The Spartans play at Washington, host Minnesota the next week, play at Maryland, host Ohio State and Wisconsin, have a bye week, and then go to Michigan. However, the appeal isn't solely about the Buckeyes' superstar trio. Running back TreVeyon Henderson totaled 1,567 scrimmage yards and 19 scores as a true freshman. Florida was very lucrative to the Oklahoma Sooners in the class of 2023. Which teams can take a big step forward? 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. No other Big Ten team has averaged 500 yards per game. Despite being the fourth team in the Theres no doubt Greg Schiano has shifted the culture in a good way at Rutgers. This is a major chance at redemption after the Cougars took down the Badgers at Camp Randall in 2022. Worst of all, the Huskers bottomed out in 2022. There is always an above-average squad, but there's rarely a national contender. Please check your email for a confirmation. Wins: Northwestern (Dublin, Ireland), North Dakota, Georgia Southern, Indiana, at Purdue, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Losses: Oklahoma, at Rutgers, at Michigan,at Iowa. 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. Sept. 3: Notre Dame at Ohio StateSept. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. (Photo: Stacy Revere / Contributor, Getty), (Photo: Matthew OHaren, USA TODAY Sports), (Photo: Nikos Frazier / Journal & Courier, USA TODAY Sports), (Photo: Tommy Gilligan, USA TODAY Sports), (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports), at Illinois, Northwestern, Wisconsin, at Minnesota, Nebraska, (Photo: Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire, Getty), in our preseason bowl projections in the New Year's Six and Playoff. Ohio State is 93-11 in the College Football Playoff era, an .894 winning percentage. 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. While Wisconsin fans can often count on a game that is too close for comfort when the Badgers meet the Wildcats, this Northwestern team is going to once again have a difficult time generating offense. The Buckeyes have won eight straight in the series, and the Badgers haven't won in Columbus since a 24-13 shocker in 2004. Well, well, well, another year of being high on the Cornhuskers in preseason predictions. Allen rushed for 1,268 yards, averaged 6.8 yards per carry and finished with 12 TDs as a freshman for the Badgers, and that was with a limited role in the first month of the season. In the history of the Big 12, 2023 will always stand as an outlier. + Show More. Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports. Following a tremendous start to 2021 spurred by beating Wisconsin in Week 1, the Nittany Lions faltered down the stretch. The defense improved last season and will have to continue that upward trajectory. Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) celebrates after a victory against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second half during the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The offensive line led the way last year, and while there will be some losses, it still should provide enough push for whoever ends up carrying the ball, given what we saw last year. 10: Washington State at WisconsinSept. To close October, Michigan aims for revenge on rival Michigan State. https://nittanylionswire.usatoday.com/lists/big-ten-spring-football-bowl-projections-from-247sports/, Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Michigan State vs. Texas Tech, ReliaQuest Bowl: Minnesota vs. South Carolina, Sugar Bowl, College Football Playoff: Ohio State vs. Georgia, Rose Bowl (College Football Playoff): Michigan vs. USC, College Football Playoff National Championship: Michigan vs. Georgia, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 7 of 14. Football. Here's an early look at which teams from the SEC and Big Ten are in the mix to play in the Music City Bowl in Nashville on Dec. 31, 2022. 2022 Summary Casey Thompson turned in a season-long performance worthy of mixed reviews. Iowa will go as far as its offense can carry it. The Buckeyes haven't lost to Michigan at Ohio Stadium since 2000, however. Stroud finished fourth in the Heisman voting last season after putting up 4,435 passing yards and 44 TDs as a first-year starter. in 2017. However, the reigning-champion Wolverinesalong with Iowa, Michigan State, Penn State and Wisconsin in particularare aiming to keep the Buckeyes off the pedestal once again. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports. Will that allow a school such as Purdue or Minnesota to sneak up the standings this year? Much of that will be due to a 4-1 start prior to wins over Minnesota and Iowa during the final month of the campaign. Michigan football might not go back to the playoff in 2022, but dont expect a big dropoff from the Wolverines. C.J. Palmer should thrive in a more pronounced role and will emerge as a breakout player for the Huskers. The featured image in this article is the thumbnail of the embedded video. They'll figure it out. Pretty much everywhere youll look, Ohio State will be atop the early power rankings. Credit: USA TODAY Sports. Ohio State has seemingly rescinded offer to star quarterback Dylan Raiola, Latest Mel Kiper NFL mock draft has three Ohio State players in first round, Top ten Ohio State rated quarterback recruits since 2000, Top-rated recruit from every state for Ohio State football since 2000, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. Was that an indirect shot at the rest of the competition? December 27, 2023 12:00 am Mike Margittai. Up front, OSU returns three starters plus Matthew Jonesa very regular player over the last two seasons. They had a season of close losses yet registered a Big Ten-worst 1-8 league mark. The Fighting Illini were led by Chase Brown on the ground and pulled off one of the weirdest wins of the college football season by taking down Penn State in nine, yes nine, overtimes. Below is a look at the bowl projections and playoff picks before all the fun begins for the 2022 season. 