Preseason Big Ten championship odds ahead of 2026 college football season

Preseason Big Ten championship odds ahead of 2026 college football season

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Preseason Big Ten championship odds ahead of 2026 college football season

Thursday marks the final day of Big Ten Media Days. Reigning Big Ten champions and national champions, the Indiana Hoosiers, will be at the podium. Curt Cignetti will likely be brimming with confidence that his team can repeat as the champions of the Big Ten.

But other programs believe they can win the Big Ten — a conference that has won the last three college football national titles.

Let’s take a look at the Big Ten championship odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.

MORE: 4 Big Ten football teams set to fall short of expectations in 2026

The three contenders

Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) sets the play during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, three teams are going to contend for the Big Ten, with the rest of the conference on the outside looking in.

  • Ohio State Buckeyes +180
  • Indiana Hoosiers +250
  • Oregon Ducks +260

With the return of Dante Moore, a potential top-overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, Oregon’s value isn’t all that bad here. The Ducks do play both USC and Ohio State on the road, which won’t be easy, along with a home date with the Michigan Wolverines.

Four teams that need some things to go their way

Dec 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; The Big 10 Championship trophy after the Michigan Wolverines won the Big Ten Championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Following the favorites, there are four teams grouped together with odds from +1400 to +2500. And for these teams to win the Big Ten, some things will need to go their way, along with beating some teams they aren’t expected to beat.

  • USC Trojans +1400
  • Michigan Wolverines +1500
  • Penn State Nittany Lions +2000
  • Washington Huskies +2500

It might be hard to believe that Penn State will win the Big Ten, but Matt Campbell’s first season at the helm won’t be all that difficult. Sure, the Nittany Lions will have to beat both Michigan and USC, but PSU won’t play Ohio State, Oregon, or Indiana this season.

The rest of the bunch

Oct 25, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck (left) shakes hands with Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz before the game at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

And then there is the rest of the Big Ten. It’s going to be a long shot for most of these programs to not only win the Big Ten, but to even contend.

  • Iowa Hawkeyes +6000
  • Illinois Fighting Illini +10000
  • Nebraska Cornhuskers +12000
  • Wisconsin Badgers +15000
  • UCLA Bruins +16000
  • Minnesota Gophers +30000
  • Northwestern Wildcats +50000
  • Michigan State Spartans +50000
  • Maryland Terrapins +50000
  • Rutgers Scarlet Knights +60000
  • Purdue Boilermakers +100000

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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