NCAAF Futures – 2025 Big 10 Championship Odds: Everybody Is chasing Ohio State
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Doug Upstone
- June 12, 2025
The Big Ten would like nothing more than to win a third consecutive national championship and put to rest the SEC is the best conference in college football. The conference appears to have three squads capable of accomplishing this feat, with a couple of others who make some noise.
Before heading to the top-rated sportsbooks, here is a look at the latest odds to win the Big Ten championship.
Big Ten Conference Championship Game Winner 2025
Ohio State (+200)
- Over/Under 10.5 Wins
Coach Ryan Day finally found some peace in Columbus, at least until this new season starts by winning a national championship in football. Though Day lost a great deal of talent to the NFL, NIL money, and his ability to draw top-notch talent, he keeps the Buckeyes in the news for another championship.
The key to Ohio State returning to play for a Big Ten title (remember, they were a wild card club last year) is the growth of their roster coming together as a group. Day has to generate the same hunger to match the end of last season to return as conference champs.
Penn State (+250)
- Over/Under 10.5 Wins
Though James Franklin has a perennial Top 10 outfit, he has to change his ways. Bringing in defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was a great first step; the other is chucking the conservative big game approach and having his Nittany Lions go for it.
If Penn State can become more aggressive on offense, hit big plays, and place more pressure on the top teams they play, the Nittany Lions have everything they need. Will Franklin change? A Big Ten title or national championship might depend on it.
Oregon (+275)
- Over/Under 10.5 Wins
Coach Dan Lanning is a proven winner. His teams have played in two consecutive conference championships, winning the Big Ten on Oregon’s first try. Can he next elevate the Ducks to win a national title?
Oregon’s personnel can match Ohio State and Penn State. But can Lanning discover the physical part, something which has been a problem dating back to the Chip Kelly days? Solve this, and have Dante Moore turn into top talent at quarterback, and who knows how far the Ducks can fly.
Michigan (+850)
- Over/Under 8.5 Wins
The Wolverines closed with wins at Ohio State and a bowl upset of Alabama. Does that set the table for future success?
The Michigan defense figures to be its usual strong self. However, there is far more excitement about the offense this upcoming season. OC Chip Lindsey can play smash mouth or open it with one back sets, chucking the ball for big plays.
Avoiding both Penn State and Oregon gives the Wolverines a chance to play for the conference title. It’s a matter of determining if Michigan has the right players to execute its new offensive designs.
Illinois (+3000)
- Over/Under 7.5 Wins
Illinois won 10 games last season, including knocking off a hot South Carolina crew in the Cotton Bowl. The Fighting Illini were the youngest club in the Big Ten a year ago and didn’t lose as many players to the portal as expected. Returning QB Luke Altmyer was imperative.
The Illini offense appears potent. The defensive line is rebuilt with experienced transfers, though the secondary is beatable. It’s hard not to see Illinois reach eight wins for an Over play.
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Indiana (+3300)
- Over/Under 8.5 Wins
Though the Hoosiers are projected to win more games than Illinois, their odds for the Big Ten title tilt are higher. Trips to Iowa, Oregon, and Penn State will be difficult in coach Curt Cignetti’s second year.
Indiana won’t be as stout up front on defense, but feels they can be just as versatile offensively. Depending on how the Hoosiers mesh, this will decide if they are a Big Ten contender or pretender.
USC (+3500)
- Over/Under 7.5 Wins
Can USC return to a Top 20 team under coach Lincoln Riley? Quite possibly after losing five games by 19 points a year ago.
At the end of last year, the Trojans’ offense was more explosive. The Men of Troy defense was definitely improved, but far from elite. Still, they were miles ahead of the 2023 sad outfit.
If the QB Jayden Maiava reaches the next plateau along with the stop troops, how USC does at Illinois and at Nebraska could make this at least an 8-win squad.
Nebraska (+4000)
- Over/Under 7.5 Wins
This is a big season for coach Matt Ruhle and Nebraska in Year Four. All the recruits are Ruhle’s, and steady improvement means an 8-4 year.
Just the fact that Nebraska kept QB Dylan Raiola was a huge deal, and if they want him to return for his junior season, the Cornhuskers need a very successful season by recent standards.
