Ohio State -225 Favorite in Opening Odds to Win Big Ten; Michigan Top Contender at +350, Wisconsin +900

• Ohio State has opened as the heavy favorite to win its fourth consecutive Big Ten title
• The Buckeyes have several key returnees, including Heisman frontrunner quarterback Justin Fields
• Does any team have a chance to dethrone Ohio State? See the full list of opening odds below

It is difficult to overstate the dominance that Ohio State has displayed in the Big Ten the past three seasons. In that span, they’ve lost just twice to Big Ten opponents, won 20 conference games by 20-plus points and brought home the conference title all three years.

So it’s no mystery why the Buckeyes find themselves as hefty favorites to repeat history and win the conference again, with Big Ten title odds that tower over the rest of the bunch:

2020 Big Ten Championship Odds

Odds taken March 27

Ohio State’s promising position is about more than history, though. The Buckeyes are bringing back several starters (including arguably the best current player in college football) who have demonstrated an ability to succeed in the Big Ten.

In the sections below, we’ll take a deeper look at why Ohio State is such a runaway favorite and explain which school might have the best shot to dethrone the Scarlet and Gray.

Heisman Hopeful Highlights Returnees

Quarterback Justin Fields, the reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, would probably have turned pro if he could. Fortunately for the Buckeyes, they’ll have him for at least another year.

In his first full season as a starter last year, Fields combined for nearly 270 yards of total offense per game, as well as 51 total touchdowns (versus just three turnovers). He is a leading favorite to win the Heisman this season, according to the latest Heisman Trophy odds.

The Justin Fields era got off to a hot start with a 45-21 win over FAU!

Catch the highlights in our 60' in 60" ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/DT6GtsNHFL

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 31, 2019

Simply having Fields back, at the game’s most important position, is a huge boost. But the Buckeyes are bringing back so much more.

Three-fifths of the offensive line, half the defensive line, two linebackers, a cornerback, two tight ends, a kicker and a punter all carry over to the starting lineup from 2019. Oh, and stud wide receiver Chris Olave, who led the Buckeyes with 840 yards and 12 touchdowns.

On a mission. Just getting started… pic.twitter.com/UZlLgnYXBW

— Chris Olave (@chrisolave_) January 21, 2020

Unmatched Recruiting Class

To put Ohio State’s recruiting excellence in context, consider this: the Buckeyes signed three five-star recruits in its 2020 class, according to 247 Sports, while the rest of the Big Ten (i.e. other 12 schools) combined for just one.

In total, the Buckeyes’ three five-stars and 14 four-stars give them the fifth best recruiting class in the country. Michigan, which is second among Big Ten schools, ranks No. 14.

Two Buckeye recruits to watch out for right away are Julian Fleming (No. 3 overall recruit, No. 1 wide receiver) and Paris Johnson Jr. (No. 9 recruit, No. 1 offensive tackle). Both players figure to have an immediate impact in 2020.

Julian Fleming the best receiver in the country ❌🧢 @julian_040 pic.twitter.com/IcMHcsZ6Bs

— Overtime (@overtime) October 20, 2019

The Buckeyes have five of the top 16 wide receiver recruits in the nation. With Olave already in the mix, Fields will have a treasure trove of weapons to work with.

Ohio State also “recruited” grad transfer running back Trey Sermon, who averaged 7.1 yards/carry with Oklahoma last season.

Rare Blips on the Radar

No team is perfect, of course, so it’s worth pointing out Ohio State’s (very few) missteps in recent Big Ten play. Their two conference losses in the past three years were both sizeable upsets, proving that surprises do happen.

In 2018, No. 2 Ohio State lost 49-20 on the road against unranked Purdue. Ohio State actually out-gained the Boilermakers in yards, but the Buckeyes managed only six points on five red zone trips.

Here's how Purdue delivered an absolute stunner to No. 2 Ohio State.

(📍 @MBUSA) pic.twitter.com/IjanEBQe2P

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 21, 2018

In 2017, No. 3 Ohio State lost 55-24 on the road against unranked Iowa. This came just a week after the Buckeyes had knocked off No. 2 Penn State — and they came out with a clunker, going minus-four in the turnover battle against the Hawkeyes.

Last season, Ohio State swept its 10 conference foes — and beat all of them by at least 11 points. With a large crop of returning players, as well as a promising group of newcomers, that certainly bodes well.

Can Anyone Stop the Buckeyes?

The answer: probably no one. But there’s always a chance, right? Michigan has the narrowest odds (+350), but we’re going to suggest Wisconsin (+900) has the best shot.

The Badgers’ regular season schedule includes the bottom-five schools on the Big Ten title odds. They also face Michigan and Minnesota at home — and dodge the Buckeyes.

No one's protected their home field in the last 10 years quite like @OhioStateFB ⭕️🙌 pic.twitter.com/kvX1Hz6yIq

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) March 26, 2020

If everything goes according to plan, Wisconsin can glide through the Big Ten’s West Division and face the Buckeyes in the conference championship game. And that’s what matters. Because in a one-game sample, who knows what will happen?

Some old school highlights to give you some nostalgia….

Catch the last half of the 2011 Big Ten Championship Game tonight on FS1#OnWisconsin » #Badgers pic.twitter.com/1l4GtfAhBg

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) March 19, 2020

For now, the Buckeyes are the wise choice. But bettors looking for an interesting value pick should give a strong consideration to the Badgers.

Pick: Ohio State (-225)