Big 10 Preview and Futures Betting Opportunities

The Big Ten football 2025 media days concluded in Las Vegas, and kickoff to the college football season is less than a month away.

Last season, six Big Ten teams started the season in the Top 25 AP Poll, including four in the Top-10. That included conference champion and undefeated Oregon. But No. 2 Ohio State drowned the Ducks in the College Football Playoff, and the Buckeyes went on to win the national title.

This season's preseason Top 25 AP Poll will be released mid-August. But Phil Steele's most popular NCAA football preview magazine has seven Big Ten teams in the Top 25 with Penn State No. 1 and Ohio State No. 5. Then overrated Michigan (12), Oregon (13), Indiana (16), Illinois (17) and USC (21). Teams to watch in the 18-team mega power conference who could move up and challenge include Iowa (31), Wisconsin (32), Nebraska (35), Washington (39), Rutgers (44) and Minnesota (45). The Wisconsin Badgers have the toughest schedule in the country according to Steele. 

Big Ten Media Poll And Projections

It's 'talking season' and Cleveland.com has released the Big Ten football media poll, which is a panel of 24 conference and select national beat writers. 

As the excitement builds towards college football kickoff over the next 4-5 weeks, know that there will be more over-reactions not just by media members but also by top online sportsbooks as they adjust early-season betting lines in response to teams performances, power ratings and public perception. 

The Big Ten teams listed below are in order of the media poll, but there will be plenty of surprises along the way. Last year, Indiana was picked to finish near the bottom of the conference. The Hoosiers finished 11-2 including a 2nd place finish in the Big Ten at 8-1 on their way to making the new 12-team College Football Playoff. Last year Michigan and Washington combined to go 14-12, just one season after they both reached the national championship game.

No Big Ten teams made Phil Steele's Most Improved list (top 12), but three are on Steel's 2025 Surprise Teams including Illinois (3), USC (5) and Nebraska (8). See the Corn Huskers favorable schedule and start and watch Big Red turn in more victories and Green.   

So the landscape, money and media rights has changed dramatically with NIL, transfer portal and the shift of major power and money to the four top conferences. Handicapping teams and player movement has become more difficult, and changing gears and adjusting power ratings and perceptions is imperative as you move forward through another exciting college football season. 

Just four Big Ten teams received votes to win the conference, while the SEC football preview had 11 teams picked to win the conference by media members. The ACC has a dominant favorite in Clemson, along with Boise State in the Mountain West. The Big 12 is widly competitive with 6-7 teams picked legitimate contenders to capture the conference title.     

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Big Ten Teams, Odds, Season Wins And Position/Unit Rankings 

Here are the Big Ten teams with regular season O/U wins, odds to win the conference and national championship plus position and unit rankings for each team in the Big Ten. Check back for more added stats and notes. 

College football odds from BetOnline, BetUS and Bookmaker, plus other leading online sportsbooks and reduced juice books refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live betting.

Penn State

Head coach: James Franklin (12th year)
Season Wins: O/U 10.5 (under -145)
Last 2 years: 13-3, 10-3 
National Title: +750 (BetUS)
Big Ten Title: +240 (BetOnline)
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (1), RB (1), REC (6), OL (1), DL (1), LB (1), DB (1), ST (8), Coach (2)

Notes: Bye Weeks 4 and 9. Five Big Ten teams have senior quarterback's including Nittany Lions 1st team All-Conference pick Drew Allar. He's flanked by the nation's No. 1 ranked running back group and top-12 receiving group. Penn State ranked Top 10 all season in 2024 and went 8-1 to tied for 2nd in the Big Ten last season. The Lions lost to the Ducks in the Big Ten Championship Game, but won a College Football Playoff home game. Penn State has a league-high six No. 1 position rankings by Phil Steele - QB, RB, OL, DL, LB, DB. They open the season as a 44-point favorite at home vs. Nevada in Week 1, and their Big Ten opener is Week 5 following a bye at home vs. Oregon in a Big Ten Championship Game rematch. 

