College football win totals 2021: Over/under bets for every Big Ten team

Over/under predictions for Big Ten win totals in the 2021 college football season as we break down bets for Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and more.

Much akin to the ACC and Clemson, it’s truly felt like the Ohio State Buckeyes and everyone else in the Big Ten in recent years. Part of that is due to Michigan flirting with mediocrity and programs like Penn State taking a step back in 2020. And without question, Ohio State is expected to dominate the conference again in the 2021 college football season.

The college football win totals reflect as much with the Buckeyes line set 1.5 wins higher than any other team in the Big Ten. However, there are also six teams in the conference with a line set at 7.0 wins or higher, meaning that there are a lot of teams who could be competing behind Ohio State.

So how should you bet the Big Ten win totals this season? We’re previewing the conference for the 2021 college football season by placing our bets and over/under predictions for every team in the league. (Note: All odds are courtesy of WynnBet.)

Big Ten win total over/under bets for the 2021 college football season

Ohio State – 11.0 wins – Prediction: Under

Not getting the 11.5 wins we’ve seen for the likes of Clemson and Alabama is tough for Ohio State because 11-1 certainly feels the most likely for the Buckeyes. However, with questions in the secondary and while breaking in C.J. Stroud, 10-2 is slightly more likely than going unbeaten.

Wisconsin – 9.5 wins – Prediction: Over

Make no mistake, Paul Chryst and the Badgers have a tough road ahead as they draw Michigan and Penn State in the Big Ten and Notre Dame in non-conference play. Even so, this team is good enough to not get swept in those matchups and win every other game. Wisconsin is going 10-2 way more often than they are 9-3 facing this 2021 slate.

Penn State – 9.0 wins – Prediction: Over

Things are pretty simple when it comes to this win total for the Nittany Lions. They are likely losing on the road at Wisconsin and Ohio State, so do you think they can go 10-0 otherwise? It’s possible but, with an even win total line set, that gives you push insurance so the over is the play here.

Iowa – 8.5 wins – Prediction: Under

There was no hesitation taking the under on the Hawkeyes. Spencer Petras isn’t as good as some people might try to lead you to believe and this team simply has 8-4 written all over them playing the same steady, grinding brand of football that has led them to similar types of success over the years.

Indiana – 7.5 wins – Prediction: Under

Don’t let this make you think the Hoosiers aren’t a good football team and that Tom Allen isn’t doing the absolute best job possible at Indiana. But this team has a tough schedule that includes a toss-up against Cincinnati in non-conference and that makes eight wins a tough mark to get to.

Michigan – 7.5 wins – Prediction: Over

How the Wolverines fair in their marquee non-conference matchup against Washington could be critical for this over hitting but that’s a definite possible win. Michigan has never been short on upside under Jim Harbaugh but, even if they don’t take the world by storm, there’s too much talent for this team to not go at least 8-4.

Minnesota – 7.0 wins – Prediction: Over

While the Golden Gophers are a tier below Wisconsin in the Big Ten West, it feels like what happened in 2020 is baked into 7.0 wins. Minnesota was hit tremendously hard by COVID throughout last year and should see a big bounce-back under P.J. Fleck with a largely experienced offense and defense primed to surprise some people.

Northwestern – 6.5 wins – Prediction: Over

Doubt Pat Fitzgerald at your own peril but the head coach has consistently led Northwestern to over-achieving. They likely won’t repeat as the champions out of the west after some key departures but the Wildcats are still sneakily talented and have a coaching advantage to get to 7-5 on the season.

Nebraska – 6.0 wins – Prediction: Under

Maybe this is oversimplifying the matter, but if Scott Frost and Nebraska were holding extra workouts and breaking NCAA rules during the pandemic and the Cornhuskers still stunk, what’s to make me believe anything is going to change now that they have penalties hanging over them? Instead, the crash and burn seems much more likely.

Maryland – 5.5 wins – Prediction: Over

Getting the line at 5.5 wins is the key for taking the Terrapins to hit the over for the 2021 season. Taulia Tagovailoa has the potential to take a step forward and be a breakout star for Maryland, which would allow them to pull ahead in games that look like toss-ups and get to a bowl game at the end of the year.

Purdue – 5.5 wins – Prediction: Under

The Boilermakers are hard to peg coming into the 2021 season. This is a tough schedule before them, though, including a non-conference trip to South Bend for a date with Notre Dame. With some holes on the roster, 5-7 just appears to be a likelier outcome for the year than 6-6.

Michigan State – 4.5 wins – Prediction: Over

The quarterback situation with Temple transfer Anthony Russo scares me but this line is just too low. Sparty not only has a quality coach who impressed in year one with Mel Tucker but they get two easy non-conference wins and get to play Maryland and Nebraska at home. Win those and a win at Rutgers or Purdue hits the over.

Rutgers – 4.5 wins – Prediction: Under

Greg Schiano came back to Rutgers last season and shocked the world (or at least parts of it) with three wins. Can he take the next step forward? Actually, my answer is yes but it’s also a case of a program and team getting better but the record not wholly reflecting that as the team goes 4-8 and the under hits.

Illinois – 4.0 wins – Prediction: Over

Despite the fact that Illinois is going to rebuild under Bret Bielema, they should get to 3-1 at minimum in non-conference games. Then the question becomes if they can pick up two wins at home against a slate that includes Nebraska, Maryland, Rutgers and Northwestern in the Big Ten. My gut says they can and, while a push is definitely in play, the lean is to the over.

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