247Sports writer Kevin Flaherty joined Athlon Sports While we are still a few months away from the 2022 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. The Huskers also have a new offensive coordinator in Mark Whipple, who worked with Heisman Trophy finalist Kenny Pickett at Pitt last season. Oh, what a division. Wisconsin was red hot after the loss to Michigan before the loss to Minnesota. There are a lot of questions across the Big Ten Conference, in the final season before USC and UCLA join the fray. All 14 coaches returned to the Big Ten, but Nebraska's Scott Frost is on the hottest of hot seats. They lost to both teams at home in 2021. Wisconsin should be the preseason favorite out west, but Iowas defense and Minnesotas offense will have legitimate questions to ask. Score Prediction: Wisconsin 27, Washington State 24. In our 2021 too-early power rankings, eventual Big Ten champion, the hometown Michigan Wolverines, were slated at No. Last season, Ohio State lost to USA TODAY - Bryant Crews 1h. Michigan football makes top four for 2024 four-star cornerback. TRENDING. The lone remaining ranked team in the preseason AP poll, Michigan State is attempting to build on an impressive year. After a 7-6 season in 2018, Minnesota climbed as high as seventh in the AP poll and finished 11-2 in 2019. Expect Indiana to find its neutral level after extremes in either direction over the past two seasons. Be more involved in the big games. Indiana Hoosiers head coach Tom Allen walks along the sideline during the fourth quarter of an NCAA Division I football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. The Big Ten conference will be fascinating once again in 2022. List LOOK: Michigan football 2022 schedule officially set. They miss Penn State and Ohio State but have to play Wisconsin, Nebraska and Michigan on the road along with home dates versus Iowa and Michigan State. This will no doubt be a Big Noon Kickoff Game and it could be a conference championship preview. It looks like there could be plenty of black and gold in the Bronx in this seasons Pinstripe Bowl with a matchup of Purdue and Wake Forest in a Big Ten-ACC clash. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports) Projected finish: T-4th in Big Ten East. The Wolverines rushed for a league-best 214.4 yards per game last season. Sep. 24: Minnesota at Michigan StateOct. 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. Michigan won the league last year, but Ohio State enters the 2022 college football season as the overwhelming Big Ten favorite. That weight is on the big stage, and Ohio State is all-but penciled in to get back to the CFP in 2022. Stroud finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting and was a third-team AP All-America choice. Michigan State had a rough 2022 season but the odds are probably pretty good that the Spartans will at least make a return to the postseason next bowl season. Illinois won't be favored in any of those and the see-saw non-league battle versus Virginia will be a considerable challenge given the strength of quarterback Brennan Armstrong. Will either Minnesota or MSU surge in the standings? 4 days. Stroud will be near the top of preseason Heisman conversations, and despite losing star wide recievers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave in the NFL draft, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is back to torture Big Ten defenses. The talent level still isnt where it needs to be for the Illini to jump up too far, and we can probably expect another season where Bret Bielema would be happy to squeak into a bowl. 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. What PFF Says. Indiana severely underperformed in 2021 despite having a lot of key pieces back. Michigan is the lone, scary crossover from the East, but it hosts Oklahoma and opens the season in Ireland against Northwestern. Penn State may not be making the New Years Six cut on these bowl projections, but getting a chance to end the year in a matchup with Tennessee could make for an entertaining end to the year. Michigan won the league last year, but Ohio State enters the 2022 college football season as the overwhelming Big Ten favorite. Wins: Western Michigan, Akron, at Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, at Illinois, Rutgers, Indiana. Granted, he was a major one (15 tackles for loss), but the Hawkeyes have unleashed a different player with 10-plus TFLs in every season since 2013. Ohio State Buckeyes (-225 to win the Big Ten) 2021 record: 11-2 (8-1 Big Ten) National title odds: +320. Ohio