Big Ten at Ten 7.18.2012: Talking Odds

(via Allen McGregor)

/opens any sports news website or blog

/notices that every article starts or ends with "Penn State" or "Paterno"

/sighs

/goes to Vegas.com and sees neither of those things

/loves Vegas. Vegas, Vegas, Vegas...

A while back Vegas released their odds for the 2013 BCS National Championship Game and 2012 Heisman Trophy. Naturally, USC and Matt Barkley are the favorites to win the crystal ball and the statue awarded to quarterback of the favored team in the title game. Only recently did the Las Vegas Hotel & Casino (formerly Las Vegas Hilton) and Cantor Gaming release their projected win totals for 2012. Here's what they've got for B1G teams:

So, what do you think? I know these are only averages but I feel like the Michigan(s) and Wisconsin are too low. I'm thinking they should all be around 9.0 or 9.5. Here are the full lists for LVH and Cantor Gaming. More after the jump.

Team Links:

• Counting down the Illini football players, A Lion Eye looks at #46: Fritz Rock.
• Tom Dienhart gives Indiana fans 10 reasons they should be excited about 2012.
• Antwaan Randle El has announced his retirement from the NFL, writes the Crimson Quarry. I really enjoyed watching Randle El play in the NFL. He was fast enough to be an excellent return man/slot WR and talented enough to play QB. As an Iowa fan, he still gives me nightmares. Randle El finished his career with an All-Pro selection in 2005 and a Super Bowl ring.
• Marcus Binns, the Iowa RB cited for theft, isn't even an Iowa player and hasn't been since April. Seems to me like Kirk Ferentz is just taunting AIRBHG with this announcement.
• Marc Morehouse continues his countdown of Iowa players by profiling OLB Christian Kirksey.
• Maize n Brew profiles Michigan's tight ends. I wasn't aware Michigan had tight ends.
• MGoBlog talks Michigan recruiting.
• Arthur Ray Jr., cancer survivor and Michigan State offensive lineman says he's thinking about a 6th year. Root for this kid.
• MLive profiles Michigan State's week 7 opponent: Iowa. /feigns injury
• Nebraska's Memorial Stadium checks in at #4 on ESPN's Big Ten stadium rankings. Awful tailgating aside, Memorial Stadium is fantastic. The two jumbotrons are perfect size, there isn't a bad seat in the house and the fans are friendly. Now, if only UNL's fans on the internet were so smart and well mannered.
• Northwestern picks up a pair of 3-star LBs, writes Lake the Posts.
• Land Grant Holy Land profiles non-conference opponent Cal.
• CBS says Penn State will decide the fate of the Joe Paterno statue within the next 7-10 days. If they decide to tear it down the demolition crew may have to go through some students. Or, apparently, only two students.
• Per the AP, Penn State will give its response to the NCAA's demand for information within days. To me, it sounds like they'll respond by the end of the week.
• Purdue cornerback Sean Collins has been dismissed from the football team, writes the Indy Star.
• Wisconsin unveils a new Bucky Badger. Not really.
• A look at Wisconsin's recruiting class via Maize n Brew.

Conference Links:

• Bowl eligibility is likely to remain at 6 wins, writes ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.
• The BTN staff debates a 9-game conference schedule in the Big Ten.
• Land Grant Holy Land asks what we want from the NCAA. Not regarding the Penn State scandal but what we want from the organization in general.
• The B1G bloggers discuss the B1G's next move in scheduling

Finally, in the end, there's no payoff in a college football playoff.