Big Ten football betting preview: Is this Jim Harbaugh's year?

The Big Ten is as competitive and as wide open as it’s been in recent memory, but it may be time for the stars to finally align for a certain coach who has become more well known for his sideline meltdowns and khaki pants than his coaching acumen. The revenge tour may have started last year, but it ends this December in Indianapolis.

Contenders

Northwestern (+2000 to win the Big Ten)

I’m seriously tempted to put the entire Big Ten West in the contenders section, because that’s how wide open it is. Other than Illinois, I wouldn’t be surprised to see any of the other teams make it to Lucas Oil Stadium in December, including the Northwestern Wildcats. I love the program Pat Fitzgerald continues to build at his alma mater, which is personified in star linebacker Paddy Fisher. Questions remain, though. Can Clemson transfer Hunter Johnson be the answer at quarterback? We’ll have to see.

Purdue (+2500)

If you haven’t seen Rondale Moore play, do yourself a favor and watch the highlights from the star receiver’s record-breaking performance in his first collegiate game last season against Northwestern, where he set the school record with 313 all-purpose yards. Dude is electric, and with Jeff Brohm choosing to stay in West Lafayette, despite a chance to return to his hometown of Louisville, there should be bright days ahead for this up-and-coming program.

Iowa (+2500)

I was tempted to make Iowa my pick to represent the West in the Big Ten Championship Game, but I just can’t get behind a team coached by Kirk Ferentz. Entering his 21st season as the head man for the Hawkeyes, Ferentz has one of his better teams, led by veteran quarterback Nate Stanley and another solid defense, headlined by defensive lineman A.J. Epenesa. Playing Michigan, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Nebraska, all on the road, may be too much to ask.

Wisconsin (+1400)

After a disappointing year, it’s easy to imagine the Badgers bouncing back this season, especially with legit Heisman contender Jonathan Taylor in the backfield. He set NCAA records for most rushing yards in a FBS season by a freshman (1,997) and most combined rushing totals as a freshman and sophomore (4,171). But do the Badgers have enough around him? I think we’ll find out November 16, when Wisconsin travels to Nebraska. The Big 10 West could be decided that day.

Nebraska (+1300)

Everyone’s darling this year seems to be the Nebraska Cornhuskers. It is hard to believe a team that lost its first six games last year can suddenly be competing for a title, but that is what a coach like Scott Frost can do for a program, especially when he has a star quarterback like Adrian Martinez. It’s likely the expectations have come a year early, but a favorable schedule could help the Huskers capture magic in a bottle this season.

Penn State (+1000)

After they lost some serious talent through graduation (quarterback Trace McSorley), the draft (running back Miles Sanders) and some surprise transfers, James Franklin’s boys are flying under the radar. The defense is going to be tough and new QB Sean Clifford needs to step up, but Penn State has every reason to be a major player throughout the season.

Ohio State (+175)

A lot more questions than usual surround the Buckeyes this year, as they head into a new season with a new head coach leading the way and a new quarterback calling the shots. I never understood why the highly touted Justin Fields went to Georgia to sit behind Jake Fromm, so I’m anxious to see what he can do this year, especially with true freshman wide receiver Garrett Wilson on the outside ready to make a name for himself. Big-time talents like J.K. Dobbins and K.J. Hill remain in Columbus, so the potential is there, I just don’t know if this is the year for championships, as the program transitions away from Urban Meyer.

Michigan State (+1400)

My dark horse is the Spartans. If we know anything about Mark Dantonio teams, it’s that they’re going to play defense, and this year that certainly will be the case with pass rusher Kenny Willekes, linebacker Joe Bachie and safety David Dowell on that side of the ball. Throw in underrated senior quarterback Brian Lewerke, and the Spartans have the ingredients to make a surprise push for the conference title. However, playing Michigan, Ohio State and Wisconsin all on the road may be too tough of a task.

Michigan (+175)

As much as I hate picking chalk, I had to go with the Wolverines. This has to be the year for Harbaugh, right? Despite taking his lumps last season, quarterback Shea Patterson is the guy to take Michigan to the promised land, and he should be helped by new offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and a defense that should once again be dominating. The schedule is also kind to the Wolverines, as they get Iowa, Michigan State and Ohio State in the Big House this season. It all sets up perfectly, as Harbaugh gets the proverbial monkey off his back, finally slays the Buckeyes and starts bringing trophies back home to Ann Arbor.

Pretenders

Maryland (+5000)

We were all reminded why Mike Locksley has a 3-31 record as a head coach as we watched his laughable offensive game plan produce three points in the final three quarters of the College Football Playoff National Championship last season. Locksley inherited a Terps squad that upset Texas for the second consecutive year last season, pushed Ohio St. to the edge in a 52-51 thriller and now has proven Virginia Tech transfer Josh Jackson at quarterback. Clearly not a title contender, look for potential upset spots at home against Syracuse, Penn State and Nebraska.

Indiana (+6600)

Tom Allen has a done a nice job since he was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach in 2016. IU gave Penn State a scare last year and could surprise a team or two again this season, but that’s about it.

Rutgers (off the board)

The state of the Scarlet Knights' program is so bad, BetAmerica didn’t even bother to assign odds to a team that is coming off a 1-11 season and is 7-29 over the last three years. Perhaps a few more wins are in the cards this season.

Illinois (+10000)

I want to be a believer in Illinois, simply because of Lovie Smith's Santa Clause beard, but unfortunately it’s pretty clear the Illini are going nowhere with the former Chicago Bears head man in charge. Maybe they make some noise with Michigan transfer Brandon Peters at quarterback this year, especially with the Wolverines heading to Champaign on October 12, but I just don’t see the talent level needed to seriously compete.

Minnesota (+2000)

It pains me to put a team coached by P.J. Fleck in this category, but I don’t know if the famous row boater has accumulated the talent needed to compete in perhaps the most competitive conference in the country. Fleck does have a nice stable of running backs, led by senior Rodney Smith and sophomore Mohamed Ibrahim. I can see the Gophers continuing to make strides this season, as Fleck builds on his culture, but contending for a title is a stretch.

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