Ohio State

Head coach: Ryan Day (8th year)
Season Wins: O/U 10.5 (under -155, BookMaker)
Last 2 years: 14-2, 11-2 
National Title: +500
Big Ten Title: +200 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (9), RB (4), REC (1), OL (2), DL (6), LB (1), DB (1), ST (2), Coach (1)

Notes: Bye weeks 4 and 9. A quarterback change for the national champs, who went 7-2 in Big Ten play last year to finish in 4th place with the Big Game home loss to Michigan 13-10 as a 20-point favorite. The most anticipated early season game is in Columbus with ESPN GameDay sendoff of 89-year-old Lee Corson. The Week 1 odds show Ohio State -2.5 favorite over Texas and a game total of 50.5 points. The Buckeyes highly-rated offensive line vs. Longhorns top-tier defensive line is major matchup along with OSU's No. 1 rated wide receivers against Texas' top-ranked LB's and top-6 ranked defensive backs. Texas QB Arch Manning is Heisman favorite and this top-5 showdown will draw major watch and wager action to kickoff the college football season.  

Oregon

Head coach: Dan Lanning (4th year)
Season Wins: O/U 10.5 (under -140)
Last year: 13-1 (first year Big Ten) 
National Title: +1000
Big Ten Title: +275 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (11), RB (2), REC (2), OL (2), DL (4), LB (4), DB (4), ST (2), Coach (3)

Notes: Bye weeks 6 and 10. Improved record each of the last four seasons with at least 10 wins and last year's Big Ten championship season and undefeated record until the Ducks became one of four CFB Playoff bye-week teams to lose at home. The former 'Civil War' is Sept. 20 vs. Oregon State before the Ducks travel to tackle Penn State to close out September. Former highly-touted UCLA quarterback Dante Moore is expected to start. Remember Akili Smith from late 1990's as Oregon QB and top-3 NFL draft pick? His son KJ, jr. enrolled at Oregon. 

Illinois

Head coach: Bret Bielema (5th year)
Season Wins: O/U 8.5 (under -174)
Last 2 years: 10-3, 5-7 
National Title: +15000
Big Ten Title: +3300 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (2), RB (4), REC (10), OL (2), DL (9), LB (4), DB (7), ST (2), Coach (5) 

Notes: Bye weeks 8 and 11. Illinois does not play Oregon, Penn State or Michigan, and the Fighting Illini are No. 1 on Steele's experience chart with senior QB Luke Altmyer off a 2,700 yard 22/6 passing season. The Illini are a popular pick to have another strong season after 10 wins last year, and games at Indiana and home vs. USC to close Sept. with Ohio State at home Oct. 11 will set the stage for their season. 

Michigan

Head coach: Sherrone Moore (2nd year)
Season Wins: O/U 8.5 (over -205)
Last 2 years: 8-5, 15-0 
National Title: +2500
Big Ten Title: +750 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (13), RB (4), REC (13), OL (6), DL (1), LB (1), DB (1), ST (2), Coach (16) 

Notes: Bye weeks 5 and 11. The Wolverines get a big schedule break late in the season before facing Ohio State with games against bottom teams Michigan State, Purdue, Northwestern and Maryland. Still, three of those on the road and don't be surprised if they lose at least one. You can bet they will lose at Oklahoma and at Nebraska in the first four games with a new freshman Bro QB playing for a lower-level head coach taking some heat with a 3-3 or 2-4 start to the season. Michigan ranked last in the country in passing yards per game (129) last season excluding Military Academy teams, and 98th in success rate and 127th in yards per play (4.7) while averaging just 22 points per game (national ave. 28.0). 

