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Big Ten football win total predictions: Can you take the Ohio State over?

By Cody Williams

COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 20: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates a first half touchdown with Julian Fleming while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 20: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates a first half touchdown with Julian Fleming while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Big Ten football win predictions
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 04: Spencer Petras #7 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drops back to pass in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines during the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 04, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Big Ten football win total predictions for Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and more as we pick over or under the vegas line for each team. 

Particularly with some of the struggles out in the West, Big Ten football often felt a lot like Ohio State, Michigan, and maybe Iowa if their defense can get some turnovers, then a whole hodgepodge of teams jockeying for position in the middle. That feels less like it will be the case in the 2022 season, however.

Sure, the Buckeyes and Wolverines aren’t going anywhere, but it feels like the overall quality of the Big Ten has been raised, and that’s without USC and UCLA having made their flights halfway across the country and into the mix.

But how good will every team be this season? We’re making our Big Ten football win predictions as we run through the win total line set by bookmakers and picking over or under for all 14 teams in the league.

Note: All odds are courtesy of WynnBet. For more betting picks and advice, check out BetSided.

Big Ten football win predictions: Over/under total for every team

Illinois football win total prediction: Over 4.5 (-120)

Bret Bielema started his Illinois tenure relatively well as he got the Fighting Illini to five wins. That’s short of a bowl game but would’ve been good enough to hit this over last season. So for a team that might be slightly worse on defense but should improve offensively, how do you not look at the over with heart eyes?

Tommy DeVito, particularly if he can stay healthy, feels like he could be a substantial upgrade at quarterback while the rushing attack of Chase Brown and Josh McCray was a bonafide strength a year ago. There are questions on the offensive line but the arrival of Barry Lunney Jr. as the offensive coordinator after what he showed at UTSA gives me hope as well. The defense losing five key starters hurts but, overall, I think Illinois has a real chance to go bowling, which would obviously hit the over.

Indiana football win total prediction: Under 4.5 (-140)

It wasn’t long ago that people were ready to crown Tom Allen one of the best coaches in the country. He still might be, but it won’t be evident with the Indiana Hoosiers this season.

Even though Michael Penix Jr. struggled to say healthy, Connor Bazelak feels like a downgrade at quarterback, buc could perhaps provide stability. Meanwhile, they also went to the transfer portal to help the skill positions, but the talent is far from overwhelming. Meanwhile, the defense that was sneakily the heart of their great run under Allen lost its best player, Micah Fadden, and now has little on the roster to replace him. They might not go winless in the Big Ten as they did last year, but getting to five wins feels like a massive ask for this roster.

Iowa football win total prediction: Over 7.0 (-135)

Frankly, it feels goofy even betting this because I feel pretty strongly that Iowa is a 7-5 team this season. Yes, the Hawkeyes should be able to boast one of the best defenses in the country, led by All-American candidate linebacker Jack Campbell. But that’s often been the case and now I have even less faith in the offense than perhaps ever before. This is an offensive line that was ineffective at times last season and now loses its best player, Tyler Linderbaum. Moreover, Spencer Petras is not a Power Five level quarterback and the upgrade to any meaningful degree isn’t on the roster.

The defense sets a high floor, but the ceiling is low. I’m taking the over based on history, but don’t feel strongly on either side of 7.0 wins.

Maryland football win total prediction: Over 6.0 (-125)

Outside of needing Taulia Tagovailoa to take a step forward, there aren’t many worries about the Maryland offense. The quarterback was better often than not last season, he has Rakim Jarrett and Dontay Demus as top-end weapons, and the offensive line returns every starter. That should mean great things on that side of the ball.

The defense, however, was a sieve last season, which is why the line is just at 6.0. Having said that, I don’t see the offense being anything but better than it was last season and I don’t know how that wouldn’t be true for the defense. This team went 6-6 last year, so I’m taking the over and not questioning it.

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