How Accurate Have Preseason Big Ten Odds Been?

August 14, 2023 04:38pm

Fact Checked by Pat McLoone

After two consecutive embarrassing losses to Michigan, the Ohio State Buckeyes find themselves tied with their hated rival, the Wolverines, as the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten Conference Championship.

The 2023 regular season kicks off in a couple of weeks in this, the first year of legal Ohio sportsbooks.

Being the co-favorite is not necessarily good news for Ohio State.

BetOhio.com – your source for Ohio sportsbook promos – utilized SportsOddsHistory.com to scrutinize the preseason odds for Big Ten Champions dating back to 2008 when data was made available, and who ended up winning the conference.

Big Ten Preseason Odds Since 2008

The trend here is something you would want to keep in mind if you have a BetMGM Ohio promo code or one from the myriad of other sites in the state.

Year	Preseason Favorite	Odds	Winner
2022	Ohio State	-225	Michigan (+600)
2021	Ohio State	-225	Michigan (+2500)
2020	Ohio State	-225	Ohio State
2019	Michigan	+160	Ohio State (+220)
2018	Ohio State	+120	Ohio State
2017	Ohio State	-140	Ohio State
2016	Ohio State	+120	Penn State (+6000)
2015	Ohio State	-500	Michigan State (+800)
2014	MSU/Wisconsin	+240	Ohio State (+300)
2013	Ohio State	+100	Michigan State (+700)
2012	Wisconsin	+175	Wisconsin
2011	Nebraska	+180	Wisconsin (+260)
2010	Ohio State	-210	Wisconsin (+500)
2009	Ohio State	+160	Ohio State
2008	Ohio State	+120	Penn State (+500)

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Preseason Odds Haven’t Been Good to Buckeyes

The Buckeyes have been a preseason favorite 11 times since 2008 but have captured the conference title only four of those times (2009, 2017, 2018, 2020). They have won the title twice during that span as an underdog (2014, 2019).

Seven of the times as the favorite the Buckeyes have failed to win the title (2008, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022). The last two years, the conference title has been determined by the winner of the Ohio State vs. Michigan showdown, the final regular season game for both schools. Might as well bone up on Ohio State vs. Michigan odds as soon as possible.

After winning eight head-to-head matchups in a row, Ohio State was upended by Michigan twice - 42-27 at home in 2021 and 45-23 on the road in 2022.

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BetMGM Sportsbook Futures

Ohio State opens its 2023 campaign on the road against Indiana on Sept. 2 at 3:30. The team’s conference home opener is against Maryland on Oct. 7.

Here are the latest BetMGM future odds for Ohio State as of Monday afternoon:

To win national championship: +700 (third favorite; Michigan +800, fourth favorite)
To win Big 10 title: +180 (tied with Michigan as favorite)
Over/Under 10.5 regular season wins: Over -110, Under -110

You are sure to see Ohio State on ESPN’s College GameDay this season. After last week’s big news, you might want to check out the ESPN Bet Ohio page.

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