Not sure who will win the national title in college football this year? You're not alone.
So instead of looking for value on a single team, why not buy in bulk and bet on the Big Ten to produce a national champion (+110, DraftKings)?
The current playoff projections from The Athletic, ESPN, CBS and Kelly Ford include four Big Ten teams in the bracket. Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon State and Penn State are well-positioned to make the 12-team field.
And two of the three at-large bids the Big Ten has received are likely to involve home playoff games.
There is a plausible scenario in which the Big Ten finishes with four teams in the top eight of the CFP committee.
If the remaining games are decided according to Las Vegas' odds, Ohio State will erase its only loss of the season in the Big Ten title game and earn a first-round bye to the Buckeyes (12-1) in the playoffs.
If Chalk wins, it also means Indiana (11-1), Oregon (12-1) and Penn State (11-1) will likely be rewarded with home playoff games.
In that ideal scenario, acquiring those four teams for plus money to win the CFP would be a steal.
It's also important to note that a Buckeyes win over the Ducks would create the ideal seeding scenario for this future, assuming Oregon State and Ohio State have a good regular season. Ohio State secures the No. 1 overall seed, while Oregon State's consolation prize is No. 5 overall and the highest bid.
There are no reseedings in the College Football Playoff, so Oregon State and Ohio State will face off in Game 3 of the national semifinals in either the Orange Bowl or the Cotton Bowl.
If that happens, only one team will be in the national title game, with either Indiana or Penn State expected to pull off an upset on the other side of the bracket.
But enough with the hypotheticals, let's take a look at the DNA of these teams. The Buckeyes, Ducks, Hoosiers, and Nittany Lions each bring something special to the table on the defensive side of the ball.
Ohio State leads the nation in allowing quality drives while shutting down opposing passing attacks with tight coverage (7th).
Oregon State is even better against the pass, sticking to receivers (4th in coverage) and bothering quarterbacks (6th in pass rush).
Indiana is a brick wall against the run, ranking in the top seven in rushing completion percentage, line yards and stuffing percentage.
And while Penn State isn't losing either, they are 10th in defensive disruption and top 3 in both line yards and stuff rate when facing opposing rushing attacks.
If these defenses can hold up against elite competition, do they have the offense to keep running in the CFP?
That's definitely the case with Oregon and Ohio State. The Ducks have Dillon Gabriel, who has done his best to prepare for the Ducks' biggest challenge.
Against Ohio State and Illinois this season, he totaled seven touchdowns against just one turnover.
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While Oregon State has been methodical in the best way possible, Ohio State has been explosive, ranking fourth in the “big plays” metric.
Indiana's Curtis Rourke is second in QBR and their aerial attack success rate is tops in the nation.
And finally, Penn State was ruthlessly efficient in nearly every category: havoc allowed, success rate, big play rate, third down conversion rate.
Can they prove that the Ohio State game was a fluke? When bundled with these other three teams, I'll be happy to see if Penn State exceeds expectations for changes under James Franklin I'm going to roll the dice.
BET: Big Ten team wins national title (+110, DraftKings)
Why trust New York Post Betting?
Mike Calabrese is a handicapper for the New York Post, focusing on college sports. His betting advice often centers around situational spots such as travel, breaks, and elevation changes.
