For the past 3 seasons, Michigan, Penn State, and Ohio State have dominated the Big Ten. Oh, wait, there’s also that team that plays in Madison, Wisconsin, that’s been a bear to deal with.
Ohio State is at +100 to win the 2018 Big Ten Championship. Should the Buckeyes be that big of a favorite? Will Michigan and Penn State give Ohio State all they can handle? Also, can a team challenge Wisconsin in the Big Ten West?
Penn State lost all world RB Saquon Barkley to the NFL. Not an issue because QB Trace McSorley stayed in school. McSorley will play behind an offensive line with experience, 4 starters return, while Penn State has plenty of RB talent to take Barkley’s place. The wide receiver position is solid.
The Lions are deep at defensive end and in their secondary. If they can get a few players to push up the middle, and if a linebacker emerges as a star in the making, the Penn State Nittany Lions could push both Ohio State and Michigan in the Big Ten East.
Best Early 2018 Big Ten Championship Odds
Check out odds on favorites to win the Big Ten Championship.- Ohio State +100
- Wisconsin +300
- Penn State +380
- Michigan +400
- Michigan State +650
Top Pick: Michigan Wolverines +400
What’s wrong with Ohio State? The odds make Ohio State a virtual lock to win the Big Ten, right? Then again, the Buckeyes face 4 other teams at single-digit odds to take them down. That implies not all Big Ten future bettors are as in love with Ohio State. One of those teams, Michigan, has the best chance to beat the Buckeyes. The reason is because the Wolverines return 8 starters on one of the stingiest defenses in college football last season. Michigan also returns a decent quarterback. The key? If the Wolverines’ offensive line doesn’t come together quickly, they’ll be done for. Michigan opens against Notre Dame on the road. A win signals that the Wolverines will challenge for a spot in the College Football Playoff. A loss could derail their season before it starts. Still, the defense means Jim Harbaugh only must get his offensive line together to beat Urban Meyer’s Ohio State squad.Second Pick: Penn State Nittany Lions +380
Penn State lost all world RB Saquon Barkley to the NFL. Not an issue because QB Trace McSorley stayed in school. McSorley will play behind an offensive line with experience, 4 starters return, while Penn State has plenty of RB talent to take Barkley’s place. The wide receiver position is solid.
The Lions are deep at defensive end and in their secondary. If they can get a few players to push up the middle, and if a linebacker emerges as a star in the making, the Penn State Nittany Lions could push both Ohio State and Michigan in the Big Ten East.
Super Dog Pick: Iowa Hawkeyes +2500
Nebraska is the hot pick because they hired Scott Frost to coach, but they must play the best teams in the Big Ten on the road this season. Iowa is the much better play in our opinion. The real reason is because the Hawkeyes return a good quarterback, 3 offensive linemen with starting experience, and a decent group of wide receivers. Iowa’s usually rock solid defense must replace all 3 starting linebackers. The good news is that the DE position is solid while the secondary looks to be in good shape. Like Penn State, if the Hawkeyes can find a way to get that push up the middle on D, they’ll be okay.- Top Pick: Michigan Wolverines
- Second Pick: Penn State Nittany Lions
- Third Pick: Iowa Hawkeyes
