Outbursts in those games keeps the national attention. The Big Ten sent two teams to the CFB Playoff in 2022 for the first time in conference history. Stroud could change that. After sending two teams to the College Football Playoff in the 2022 season, could the Big Ten be preparing to send a pair of teams back to the playoff next season? It wouldnt be a surprise if there are some missteps along the way. The Buckeyes, however, are the prohibitive favorite to strike back in 2022. What about the Big Ten West? Illinois Fighting Illini: 5-7, 2-7 BIG. The questions on offense surround the quarterback position. Late Kick Live Ep. Last season was a dream campaign for Mel Tucker and Michigan State. Everything sets up for the Wolverines to defend their crown, and ultimately, it will likely come down to Michigan and Ohio State, once again. The word: The reigning Big Ten champions play four consecutive home games prior to their first road affair at Iowa and should be favored in 11 of 12 regular-season games in 2022. Michigan loses a ton of talent from a team that went to the College Football Playoff last season. Michigan is the lone, scary crossover from the East, but it hosts Oklahoma and opens the season in Ireland against Northwestern. While the Hoosiers have some young talent, and running back GiBran Payne certainly could be a beast, with oft-injured quarterback Michael Penix Jr. having departed for Washington, its hard to envision things turning around in a hurry for IU. The running back room will lead the way as Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi return to form a duo with unlimited potential. Thompson played in 15 games at Texas, where he had 30 TDs and nine interceptions. It's not going to be easy in 2022. With the staffs comfort recruiting in the Sunshine State, it Behind them, Michigan and Wisconsin are the prime contenders. It will be tough, but there is talent in Happy Valley. The schedule is a bit more daunting for the Buckeyes. The Wildcats have no favors from the Big Ten schedule, as they have to head to Penn State and welcome Ohio State at home. Expect Indiana to find its neutral level after extremes in either direction over the past two seasons. Stroud, Henderson and Smith-Njigba are top-15 players nationallyand that's probably a conservative number. Wins: Western Michigan, Akron, at Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, at Illinois, Rutgers, Indiana. Football. Most notably, Zach VanValkenburg was the lone departure on the line. They'll likely need to split those two contests and get help elsewhere to advance. To beat the Buckeyes, you have to keep up as best you can. Last season, Michigan was the only other Big Ten team to average more than 35 points per game at 37.7. Michigan football might not go back to the playoff in 2022, but dont expect a big dropoff from the Wolverines. 17: Penn State at Auburn; Michigan State at Washington. Meaningful? All eyes are now out of the rearview mirror and on the horizon as 2023 approaches. MORE: Futures odds and best bets for Big Ten. Michigan State we had ranked 10th. Will the trend of a true breakout team continue in 2022? To get there, James Franklin's squad will need to beat Auburn and Minnesota, whom we consider to be the toughest matchups after Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State. And Penn State has some good bowl history against the Vols. Alex Padilla and Spencer Petras both got time under center last season as the Iowa offense struggled to find consistency. Sign up for the Buckeyes Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, Let's get ready to cheer on the Lady Bucks this weekend. Early Big Ten Football Predictions for 2022 East Division 1. However, Penn State has a lot of returning talent and plays Ohio State, Michigan State, and cross-division Minnesota at home. But, in general, if the Terrapins cant stop anybody, it still is, at best, a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten team. Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) April 21, 2022, Nov 28, 2020; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Allen looks on from the sideline in the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Memorial Stadium. The defense is good enough, but losing George Karlaftis will certainly set it back. The word: With a much-improved defense and one of the nation's most explosive units offensively, an extremely hungry Ohio State team should be able to get through the regular season unscathed if the Buckeyes are able to avoid road losses to Michigan State or Penn State entering the rivalry showdown versus Michigan at the end of November. Day repeatedly used the word "edgy" at Big Ten Media Days to describe the team's