IOWA (7 to 2)
Iowa definitely views 2010 as "Big Ten title or bust" but it's not exactly a complete team. Ricky Stanzi battled injuries and didn't set the world on fire when he was under center. The Hawkeyes will once again need their elite defense to come up big. It probably will, but sports betting sharps should note that six starters left in the offseason.
MICHIGAN (12 to 1)
We all want to see Michigan relevant again but I just don't know if it's realistic to expect that this season. The O-line isn't anything special and the defense said goodbye to some important pieces this offseason. But maybe Tate Forcier will prove us wrong and keep making plays under a new offensive scheme?
MICHIGAN STATE (12 to 1)
Sleeper alert. Michigan State garnered no attention with its 6-7 record last year but its first four losses all came by five points or less. Kirk Cousins could actually make some noise in the passing game; the Spartans quietly scored the second-most points in the Big Ten last year. They also stop the run fairly well.
OHIO STATE (2 to 5)
It may be time for another BCS Championship run. The betting advice is to ride Ohio State all the way in the Big Ten. Not only is Terrelle Pryor improving by the game, his elevated play will open up more holes in the running game. And Jim Tressel thinks OSU's backfield is the deepest he's had in 10 years. The front seven is a major plus as well on defense. Ohio State will run away with the Big Ten.
PENN STATE (13 to 2)
Joe Paterno teams always garner respect but I'm not convinced Penn State can do much this year as it tries to break in a new quarterback. The Nittany Lions also have a vicious schedule, with Alabama, Iowa, Ohio State and eight bowl-game participants on the docket.
PURDUE (20 to 1)
Purdue could be a nice sleeper pick. It doesn't defend the pass well but it could be sneaky-good on offense. The wild card is transfer Robert Marve, who migrates from Miami. He can make plays with his arm or feet – and the Boilermakers haven't often been blessed with that combination of skills from a signal caller in the past.
WISCONSIN
The Badgers desperately want to seize the Big Ten and their offense will certainly go a long way toward helping them do so. It ranked 25th in the nation last year, returns 10 starters and features a stud in John Clay. Wisconsin's schedule is also a huge plus; it faces only three teams that had winning records in 2009. However, on a team that plays weak defense, will the cupcake schedule leave Wisconsin soft and unprepared for the big games?
Iowa and Wisconsin should fight it out for second but the Big Ten – and perhaps the national championship – is Ohio State's to lose.
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