Indiana

Head coach: Curt Cignetti (2nd year)
Season Wins: O/U 8.5 (under -159)
Last 2 years: 11-2, 3-9 
National Title: +10000
Big Ten Title: +2800 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (6), RB (8), REC (2), OL (7), DL (4), LB (4), DB (7), ST (6), Coach (9) 

Notes: Bye weeks 6 and 13. What a season for Indiana and first-year coach Curt Cignetti last year. They cracked the Top 25 rankings in Week 6 after a 5-0 start vs. a weaker schedule of opponents, and never looked back reaching No. 5 before losing to Ohio State. Indiana was also a -14 point favorite over Michigan in victory, just one season after being a 33-point underdog to the Wolverines in a 52-7 defeat.   

Iowa

Head coach: Kirk Ferentz (27th year)
Season Wins: O/U 7.5 (under -155)
Last 2 years: 8-5, 10-4 
National Title: +17500
Big Ten Title: +3300 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (6), RB (11), REC (17), OL (6), DL (1), LB (10), DB (4), ST (1), Coach (2) 

Notes: Bye weeks 5 and 11. South Dakota State senior QB transfer Mark Gronowski is expected to lift the Hawkeyes offense to more than 350 yards offense per game for the first time in five years. A co-top rated defensive line and always top-ranked special teams under 27th-year godfather head coach Kirk Ferentz means an annual bowl game for Iowa. But note a tougher schedule with home games. vs. Penn State, Oregon and Indiana and road games at USC, Wisconsin and season-finale Nebraska.

Nebraska

Head coach: Matt Ruhle (3rd year)
Season Wins: O/U 7.5 (over -156)
Last 2 years: 7-6, 5-7 
National Title: +12500 
Big Ten Title: +3300 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (2), RB (11), REC (7), OL (7), DL (14), LB (7), DB (9), ST (12), Coach (9) 

Notes: Bye weeks 5 and 12. Program-builder Matt Ruhle begins his 3rd season after the 'Huskers made it to a bowl game last season for the first time since 2016. A stronger roster, more reps and practices plus an emerging highly-touted Soph QB Dyan Raiola off a 2,800 yard passing season has life in Lincoln looking up. Big Red will beat Big Blue Michigan Sept. 4 to get to 4-0 ahead of a bye, and a 6-0 start is realistic with Michigan State and Maryland to follow ahead of a road game at Minnesota then Northwestern. Nebraska will be moving into the Top-25 by Oct. and perhaps making a move like Indiana last year. 

USC

Head coach: Lincoln Riley (4th year)
Season Wins: O/U 7.5 (over -157)
Last year: 7-6 (first year Big Ten)
National Title: +8000
Big Ten Title: +1600 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (2), RB (7), REC (2), OL (7), DL (10), LB (15), DB (9), ST (8), Coach (5)

Notes: Bye weeks 6 and 9. USC suffered six losses by one score last year, and had a season-high 557 yards offense vs. Notre Dame but lost due to a pair of 90+ yard INT-return touchdowns. Former UNLV quarterback Jayden Maiava had a big game vs. the Irish, and now takes over as the Trojans full-time starter with a top set of receivers but plenty of questions on defense. 

Washington

Head coach: Jedd Fisch (2nd year)
Season Wins: O/U 7.5 (under -140)
Last year: 6-7 (first year Big Ten) 
National Title: +20000 BOL
Big Ten Title: +6000 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (6), RB (7), REC (7), OL (11), DL (14), LB (15), DB (4), ST (16), Coach (12) 

Notes: Bye weeks 3 and 10. Second-year Huskies coach Jedd Fisch turned around Arizona football, but lost tons of talent last year while facing the Big Ten's toughest schedule following Washington's national championship game appearance in 2024. The Huskies add Washington State back to the schedule in a Sept. rivalry game, and have five conference home games after going 6-0 at home last season. Not happening this season with Ohio State, Illinois and Oregon visiting Husky Stadium in Seattle. 

