By Kenny Burgess Contributor
Updated 8/11/23 2:42pm ET
Michigan Wolverines (+170 Big Ten Odds)
Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines have finally got over the hump to beat their arch-rival, win the conference title and reach the College Football Playoff. The next step is to deliver a national championship, as they enter the season as the fourth-favorite (+800) at most sportsbooks.
The maize and blue are now essentially co-favorites to win the Big Ten with Ohio State. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy returns along with elite running back duo Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards for an offense that averaged over 40 points.
The defense returns a lot of starters from a unit that held opponents to just 16.1 points per game, which ranked sixth in the nation.
Ohio State Buckeyes (+170 Big Ten Odds)
Last season may have ended in a loss to its No. 1 foe, however, Ohio State enters the upcoming year as co-favorites with Michigan to win the Big 10 at +170. The Buckeyes’ odds of capturing the division are set at +110.
Notably, Ohio State will be losing its superstar quarterback, C.J. Stroud, but the program still has some of the best skill position players in the entire country. It’s looking like junior Kyle McCord will move into the starting quarterback role and has wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. on his side. Harrison Jr. could be, arguably, the best player in the nation and help ease the transition for McCord.
The Buckeyes also have two great running backs at their disposal. Just last season, TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams combined for 1,396 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. This came in clutch for the Buckeyes, whose defense wasn’t exactly stout, but head coach Ryan Day feels like another year in the new system, combined with a lot of returning players, should help.
Penn State University (+550 Big Ten odds)
Penn State’s football program could be a serious threat to Michigan and Ohio State this upcoming season. Returning 14 starters, Penn State’s odds of winning the Big Ten are currently at +550. The Nittany Lions also have the third-best odds of winning the division at +450.
Penn State is going to rely heavily on its running game, led by Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, who rushed for a combined 1,928 yards and 22 touchdowns last year. Sophomore Drew Allar looks to be the next man up at quarterback after Sean Clifford moved on.
Penn State changed its defensive strategy and it appeared to pay off as they were more aggressive under defensive coordinator Manny Diaz this past season. Among the returners are key defensive players, so Penn State hopes it’ll be able to build off last year’s success.
Rest of the Teams Odds to win the B10:
University of Maryland: +8000
Michigan State University: +15000
University of Indiana: +50000
*All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
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