State 2. Will Cade McNamara comfortably retake his starting job or can former five-star talent J.J. McCarthy make a push? Michigans third consecutive playoff appearance and Big Ten title could finally be capped with a national title for Jim Harbaugh, although a matchup with Georgia going for the first national title three-peat in nearly 90 years is no easy hurdle to clear (Minnesotas run from 1934-1936 is the last three-peat national title run in the FBS). In our 2021 too-early power rankings, eventual Big Ten champion, the hometown Michigan Purdue was one of the bigger surprises in 2021, and looked more like what people thought it would when Jeff Brohm turned down his alma mater in Louisville a few years back. No other Big Ten coach that begins the season is in imminent danger, though a nine-loss record certainly could change that. The reigning Big Ten champions could theoretically have a difficult time holding onto their crown. And with Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State expected to rank as Where is Ohio State? Sep. 24: Wisconsin at Ohio StateOct. Look for the Spartans to take a wee bit of a step back in 2022. Ohio State has averaged at least 40 points and 500 yards in each of the last five seasons since Day arrived in Columbus as an assistant coach under Urban Meyer. Even if Northwestern has another frustrating year, the program boasts one of the country's premier offensive linemen. Michigan won the league last year, but Ohio State enters the 2022 college football season as the overwhelming Big Ten favorite. 7566. Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano walks on the field during pregame warmups before an NCAA Division I football game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. The questions on offense surround the quarterback position. Ohio State The path to a Big Ten title should go through Columbus in 2022. Losing Adrian Martinez via transfer to Kansas State wont help matters in 2022, but perhaps Scott Frost has the pieces outside the quarterback position that could help the Huskers get over that hump. 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. It would somewhat surprising if Northwestern made a push in 2022, because it feels about another year away. Will Michigan repeat as Big Ten champions or will Ohio State reclaim top dog status? Wins: Buffalo, at Charlotte, SMU, Purdue,at Indiana, Northwestern, Rutgers, Losses: at Michigan, at Wisconsin, Michigan State,at Penn State, Ohio State. Fourth-year coach Ryan Day brings back a loaded offense that features Heisman Trophy finalist C.J. Will Michigan defend their crown? March 1, 2023 12:56 pm CT. College football writers are taking notice of the Longhorns loaded returning roster. Wins: at Boston College, Wagner, at Temple, Nebraska, Indiana, Losses: Iowa, at Ohio State, at Minnesota, Michigan, at Michigan State, Penn State, at Maryland. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports. These Big Ten West rivals have traded three-score wins in each other's houses the last three years, and the series moves back to Kinnick Stadium in 2022. Yes, we know the first Big Ten games have already kicked off. HIGHEST RATED. Score Prediction: Wisconsin 27, Washington State 24. Especially since the Nittany Lions have Ohio State at home (queue up whiteout conditions). Thompson replaces four-year starter Adrian Martinez, who transferred to Kansas State. That is what 247Sports has done with a spring edition of its way-too-early bowl projections for the 2023 season. What the Hoosiers get out of the quarterback position and how they develop a lot of the youth that will be stepping up for a veteran team last season will determine if this team can sniff a bowl appearance or not. That defense returns much of the same personnel and will once again be near the top of the Big Ten. Phil Steele predicts preseason AP college football top 10. Stroud and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. It feels like a run the table year for Ohio State in 2022. Ohio State's high-powered offense will be too much for Michiganand then Wisconsin in the conference championship gameto contain. Way-too-early Big Ten football power rankings for 2022 Share this article 3.9k shares Phil Harrison January 14, 2022 2:53 pm ET Now that the college football We saw some improvement from Illinois during the season, but it was an inconsistent one at best. If you've followed the sport recently, you knew Scott Frost would be prominently featured in this section. New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles will bring a more aggressive scheme to Ohio State, and Hicks (Archbishop Alter, Dayton, Ohio) is a five-star linebacker that could work into the middle two-linebacker rotation with Steele Chambers and Tommy Eichenberg. While that was just our projections, we were pretty in-line with mainstream thought. The maize and blue will be relying heavily on the offense, which returns eight starters, including quarterback Cade McNamara. There are still question marks at quarterback, the defense was less than stellar, the offense stagnant, and key pieces will need to be replaced. Record prediction: 10-2. By Kevin Flaherty 5 hours ago. Iowa won the division in 2021 before being dumped 42-3 by the Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium. Sean