ESPN’s FPI updates odds to win B1G West following Week 5

ESPN’s FPI has updated which teams have the best chance of winning the B1G West after Week 5. Every team in the division is still trying to catch Wisconsin at this point.

Nebraska and Northwestern both lost their games in the early window. Minnesota ended up beating Louisiana at Huntingdon Bank Stadium. Purdue and Illinois squared off in a B1G West contest, with Purdue coming out on top 44-19.

Last, but certainly not least, was Iowa who beat Michigan State in a bounce-back win after losing to Penn State in the previous game.

Wisconsin still leads the way with the best odds after a 3-1 start to Luke Fickell’s tenure. Iowa has the second-best odds so far. The next closest team is Minnesota after a much-needed win at home, followed by Purdue.

Illinois, Northwestern, and Nebraska have the three worst odds.

Here’s how the B1G West title odds look after the first five weeks:

• Wisconsin — 65%
• Iowa — 25.4%
• Minnesota — 4%
• Purdue — 2.1%
• Illinois — 1.5%
• Northwestern — 1.3%

While Wisconsin is the likely representative (at this point) to represent the West in Indy, the Badgers are not given much of a chance in regard to the betting Big Ten Championship odds. A trio of East teams lead the way on those odds before Wisconsin and Iowa make an appearance.

A big game is coming up for both Wisconsin and Iowa in the next couple of weeks. The two meet on Oct. 14 in a game that could decide who goes to the B1G Championship if all goes well for the winner.

However, the B1G West is wild every season, so nothing is set in stone just yet.

Grant Bricker

Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.