The table is set for the Huskers to be 7-1 heading into November. Can they accomplish it and hold up to reach 9 wins?
Iowa (+5000)
- Over/Under 7.5 Wins
Not much changes at Iowa these days under longtime HC Kirk Ferentz.
The defense plays well versus lesser competition, and the offense lags behind to keep up with far more high-powered offensive units. Ferentz has always focused on special teams, which keeps the Hawkeyes in games.
This program feels stuck in neutral, with 7 or 8 wins likely.
Washington (+6500)
- Over/Under 7.5 Wins
Judd Fisch entered a no-win situation at Washington a year ago, which concluded at 6-7.
The offense is now in good hands with RB Jonah Coleman and WR Denzel Boston. How fast the offense develops depends on the offensive line. Fisch did good work in bringing in better talent on defense, and it’s up to former Purdue coach Ryan Walters to make it happen as the DC.
With home games against Ohio State and Oregon, beating Rutgers, Illinois, and Purdue is a must to muster eight wins.
Minnesota (+10000)
- Over/Under 6.5 Wins
At least Minnesota has RB Darious Taylor to tote the pigskin. The Golden Gophers have an inexperienced quarterback who becomes problematic when facing better competition.
The O-Line is being rebuilt, which could take time. And while the defense has a couple of good players at all three levels, without continuity and cohesion, this is a real question mark.
If the Gophers handle their home schedule, they can win seven or eight games; otherwise, they might have to fight to be bowl-eligible.
Rutgers (+15000)
- Over/Under 5.5 Wins
Head coach Greg Schiano is maxing out on bringing and developing talent to New Jersey.
From a talent perspective, this is Schiano’s best group in his second tour of duty. But with matchups against Oregon, at Ohio State, and Penn State, will the Scarlet Knights have any chance to reach six wins with roadies at Minnesota, Washington, and Illinois? Unlikely.
Michigan State (+15000)
- Over/Under 5.5 Wins
The Spartans’ season will fall on the right arm and legs of QB Aidan Chiles.
Sometimes great and dreadful on the same drive, Chiles can create touchdowns for his team or for those who Michigan State is playing with miscues. Michigan State’s conference road slate features foes mostly similar to them, and how they do will decide if they go bowling or not.
UCLA (+20000)
- Over/Under 4.5 Wins
After a 1-4 start, UCLA played everyone tough, staying within a touchdown except at Washington, falling 31-19. Can the Bruins move up the ladder with new QB Nico Iamaleava? It is possible, but the offensive roster Nico had at Tennessee is superior to what he’ll be working with in L.A. A .500 campaign is possible, not likely.
Wisconsin (+20000)
- Over/Under 5.5 Wins
Luke Fickell to Wisconsin seemed like a natural fit. However, with a 13-13 record after two years, this marriage could be on the rocks after this year.
The Wisconsin program has lost its way, formerly excellent at the line of scrimmage and playing physical. Can Fickell change the thinking since he was part of the problem? Oddsmakers are saying, No.
Maryland (+40000)
- Over/Under 4.5 Wins
Maryland has six players taken in the NFL Draft, its most since 1986. Unfortunately, the Terps are not the Buckeyes and reload every year. There are obvious holes in the starting 22, and the two-deep picture is not clear.
The Turtles’ offense has the potential to score against comparable Big Ten competition. Defense could be a major conundrum up front, stopping the run or rushing the passer.
An Over play could hinge on the last game with Michigan State on the road.
Northwestern (+50000)
- Over/Under 3.5 Wins
Northwestern, over the years, has had very good coaches who established a culture and got a buy-in. That is harder to do without paying your key players, and the Wildcats are left to flounder.
If the Wildcats can improve last year’s #130 defense, they could move up, but we are not seeing it.
Purdue (+50000)
- Over/Under 3.5 Wins
Purdue suffered some of the worst losses in school history and jettisoned their coach. It seems crazy that Barry Odom would leave a great situation at UNLV to enter this nightmare. Possibly, he feels that if he can turn around that dormant program, he can do the same here.
One major difference, the Big Ten is not the Mountain West. Few expectations for 2025.
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
