Kaleb Kraus
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2020 Big Ten Football Schedule
It’s taken a while but finally, the Big Ten Conference will enter the 2020 college football season, embarking on an eight-week schedule to crown a champion.
There had been plenty of uncertainty in the lead up to this year’s season, but on Friday night things will finally get underway when the Illinois Fighting Illini will take on the Wisconsin Badgers. We then have Big Ten football to look forward to every weekend, until the championship game on December 19th.
With no bye weeks this year, there will be no let up for any of the 14 teams in the conference. In addition, a positive coronavirus test could spell disaster for a team like the Ohio State Buckeyes, who will be hoping to win the Big Ten Championship and possibly progress to the College Football Playoff.
Big Ten Week 1 Schedule and Betting Lines – October 23rd and 24th
Friday 23rd, October
Illinois (+23.5) at Wisconsin, 7.30 p.m ET
Saturday 24th, October
Rutgers (+14.5) at Michigan State, 12 p.m ET
Nebraska (+25.5) at Ohio State, 12 p.m ET
Penn State (-6.5) at Indiana, 3.30 p.m ET
Iowa (-4.5) at Purdue, 3.30 p.m ET
Michigan (-2.5) at Minnesota, 7.30 p.m ET
Maryland (+10.5) at Northwestern, 7.30 p.m ET
Ahead of the start of the 2020 Big Ten Football season, be sure to check our weekly college football expert picks.
Big Ten Week 2 Schedule
Friday 30th, October
Minnesota at Maryland, , 7.30 p.m ET
Friday 30th, October
Wisconsin at Nebraska
Michigan State at Michigan
Northwestern at Iowa
Indiana at Rutgers
Purdue at Illinois
Ohio State at Penn State
Big Ten Championship Odds
Last year saw the Ohio State Buckeyes continue their recent Big 10 domination, as the Ryan Day-coached team went a perfect 12-0 on the season before defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship game 34-21.
As a result, the Buckeyes are red-hot favourites to win the Big Ten once again, with Justin Fields returning as quarterback for the Buckeyes and looking to lead them to their fourth straight Big Ten title.
The Penn State Nittany Lions were the last team to win the conference before Ohio State and could have the tools to knock the champs off their pedestal. Wisconsin, last year’s runners up, could also mount another challenge and look likely to be the top dog in the Big 10 West.
Ohio State -400
Penn State +550
Wisconsin +600
Michigan +2000
Minnesota +2800
Iowa +3300
Nebraska +6000
Purdue +10000
Indiana +15000
Michigan State +25000
Northwestern +35000
Maryland +40000
Illinois +50000
Big Ten Football Predictions – Can anyone beat the Ohio State Buckeyes?
Even with a tough schedule for all 14 teams, Ohio State is the deserved clear favorite after three straight titles in dominating fashion. It doesn’t seem like they are going to slow down anytime soon and a fourth crown seems very likely, especially with Justin Fields under center.
Fields looks likely to be the biggest challengers to Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Alabama’s QB Mac Jones to win this year’s Heisman Trophy. Lawrence is the red-hot favourite at +110 to capture the Heisman, but Fields isn’t too far behind him at +600. However, given the way Lawrence has started the season, Fields will need to come out the blocks in a big way if he’s to have any chance of winning the trophy.
As for Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, he has seemingly picked up from where predecessor Urban Meyer left off, and the Buckeyes are continuing to thrive. Elsewhere around the conference, Michigan has quarterback questions, and Michigan State is breaking in a new coach. Ohio State has the total package, and provided they aren’t hindered by any COVID-19 issues, they should cruise to another championship victory.
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