NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
The Big Ten is firmly in its golden age 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 leading in 2024 and the Indiana Hoosiers shocking the sport in 2025.
Now, the conference enters 2026 with once again national title contenders and College Football Playoff hopefuls across the league.
As announced Monday, the 2026 Big Ten championship game will take place Dec. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on FOX.
However, getting to Indianapolis will be anything but easy, as several of the conference’s top contenders will face tough schedules throughout the season.
Have the tides completely changed with Indiana now emerging as the team to beat in the Big Ten? Can Ohio State avenge its loss in last year’s title game? Or can Oregon regain its Big Ten dominance from two seasons ago?
Let’s take a look at the 2026 Big Ten title odds on DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 11.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you register or place a bet, FOX Sports may be compensated. Learn more about Sports betting on FOX Sports.
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 in 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 in total)
Iowa: +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)
Illinois: +10,000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total)
Nebraska: +12,000 (bet $10 to win $1,210 total)
Wisconsin: +15,000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)
UCLA: +20,000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total)
Minnesota: +30,000 (bet $10 to win $3,010 total)
Northwest: +50,000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Michigan State: +50,000 (bet $10 to win a total of $5,010)
Maryland: +50,000 (bet $10 to win $5,010 total)
Rutgers: +100,000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Purdue: +100,000 (bet $10 to win $10,010 total)
Here’s what to know about the Big Ten title odds chart:
Favorites: The two teams that met in the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game currently sit atop the standings, with Ohio State opening as a +180 favorite and the defending champion Hoosiers close behind at +250. Although they won the national championship in 2024, the last time Ohio State won the Big Ten title was in 2020. Even though 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 wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. They also return four starting offensive linemen as well as running back Bo Jackson. On the other hand, Indiana brought in former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover through the transfer portal to replace Fernando Mendoza. While losing the Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft is a 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 be flying under the radar. The Ducks have lost just three games over the past two seasons, all three losses to the eventual national champion, one to Ohio State in 2024 and two to Indiana in 2025. Oregon might have the most talented and deepest roster in the Big Ten, led by quarterback Dante Moore and one of the best groups of returning starters in the conference. These returning talents also include Dakorien Moore, Jeremiah McClellan, Jordon Davison, Jamari Johnson, Matayo Uiagalelei, A’mauri Washington, Bear Alexander, Teitum Tuioti and Brandon Finney Jr.
Long-term choice: One team likely to take a flyer at a huge price is UCLA at +20,000. 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 taking over for Curt Cignetti in 2024. No one is saying Chesney will immediately replicate what Cignetti accomplished at Indiana by winning a national title in year two, but UCLA has the potential to take a big step forward in 2026, especially with the return of Nico Iamaleava at quarterback.
