Ohio State And Oregon Favored In A Revamped Big Ten
While National Champ Michigan Declines on the 2024 Big Ten Conference Championship Odds
Former Pac-12 Programs Shake Things Up In The Big Ten
It will be a new era in the Big Ten. Adding Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington ends the two-division format. After years of the Big Ten championship game not featuring the two best teams in the conference, that could change this season. The Big Ten Conference championship odds have Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State ahead of the reigning national champion.
There are four teams in the top 10 in the preseason American Football Coaches Association poll with USC giving the Big Ten five teams in the top 25.
When looking at possible college football best bets, keep in mind that Ohio State is priced at +150 in the odds of winning the Big Ten title followed by Oregon (+200), Penn State (+500), and Michigan (+600).
The season begins on Aug. 29 when Howard is at Rutgers, Minnesota is a 2.5-point home favorite against North Carolina while Illinois welcomes FCS opponent Eastern Illinois to town. The September 1 matchup between USC and LSU in Las Vegas will attract plenty of interest from those who bet online.
Ohio State is second at +360 in the odds of winning the national championship followed by Oregon (+750), Michigan (+2800), Penn State (+2800), and USC (+5000).
How many of these teams will be on the College Football Playoff field now that the CFP expanded from four to 12 teams?
Can Ohio State Take The Next Step?
Ohio State saw its starting quarterback transfer and came out looking like a stronger candidate to win the national title.
- Ohio State has been active in the transfer portal with Alabama safety Caleb Downs, Alabama quarterback Julian Sayin, and Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins among the top 10 rated incoming transfers. Former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard is in the Heisman Trophy odds. It remains to be seen if he will be the starting quarterback for the Buckeyes.
“They don’t necessarily need him to be the next C.J. Stroud or Justin Fields.”@Dan_Hope shares his early thoughts on @OhioStateFB QB Will Howard.#B1GToday x #B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/FmA4g2SUTk
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) August 7, 2024
The Buckeyes will miss receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. However, the Buckeyes have -125 odds to top 10½ wins during the regular season. Adding former Oregon and UCLA head coach Chip Kelly as the offensive coordinator could be a huge boost.
A quick peek at the 2024 NCAAF schedule shows that Ohio State gets to play Michigan at home in the final game of the regular season.
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Oregon Ready To Make A Strong First Impression
The Ducks move from the Pac-12 with former Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning building something special in Eugene. Quarterback Bo Nix is among the players who are now in the NFL, so there are some holes to fill.
Former Texas A&M receiver Evan Stewart is among the incoming transfers with quarterback Dillon Gabriel. The QB is trending in the right direction in the Heisman Trophy odds as Oregon is thrilled that recent nemesis Utah landed in a different conference.
Offensive tackle Josh Conerly is one of the nation’s best offensive linemen. There is depth at running back even with Bucky Irving in the NFL while Evan Stewart comes in from Texas A&M to join a group of pass catchers led by Tez Johnson. Oregon very quietly led the Pac-12 in scoring defense last season. If that happens again, look for the Ducks in the Big Ten title game.
Those making NCAAF predictions today might want to give Oregon a long look.
Can Nittany Lions Outshine The Wolverines?
Penn State has been the third fiddle behind Michigan and Ohio State. But the Nittany Lions have moved ahead of Michigan in the Big Ten Conference championship odds as well as the national championship odds.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh is in the news for the penalties handed down from the NCAA but with him now with the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, that shouldn’t matter.
NCAA releases penalties for Michigan in its investigation over COVID dead period recruiting violations (not the sign-stealing case).
They include a hammering of Jim Harbaugh for violating recruiting & inducement rules, engaging in unethical conduct, etc.https://t.co/um2BlI2nxA pic.twitter.com/OYh2l84v1x
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 7, 2024
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy and running back Blake Corum are key cogs from Michigan’s championship team now in the NFL so there are questions about the Wolverines.
However, there is more than enough returning talent for the Wolverines to be a factor in the Big Ten once again.
Penn State doesn’t have Michigan on its schedule in 2024. However, a four-game stretch with matchups against USC, Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Washington will make or break the season.
Is this the year the Nittany Lions finally play their way into the Big Ten title game? It could be worth a shot to roll with Penn State at +500 to win the Big Ten title with quarterback Drew Allar among the key returnees.
Trojans and Hawkeyes Among Other Contenders
USC with its flashy offense and leaky defense and Iowa with a stout defense and an offense among the worst in the country are opposites but not far removed in the Big Ten pecking order.
Former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is among the players going for USC as the Trojans jump from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten. The Trojans tended to struggle against the more physical teams. It will be interesting to see how the Trojans adapt to the physicality of the Big Ten. Miller Moss looked just fine as he threw for 372 yards and six touchdowns in the bowl win by USC as Williams opted out of the game.
Iowa will have an outstanding defense once again. Will the offense finally make some strides?
Not much was expected from Washington heading into last season but they played for the national title. The expectations are even lower this time with six teams having better Big Ten Conference championship odds than the Huskies.
Even without quarterback Michael Penix Jr., three receivers being drafted and head coach Kalen DeBoer now at Alabama, Washington could be worth a what-the-heck bet at +5000 to win the Big Ten title.
Washington is joined at +5000 in the Big Ten title odds by Nebraska followed by Wisconsin at +8000.
For NCAAF betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
