Big Ten Sports Betting: Legal States, College Football Odds, Online Sportsbooks

Big Ten odds 2024 are out, which means one important thing: “Show me the money.”

It’s been well over two decades since Rod Tidwell screamed that now-legendary phrase to a fictional agent who suddenly found himself bullied around by Bob Sugar. Translation: Think of Sugar as the SEC—the flashy conference of the moment, the era—because the college football conference that rakes in the most green is the Big Ten.

The Power Five NCAA conferences raked in a cool $2.9 billion in 2019. The Big Ten accounted for $780 million, per USA Today. There’s no better conference to discuss the exhilarating sports betting world than the Big Ten, and there’s no sport better to focus on than college football.

Big Ten Sports Betting and Sportsbooks Apps are now live in many of the states featured in college football’s money-making conference. Eight of the 11 Big Ten football states are currently enjoying legal online sports betting. This includes the exploding Ohio sports betting apps market after a Jan. 1, 2023 launch lifted the industry off the ground in the Buckeye State.

It all adds up to College football online sports bettors foaming at the mouth. Better yet, they’re dancing like Rod Tidwell while envisioning yachts and mansions in their future. Where is it written that only the Big Ten can rake in the dough? Big Ten fans can as well.

Get started with DraftKings Sportsbook’s excellent new-user offer to bet $5, and get $200 in bonus bets.

As previously mentioned, eight of the 11 states that house a Big Ten college football team already feature legal and live online sports betting. Wisconsin and Nebraska allow legal sports betting from a retail perspective, but not yet online.

All things considered, the Big Ten is in a much rosier legal sports gambling situation than the SEC is, as college football’s most talented conference is still working with just a couple of legal and live sports betting states.

One of the Big Ten’s greatest attributes—other than its amazing money-making ways—is its plentiful geography. The conference’s 14 teams are spread across 11 total states. No state hosts more than two teams, as Illinois, Indiana and Michigan host two big-time college football programs apiece.

Eight of the 11 states are currently live with online sports betting, while others continue the trek towards official status.

Illinois

Illinois Fighting Illini football and Northwestern Wildcats football are the two Big Ten programs hailing from this state. And as luck would have it—for the many fans of each school—online sports betting is already live in Illinois.

Interestingly, after it was fully live for the better part of 2020, as of April 4, 2021, online sports gamblers were forced to complete an in-person registration at a state-located casino. Gov. J.B. Pritzker had allowed remote registration through executive order, but those expired in early April.

Thankfully, as of March 5, 2022, the in-person registration requirement has been lifted, and Illinois online sports betting is a full go (as online sports gamblers can now legally register online).

Top Illinois sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps:

• DraftKings Illinois Sportsbook
• Caesars Illinois Sportsbook
• FanDuel Illinois Sportsbook
• Barstool Illinois Sportsbook
• PointsBet Illinois
• BetRivers Illinois

Indiana

The legalization of Indiana online sports betting became a reality in October 2019. Other than the big boys (can be seen below), other sportsbooks such as Unibet and theScore Bet are also available for in-state residents.

This is a great thing for online college football gamblers who also happen to love Indiana Hoosiers football and Purdue Boilermakers football.

Top Indiana sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps:

• DraftKings Indiana Sportsbook
• Caesars Iowa Sportsbook
• FanDuel Indiana Sportsbook
• PointsBet Indiana
• BetRivers Indiana
• Unibet Indiana

Iowa

Not only did Iowa residents celebrate the end of a miserable 2020 in a similar style to the rest of the world, but these state-specific folks did so with their eyes on an intriguing prospect. Iowa online sports betting went live without in-person registration in January 2021. While legal sports betting in the state has been around since 2019, the registration hassle turned a lot of wagerers off.

Fans and students (at least 21 years of age, of course) of the Iowa Hawkeyes football squad can also make their already-wonderful Saturday Tradition much more interesting thanks to current state laws.

Top Iowa sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps:

• DraftKings Iowa Sportsbook
• Caesars Iowa Sportsbook
• FanDuel Iowa Sportsbook
• Barstool Iowa Sportsbook
• PointsBet Iowa
• BetRivers Iowa

Michigan

Michigan wasn’t the very first to the online sports betting party, but it certainly provided more effort than most states. It all paid off when Michigan online sports betting turned live in January 2021.

