Buckeyes favored for third straight Big Ten title
- Can the Buckeyes contend once again for National Championship?
- The Big Ten top teams
- The odds on who will take the conference
The Ohio State Buckeyes still smarting from two consecutive beatings in the BCS national championship game at the hands of SEC opposition, but they are still the odds-on sports book favorites to make it out of the Big Ten, the oldest conference in the NCAA. However, sports betting fans know OSU will face stiff competition from Wisconson, Illinois, and of course, their bitter rivals from Michigan.
The Buckeyes are favored at +100, and they return nine starters on each side of the ball. Ohio State had the nation's best defense and could be even scarier than last year, despite the loss of Vernon Gholston to the NFL. Chris Wells could become one of the top backs in the country, and Todd Boeckman should be more comfortable with the offense. Also, the Buckeyes have won six of their last seven meetings with the hated Wolverines, which is the main thing in Columbus. Also, expect to see prize recruit Terrelle Pryor on the field in some fact this season.
Wisconsin are listed at +300, and they will also be experienced as they welcome 17 starters back to campus this fall. Running back P.J. Hill decided to come back for his senior season, which is a good thing for the Badgers as they are still trying to decide between Allen Evridge and Dustin Sherer at quarterback. However, Wisconsin never really depended much on Tyler Donovan under center, so they should be used to a run-happy attack.
Illinois are set at +400, and they were probably the biggest surprise of the nation in 2007, claiming a famous win at Ohio State along the way. 13 returning starters will lead the team, including versatile quarterback “Juice” Williams, but the loss of running back Rashard Mendenhall to the NFL could prove to be a huge blow. The duo of Williams and Mendenhall led the Fighting Illini to the fifth-ranked rushing attack in the country last year, and now the onus is on Williams, especially as a passing pivot.
Of course, no Big Ten preview is complete with the Wolverines, who come in at +500. The Wolverines made headlines for luring coach Rich Rodriguez from West Virginia, and he is trying to bring his spread offense into a culture that has been dependant on the run. Having only three returning starters back on offense is going to make that very difficult. However, the Wolverines welcome back seven defensive starters to a unit which was 24th in the country in total defense, and this unit may have to carry the team until the offense is ready.
Blake walked onto his college football team and had a brief stint as an assistant coach after he graduated. He brings a sharp mind to the world of sports handicapping. Blake understands the nuances of the game that only someone who has played would understand, and he was one of the few who gave the Giants a chance against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Thoughts or questions?
