Rough betting ahead on the Big Ten gridirons
Mention the words 'college football' to someone and there's a good chance the vision that comes to their mind involves a Big Ten school. But the old grand and glorious guard of collegiate gridirons has become the Not So Big Eleven the past few seasons. Sure, Ohio State has played for the BCS hardware two years in a row, but that's about it as the conference is nowhere as deep as others.
The 2007 college football season was one the Big Ten Conference would just as soon forget. It started with Michigan losing to Appalachian State of the former Division I-AA (now the Football Championship Subdivision). And it ended with Ohio State losing the BCS championship for the second year in a row, this time to LSU. In between: mediocrity, and lots of it.
The Big Ten betting odds don’t look too promising for 2008, either. The Buckeyes are still national title contenders at 8-1 on the futures market, but there’s a cavernous plunge between OSU and the rest of the pack. These over/unders suggest rough waters ahead for the most storied conference in college sports.
Ohio State Buckeyes (10)
Ohio State was a young, rebuilding program each of the past two seasons and made the title game anyway. This year, we’ll see the Buckeyes at their peak. The defense and kicking teams are the best in the nation, and the offense isn’t far behind.
Penn State Nittany Lions (8½)
The Lions have been competitive the last three years, winning 11, nine and nine contests. But they’ll have a new starting quarterback, and they won’t have linebacker Sean Lee following a torn ACL. Penn State was No. 38 in Fremeau efficiency last year and should do worse this year.
Wisconsin Badgers (8½)
Wisconsin had the worst record in the Big Ten at 4-8 against the spread, but this was also the only team in the conference to win all its home games. An easier road schedule should get the Badgers above eight wins for the fifth year in a row.
Michigan Wolverines (8)
Rich Rodriguez takes over a program that disappointed last year at 9-4 (7-5 ATS) and saw QB Ryan Mallett defect to Arkansas. A tough non-con schedule will make the transition to Rodriguez’ spread offense that much more difficult.
Illinois Fighting Illini (8)
Ron Zook has put together some outstanding recruiting classes the past few years. The Illini blew away expectations at 9-4 (7-5 ATS), made it into the Rose Bowl, and are in good shape to keep up the momentum this year
Iowa Hawkeyes (7½)
Iowa’s got some splainin’ to do after seasons of seven, six and six victories. QB Jake Christensen was inconsistent, his outstanding tailbacks have moved on, and pass defense will be a huge question mark after the loss of so many starters.
Michigan State Spartans (7)
This is Mark Dantonio’s second season as coach in East Lansing, and his first season ended promisingly with upsets over Purdue and Penn State, plus a near-upset of Boston College at the Citrus Bowl. The Spartans were No. 33 in team efficiency and have upward mobility on their side.
Purdue Boilermakers (6½)
The Boilers are facing some big personnel questions on the offensive line and a brutal schedule. However, senior QB is Curtis Painter is good enough to keep Purdue competitive in the second tier of Big Ten competition.
Northwestern Wildcats (6½)
Pat Fitzgerald got this team from four to six wins in 2007, his second year as head coach. And they lost to Duke. The Wildcats should get their revenge against the Blue Devils this time around, and a winning record is theirs for the taking.
Indiana Hoosiers (5)
This was a decent 7-6 (7-5 ATS) team last year playing with heavy hearts following the loss of coach Terry Hoeppner to brain cancer. Bill Lynch did well to earn the full-time position; his steady hand gives Indiana a good chance to go bowling again this year.
Minnesota Golden Gophers (4½)
Nowhere to go but up for the Gophers after they went 1-11 (4-6-1 ATS) last year. Tim Brewster has a strong recruiting class and a forgiving schedule going into his second year, but Minnesota’s awful defense has a lot of ground to make up.
Mention the words 'college football' to someone and there's a good chance the vision that comes to their mind involves a Big Ten school. But the old grand and glorious guard of collegiate gridirons has become the Not So Big Eleven the past few seasons. Sure, Ohio State has played for the BCS hardware two years in a row, but that's about it as the conference is nowhere as deep as others.
The 2007 college football season was one the Big Ten Conference would just as soon forget. It started with Michigan losing to Appalachian State of the former Division I-AA (now the Football Championship Subdivision). And it ended with Ohio State losing the BCS championship for the second year in a row, this time to LSU. In between: mediocrity, and lots of it.
The Big Ten betting odds don’t look too promising for 2008, either. The Buckeyes are still national title contenders at 8-1 on the futures market, but there’s a cavernous plunge between OSU and the rest of the pack. These over/unders suggest rough waters ahead for the most storied conference in college sports.
Ohio State Buckeyes (10)
Ohio State was a young, rebuilding program each of the past two seasons and made the title game anyway. This year, we’ll see the Buckeyes at their peak. The defense and kicking teams are the best in the nation, and the offense isn’t far behind.
Penn State Nittany Lions (8½)
The Lions have been competitive the last three years, winning 11, nine and nine contests. But they’ll have a new starting quarterback, and they won’t have linebacker Sean Lee following a torn ACL. Penn State was No. 38 in Fremeau efficiency last year and should do worse this year.
Wisconsin Badgers (8½)
Wisconsin had the worst record in the Big Ten at 4-8 against the spread, but this was also the only team in the conference to win all its home games. An easier road schedule should get the Badgers above eight wins for the fifth year in a row.
Michigan Wolverines (8)
Rich Rodriguez takes over a program that disappointed last year at 9-4 (7-5 ATS) and saw QB Ryan Mallett defect to Arkansas. A tough non-con schedule will make the transition to Rodriguez’ spread offense that much more difficult.
Illinois Fighting Illini (8)
Ron Zook has put together some outstanding recruiting classes the past few years. The Illini blew away expectations at 9-4 (7-5 ATS), made it into the Rose Bowl, and are in good shape to keep up the momentum this year
Iowa Hawkeyes (7½)
Iowa’s got some splainin’ to do after seasons of seven, six and six victories. QB Jake Christensen was inconsistent, his outstanding tailbacks have moved on, and pass defense will be a huge question mark after the loss of so many starters.
Michigan State Spartans (7)
This is Mark Dantonio’s second season as coach in East Lansing, and his first season ended promisingly with upsets over Purdue and Penn State, plus a near-upset of Boston College at the Citrus Bowl. The Spartans were No. 33 in team efficiency and have upward mobility on their side.
Purdue Boilermakers (6½)
The Boilers are facing some big personnel questions on the offensive line and a brutal schedule. However, senior QB is Curtis Painter is good enough to keep Purdue competitive in the second tier of Big Ten competition.
Northwestern Wildcats (6½)
Pat Fitzgerald got this team from four to six wins in 2007, his second year as head coach. And they lost to Duke. The Wildcats should get their revenge against the Blue Devils this time around, and a winning record is theirs for the taking.
Indiana Hoosiers (5)
This was a decent 7-6 (7-5 ATS) team last year playing with heavy hearts following the loss of coach Terry Hoeppner to brain cancer. Bill Lynch did well to earn the full-time position; his steady hand gives Indiana a good chance to go bowling again this year.
Minnesota Golden Gophers (4½)
Nowhere to go but up for the Gophers after they went 1-11 (4-6-1 ATS) last year. Tim Brewster has a strong recruiting class and a forgiving schedule going into his second year, but Minnesota’s awful defense has a lot of ground to make up.
