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The Big Ten is firmly in its golden era of college football.
Over the past three seasons, the conference has produced three straight national champions, with the Michigan Wolverines winning in 2023, the Ohio State Buckeyes coming out on top in 2024 and the Indiana Hoosiers surprising the sport in 2025.
Now, the conference enters 2026 loaded once again with national title contenders and College Football Playoff contenders across the league.
As announced Monday, the 2026 Big Ten Championship Game will take place on December 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on FOX.
Getting to Indianapolis won’t be easy, however, as several of the conference’s top contenders face brutal schedules throughout the season.
Have the tides completely turned with Indiana now emerging as the team to beat in the Big Ten? Can Ohio State avenge last year’s title game loss? Or can Oregon return to its Big Ten dominance of two seasons ago?
Let’s take an early look at the 2026 Big Ten title odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 11.
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Winner of the 2026 Big Ten Conference Championship Game
Ohio State: +180 (bet $10 to win $28 total)
Indiana: +250 (bet $10 to win $35 total)
Oregon: +260 (bet $10 to win $36 total)
USC: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Michigan: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)
Penn State: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Washington: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Iowa: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Illinois: +10000 (bet $10 to win $1010 total)
Nebraska: +12000 (bet $10 to win $1210 total)
Wisconsin: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
UCLA: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2010 total)
Minnesota: +30000 (bet $10 to win $3010 total)
Northwest: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Michigan State: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Maryland: +50000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Rutgers: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Purdue: +100000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Here’s what you should know about the Big Ten title odds board:
The favorites: The two teams that faced off in the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game currently sit atop the odds board, with Ohio State opening as the +180 favorite and the defending champion Hoosiers right behind at +250. Despite winning the national championship in 2024, the last time Ohio State won the Big Ten title was in 2020. Although the Buckeyes had four of the top 11 picks in the NFL draft, they return two of the best players in all of college football: quarterback Julian Sayin and superstar receiver Jeremiah Smith. They also return four starting offensive linemen, as well as running back Bo Jackson. Elsewhere, Indiana signed former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover via the transfer portal to replace Fernando Mendoza. While losing the Heisman Trophy winner and first overall pick in the NFL Draft is a big blow, the Hoosiers aren’t going anywhere as long as Curt Cignetti remains at the helm.
Best bet: With all the attention on Ohio State and Indiana, Oregon (+260) seems to fly under the radar. The Ducks have lost just three games in the last two seasons, with all three losses coming against the eventual national champion, one against Ohio State in 2024 and two against Indiana in 2025. Oregon might have the Big Ten’s most talented and deep roster, led by quarterback Dante Moore and one of the best group of returning starters in the conference. That returning talent also includes Dakorien Moore, Jeremiah McClellan, Jordon Davison, Jamari Johnson, Matayo Uiagalelei, A’mauri Washington, Bear Alexander, Teitum Tuioti and Brandon Finney Jr.
Risky selection: One team that could potentially acquire a midfielder at a huge price is UCLA at +20000. The Bruins landed one of the hottest names in the coaching cycle when they hired Bob Chesney. Chesney led James Madison to the College Football Playoff last season after a 12-1 campaign before falling to Oregon. He also posted an impressive 21-6 record at JMU after replacing Curt Cignetti in 2024. No one is saying Chesney will immediately replicate what Cignetti accomplished at Indiana by winning a national title in Year 2, but UCLA has the potential to take a big step forward in 2026, especially with Nico Iamaleava returning at quarterback.
