The Big Ten Conference: In the Hands of the Wolverines

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By B Bains

With many teams in the Big Ten Conference reconstructing their teams through a new quarterback or coach and making improvements to the offensive and defensive side of the football, it is hard to predicate a clear cut winner in the Big Ten. However, in my mind there are two clear favourites to win the conference the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines that is simply based on odds.

In essence, the Ohio State Buckeyes have the greatest chance to win the Big Ten Conference due great recruiting and QB J.T. Barrett. According to the betting public, the Buckeyes possess the most considerable chance of winning the conference at +160. With this is mind, the Buckeyes will have to reshape the outlook of the team on the defensive side, through significant performances to certain undistinguished players. On the other hand, Ohio State should be unbeatable on the offensive side of the football with a proven quarterback and an offensive minded coach in Urban Meyer.

Equally, the Michigan Wolverines, are with the second highest odds of winning the conference at +200. I believe the Michigan Wolverines will come out on top of the Big Ten Conference and Eastern Division slightly ahead of the Buckeyes. With motivational coach in Jim Harbaugh, plus, a top five defense, Michigan should be the favorites despite, the Buckeyes having higher odds to win it all.

Odds to Win the Conference:

Β Ohio State +160

Michigan + 200

Michigan State +700

Nebraska +800

Iowa +900

Wisconsin +1400

Penn State +1800

Northwestern +3500

Minnesota +6600

Indiana +8000

Illinois +8000

Purdue +10000

Maryland +10000

Rutgers +12500

At the bottom of the pile, are Illinois +8000, Maryland at +10000 and Rutgers +12500 to win the conference. All these teams bring in new coaches in Lovie Smith, DJ Durkin, and Chris Ash. Β This will be particularly harder for these teams to make a serious run in the Big Ten Conference since the players of each team will have to adapt to new playing schemes from these coaches.

With the Northwestern coming off a strong season with a 10-3 record and are +3500 to win the conference. Owning a high powered running game and a favourable schedule, the Wildcats should make a serious run behind the Buckeyes and Wolverines. Similarly, the Minnesota Gold Gophers at a +6600 should be in contention in the Big Ten Conference with the quarterback and running back positions being the strong spots and a favourable schedule.

Subsequently, Purdue had a very poor season last year and Nebraska likewise, had an average season last season. Purdue have low odds to win it all at +10000 and Nebraska surprisingly, has +800 odd to win the conference. However, both teams had records below the .500 mark last season. I believe Purdue will continue to struggle in 2016 however, I see Nebraska having a better chance of being in contention as a result of, a better suited quarterback compared to Purdue.

Consequently, with the Michigan State Spartans at a +700 to win the conference, the Wisconsin Badgers at a +1400 and the Indiana Hoosiers at a +1800 to win it all, each team lost their starting quarterbacks for the 2016 season, it will now be up to the team defenses to elevate their level of play. Out of these teams the Spartans have the highest chance to win it with a strong defense whereas, the Badgers and Hoosiers occupy up and coming defenses. Predominantly, the Badgers and Hoosiers will be in tough with non-favorable schedules.

Lastly, Penn State will be looking to improve on their record from the 2015 season with a +1800 to win the conference and most notably, try to find the best replacement at the quarterback position. Yet again, Iowa will be looking to have another great season at +900 to win the conference and primarily, utilize their defense even more this season to improve their win total from last season and win the Western Division .