Minnesota

Head coach: PJ Fleck (9th year)
Season Wins: O/U 7.5 (under -180)
Last 2 years: 8-5, 6-7 
National Title: +40000
Big Ten Title: +10000 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (17, RB (2), REC (13), OL (11), DL (6), LB (10), DB (11), ST (11), Coach (6) 

Notes: Bye weeks 4 and 11. The Gophers have a top-10 running back group ranking with Marshall transfer AJ AJ Turner joining Darius Taylor both juniors off 800 and 900+ yard rushing seasons. They also have 2-way star Soph (saftey, WR) and returner Koi Perich drawing headlines.  Minnesota seems to overachieve and have four-straight bowl wins the past four seasons. Tough road games at Ohio State, Iowa and Oregon but all other games winnable mostly as favorites this season and the Gophers pulled off wins last year over ranked USC and Illinois and just missed vs. Michigan (27-24) and Penn State (26-25) with their strong defense (286 yards and 17 PPG) weaker on paper this season.  

Wisconsin

Head coach: Luke Fickell (3rd year)
Season Wins: O/U  (over -140)
Last 2 years: 5-7, 7-6 
National Title: +50000
Big Ten Title: +15000 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (9), RB (8), REC (13), OL (2), DL (14), LB (7), DB (9), ST (6), Coach (12) 

Notes: Bye weeks 5 and 10. The Badgers are falling further after missing a bowl game for the first time since 2001. The offensive line is a top unit, but the defense has holes after their worst stats in 2024 over the last 7 years allowing 23 points and 344 yards per game. Head coach Luke Fickell is high on the hot seat list entering his third season in Madison. No schedule favors for Bucky Badger, as Wisconsin faces the toughest schedule in the country according to Phil Steele with a Week 3 game at Alabama and road games at Michigan, Oregon, Indiana and Minnesota with Iowa and Ohio State visiting Madison back-to-back in Oct. plus Washington and Illinoi at home in Nov. 

Rutgers

Head coach: Greg Schiano (6th year)
Season Wins: O/U  (over -140)
Last 2 years: 7-6, 7-6 
National Title: +100000 BOL
Big Ten Title: +15000 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (14), RB (8), REC (7), OL (2), DL (12), LB (15), DB (13), ST (8), Coach (6) 

Notes: Bye weeks 6 and 12. In 2023, Rutgers beat Miami in a bowl for its first winning season since 2014. Longtime head coach Greg Schiano had his team ready for a solid season last year facing the Big Ten's easiest schedule and avoiding the five top teams. But many injuries derailed their path in losing four-straight games starting in Oct. The Knights rallied to make a bowl and lost to Kansas State in a shootout. The offense had it's best season under Schiano averaging 28.9 points per game under former Minnesota Gophers QB transfer Athan Kaliakmanis. The Knights defense is still an Achilles heel and now face Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota this season which has them ranked far lower this season.   

Michigan State

Head coach: Jonathan Smith (2nd year)
Season Wins: O/U 5.5 (over -147)
Last 2 years: 5-7, 4-8 
National Title: +30000
Big Ten Title: +12500 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (13), RB (16), REC (2), OL (15), DL (10), LB (10), DB (11), ST (16), Coach (12) 

Notes: Bye weeks 5 and 11. The Spartans won 11 games or more five times in a season between 2010 and 2015. What happened? The Bro Mel Tucker harassment probe added to the MSU sex scandals and losing in East Lansing with 5, 4 and 5 wins the last three seasons. A top-tier receiving core headlines this years team, but 2nd-year coach Jonathan Smith is rebuilding with bottom-half unit rankings across the board following his success at Oregon State. 

UCLA

Head coach: Deshaun Foster (2nd year)
Season Wins: O/U 5.5 (under -164)
Last year: 5-7 (first year Big Ten)
National Title: +4000
Big Ten Title: +15000 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (2), RB (14), REC (10), OL (15), DL (12), LB (9), DB (12), ST (11), Coach (17) 

Notes: Bye weeks 4 and 10. UCLA and their clueless coach faces a top-10 schedule nationally and add top Soph QB Nico Iamaleava after his NIL demands were not welcomed at Tennessee. Bottom half position unit rankings across the board other than quarterback suggests another losing season and end of the line for 2nd-year coach Foster. 

