3 Big Ten Programs Best Positioned to Win the College Football National Championship

The shortened Big Ten college football season in 2020 left little room for error. It was the Ohio State Buckeyes who managed to remain perfect and secure their spot in the College Football Playoff before falling to Alabama in the National Championship. The SEC remains the conference to beat heading into 2021, but the Big Ten has worthy contenders of its own.

The Buckeyes have the fourth-best odds (+700) on WynnBET to win the National Championship in 2021. They're followed by Michigan (+5000) and Penn State (+6000). If you bet $10 on the Buckeyes and they won it all, the payout would be $70.

Ohio State faces key departures from their 2020 squad heading into next season. QB Justin Fields, RB Trey Sermon, OL Wyatt Davis and LB Baron Browning are all entered into the 2021 NFL Draft. But the Buckeyes return important seniors in WR Chris Olave and RB Master Teague III to help lead this team. The nation's second-best 2021 recruiting class should also help.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh faced heat after the team's went 2-4 last season. Still, he was given a contract extension. The Wolverines tout an experienced receiving group with senior Ronnie Bell and juniors Jackson Giles and Mike Sainristil. New starting quarterback Cade McNamara steps into the full-time role under center.

Penn State's defense loses two huge playmakers in expected first-rounders Micah Parsons and Jayson Oweh. Brandon Smith (8.0 tackles for loss in 2020) and Ellis Brooks (5.5 TFL) are capable of stepping up in their absence. They also tout an experienced QB in senior Sean Clifford, who could provide the steady hand needed to lift Penn State in close games.

Wisconsin (+7500) is the only other Big Ten team projected to be in a position to win the title.