Now, rabid Michigan Wolverines football fans who love (and very much not love) head coach Jim Harbaugh can ramp up the anxiety and heartache even further each Saturday. Oh yeah, don’t forget that winning is possible, too. Right?

As far as Michigan State Spartans football is concerned, hey, everybody loves a longshot; it’s what puts the substantial betting money in the pocket.

Top Michigan sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps:

• DraftKings Michigan Sportsbook
• Caesars Michigan Sportsbook
• FanDuel Michigan Sportsbook
• Barstool Michigan Sportsbook
• BetMGM Michigan
• PointsBet Michigan
• BetRivers Michigan

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is one of the big boys in the sports gambling market to date, for good reason. Not only does the state boast an impressive array of professional and collegiate teams, but its geography showcases many worlds within one universe. Those on the east side of the state feel as though Western Pennsylvania is a foreign land at times.

Then, there’s Penn State—a country of its own.

Located smack dab in the middle of the massive state, University Park appeals to multiple regions. From Ohio to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia to the tri-state area consisting of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, Penn State Nittany Lions football remains a giant to this day.

In any event, PA online sports betting maintains its powerhouse status.

Top Pennsylvania sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps:

• DraftKings PA Sportsbook
• FanDuel PA Sportsbook
• Barstool PA Sportsbook
• BetMGM PA
• PointsBet PA
• FOX Bet PA
• Unibet PA
• BetRivers PA

New Jersey

Hello, Rutgers. We understand your transition has been a challenging one, but progress is starting to become realized.

After the Scarlett Knights’ 8-5 initial Big Ten season in 2014, it’s been a rough go. Now that campus legend Greg Schiano is back, the Rutgers Scarlett Knights football squad’s 3-6 season this past season offered glimpses of significant improvement.

The school still has a long road to navigate, but New Jersey residents can now get in on the action. NJ online sports betting has become a nationwide leader in the industry.

Top New Jersey sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps:

• DraftKings NJ Sportsbook
• Caesars NJ Sportsbook
• FanDuel NJ Sportsbook
• Barstool NJ Sportsbook
• BetMGM NJ
• PointsBet NJ
• SugarHouse NJ

Maryland

College Park is officially live with legal online sports betting thanks to a November 2022 launch. The state had already enjoyed access to retail betting as of December 2021, so the online portion was certainly well-received. Enjoy any of the lucrative Maryland online sports betting promo codes from Saturday Tradition when you begin your legal betting journey in the Old Line State.

Maryland Terrapins football fans have officially joined the party via in-state online sports wagers.

Top expected Maryland sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps:

• DraftKings Maryland Sportsbook
• Caesars Maryland Sportsbook
• FanDuel Maryland Sportsbook
• Barstool Maryland Sportsbook
• BetMGM Maryland

Ohio

Ohio officially launched legal online sports betting on Jan. 1, 2023. In fact, the launch of Ohio online sports betting officially went live within seconds of the Ohio State University Buckeyes crashing out of the College Football Playoff. But the reality of legal online betting quickly helped football fans in the Buckeye State get over their sorrows.

Jan. 1, 2023, was the official launch date for Ohio’s online sports betting reality.

It also meant the Ohio State Buckeyes football faithful will finally have a seat at the college football-betting party.

Top expected Ohio sportsbooks and mobile sports betting apps:

• DraftKings Ohio Sportsbook
• Caesars Ohio Sportsbook
• FanDuel Ohio Sportsbook
• Barstool Ohio Sportsbook
• BetMGM Ohio
• Bally Bet Ohio

Nebraska

Initially, the strangeness that was Nebraska Cornhuskers football leaving the Big 12 for the Big Ten was obvious and understandable. A decade later, Nebraska has brought another worthwhile state to the conference’s party.

Gov. Pete Ricketts legalized sports betting when he signed LB561 into law on May 25, 2021. Legal Nebraska sports betting is currently limited to in-person locations only, but the protected online sports betting launch is still very much a possibility.

