the new faces in the lineup.

Michigan Wolverines

• Odds to win the Big Ten Legends Division +250
• Odds to win the Big Ten Championship +500
• Odds to win a BCS Championship +4000

Wolverine fans are sure to have high expectations for 2013 after watching their team go 6-2 in Big Ten play last season and 8-5 overall. They came up just short of representing the Legends Division in the conference title game, but with a solid core of talent back from last season as well as a strong recruiting class coming in, Michigan is in great position to get that chance this season.

Look for Devin Gardner to get the nod at quarterback after splitting time with Denard Robinson last season. He is not nearly as deadly with his legs, but should prove to be a much more accurate passer. The big plus for the Wolverines' offense is the return of running back Fitzgerald Toussaint, who is poised for a breakout season after rushing for 514 yards last season. With just six starters back on defense, head coach Brady Hoke will have some work to do on this side of the ball to match last year's squad that was ranked 20th in the nation in points allowed (19.8).

Northwestern Wildcats

• Odds to win the Big Ten Legends Division +260
• Odds to win the Big Ten Championship +600
• Odds to win a BCS Championship +15000

Northwestern is rarely one of the schools that come to mind when you think of Big Ten football, but this team proved last season that it can beat anyone in the conference with the exception of Ohio State (the two teams did not play one another). Last year's 5-3 record in Big Ten play included a one-point loss to Nebraska and an overtime loss to Michigan. Overall, the Wildcats finished 10-3 on the year after hammering Mississippi State 34-20 in the Gator Bowl.

The prospect for another successful season looks good with eight starters back on offense and seven expected back on defense. Running back Venric Mark returns after leading the team in rushing in 2012 with 1,366 yards and 12 touchdowns. Kain Colter proved to be an extremely versatile player at quarterback with 894 yards rushing to go along with his 872 yards passing the ball. Northwestern was solid on defense as well; holding teams to just 22.5 points a game. There are some big holes to fill from that unit up front, but the secondary remains pretty much intact.

The Rest of the Conference

The odds to win the conference for the best of the rest in the Big Ten include Nebraska at +700, Michigan State at +750 and Wisconsin at +950.

The odds to win for the rest of the teams are Iowa at +4500, Indiana at +4800, Minnesota at +7500, Purdue at +9000 and Illinois at +17500. Penn State remains ineligible for postseason play.