As the 2016 College Football Season is due to kick off, many teams will be battling out to win perhaps the nation’s strongest conference, the Big 10. Here is our outlook and prognostication of the top Big 10 favorites to win, along with our best bet as a dark horse. The betting odds to win the Big 10 this season have been provided by Betonline Sportsbook.
OHIO STATE +150
Ohio State simply knows how to perform at a higher level. The Buckeyes are comparable to Alabama, they win by systematic and schematic design. The Bucks are under the captainship of one of the nation’s greatest coaches in Urban Meyer. Meyer knows how to master his talent and propel his players to step up and perform above expectation when called upon. We are fond of Ohio State’s “next-man up approach” and thus they can never be counted out by any means. However the ROI on this play is low and thus we recommend exercising caution before confirming the bet.
MICHIGAN +200
The Wolverines like Florida State as we covered in our ACC analysis are probably positioned at this wager by their name sake alone. Michigan emerged last year under incoming coach Jim Harbaugh after being sullied in their road opener at Utah to start off 2015. Despite the defensive talent, this team is nowhere near the level of Ohio State. Michigan will have to travel to Columbus at the end of the year to face off with their most hated foe where they have struggled mightily for a decade. Given the fact the difference between Ohio State and Michigan in terms of returns is marginal, Ohio State then would be the better play. Do not be sucked in to the Michigan vortex.
IOWA +750
Considering the Iowa Hawkeyes ran the table in 2015 and were just a minute away from capturing a Big 10 Championship against Michigan State, we are surprised not to see some form of an overreaction on this market. Iowa can certainly come right back in to the mix this year as the Hawkeyes are a “no-name” collective unit that plays a style of football typically indigenous to the Big 10. The Hawkeyes are all defense and they simply try to smash opponents up the gut with the run. The blueprint often yields dividends and at this price, the Hawkeyes are certainly worth a look.
PENN STATE +2000
James Franklin has been making strides with Penn State. Before coming to the Nittany Lions, Franklin was making measured strides with Vanderbilt in the SEC. We would be remiss to highlight the fact that Franklin transformed a marginalized cupcake in to a formidable foe. Franklin has also done well on the recruiting trail and these players will begin to trickle in to the mix. Without question, this play has a lot of potential value because the Nittany Lions get most of their tough conference games at home. In the open to their season, they have manageable contests against Kent State, Pitt and Temple. If Penn State starts strong out of the gate, who knows what can happen? At this price there is reason to be curious.