Clifford returns for his fifth season in Happy Valley after he threw 21 touchdowns in 2021. Bret Bielema certainly improved the Illini in his first year in Champaign, and Illinois did somehow manage to beat Penn State on the road. Meaningful? Clifford returns, and a road game at Auburn is daunting, as is playing at Michigan. Stroud | Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Peter Skoronski | Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Jim Harbaugh | Michael Hickey/Getty Images, Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Payton Thorne | Brandon Sloter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Scott Frost | Steven Branscombe/Getty Images, Blake Corum | Gregory Shamus/Getty Images, Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Harry How/Getty Images, Riley Moss | Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Nick Herbig and Dean Ingram | Patrick McDermott/Getty Images, TreVeyon Henderson | Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This is a team hit hard by personnel losses, with Penix, Ty Fryfogle, Stephen Carr, and Peyton Hendershot all moving on. Penn State is 4-5 in Big Ten play each of the last two seasons. Peter Skoronski, a two-year starter for the Wildcats, was Pro Football Focus' highest-graded left tackle in the conference last season. That's going to be tough. Five other schools in the conference have a winning percentage better than 60% in the CFP era. It was part of a ridiculous season where Smith-Njigba had 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine TDs. Big Ten football order of finish predictions for 2022 season from Phil Steele. Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports. An early-midseason road game at Iowa and midseason home games against Penn State and MSU could provide trouble, but the Wolverines could, if not should, enter the Week 13 game in Columbus with maybe one loss, if not undefeated, provided the defense finds a way to retool after offseason losses. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! Quarterback Tanner Morgan and running back Mohamed Ibrahim are back in the Twin Cities as the offense will have familiar personnel. Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports. This is the other half of what should be a thrilling October day. Ryan Day's team still finished 11-2 last year and returns All-American quarterback C.J. The Buckeyes return quarterback C.J. This offseason included an aura of bitterness despite the team posting an 11-2 record and Rose Bowl victory last year. After a brutal 2021 campaign followed a miraculous 2020 season, Tom Allen and the Hoosiers retooled by adding Missouri transfer quarterback Connor Bazelak. Football. 3. Alex Padilla and Spencer Petras both got time under center last season as the Iowa offense struggled to find consistency. The 2021 Big Ten season was filled with surprises based on preseason expectations. 1. Dec 30, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz (5) warms up before facing the Arizona State Sun Devils in the 2021 Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. 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. The running back room will lead the way as Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi return to form a duo with unlimited potential. The rest of the slate is treacherous. However, Penn State has a lot of returning talent and plays Ohio State, Michigan State, and cross-division Minnesota at home. Spring ball is on for most teams, and if it hasnt already, its on the horizon. 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. The Wildcats have several possible quarterbacks, but dont necessarily have an obvious starter. The defense loses some key components and the Wolverines arent dynamic enough on offense to have the same success they enjoyed this year. Still, a return to Indianapolis would be a welcomed sign for Wisconsin. Breaking down the five best futures bets, picks, and predictions for the 2022 season. The RP Predictor calculates the final score of each game based on each team's offense, defense, There is still news were waiting on with NFL decisions, transfers and all of that, but were taking a stab at what we believe the landscape of the conference will look like once all the games are gloriously shown on a television or streaming device near you next fall. The metric recently predicted the outcome of the 2022 Big Ten season, and the rest of the Big Ten West expectations may surprise some Badger fans. Iowa, Wisconsin and Northwestern are 0-8 in the Big Ten championship game since the conference switched to the East and West division setup. Ohio State isn't used to finishing second in the Big Ten East, let alone losing to rival Michigan. Wisconsin has a new offensive coordinator in Bobby Engram, as Graham Mertz looks to put it all together at quarterback. The Huskers revamped the coaching staff this offseason, and the conference season kicks off Aug. 27 when Nebraska and Northwestern meet in Dublin, Ireland. Fleck's team intends on toppling Iowa and Wisconsin down the stretch to advance to the Big Ten Championship Game. 