Maryland

Head coach: Mike Locksley (7th year)
Season Wins: O/U 4.5 (under -129)
Last 2 years: 4-8, 8-5 
National Title: +50000
Big Ten Title: +30000 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (14), RB (15), REC (10), OL (17), DL (17), LB (10), DB (13), ST (16), Coach (12) 

Notes: Bye weeks 5 and 9. Coach Locksley needs to return the Terps to form or he too may out in College Park. Maryland does not play Penn State, Ohio State or Oregon, and will try to improve on a 4-win season with a highly-touted freshman quarterback. His supporting cast along the offensive and defensive line rank worst in the Big Ten along with Purdue.  

Northwestern

Head coach: David Braun (3rd year)
Season Wins: O/U 3.5 (over -167)
Last 2 years: 4-8, 8-5 
National Title: +100000
Big Ten Title: +30000 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (11), RB (12), REC (17), OL (11), DL (6), LB (10), DB (13), ST (12), Coach (12) 

Notes: Bye weeks 4 and 10. Wildcats coach David Braun did a terrific job when thrust into a tough situation as interim coach, and in his first full season in 2023 the Wildcats pulled off three Big Ten wins as double-digit underdogs and then upset Utah as a TD 'Dog in the Las Vegas Bowl. Last year's 4-win season was tough with a 284 yards and 17.8 points per game offense. The 'Cats will likely be an underdog in 8-of-9 conference games this season. 

Purdue

Head coach: Barry Odom (1st year)
Season Wins: O/U 3.5 (under -197)
Last 2 years: 1-11, 4-8 
National Title: +100000 
Big Ten Title: +30000 
Big Ten Unit rankings: QB (17), RB (12), REC (16), OL (17), DL (17), LB (18), DB (18), ST (12), Coach (17) 

Notes: Bye weeks 5 and 13. Former Missouri coach Barry Odom takes over a complete rebuilding job at Purdue after successfully taking UNLV from college football laughingstock to Mountain West championship games the last two seasons.  

Key Big Ten Contests And Game Of The Year Odds

Key games between Big Ten teams and preseason Game of the Year college football odds from BetOnline to compare to betting lines and adjustments each week when the matchups take place. Betting favorites in (  ). 

Week 1 - Aug. 30
- Texas at Ohio State (-2.5), 50.5 (down from -3)

Week 2 - Sept. 6
- Michigan at Oklahoma (-2), 47.5

Week 4 - Sept. 20
- Illinois at Indiana (-2.5)
- Michigan (-3) at Nebraska
- Washington (-11.5) at Washington State

Week 5 - Sept. 27
- Oregon at Penn State (-4.5), 52.5
- Ohio State (-14) at Washington 
- USC at Illinois

Week 7 - Oct. 11
- Michigan (-1.5) at USC
- Indiana at Oregon (-14.5)

Week 8 - Oct. 18
- Washington at Michigan (-10.5) 

Week 9 - Oct. 25
- Michigan (-8.5) at Michigan State

Week 10 - Nov. 1
- Penn State at Ohio State (-4.5)

Week 11 - Nov. 8
- Indiana at Penn State

Week 13 - Nov. 22
- USC at Oregon (-14)

Week 14 - Nov. 29
- Ohio State (-5.5) at Michigan, 47.5   
- UCLA at USC (-7.5)
- Oregon (-11.5) at Washington 

Check back for more updates and follow the Big Ten football schedule, weekly odds, picks and information you can bet on. 

FairwayJay is a proven sports handicapper and loves college football. He's been handicapping and betting college football for more than two decades and is recognized as one of the sports industry's most insightful analysts. He chips in additional sports betting coverage and reporting on industry news and events. Follow FairwayJay here at OSGA.com and on X @FairwayJay for more sports and betting insights.