mindset in the offseason. How can the sophomore improve his chances? A closer look at the Big Ten, with predictions, big games, Heisman contenders and more: Ohio State plays most of its tough Big Ten games in the comforts of home this season with Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan all coming to Ohio Stadium (not to mention the non-con blockbuster with Notre Dame). However, it did well in a similar stretch in 2021, so dont count the Spartans out. Win or lose that first game, the Boilermakers could be in a good spot in 2022. Important tilts against Michigan State and Penn State come at home with the possible division-deciding game against Ohio State happening in Columbus this time around. Henderson grabbed national attention as a freshman with a 277-yard outburst against Tulsa last season, and he's yet another home-run hitter in Ohio State's loaded offense. The question is: can the Boilermakers sustain that success in 2022? The Wolverines finally broke through under coach Jim Harbaugh for the program's first Big Ten championship since 2004, and that snapped Ohio State's run of four straight conference titles. Here are the 10 players I think are primed for breakout seasons in 2023. These are just some of the questions that will be asked as the Big Ten enters a new season. Over the next two weekends, Wisconsin, Penn State and MSU take on a seldom-seen power-conference opponent. But dont be deceived. So, though college football media tends to be quite reactionary (we include ourselves in that estimation) were taking yet another too-early stab at the complexion of the Big Ten conference, now taking into account personnel losses, the schedule, and overall trajectory for each team. 2022 CFN College Football Preview of Every Team Big Ten Preseason Predictions: East Big Ten East Predicted Finish 1. Oct 23, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Rasheed Walker (53) and linebacker Jesse Luketa (40) and safety Jaquan Brisker (1) and safety Jonathan Sutherland (0) walk on the field for the coin flip prior to the game Illinois Fighting Illini at Beaver Stadium. They'll have to go through arguably the league's toughest four opponents to get there and October is the most important month with battles against Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio State defining the month. Michigan won the league last year, but Ohio State enters the 2022 college football season as the overwhelming Big Ten favorite. in 2017. The reigning Big Ten champions could theoretically have a difficult time holding onto their crown. He also gets book-end big stage games at The Shoe against Notre Dame and Michigan. There is a good chance this is the next top-10 perhaps top-five showdown in the series. Favorites. And with Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State expected to rank as WebAll that plus Josh revisits 5 more bold predictions from the preseason. Pretty much everywhere youll look, Ohio State will be atop the early power rankings. Michigan State beat Michigan and finished with an 11-2 record and a No.9 finish in the AP poll with a Peach Bowl victory. C.J. Stroud finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting and was a third-team AP All-America choice. The Wolverines do get Michigan State and Penn State at home, but Harbaugh is 3-4 against those schools at the Big House. They open with Notre Dame, play Wisconsin and Iowa, to go along with the rest of the schedule. You'll now receive the top Buckeyes Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Ohio State is the runaway favorite. The schedule is brutal, with Western Kentucky and Cincinnati again on the nonconference. No team is probably more anxious to get the season started than the Ohio State Buckeyes. December 27, 2023 12:00 am Mike Margittai. Five other schools in the conference have a winning percentage better than 60% in the CFP era. All eyes are now off the rearview mirror and onto the horizon with 2023 approaching. The word: What are the outside expectations for the Badgers in 2022? On the opposite side of the coin, Michigan redeemed themselves after a difficult 2020 season and outlasted Ohio State to take the Big Ten East crown. March 1, 2023 12:56 pm CT. College football writers are taking notice of the Longhorns loaded returning roster. The schedule sees the Scarlet Knights land Minnesota, Oct 2, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Brandon Peters (18) hands the ball off to running back Chase Brown (2) in the second half against the Charlotte 49ers at Memorial Stadium. But if the Huskers start poorly, Frost's fate may be just about sealed as the calendar flips to October. