Examining the Big Ten Conference Championship Odds

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 06: A view of the Big Ten trophy during the Indiana Hoosiers celebratio after a 13-10 victory against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the 2025 Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Marc Lebryk/Big Ten/University Images via Getty Images)

Heading into the season, Penn State is sixth on FanDuel's list of Big Ten championship favorites. A Big Ten crown would be a tall order for Matt Campbell in his first season in Happy Valley, but crazier things have happened, especially over the course of a college football season.

Let's take a look around the Big Ten to see who is expected to hoist the trophy in Indianapolis this December before preparing for a playoff run.

THE FAVORITE

Ohio State (+185)

It's no surprise to see the Buckeyes at the top despite losing its final two games to close out 2025. Ohio State could have the best offense in the nation with uber-accurate Julian Sayin returning for his second season at starting quarterback, most of the offensive line back, as well as rising star Bo Jackson at running back. There's also Jeremiah Smith, the consensus best player in all of college football, leading a group of standouts at wide receiver. While the defense lost loads of talent from last year, they have proven to plug in their gaggle of five-stars and never skip a beat. There's a reason they are heading into the season at the top of the polls yet again.

NEXT IN LINE

Oregon (+270)

Indiana (+290)

The Ducks could easily be right up there with the Buckeyes. They have perhaps the nation's best overall roster heading into the season. They return Dante Moore, a loaded backfield, and several standouts receivers including Evan Stewart and Dakorian Moore. The defensive line will be difficult for anyone to block, and they do not have any weak spots throughout the defense. Oregon ended its last two seasons with blowout losses over the eventual national champions. However, they are built to potentially buck that trend and win the first national title in program history.

You always have to include Indiana as long as Curt Cignetti is on the sideline. He clearly knows how to identify and develop players at an incredible level that has brought the Hoosiers from the basement of the Big Ten to the very top of college football. Josh Hoover from TCU steps in at quarterback and could quickly become a Heisman front-runner. We've all learned by now not to doubt the Hoosiers.

THE DARK HORSE

Michigan (+1600)

It's hard to imagine anyone besides the three aforementioned teams winning the Big Ten this season, but the Wolverines could pull off the surprise for one specific reason - the potential emergence of Bryce Underwood. The nation's top overall recruit in 2025 held his own as a true freshman, but has a long ways to go to breakout. The talent and potential are there, so if things click for Underwood in year two then he could be one of the most dangerous players in the nation. Michigan looks to be sound on both lines of scrimmage, and Kyle Whittingham has proven to always get the most of his players. The main question is if Underwood is ready for his star turn?

THE BASEMENT

Maryland, Purdue, Northwestern, Michigan State, Rutgers (+40,000)

FanDuel does not have any confidence in these five making any noise in the Big Ten race. While I agree, I would not put Northwestern quite that low and would not be surprised to see them pull off an upset or two that shakes things up for the main contenders. We aren't far removed from Indiana being at the bottom of the list, so just maybe one of these programs is preparing to make the leap to the top.