Minnesota

Minnesota is one of the states that hasn’t moved the needle on sports betting much (if at all). Sports betting is still illegal as the laws prohibiting it haven’t changed over the last few years.

Lawmakers have put forth the effort, but certain roadblocks continue to get in the way. Until it finally happens, Minnesota residents who love Minnesota Golden Gophers football will have to wait.

Wisconsin

Like Minnesota, the state of Wisconsin is also awaiting legislation on the sports betting matter. It isn’t legal in the state, and there haven’t been any efforts since PASPA was overturned in 2018.

Sorry, Wisconsin Badgers football fans who live in-state; you’ll just have to settle for a solid on-field squad in 2021.

Does it get any better than this? Not only can college football fanatics watch their favorite Big Ten team on Saturday, but they can also legally place online bets (as long as they’re located within an already live-and-legal-online-sports betting state).

Below are the Big Ten college football odds for some of the most popular future betting categories heading into the 2023 NCAA college football season:

Big Ten Football Win Total Over-Unders

Big Ten Win Total Over-Unders are always a popular play, and the 2023 NCAA regular season shouldn’t change that sentiment. The usual suspects lead the group, starting with Ohio State and Michigan, each at 10.5 wins.

Team	Logo	Over-Under Win Total
🏈 Ohio State Buckeyes		10.5 (Over: -105, Under: -115)
🏈 Michigan Wolverines		10.5 (Over: -130, Under: +110)
🏈 Wisconsin Badgers		8.5 (Over: -145, Under: +125)
🏈 Penn State Nittany Lions		9.5 (Over: -150, Under: +130)
🏈 Iowa Hawkeyes		8 (Over: -165, Under: +140)
🏈 Michigan State Spartans		5.5 (Over: +135, Under: -155)
🏈 Minnesota Golden Gophers		7 (Over: +110, Under: -130)
🏈 Nebraska Cornhuskers		6 (Over: -150, Under: +130)
🏈 Purdue Boilermakers		5.5 (Over: +145, Under: -165)
🏈 Maryland Terrapins		7.5 (Over: +110, Under: -130)
🏈 Illinois Fighting Illini		6.5 (Over: -125, Under: +105)
🏈 Indiana Hoosiers		3.5 (Over: -145, Under: +125)
🏈 Rutgers Scarlet Knights		3.5 (Over: -105, Under: -110)
🏈 Northwestern Wildcats		3 (Over: +100, -120)

• 💰All Big Ten Football Odds appearing on this page are provided by Caesars Sportsbook

Big Ten Football Championship Odds 2023

What a wild ride it was a year ago, huh? Once again the Big Ten produced some of the craziest college football storylines in the 2022 season.

And once again, it was not Ohio State standing at the end, as Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines got it done for the second consecutive year with a 43-22 triumph over the overmatched Purdue Boilermakers in the Big Ten Championship.

Michigan’s presence in the game was made possible by Harbaugh’s second ever win over Ohio State—in arguably sports’ greatest rivalry.

Team	Logo	Odds
🏈 Ohio State Buckeyes		+170
🏈 Michigan Wolverines		+175
🏈 Wisconsin Badgers		+750
🏈 Penn State Nittany Lions		+550
🏈 Nebraska Cornhuskers		+6000
🏈 Iowa Hawkeyes		+1200
🏈 Michigan State Spartans		+15000
🏈 Purdue Boilermakers		+10000
🏈 Minnesota Golden Gophers		+4000
🏈 Maryland Terrapins		+8000
🏈 Indiana Hoosiers		+50000
🏈 Illinois Fighting Illini		+3000
🏈 Rutgers Scarlet Knights		+30000
🏈 Northwestern Wildcats		+30000

Big Ten Championship History:

It’s been Ohio State’s world in Big Ten country over the better part of the last six seasons—save for Michigan’s 2021 and 2022 triumphs. What started with Urban Meyer is currently Buckeye dominance, as the four of the last five Big Ten championships have gone to the team that makes its home in Columbus.

Can the Buckeyes dethrone Michigan in 2023?

