2013 Big Ten Football Picks and Predictions – Odds to Win Big Ten Championship 2013: Without a doubt, the Big Ten featured the strangest title race of any conference in the country last year. The Nebraska Cornhuskers won the Legends Division, but while Ohio State and Penn State both finished ahead of Wisconsin in the Leaders Division, the Badgers played in the conference titles game because the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions were both ineligible because of NCAA sanctions. Despite being the third-best team in their own division, Wisconsin promptly smashed Nebraska in the Big Ten Championship Game, stealing the automatic BCS bid in the process. Whether or not the Badgers can make it four straight conference crowns remains to be seen, but here is a closer look at how the Big Ten stacks up heading into the 2013 college football season.
The Favorite
NCAA probation meant that the Ohio State Buckeyes’ undefeated season in 2012 meant little as far as championships were concerned. However, OSU is eligible again this year and is loaded on both sides of the ball. Dual-threat quarterback Braxton Miller gives the Buckeyes a Heisman candidate to run Urban Meyer’s spread system. Meanwhile, linebacker Ryan Shazier and cornerback Bradley Roby lead a defense that has a chance to be just as potent as the offense. Throw in another excellent recruiting class, and Ohio State is far and away the most talented team in the Big Ten. A conference title could just be the beginning for Meyer’s bunch.
The Other Contenders
As the three-time defending Big Ten champs, counting out the Wisconsin Badgers would be foolish. However, last year’s title was gift wrapped. More importantly, the team is breaking in a new coach, it still needs a quarterback to take charge, and workhorse back Montee Ball left for the NFL. On the plus side, the Badgers did push Ohio State to the limit last year, and they are the only team in the Leaders Division that has a realistic shot of stopping the Buckeyes from winning the division in 2013.
After taking a bit of a step back in 2012 following a BCS bowl in 2011, the Michigan Wolverines appear primed for another run at a Big Ten title. Quarterback Devin Gardner isn’t Denard Robinson, but he can make plays with both his arm and his legs. Meanwhile, left tackle Taylor Lewan leads a stout offensive line that should allow highly-touted freshman back Derrick Green and others to pound opponents on the ground. The defense continues to be a bit of a work in progress, but the Wolverines have been steadily becoming deeper and more talented under Brady Hoke, and the Legends Division should be Michigan’s to lose.
Despite an ugly loss in last year’s conference title game, the Nebraska Cornhuskers did win the Legends Division in 2012. They also have a strong core of offensive players returning this season. Dual-threat quarterback Taylor Martinez leads the way, but running back Ameer Abdullah and receiver Kenny Bell are both explosive, as well. On the flip side, Nebraska’s defense has been gashed repeatedly in recent years, and there is no easy fix on this year’s roster. In the end, the play-making ability Martinez and company makes the Cornhuskers dangerous, but the offense will have to be nearly perfect to overcome the defensive flaws.
The Sleeper
While an already-suspect offense isn’t going to be any better with workhorse back Le’Veon Bell in the NFL, the Michigan State Spartans have a stingy defensive unit that will keep them in just about every game. Linebacker Max Bullough, cornerback Darqueze Dennard and edge rusher Denicos Allen are among the returning stars for a unit that led the Big Ten in scoring defense in 2012. Granted, the offense ranked third last in the conference the same year, but if the Spartans can play flawless on the defensive side of the ball, they could make a surprise run to the conference title game.
2013 NCAA Conference Odds – Big Ten
Odds to win the Big Ten Conference – 2013 College Football
1061 Illinois +5000
1062 Indiana +5000
1063 Iowa +1500
1064 Michigan +500
1065 Michigan State +350
1066 Minnesota +3000
1067 Nebraska +350
1068 Northwestern +1000
1069 Ohio State +125
1070 Purdue +5000
1071 Wisconsin +350
NSAwins.com is America’s premier sports betting website for 2013 College Football Expert Picks and College Football Betting Odds and Lines.
| 2 EASY STEPS to BET on the 2013 College Football Odds! STEP 1: CLICK HERE to OPEN GT BETS Sportsbook Account STEP 2: Deposit with Credit Card or Deposit by Check and get a 100% BONUS instantly FREE. |