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports. The word: For the first time in Scott Frost's tenure, the Huskers will appear in a bowl game in 2022 with the collective backs against the wall in the Big Ten. MOST RECENT. The defense improved last season and will have to continue that upward trajectory. Akron Zips. The word: No team in the Big Ten faces a more brutal four-game stretch in November to close out the regular season than the Terrapins, who take on a likely nationally-ranked Wisconsin, Penn State and Ohio State over three consecutive weeks before the finale versus Rutgers. Although the schedule is tough, the redemption-minded Buckeyes appear built for the challenge. The Big Ten added USC and UCLA from the Pac-12 starting in the 2024; a blockbuster realignment move that could lead to further expansion for the soon-to-be 16-team conference. Oh, what a division. 29: Ohio State at Penn State. 247Sports writer Kevin Flaherty joined Athlon Sports 247Sports writer Kevin Flaherty joined Athlon Sports in predicting Texas to finish first in the Big 12 conference. Oct 9, 2021; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Cade McNamara (12) hugs head coach Jim Harbaugh after a 32-29 win against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. For good measure, Jestin Jacobs (53) finished fifth on the defense last season. Greg Schiano has improved this team greatly, but the schedule is brutal in 2022. It's a safe bet to project next season's Big Ten champion back in the College Football Playoff, given the expectation the conference will produce several elite teams in 2022. The word: Perhaps one of the more surprising teams in the Big Ten next season could be the Nittany Lions, who underachieved in 2021, but will be on a mission to get to double-digit wins in 2022. Looking ahead to next season, there are a lot more question marks. If the Nittany Lions create one break and catch a fortunate bounce, they'll be in the picture. Then in November, the main contenders in the West and East divisions, respectively, meet for potentially decisive games. That's the next step. PJ Mustipher made it clear who he things should be Penn State's next defensive line coach. Indiana we had ranked third. Quarterback Tanner Morgan and running back Mohamed Ibrahim are back in the Twin Cities as the offense will have familiar personnel. Overall, this unit is stacked. C.J. We may be months away from the start of the 2023 season, but it is never too early to start making bowl projections, right? 12: Wisconsin at IowaNov. Singleton, a five-star running back from Governor Mifflin High School (Reading, Pa.), gives the Nittany Lions an exciting backup option for junior Keyvone Lee. The Spartans have won the last two in the Paul Bunyan Trophy series, and Tucker hasn't backed down from the Wolverines at all. This might not be giving Minnesota enough credit here. He completed 63 percent of his passes in 10 games for 2,407 yards with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Wisconsin at Iowa (Nov. 12) These Big Ten West rivals have traded three-score wins in each With the staffs comfort recruiting in the Sunshine State, it makes sense they would be right back there for the class of 2024.The Class of 2023 gave the Sooners CB Makari Vickers (early enrollee), DL Derrick LeBlanc (early . Nebraska makes a bowl this year and gains some much-needed momentum. Mertz and Spencer Petras will be on the spot at quarterback. The schedule doesn't let up at any point once the non-conference slate is over and there are a few 50-50 games that may not going in the Wildcats' direction. For the first time in nearly a year, Penn State adds another commitment to the board for the Class of 2024. The offense will reset the Big Ten record book in several areas. On the final weekend of September, division favorites Wisconsin and OSU square off in Columbus. What to expect: FPI gives Michigan a nearly 10 percent chance to take the Big Ten East and is a shade under 15 percent to get back to Sep 4, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports. He's the next elite back off the Wisconsin assembly line. In the history of the Big 12, 2023 will always stand as an outlier. It was a strange 2021 campaign for Bret Bielema in his The Nittany Lions came up short against Indiana in 2020 but edged Wisconsin It might be way too early for college football predictions, but before the rest of the country hits the field for spring ball, here are our early predictions for Power-5 The offense will be one of the best in the country again with C.J. Here are the way-too-early game-by-game predictions for Michigan in 2022. The word: Can the Spartans get back to the New Year's Six as one of the hunted at the top of the Big Ten next season? #GoBlue, Cant wait to see what