The Big Ten has won the last two college football championships, breaking a streak of eight years of the SEC and Clemson taking home the hardwood. The Big Ten received four bids to last season’s initial 12-team playoff, and that probably won’t change going into this season.
Here is a look at the latest odds to win the Big Ten championship from top sportsbooks.
Big Ten Conference Championship Game Winner 2025
Ohio State +200
At least for a few months, Ohio State fans have reason to be quiet and enjoy being national champions. That changes possibly when the Buckeyes face Texas in their opener. Ohio State has to replace several key starters, and that will take time, making a possible loss to the Longhorns something Ohio State can overcome. Other than a home game with Penn State and regular-season closer at Michigan, the schedule is manageable. Hard to imagine Ohio State is anything less than 11-1 and not playing for the Big Ten championship.
Penn State +250
Before the season, Penn State’s only setback is likely at Columbus. A trip to Iowa is seldom simple, and hosting Oregon will be a test. James Franklin has a brutal record versus top teams, and their schedule is like an Italian sub, stuffed with meatballs. The Nittany Lions can return to the Big Ten title tilt, but until they win the most important of games, it is hard to trust them.
Oregon +275
Oregon went into the Big Ten and immediately won the conference title by beating Ohio State in Eugene and knocking off the Nittany Lions in the championship battle. Their reward was a bye week and having to face the Buckeyes again, where they were overwhelmed. The Ducks have a tough task at Penn State and maybe Washington, but have USC at home. If Oregon can win at Beaver Stadium, they should be playing for a second straight Big Ten title.
Michigan +850
Michigan had impressive wins over the Buckeyes and Crimson Tide to close last season. The recruiting seems to have slid some, and having to beat Ohio State even at home is a tall order. Road games at Oklahoma, Nebraska, and USC might be too much to ask with the Harbaugh era over.
USC +3500
As you can tell by the odds, there is a big drop off from the #4 to #5 slot according to the oddsmakers. This is a big year for Lincoln Riley. His job isn’t in trouble yet, but it could take him to the hot seat. After a 4-0 start, USC is at Illinois and hosts Michigan. Win those two contests, 6-0 looks good with two tough away games on deck with Notre Dame and Nebraska. If Riley has the Trojans at 7-2 going to Eugene and beats Michigan, they should be playing for the conference title and a bid to football’s Big Dance. If USC is 4-2 traveling to South Bend, another 7-6 campaign is possible.
Indiana +4000
What a great year for Indiana football in 2024. Coach Curt Cignetti’s confidence and ability to work the portal led to a magical season. Bloomington is still not a football destination. But for a player looking to make a name for himself, Cignetti is a proven coach. The Over/Under of 8.5 victories probably rides on an excursion to Maryland, having to play at Penn State, Iowa, and Oregon.
Nebraska +4500
Nebraska has a shot at a 9-3 season if Dylan Raiola turns into one of the top two or three quarterbacks in the conference, which is possible. The Cornhuskers have gotten better in the trenches under coach Matt Ruhle, while adding much needed speed on defense. The Children of the Corn have a teasy last month (USC, at UCLA, at Penn State, and Iowa), thus, reaching that point at 7-1 would make a solid year.
Illinois +5000
Bret Bielma had a stunning 10-3 season and was rewarded with a new six-year deal. Illinois was one of the youngest teams in the Big Ten last year and did not suffer heavy losses. Bringing back third-year starting QB Luke Altmyer sets the table nicely. The swing games between 9-3 again or 7-5 are USC, Washington at Indiana. If Michigan and USC don’t perform this might be this conference’s fourth postseason entry.
Iowa +6500
Veteran coach Kirk Ferentz has enjoyed a great career at Iowa City. Nonetheless, the quarterback position has been in the bottom 25% for years. Additionally, suffering from a lack of big play performers, and the lines have deteriorated on both sides of the ball. Iowa now mostly plays good enough to lose.
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Washington +7500
That didn’t take long, from national runner-up to a Big Ten also ran. Jedd Fisch is a good coach, however, Washington was more attractive as a Pac-12 destination than this conference. Their win total is 7.5, and matchups against Wisconsin, Illinois, and at UCLA will determine if they reach Over or fall Under.
Minnesota +15000
For all the grief P.J Fleck receives as the head man at Minnesota, they’ve won seven or more times four of the past half dozen seasons, except 2020 (Covid). Did Fleck lose some winnable games that might have made other seasons better, probably. Yet, almost any coach that wins 8 or 9 games in the land of 10,000 lakes has his agent looking for a five-year deal somewhere else. The Golden Gophers cannot recruit or pay enough to reach the next tier.
Rutgers +25000
Rutgers was 6-6 and 7-5 the past two years and returns QB in Athan Kaliakmanis. The Scarlet Knights drew the short straw for scheduling and becoming bowl eligible would be a feat for veteran coach Greg Schiano.
UCLA +25000
After a slow start, UCLA was competitive in their final seven skirmishes. The next step is a bowl, and adding former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava might make that possible, as coach Deshaun Foster added much needed toughness to the program.
Michigan State +30000
For the Spartans, everything depends on the development of QB Aidan Chiles. He was on or off last year. Michigan State has talent to give foes trouble. A nasty road slate holds Sparty back.
Wisconsin +30000
It’s been decades since we saw this kind of mediocrity in Madison. Luke Fickall has not worked out as coach, and he’s scrambling to find the identity of Wisconsin football after blowing it up his first season. It’s easy to recruit against the Badgers because they got away from what they did best, owning the trenches and running the ball. Starting in Alabama, Michigan, Oregon and Indiana are brutal road battles. And home to the Buckeyes won’t be pleasant.
Maryland +50000
The Turtles won’t see Ohio State, Penn State, or Oregon this season, and the non-conference schedule is Charmin’ soft. A bowl is on the table.
Northwestern +50000
The days of Pat Fitzgerald coaching up limited talent is gone. Northwestern’s win total of 3.5 tells you what you need to know.
Purdue +50000
Ryan Walter likely deserved a better fate than being fired after two seasons. Still, several losses are now among the worst in Purdue football history. The Boilermakers couldn’t have hired anyone better than Barry Odom, who made UNLV football relevant again. The Big Ten isn’t the Mountain West. The total is 3.5, and four wins matched with a 6-6 ATS mark would be an accomplishment.
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*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