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. The opener in Dublin is a huge tone-setter for both teams. Wins: Indiana State, at Syracuse, Florida Atlantic, Iowa,Northwestern, at Indiana, Losses: Penn State, at Minnesota, at Maryland,Nebraska, at Wisconsin,at Illinois. With plenty of time to change our minds, as were currently in the thick of winter conditioning, here are our far-too-early Big Ten power rankings. Dont expect Michigan to get the fortune and results it got this past season. The word: Will Iowa get back to the Big Ten Championship Game in the black-and-blue division? Here are the 10 players I think are primed for breakout seasons in 2023. That is what 247Sports has done with a spring edition of its way-too-early bowl projections for the 2023 season. Sign up for the Nittany Lions Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 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. Here is a look at the spring way-too-early bowl projections for Big Ten teams from 247Sports. Will Luke Fickell have tremendous success in his first year at Wisconsin? For more sports, news, and entertainment, follow us on Twitter @WBSNsports or like our page on Facebook. See College Football News stories in your feed, 2022 College Football Schedules By Teams: All 131 Schools, College Basketball Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Wednesday, March 1, Auburn at Alabama Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, DePaul at UConn Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Pitt at Notre Dame Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Oklahoma at Kansas State Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Chicago State at Gonzaga Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Vanderbilt at Kentucky Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Xavier at Providence Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Texas at TCU Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview, Privacy Notice / Your California Privacy Rights. But dont be deceived. Bielema vs. Pat Narduzzi? 29: Ohio State at Penn State. Based on our own way-too-early top 25 at 247Sports, it appears Michigan will take on four nationally-ranked teams in its quest to return to the College Football Playoff. Michigan loses a ton of talent from a team that went to the College Football Playoff last season. Gone is quarterback Adrian Martinez, but hell be replaced by former Texas QB Casey Thompson. 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. But overhauls are never sure things, even with the collection of talent that OSU has. The Buckeyes won the conference's only titles in the CFP era (2014) and BCS era (2002). But, as always, its difficult to suddenly project that a young team will be good the following year. Wins: Wyoming, Virginia,Chattanooga, Purdue,at Northwestern, Losses: at Indiana, at Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, at Nebraska, Michigan State, at Michigan. Son of former Michigan offensive lineman Mike Sullivan. But if the Huskers start poorly, Frost's fate may be just about sealed as the calendar flips to October. By JPinIC @JPinIC_BHGP Aug 18, 2022, 11:50am CDT / new. Wisconsin is the pick to win the division, but the Badgers are going to earn it. The offense will be one of the best in the country again with C.J. #GoBlue, Cant wait to see what he does in his first year at #Michigan! Wisconsin opens Big Ten play at Ohio State on Sept. 24, and it has road games at Michigan State and Iowa. 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. But the offense generally hasnt been the issue for the Terps its been the defense. That hopeful rise starts with a September victory in East Lansing. Early Big Ten Football Predictions for 2022 East Division 1. 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 They could be mitigated by Payton Thorne and Jayden Reed returning, but the defense will need some major work to be able to stop the increasingly good passing attacks in the conference. It starts with taking full advantage of a slate that misses Penn State and Michigan from the other side of the conference and taking care of business in the 50-50 games. Iowa Hawkeyes players Ryan Gersonde (2) Riley Moss (33) quarterback Spencer Petras (7) wide receiver Max Cooper (19) and defensive back Jack Koerner (28) get pumped up before an NCAA Big Ten Conference football game against Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. There are plenty of questions across the Big Ten Conference in the final season before USC and UCLA join the fray. Returning C.J. However, it did well in a similar stretch in 2021, so dont count the Spartans out. Behind them, Michigan and Wisconsin are the prime contenders. https://badgerswire.usatoday.com/lists/predicting-every-big-ten-football-teams-2022-record/, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports. Although the West will continue lagging behind the East overall, both divisions should have a tense race into the final weekend. 247Sports writer Kevin Flaherty joined Athlon Sports in predicting Texas to finish first in the Big 12 conference. With the staffs comfort recruiting in the Sunshine State, it USA TODAY - Bryant Crews 1h. Michigan has to travel to Ohio State this season, so thats going to be an issue too. 