Vegas has spoken, and Ohio State is the favorite to win the Big Ten this year. The odds from Westgate Las Vegas Superbook are out, and the Buckeyes have 10/11 odds to win the conference. Or, to explain this in a way for those who don’t read betting lines, a bet of $100 dollars on Ohio State would win $90 if successful.
It’s not a good return, but that’s because Vegas gives Ohio State the best chance to win and doesn’t want to lose money when people bet on the Buckeyes. The odds for Wisconsin, however, are much more favorable to the gambler. Wisconsin is the second best team according to the Las Vegas Superbook odds, but they’re still a longshot to win the title. In fact, betting $100 on Wisconsin at 5/2 will win you $250 for a total payout of $350.
Of course, the Badgers would have to win the conference for that to happen. Vegas doesn’t think that it’ll happen, or their odds wouldn’t favor the player. Michigan finished out of the title picture last season, but these odds have them bouncing back. They have the third best chance to win the conference, with their line set at 4/1. If they can pull off an upset and win the Big Ten this year, those who bet on them will win $400.
Still, the gap between number one and number three is large. Ohio State’s 10/11 gives them a 52% chance to win the conference, while Michigan will only come in with a 20% chance. All of the other outliers are even further behind. Penn State, with 5/1 odds and a 16% chance to finish on top. Michigan, at 12/1 and a 7% chance. Iowa and Nebraska, both tied at 40/1 despite some early excitement around their respective fanbases going into this season.
Illinois and Rutgers are the ultimate dark horses. At 1000/1, they both have less than a one percent chance to win the Big Ten. If one of them somehow pulls off that feat, those who bet $100 dollars on them will win $100,000 back. It’s just about an impossible scenario, but still a technically possible one nonetheless.
However, Ohio State are the undisputed favorites to win the conference, even if that’s not the outcome that gamblers are hoping for. It’s not just people from Columbus picking them, either, but Vegas itself.