Michigan finally ended an eight-game losing skid against Ohio State last season, also halting the Buckeyes’ four-year Big Ten title streak.
If the 2022 Big Ten season win totals are to be believed, Ohio State won’t stay down for long.
Matt Lindeman, the senior lead trader at WynnBet, talked to Props.com about how the sportsbook set some of the win totals for the upcoming season.
2022 Big Ten College Football Win Totals
| Team | Win Total | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 10.5 | Over -240/Under +210 |
| Michigan | 9.5 | Over +120/Under -135 |
| Wisconsin | 8.5 | Over -110/Under +100 |
| Michigan State | 8 | Over -105/Under -105 |
| Nebraska | 7.5 | Over -115/Under +105 |
| Penn State | 7.5 | Over -115/Under +105 |
| Minnesota | 7.5 | Over -110/Under +100 |
| Iowa | 7 | Over -115/Under +105 |
| Purdue | 7 | Over +100/Under -110 |
| Maryland | 6 | Over -105/Under -105 |
| Illinois | 4.5 | Over -115/Under +105 |
| Indiana | 4.5 | Over +130/Under -145 |
| Rutgers | 3.5 | Over -145/Under +130 |
| Northwestern | 3.5 | Over -125/Under +105 |
Odds from WynnBet as of 2:30 a.m. on May 28.
Banking on Buckeyes
Despite losing to Michigan last season, Ohio State is head and shoulders above the rest of the Big Ten with Heisman Trophy front-runner C.J. Stroud returning at quarterback, Lindeman said. Stroud threw for 4,435 yards and 44 touchdowns last season with only six interceptions, including 573 yards and six TDs in a Rose Bowl victory over Utah.
“It’s tough to imagine a scenario where Ohio State doesn’t just run through the Big Ten this year,” said Lindeman, who ranks the Buckeyes 10 points ahead of Michigan to start the season.
WynnBet set Ohio State’s win total at 10.5, juiced strongly to the Over at -240. The Buckeyes host Notre Dame to open the season and go on the road against Michigan State and Penn State, but they get Michigan in Columbus.
Lindeman had to make a decision between setting the Ohio State total at 10.5 juiced to the Over or at 11.5 juiced the Under, and he chose 10.5.
“With these marquee teams, it’s not that fun, because they’re probably going to go 11-1,” he said.
Wolverines Take Step Back
Michigan finally reached the College Football Playoff under coach Jim Harbaugh, but Lindeman said he expects the Wolverines to return to their previous form: good, but not great, with a win total of 9.5 (Under -135).
“They’re similar to Texas A&M, knocking on the doorstep, trying to move into the class of the elite schools every year,” Lindeman said.
Besides having to go to Ohio State this season, Michigan also travels to Iowa and hosts Penn State, Michigan State and Nebraska.
Best of the Rest
Nebraska (win total 7.5 Over -115) has drawn two-way action, Lindeman said, with coach Scott Frost likely needing to go to a bowl (at a minimum) to save his job. The Cornhuskers went 3-9 last season, but all nine losses were by single digits.
“I expect them to be better, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they did the same thing again and went 5-7,” Lindeman said.
Wisconsin (8.5 Over -110) and Michigan State (8) have the next-highest win totals after Ohio State and Michigan. Iowa (7 Over -115) won the Big Ten West last season and lost to Michigan in the conference title game, but the Hawkeyes are expected to fall back this season.
Indiana (4.5 Under -145) produced the biggest argument in the WynnBet traders’ room, Lindeman said. The Hoosiers were 2-10 and winless in the Big Ten last season after two straight bowl seasons.
“It seems like they’re going in the wrong direction, but the rest of the room disagreed,” Lindeman said.
Big Ten Win Totals Action
Besides the two-way play on Nebraska, WynnBet’s most significant action has been on Minnesota to go Under. The Golden Gophers went 9-4 last season, but their win total is set at 7.5 (Over -110).
Lindeman said it’s hard to get a handle on every team and he’s letting the money guide him.
“There are no magazines out yet to read up on some of these teams, so I don’t want to stick my nose out there too much,” he said.
WynnBet is offering reduced juice on the win totals, including -105 on both sides for several teams.