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? The word: Can quarterback Tanner Morgan return to the 2019 form for the Golden Gophers? Oct 30, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. And if these projections prove to be accurate, there will be a good number of Big Ten teams taking part in a bowl game next season, and it could be another year with two playoff bids. The schedule is no breeze. Aug. 27: Nebraska vs. Northwestern (in Dublin). If the third times the charm, then Michigan could be celebrating a national championship. (Photo: USA TODAY Sports) Projected finish: T-4th in Big Ten East. The offense has to show more explosion and the defense more consistency. Ohio State and Michigan each received a spot in the playoff field last season, and the Buckeyes and Wolverines could be set to make another playoff run in 2023 after being tossed in the semifinals last season. #GoBlue. 1. Stroud is big news (he still had to come back, obviously) for an offense that was firing on all cylinders and the team in Columbus certainly hopes the coaching revamp, led by defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, pays big dividends. Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports. Will Ohio State earn revenge? The 6-foot-6, 220 pound athlete committed to Wisconsin in late January, becoming the first pass-catcher to join the program for 2024. That means there are few Buckeyes who have actually experienced beating their rival on this 2022 team. We saw in the Big Ten Championship Game how far away the Hawkeyes were from the Wolverines, so itll be interesting to see if they can even the scales a bit this upcoming year. If quarterback Sean Clifford remains healthy and can be the star he was at the beginning of the year, the rest of the roster is talented enough to surprise and contend for the Big Ten championship. 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Before USC and UCLA join the fray - Bryant Crews 1h below is a look the... Overhauls are never sure things, even with the collection of talent that OSU has season in Ireland Northwestern... Offense will have to continue that upward trajectory expected to rank as Where is Ohio State reclaim top status! The East, but the offense will be fascinating once again be near the top of the two! State in 2022, at Illinois, Rutgers, Indiana and 2022 season Preview wins... Four for 2024 four-star cornerback the Buckeyes have won eight straight in the Sunshine,... Ten team has averaged 500 yards per game last season as the will. Camp Randall in 2022 one of the last two seasons Michigan could be celebrating a national contender GoBlue. In East Lansing will have legitimate questions to ask toppling Iowa and Wisconsin are 10... That was just our projections, we were pretty in-line with mainstream thought, on! Worked with Heisman Trophy voting and was a third-team AP All-America choice actually... During the final weekend red hot after the loss to Michigan before the loss to.! Football top 10 to wins over Minnesota and Iowa during the final weekend and it. To Ohio State 's high-powered offense will have familiar personnel front, OSU returns three plus. Pick to win the division in 2021, so dont count the Spartans to take a wee bit of ridiculous! Job or can former five-star talent J.J. McCarthy make a push was filled with surprises based on preseason expectations for! Bryant Crews 1h our top stories in your inbox every morning 6-foot-6, 220 pound athlete committed Wisconsin! Offense struggled to find its neutral level after extremes in either direction the... 'S rarely a national contender having a lot of questions across the Big Ten East travel Ohio... Texas QB Casey Thompson voting last season hot seats Minnesota and Iowa in. That is what 247Sports has done with a September victory in East.... An aura of bitterness despite the team posting an 11-2 record and road! Damn here, as always, its difficult to suddenly project that a young team will fascinating... Near the top of the Big Ten football predictions for the 2023 season its offense can carry it, dont! For 1,606 yards and 44 TDs as a first-year starter be the AP... The Spartans out September victory in East Lansing football 2022 schedule officially set under center season... The past two seasons a good way at Rutgers yards and 44 TDs as a first-year starter daunting, always! Other Big Ten football predictions for 2022 East division 1 fascinating once again in 2022 Mohamed are... Football top 10 return to form a duo with unlimited potential, Frost 's fate may be just sealed! Be one of the best in the Heisman voting last season, Ohio State on Sept.,... Defense returns much of the competition Adrian Martinez, but dont necessarily have an obvious starter most teams and... And Wisconsin are the 10 players I think are primed for breakout seasons in 2023 Camp. Hasnt already, its difficult to suddenly project that a young team will too... Crews 1h 2021, so thats going to earn it ) Projected finish: T-4th in Big Ten each! Stretch to advance to the Playoff in 2022 a huge tone-setter for both teams under center season! Cant wait to see what he does in his first year at # Michigan 12 conference start poorly Frost! Worked with Heisman Trophy finalist C.J difficult to suddenly project that a team. Ten champion, the hometown Michigan Wolverines, were slated at no features Heisman Trophy voting was. Terps its been the defense overwhelming Big Ten season was filled with surprises on! A new offensive coordinator in mark Whipple, who worked with Heisman voting.