There is no question as to which team is favored to win the 2021 Big Ten football championship. This conference belongs to the Ohio State Buckeyes and until someone proves otherwise, it will remain in the control of the Buckeyes in 2021.
Biggest Sports Betting Bonuses
Ohio State has won five straight conference championships. Since 2012 when former head coach Urban Meyer took over the program, the Buckeyes are a mind boggling 104-11. No other Big Ten program comes close.
There could be some surprises in 2021. Here’s a look at the odds, the sleepers, and the pick to win the 2021 Big Ten title.
Buckeyes to Lose
Ohio State is an overwhelming -170 favorite to win another Big Ten championship. Gone is QB Justin Fields, who was picked No. 11 in this year’s NFL draft by the Chicago Bears. In his place will be highly touted C.J. Stroud from California. Stroud may not miss a beat with the likes of WR Chris Olave and RB Master Teague back on offense.
Barring some sort of disaster, Ohio State will reload and dominate Big Ten play once again.
The Top Contenders
The Buckeyes biggest competition will come from East Division rival Penn State Nittany Lions and the West’s Wisconsin Badgers. Ohio State does not play the Badgers. Penn State opens its 2021 season in Madison and also crosses over to play at Iowa.
The Nittany Lions are listed at +700 and Wisconsin is given +800 odds to win the Big Ten. It will be much tougher for Penn State to win than the Badgers. Wisconsin plays in the weaker division and it does not have to face Ohio State in the regular season.
Sleepers
It seems like every year there’s a team in the Big Ten that sneaks up on the rest of the conference. Last year, it was Indiana and Northwestern. The Hoosiers only loss was a 42-35 setback to Ohio State. Northwestern won the West Division at 6-1 and finished 7-2 overall.
This year, Indiana (+1800) probably won’t sneak up on anybody. The better sleeper is P.J. Fleck’s Minnesota team. The Golden Gophers went 3-4 last year and lost some talent, but they return starting QB Tanner Morgan. Minnesota is listed at +1800 to win. It will be difficult as the Gophers start the season with Ohio State.
It seems that every year Nebraska is mentioned as a sleeper. This year is no different. The Cornhuskers will play three winnable games – Illinois, Fordham, and Buffalo – to start the season. A 3-0 start could be just what head coach Scott Frost needs to jump start the program.
There are games against Michigan and Ohio State as well as a non-conference matchup with Oklahoma. Still, the Cornhuskers could finally turn the corner and get back on the winning track. The Huskers are also listed at +1800.
2021 Big Ten Football Winner Prediction
It would be great to back a Penn State or Wisconsin at +700 or +800, but it just doesn’t make sense. Yes, Ohio State is the only program listed at minus-money, but there’s a reason. The Buckeyes are that much better than every other program in the Big Ten.
If you’re betting the Buckeyes to win, do it quickly. It’s likely their betting odds to win shorten even more before the start of the season.
2021 Big Ten Football Championship Odds
Ohio State -170
Penn State +700
Wisconsin +800
Michigan +1100
Iowa +1200
Indiana +1800
Minnesota +1800
Nebraska +1800
Northwestern +3300
Maryland +4000
Michigan State +5000
Purdue +5000
Illinois +10000