Year	Matchup	Line	Winner and Score	Champ
2021	🏈 Michigan-Iowa	💰 Michigan -12 (44)	✅ Michigan, 42-3
2020	🏈 Ohio State-Northwestern	💰 Ohio State -17 (57.5)	✅ Ohio State, 22-10
2019	🏈 Ohio State-Wisconsin	💰 Ohio State -17 (57.5)	✅ Ohio State, 34-21
2018	🏈 Ohio State-Northwestern	💰 Ohio State -16.5 (63)	✅ Ohio State, 45-24
2017	🏈 Ohio State-Wisconsin	💰 Ohio State -3.5 (51)	✅ Ohio State, 27-21
2016	🏈 Penn State-Wisconsin	💰 Wisconsin -3 (45)	✅ Penn State, 38-31
2015	🏈 Iowa-Michigan State	💰 Michigan State -3 (50)	✅ Michigan State, 16-13
2014	🏈 Wisconsin-Ohio State	💰 Wisconsin -4 (54)	✅ Ohio State, 59-0
2013	🏈 Michigan State-Ohio State	💰 Ohio State -5.5 (53.5)	✅ Michigan State, 34-24
2012	🏈 Wisconsin-Nebraska	💰 Nebraska -2.5 (48)	✅ Wisconsin, 70-31
2011	🏈 Wisconsin-Michigan State	💰 Wisconsin -9.5 (56)	✅ Wisconsin, 42-39

Big Ten Championship Facts, Trends:

• Ohio State has captured the most Big Ten titles (five).
• Ohio State and Wisconsin have appeared in six Big Ten championship games, the most since realignment.
• Since splitting up the conference into two divisions in 2011, the east division has gone 9-2 in the title game.
• Favorites have gone 7-4 in the championship game since 2011.

Big Ten Football National Championship Odds 2023

It’s Ohio State and a bunch of SEC teams at the top right now. That’s not to say Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan don’t have a chance, but recent history is on the side of the South East Conference (winning 12 of the last 15).

If any conference can break through and dethrone the Georgia Bulldogs (no less the Alabama Crimson Tide), it’s the Big Ten.

Team	Logo	Odds
🏈 Ohio State Buckeyes		+700
🏈 Michigan Wolverines		+800
🏈 Wisconsin Badgers		+7000
🏈 Penn State Nittany Lions		+2200
🏈 Iowa Hawkeyes		+15000
🏈 Michigan State Spartans		+40000
🏈 Nebraska Cornhuskers		+20000
🏈 Purdue Boilermakers		+30000
🏈 Indiana Hoosiers		+10000
🏈 Minnesota Golden Gophers		+20000
🏈 Maryland Terrapins		+30000
🏈 Northwestern Wildcats		+100000
🏈 Illinois Fighting Illini		+30000

Big Ten National Championship Facts, Trends:

• Ohio State represents the Big Ten’s last two National Champions (2014 and 2002).
• Ohio State has won four of the last five National Championships won by Big Ten Teams, dating back to 1968.
• The last Big Ten team other than Ohio State to win it all was Michigan in 1997 (shared with Nebraska).
• Penn State’s 1986 National Championship happened prior to the school’s inclusion in the Big Ten.

Big Ten Football Heisman Trophy Odds 2023

Right now, Caleb Williams (USC) is the leader in the pack with +550 odds, the next best odds are Jayden Daniels of LSU at +1100, who looks to build on a successful year one in Baton Rouge.

Here’s a list of the top six Heisman Trophy Odds heading into the 2023 season:

• Caleb Williams (USC) +550
• Jayden Daniels (LSU) +1100
• Quinn Ewers (Texas) +1300
• Carson Beck (Georgia) +1400
• Jordan Travis (Florida State) +1400
• Cade Klubnik (Clemson) +1400

💰 For a more in-depth view of the Heisman Trophy 2023 category, check out our sister site Saturday Down South.

Big Ten Heisman Trophy Facts, Trends:

• Ohio State is tied with Notre Dame and Oklahoma with the most Heisman Trophy winners ever (seven).
• Ohio State’s Archie Griffin is the only two-time Heisman Trophy recipient (1974 and 1975).

Check out Saturday Down South’s full Heisman Trophy Odds for 2023.