Has the power balance permanently shifted in the Big Ten? 2023 is the final season before they bring in heavyweights USC and UCLA, changing the landscape of the Midwestern conference. This year, the usual suspects top conference odds: back-to-back champ Michigan, Goliath Ohio State, and third-wheel Penn State. Other teams with their share of intrigue this season include Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. Buckle up for another wild 2023 college football season in the Big Ten.
Below, we’ll go over the favorites, contenders, players to watch, and more for the Big Ten Conference.
Big Ten odds 2023
To bet on a team future, click the odds in the table below.
2023 Big Ten Power Rankings
- Michigan Wolverines ()
- Ohio State Buckeyes ()
- Penn State Nittany Lions ()
- Maryland Terrapins ()
- Iowa Hawkeyes ()
- Wisconsin Badgers ()
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights ()
- Nebraska Cornhuskers ()
- Minnesota Golden Gophers ()
- Illinois Fighting Illini ()
- Purdue Boilermakers ()
- Northwestern Wildcats ()
- Michigan State Spartans ()
- Indiana Hoosiers ()
Players To Note
RB Blake Corum: Corum was in the mix for the 2022 Heisman Trophy before suffering an injury late last season. Corum believes the trophy is within his reach, as he returns to Ann Arbor for another season. He and runningmate Donovan Edwards make up the nation’s top running back room and pair with McCarthy.
WR Marvin Harrison Jr.: Somehow, the Buckeye receivers continue to improve. Following a string of three first-round receivers, Harrison Jr. might just be the best receiver in scarlet and grey in a long time. He’s the son of the NFL Hall of Famer and will be a featured part of this offense. His QB, Kyle McCord, was a high school teammate, ensuring a serious connection this fall.
OT Olu Fashanu: Penn State’s premier tackle was projected to be a top-10 pick in this year’s NFL Draft, but he decided to return to Happy Valley for one more season. A likely preseason All American, Fashanu should again be one of the conference’s top players. You may not hear his name as much as the skill players, but he’s as instrumental as anyone on the Penn State roster.
Best Big Ten betting sites
Big Ten results 2022
| East | Conference Record | West | Conference Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 9-0 | Purdue | 6-3 |
| Ohio State | 8-1 | Illinois | 5-4 |
| Penn State | 7-2 | Iowa | 5-4 |
| Maryland | 4-5 | Minnesota | 5-4 |
| Michigan State | 3-6 | Wisconsin | 4-5 |
| Indiana | 2-7 | Nebraska | 3-6 |
| Rutgers | 1-8 | Northwestern | 1-8 |
Past Conference Champions
| Year | Winner | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Michigan* | 13-0 |
| 2021 | Michigan* | 12-2 |
| 2020 | Ohio State* | 7-1 |
| 2019 | Ohio State* | 13-1 |
| 2018 | Ohio State | 13-1 |
| 2017 | Ohio State | 12-2 |
| 2016 | Penn State | 11-3 |
| 2015 | Michigan State* | 12-2 |
| 2014 | Ohio State^ | 14-1 |
| 2013 | Michigan State | 13-1 |
| 2012 | Wisconsin | 8-6 |
| 2011 | Wisconsin | 11-3 |
| 2010 | Michigan State/Wisconsin | 11-2/11-2 |
*College Football Playoff selection
^National Champion
How to bet on conference winners
Our top advice we always give at TheLines is to shop around before diving headlong into the first bet you see. Different outlets offer different odds and a minute or two of your time could result in some more money coming your way. Just because FanDuel Sportsbook offers Iowa to win the Big Ten (+700) doesn’t mean DraftKings Sportsbook won’t offer the same prop at +900. We’ll compile all the odds for you so you always get the best price.
Sites like FanDuel, DraftKings, and Caesars offer ample ways to bet on college football conference winners– odds that will change drastically as the season progresses.
When betting on conference futures, be sure to keep in mind factors that are specific to college football. Important areas of consideration include:
- Schedule (out of conference, home/away splits)
- Coaching prowess
- Returning production
- Star quarterbacks
- Experience and cohesiveness on the offensive line
Be sure to know which factors matter more than others. For example, a heavy focus is put on recruiting classes. However, the most recent class likely won’t take the field for another year or two and won’t factor into team success this season. Also, is this a coaching staff that develops its talent well? Staffs like Wisconsin are extremely good at developing talent whereas teams like Texas consistently underperform despite signing top recruiting classes.
Stay up to date with TheLines’ coverage of college football this season and follow us on Twitter for more Big Ten betting content.