Catch up on the CFB Preview Series here:
Part One: Heisman Preview
Part Two: Overall CFB Landscape
Part Three: Sun Belt & C-USA Conference Previews
Part Four: MAC & Mountain West Conference Previews
Part Five: AAC & Independents Conference Previews
Part Six: ACC Preview
Part Seven: Big 12 Preview
Part Eight: Pac-12 Preview

Big Ten

It’s the year of the Buckeye. I bet Ohio State to win the Natty at the beginning of the year and could already make a couple hundred bucks of profit by cashing out due to the odds move. Here are my other B1G thoughts:

Win Total Over

Michigan o9.5 wins (-125)- Michigan finally got over the hump last year by beating Ohio State, winning the conference, and making the playoff. Now Georgia showed them that they were on a different level but that Michigan team was awesome. They will have a really high-powered offense this year and still really strong on defense.

They have three cake-walk wins to start the year and then get Michigan State, Penn State, and Nebraska all at home. On the road against Iowa should be a coinflip and they will lose to Ohio State. So I have them winning 10 games worst case and wouldn’t be surprised if their only loss comes against Ohio State in the last game of the season.

Nebraska o7.5 (-120)- Nebraska should comfortably win the first three games of the season and then host Oklahoma week four. If they can find a way to win that game at home they will really be on track for a huge year. Even if they lose, they should be favored in their next five games after that before getting to Michigan. So if they take care of business they should be 8-1 heading to Michigan and already good on this win total.

Win Total Under

Rutgers u4 wins (-110)- This one hurts me. I love Rutgers and Greg Schiano. Seeing them make a bowl game last season was so awesome but I think this season will be tough. They should win 2 out of 3 out of conference with a loss to BC. However, they get bad fortune with the B1G schedule. Their two most winnable conference games are probably Minnesota and Maryland and they have to go on the road for both. Indiana at home is probably their best chance of winning a conference game and even then I don’t have a ton of faith. I put 4 wins as the absolute ceiling and think 3 or even 2 wins is more likely.

Conference Winner

None. Ohio State will win the conference but I don’t need to lay it. Just bet them every week.

Heisman Candidate

CJ Stroud (+275)- I bet Stroud at this number in my Heisman preview but it has dropped closer to +200/+225 at most books. I just think this offense will be next level and Stroud will be better than Young.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (25/1), TreVeyon Henderson (35/1)- The fact that the next best odds are two OSU skill position players is wild. I don’t think there’s any value in backing them with what Stroud is going to do.

Braelon Allen (60/1)- This guy is amazing. I didn’t bet it but I think there is some value in this number. This kid is a literal freak of nature and should run for a ton of yards in the Wisconsin offense. If they can outperform expectations as a team then he could get close to Heisman numbers.

Taulia Tagovailoa (200/1)- I sprinkled on Taulia. He is capable of putting up insane numbers. Maryland won’t be good enough for him to win the trophy but if they overperform as a team then he could get to New York.

Natty Contender

Ohio State- I’ve written a lot about how much I like this team. I don’t need to elaborate more. I would still do it at the current odds because I think they are a lock for the National Championship Game. Bet the Bucks and let’s have a great season.

That’s it for the B1G! Only the SEC left! It just means… more.