he does in his first year at #Michigan! The maize and blue will be relying heavily on the offense, which returns eight starters, including quarterback Cade McNamara. Broussard (Colorado) and Berger (Wisconsin) are tasked with replacing the production from Kenneth Walker III, who rushed for 1,636 yards and 18 TDs last season. Big Ten Football B1G 2022 FULL Big Ten Record Predictions and 2022 Season Preview Who wins the West? really being the only question worth a damn here. In what could be USCs final game as a Pac-12 member, will the Trojans carry some bragging rights into the conference in year one? The Gophers could take on an interesting South Carolina team in the ReliaQuest Bowl, the new namesake of the old Outback Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports. That's Wisconsin (.745), Iowa (.693), Michigan (.680), Penn State (.643) and Michigan State (.643). Maryland does travel to Ann Arbor in Week 4, but it will face a rebuilding Michigan defense, which could help matters. 2022 Maryland Prediction, Spring Football Version: 7-5 CFN 2021 Spring Prediction: 5-7 Maryland 2021 Final Record: 7-6 Maryland 2022 Schedule & Analysis 9 Wins: at Boston College, Wagner, at Temple, Nebraska, Indiana, Losses: Iowa, at Ohio State, at Minnesota, Michigan, at Michigan State, Penn State, at Maryland. One key contract detail to know: Frost's buyout drops from $15 million to $7.5 million after Oct. 1. Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports. Fleck waves to the University of Iowa Childrens Hospital after the first quarter against Iowa during the NCAA Big 10 conference football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Ohio State got punched in the mouth a few times last year, and while itll try to respond better in 2022, its not so easy as to say that it will. He's also a valued NFL prospect, should he turn pro following his junior campaign this fall. Ohio State's high-powered offense will be too much for Michiganand then Wisconsin in the conference championship gameto contain. Not since 2010-13 has OSU gone The secondary and a thorny schedule are major obstacles, but Mel Tucker proved us wrong in 2021. 18:12-36:45 Big Ten East Wins: Duke, Southern Illinois, Miami (Ohio), Losses: Nebraska (Dublin, Ireland), at Penn State, Wisconsin, at Maryland, at Iowa, Ohio State, at Minnesota, at Purdue,Illinois. Isaiah Hole. In our 2021 too-early power rankings, eventual Big Ten champion, the hometown Michigan Wolverines, were slated at No. Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports. Not since 2010-13 has OSU gone two-plus seasons without standing atop the conference. That's what it'll take for Minnesota to be a serious factor in the division, if P.J. They are 6-7 in New Year's Day Six Bowls, and the Spartans and Wolverines were routed in their lone CFP appearances. They lost to both teams at home in 2021. Share this story. Michigan and Iowa square off Saturday in a Big Ten confrontation that sets up as a defensive struggle if the Hawkeyes have it their way. If the third times the charm, then Michigan could be celebrating a national championship. The Big Ten sent two teams to the CFB Playoff in 2022 for the first time in conference history. Can the defense hold up alongside an offense that put together multiple massive games last season? And while the Rose Bowl is hosting a College Football Playoff matchup next bowl season (more on that in a bit), the Badgers could be landing in the Orange Bowl for a New Years Six matchup with potential ACC champion Florida State. While we are still a few months away from the 2022 Will Michigan repeat as Big Ten champions or will Ohio State reclaim top dog status? Michigan State Spartans. That is what 247Sports has done with a spring edition of its way-too-early bowl projections for the 2023 season. He's a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, and that with a 85% catch percentage. If you've followed the sport recently, you knew Scott Frost would be prominently featured in this section. Can they finish some of those close games in 2022? Wolverines' fans always get excited about five-star cornerbacks, and Johnson (Grosse Pointe South, Mich.) is the next in line. Stroud and his weapons abounding. There's incredible talent on Ohio State's offense. The Big Ten conference will be fascinating once again in 2022. Stroud will likely be heading back to New York as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, too. Losing Tyler Linderbaum and Tyler Goodson hurts, but with Spencer Petras and Jack Campbell returning, the Hawkeyes are poised to continue their ascent in 2022. Spring ball is on for most teams, and if it hasnt already, its on the horizon. Predicting every team's final record this far out is next to impossible, but peeking at matchups this early is whatevery staff does this time of year in prep for the new season. Graham Mertz might finally put everything together, and the running attack is going to be fantastic again with Braelon Allen and a physical offensive line. The word: Purdue might be the conference's most difficult-to-project team in 2022. It should be enough to keep things at the level they were last season, but you have to believe that some of those close games will actually go in the win column in 2022. 