2008 Big Ten Football Odds
TweetJimmy Boyd’s 2008 odds to win the Big Ten Conference are listed below from four of the best online sportsbooks in the industry. Jimmy lists the odds from more than one books so that you can get your NCAA futures wagers in on the best possible line. It is important to hold more than one sportsbook account so that you can check around for the best lines each week. It will only take you one half point loss before you realize that every half point counts. Sign up for any of these sportsbooks and make an initial deposit and Jimmy will give you his premium plays for free for a period of time that corresponds with how much money you deposit. This article features some of Jimmy’s 2008 Big Ten football predictions and includes a sleeper bet to win the conference.
Favorite – Ohio State Buckeyes: -200 to win Big Ten Conference at BetUS
With most of the team returning which made it to the BCS title game last season, the Buckeyes are big favorites to win the conference in 2008. Many feel that an early season game at LSU will be Ohio State’s only loss of the season. If that is the case, then the Buckeyes would be going undefeated throughout conference play. Heisman Trophy candidate Chris Wells is the best offensive weapon on the team and an already stacked squad got even deeper by signing highly touted freshman phenom Terrelle Pryor. Ohio State lost at Illinois last season and it will have to visit Champagne again. The Bucks will also have to make the trip to Madison. While there’s no doubt that the Big Ten is down and that the Buckeyes should be favored to win, Illinois showed us last season that anything is possible.
Sleeper – Iowa Hawkeyes: +800 to win Big Ten Conference at BetUS.com
Iowa has enjoyed a lot of success in recent history under coach Ferentz and this team will have a lot to prove in 2008 following a season which left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth. What I mean by that is that the Hawks missed out on a bowl for the first time in a long time thanks to a season ending loss at home to Western Michigan. The offensive line will be more experienced and so will starting QB Jake Christensen, who struggled in his first season under center. The Hawkeyes enjoy one of the best home field advantages in the country and have the luxury of not playing Ohio State and Michigan and they get Wisconsin and Penn State at home. A favorable schedule just might get the Hawks an unexpected title.
Wisconsin, at +300, Illinois, at +550, and Penn State, at +600 to win the Big Ten, fall next in line after Ohio State. Wisconsin has been very solid in recent years and stands the best chance to take the league out of this group behind a strong running game and a conservative approach which usually keeps the Badgers mistake-free.
2008 Odds to win Big Ten Conference at BetUS
Illinois +550
Indiana +4000
Iowa +800
Michigan +750
Michigan State +1200
Minnesota +7500
Northwestern +3000
Ohio State -200
Purdue +1200
Penn State +600
Wisconsin +300
Sportsbook.com’s Odds to Win the Big Ten
Illinois +500
Indiana +3000
Iowa +1000
Michigan +550
Michigan State +1200
Minnesota +5000
Northwestern +2500
Ohio State -300
Penn State +500
Purdue +1200
Wisconsin +300
BodogLife’s 2008 Big Ten College Football Odds
Illinois 4/1
Indiana 30/1
Iowa 10/1
Michigan 13/2
Michigan State 11/1
Minnesota 55/1
Northwestern 20/1
Ohio State 2/5
Penn State 11/2
Purdue 12/1
Wisconsin 7/2