Ohio State a Heavy -300 Favorite in Updated Big Ten Conference Championship Odds After Announced Return to Play

• The Big Ten has announced they will have a nine-game fall football season starting on October 23rd
• The Ohio State Buckeyes re-opened at heavy -300 odds to win the conference title
• Read below to find out their return to play plan and all odds surrounding the Big Ten’s Conference Championship

Along with the ACC, SEC, and Big 12, the Big Ten have announced they will resume play with a nine-game fall football season starting on October 23rd. The Big Ten initially postponed all fall sports seasons on August 11th due to an 11-3 vote by the schools presidents and chancellors.

The Big Ten will play eight games in eight weeks before the conference championship game on December 19th. Moreover, this will allow the Big Ten to complete their full season before the College Football Playoff Selection Day on December 20th.

According to ESPN, the return to play plan presented to the presidents and chancellors included daily antigen testing across the 14 campuses starting on September 30th. Testing must be completed and logged before every game and practice. There will also be enhanced cardiac screening and a data-driven approach to ensure the safety of all players and coaches.

All that being said, the Big Ten will be back in October with a lot of competitive football. In the Big Ten Championship odds, Ohio State are large favorites to repeat for the fourth straight year. Let’s take a look at some of the other teams who have a chance to knock off Justin Fields’ Buckeyes.

2020 Big Ten Conference Championship Odds

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Ohio State’s Big Ten Reign

Justin Fields returns for a second season with the Ohio State Buckeyes after a near perfect 2019 campaign. Ohio State dominated the Big Ten finishing 9-0 in conference play and beating Wisconsin 34-21 to claim their third straight conference championship.

Fields had a remarkable year throwing for 3,273 yards, 41 touchdowns, and three interceptions. Not to mention, Fhe ran for 484 yards and 10 scores on the ground. Ryan Day and Fields are set to dominate the Big Ten conference yet again in 2020-21.

Ohio State were one of three teams that voted to not postpone fall sports back in August. So, you can imagine that the Buckeyes are very excited for football to start.

Once again the Buckeyes led the Big Ten with the number one recruiting class in 2020. They tracked down three 5-star recruits this offseason – WR Julian Fleming, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and OT Paris Johnson Jr.

Fortunately for Ohio State’s defense, cornerback Shaun Wade has reversed his decision after originally opting-out of the 2020-21 season. However, the loss of defensive end Chase Young will sting. That being said, Ryan Day is a confident head coach and has a deep young core to work with.

"Imma come back and be a Buckeye and really go strive for this national championship."

DB Shaun Wade announced he is returning to @OhioStateFB. pic.twitter.com/x0kNcK1XdH

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 17, 2020

The Buckeyes lost their star running back J.K. Dobbins to the NFL Draft. In Ohio State fashion, Dobbins was replaced quickly by former Sooners running back Trey Sermon. The senior back rushed only 54 times for 385 yards and four touchdowns. Jalen Hurts carried the bulk of the load in the ground game last year, but Sermon still averaged 7.1 yards per rush.

Although the Big Ten schedule has not be released just yet, the Buckeyes will undoubtedly be the team to beat yet again. In terms of talent and coaching, there is no team that matches them.

Penn State and Wisconsin’s Chances

Penn State and Wisconsin are the two teams that have given Ohio State a run for their money the last few seasons.

The Nittany Lions have won 11 games three out of the last four years and now move forward with a new offensive coordinator in Kirk Ciarrocca.

In Sean Clifford’s first year as the starting quarterback for Penn State, he threw for 2,654 yards, 23 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Clifford will have Jahan Dotson as his number one receiver, but more reliable targets will have to come forward as the season starts to progress.

Penn State had a stellar defense last year, allowing just 16 points per game. However, they’re returning just five starters, and a massive loss will be felt with Micah Parsons opting out to train for the NFL draft.

JACK COAN DROPPED IT IN THE BASKET🎯

💪😤 #WISvsOSU
pic.twitter.com/Qj6vhUqZbl

— lil kennedy (@t0mm3333) October 26, 2019

The Badgers unfortunately lose Jonathan Taylor, but return nine starters on a defense that allowed just under 17 points per game last season. Jack Coan is also returning as the quarterback for the Badgers after throwing for 2,727 yards, 18 scores, and five interceptions.

Wisconsin will have a strong offensive line once again to protect Coan and the crew of running backs replacing Taylor. Hopefully reliable weapons emerge for Coan through the air, but regardless the Badgers should not have any trouble winning the West Division again this season.

Best Bet & Sleeper Pick

Familiarity is going to be very important heading into this Big Ten season. With a shorter offseason, new quarterbacks and new schemes might not be executed to perfection. However, for teams who are returning a lot of starters and familiar faces should be able to adjust without a problem.

That is why I believe the Indiana Hoosiers will have a surprisingly good season this year. The Hoosiers are returning 17 starters and have a lot of weapons on the offensive end. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is a special talent and he will have running back Stevie Scott III and receiver Whop Philyor at his disposal.

Highest-graded returning Big Ten players:

1. Justin Fields (QB) – 91.5
2. Rashawn Slater (OT) – 89.9
3. Peyton Ramsey (QB) – 86.4
4. Tanner Morgan (QB) – 85.5
5. Chris Olave (WR) – 85.1
6. John Michael Schmitz (C) – 85.0
7. Michael Penix Jr (QB) – 84.0 pic.twitter.com/BETcBGTu1F

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 5, 2020

That being said, I am not going to confidently say the Hoosiers will take the Big Ten by storm and win the conference championship. All I’m saying is keep a close eye on Tom Allen and Indiana as they could have one or two upsets this season.

Although picking Ohio State seems like a no-brainer, it is the right pick. Ohio State has an insane amount of talent on their roster and Ryan Day has proven himself as a masterful coach thus far. The Buckeyes will be a force in the Big Ten yet again this season.

Best Bet: Ohio State (-300)

Super Sleeper Pick: Indiana (+15000)