7566. Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports. Big Ten football predictions 2022: Conference standings, impact transfers, best games, Michigan restores rivalry with Ohio State with dominant win. Apr 17, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback CJ Stroud (7) during the annual spring game at Ohio Stadium. Minnesota head football coach P.J. It would be incredible to see four teams from a single Power Five division to hit at least 10 victories, but it could happen given the overall strength at the top of the Big Ten. Eight hypothetical position switches for current Michigan football players, Why Ernest Hausmann decided to become a Wolverine, Every five-star recruit that Michigan football has had since 2001, Media reacts to Michigan basketball OT win over Wisconsin, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. A QB competition is the highlight of the offseason, as Noah Vedral brings experience while Gavin Wimsatt and Evan Simon await an opportunity. The sophomore began to live up to the hype this year in his first season as a starter. 7 of 14. Nebraska was the best 3-9 football team in the history of the sport last season. Once again, ESPN FPI is high on the Badgers as we enter the 2022 season. Kicking off the Big Ten bowl season could be Iowa, who is paired up with the Florida Gators in the Music City Bowl in a Big Ten vs. SEC bowl matchup. Iowa was ranked No.2 at some point in the season but finished with a 10-4 record. Look for a season similar to what we just saw in 2021. That's going to be tough. How we are betting the Michigan Wolverines as they look to oust the Iowa Hawkeyes. Michigan won the league last year, but Ohio State enters the 2022 college football season as the overwhelming Big Ten favorite. Knowles will bring a more aggressive defense, and sophomores Jack Sawyer and J.T. Ohio State has the makings of a potential national champion in 2022. The Huskers also have a new offensive coordinator in Mark Whipple, who worked with Heisman Trophy finalist Kenny Pickett at Pitt last season. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports) Projected finish: T-4th in Big Ten East. Ohio State isn't used to finishing second in the Big Ten East, let alone losing to rival Michigan. Rutgers was on the wrong end of lopsided losses to the Big Tens best a year ago, although the Scarlet Knights found themselves in a last-minute bowl game against Wake Forest. TRENDING. Kaevon Merriweather is back at safety, so the only new starters are the Cash hybridlikely Cooper DeJeanand safety Quinn Schulte. Given the brutal cross-over schedule both teams have, this is a gotta-have-it-game if you want to make it to Indianapolis. Get the fastest scores, stats, news, LIVE videos, and more. After an upstart 2020 campaign, Indiana fell flat in 2021 as the Hoosiers failed to win a conference game. The word: Will Iowa get back to the Big Ten Championship Game in the black-and-blue division? (soft launch) Air Force Falcons. Itll have to show that it can win big games before we can place the Cornhuskers higher. Yes, MSU brought in former Wisconsin back Jalen Berger to replace Kenneth Walker III, but those are some mighty big shoes to fill. The defense, however, was as good as any unit in the country. Ohio State will be the most talented team in the Big Ten next year, it just depends on some breaks and being able to be better on defense. Northwestern vs. Illinois 11/27/21 FREE College Football Picks and Predictions on NCAAF Betting, NCAA Football 08 PS2 Campus Legend BJ Simmons And Your Heisman Award Winner Is, This I Remember: 2004 Michigan Football season, LIVE Texas vs Baylor Postgame Show | Bijan Robinson | Reactions | Big 12 | Longhorns. That is what 247Sports has done with a spring edition of its way-too-early bowl projections for the 2023 season. Michigan State Spartans. This article was gathered automatically by our news bot. Bret Bielema certainly improved the Illini in his first year in Champaign, and Illinois did somehow manage to beat Penn State on the road. This marks the third straight season Penn State has opened a college football season on the road against a Big Ten opponent.