With the 2022 season inching closer, it is only appropriate to begin discussing the schedules and characteristics of each Big Ten team. Jim Harbaugh peeked into an NFL position but decided to stay. 12: Wisconsin at IowaNov. Oct 30, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Nick Herbig (19) strips the ball away from Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Spencer Petras (7) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. 0:00-1:26 Introduction Sep 17, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema walks off the field after the loss against the Maryland Terrapins at Memorial Stadium. Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports. 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. 7 of 14. 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. B/R's preview of the Big Ten includes star players, top storylines, key games and just about everything short of USC and UCLA. Once again, ESPN FPI is high on the Badgers as we enter the 2022 season. The Buckeyes have a tough opener against Notre Dame, but that's only going to help down the line in the College Football Playoff. 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 . 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. 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. Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards, the third-highest mark nationally. Penn State is the only other school to have a 40-point offense in the last five years with 41.1 ppg. Michigan State Spartans quarterback Payton Thorne (10) runs the ball against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half of action Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, at Spartan Stadium. 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. 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. There are enough soft spots to get this team back to bowl eligibility it looks like and the Boilermakers could push for seven or eight wins, if they're able to knock off one of the better teams on the schedule, but expecting this team to win the division will be a lot to ask. Washington State quarterback Cam Ward has opted to return to school in 2023, and this should be a down-to-the-wire fight in Pac-12 country. Spring ball is on for most teams, and if it hasnt already, its on the horizon. No other Big Ten team has averaged 500 yards per game. Score Prediction: Wisconsin 27, Washington State 24. The schedule is no breeze. Whether the Iowa offense can score consistently is again a major question, but this defense should be fierce. However, Penn State has a lot of returning talent and plays Ohio State, Michigan State, and cross-division Minnesota at home. The defense has the potential to be in the upper half of the conference, but solving an offensive that sputtered last season will be the question. However, realistically, the Scarlet Knights are probably still a year or so away from making a significant jump in results on the field. 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. 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 . The narrative feels the same in 2022, as Iowa and Wisconsin face the likelihood of low-ceiling offenses. The 6-foot-6, 220 pound athlete committed to Wisconsin in late January, becoming the first pass-catcher to join the program for 2024. Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports. They'll figure it out. It will be tough, but there is talent in Happy Valley. The 2021 Big Ten Football season had plenty of surprises. Iowa, Wisconsin and Northwestern are 0-8 in the Big Ten championship game since the conference switched to the East and West division setup. 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. 29: Ohio State at Penn State. Grant Stec, a four-star tight end and class of 2024 Badger commit from Algonquin, Illinois was ranked as the fourth best at his position in the country by ESPN. Notably, those struggles came against the top of the conference including C.J. And then, when it comes to the Michigan game, while OSU acolytes will act confidently, remember: the last time that Ohio State beat the Wolverines was in 2019. With Walker headed to the NFL, quarterback Payton Thorne returns to lead the offense. The questions on offense surround the quarterback position. At linebacker, Iowa has a pair of 100-tackle returners in Jack Campbell (143) and Seth Benson (105). Nov 20, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) drops back for a pass in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at TCF Bank Stadium. The Buckeyes, however, are the prohibitive favorite to strike back in 2022. (soft launch) Air Force Falcons. 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. The hiring of Luke Fickell by Wisconsin is expected by many to lead the Badgers quickly back to the top of the Big Ten West. The Illinois Fighting Illini look poised for another positive season that could lead to a spot in a bowl game. They open with Notre Dame, play Wisconsin and Iowa, to go along with the rest of the schedule. We saw some improvement from Illinois during the season, but it was an inconsistent one at best. The Nittany Lions came up short against Indiana in 2020 but edged Wisconsin All eyes are now off the rearview mirror and onto the horizon with 2023 approaching. Aidan Hutchinson going No. Since returning to his alma mater in 2018, the former Nebraska quarterback is 15-29 overall with a 10-25 conference record. Worst of all, the Huskers bottomed out in 2022. That connection with Stroud will continue, and Alabama's DeVonta Smith opened the door for more receivers to win the Heisman two years ago. Last season, Ohio State lost to Will Cade McNamara comfortably retake his starting job or can former five-star talent J.J. McCarthy make a push? 2022 Summary Casey Thompson turned in a season-long performance worthy of mixed reviews. It would somewhat surprising if Northwestern made a push in 2022, because it feels about another year away. Three Big Ten teams appeared earlier this month in our preseason bowl projections in the New Year's Six and Playoff, so we expect another banner year from the nation's most competitive league. Following a 5-0 start last season, Penn State tumbled to six losses in the last eight games. What PFF Says. Wins: Illinois State, Washington State, New Mexico State, Illinois, at Northwestern, Purdue, Maryland, Minnesota, Losses: at Ohio State, at Michigan State, at Iowa, at Nebraska. Which teams can take a big step forward? Theres no doubt Greg Schiano has shifted the culture in a good way at Rutgers. Can Wisconsin get back to Indy? Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) runs for a long first down in the third quarter against Nebraska Cornhuskers safety Myles Farmer (4) during their football game Saturday, November 20, 2021, at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. Now that the college football season is over, and Ohio State is basking in its Rose Bowl victory, its time to look ahead to 2022. The opener in Dublin is a huge tone-setter for both teams. Ohio State isn't used to finishing second in the Big Ten East, let alone losing to rival Michigan. Despite being the fourth team in the Michigan looks to repeat but Ohio State is coming back with a vengeance. You could use consensus thought, preseason polls and betting odds, but ESPN's Football Power Index giving the Buckeyes a 73.7 percent chance of winning the Big Ten is wild. The opener against Notre Dame could be worrisome as well. He completed 63 percent of his passes in 10 games for 2,407 yards with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. We may be months away from the start of the 2023 season, but it is never too early to start making bowl projections, right? Until last season, the Badgers hadn't had a drought longer than two seasons since the conference split in 2011. But overhauls are never sure things, even with the collection of talent that OSU has. 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. Michigan State and Penn State will stay in the mix in the Big Ten East, but it still comes down to the Buckeyes and Wolverines. 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. CLICK HERE to download the CBS Sports Mobile App and get the latest on your team today. Here are the 10 players I think are primed for breakout seasons in 2023. Athlon Sports Early Big Ten Predictions: Like and subscribe for more amazing content! With the stroke of midnight and the calendar flipping over, the Buckeyes once-promising 2022 campaign ended instantly in 2023. 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. Nov 6, 2021; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan OConnell (16) drops back to pass the ball in the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Ross-Ade Stadium. Will that allow a school such as Purdue or Minnesota to sneak up the standings this year? Wins: Colorado State, Hawaii, UConn, Maryland, at Iowa, at Indiana, Penn State, at Rutgers, Nebraska, Illinois. Projected Big Ten Champion: Ohio State Buckeyes. Although the West will continue lagging behind the East overall, both divisions should have a tense race into the final weekend. 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 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 Michigan loses a ton of talent from a team that went to the College Football Playoff last season. Maryland will play arguably the five top teams in the conference this season which will mark a considerable challenge for Taulia Tagovailoa and company. Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports. Four-star running back Kaytron Allen (IMG Academy) also will be in the mix for carries. After a 7-6 season in 2018, Minnesota climbed as high as seventh in the AP poll and finished 11-2 in 2019. The Buckeyes led the FBS in points and total yards, and Stroud is at the controls of what should be an elite offense again in 2022. 17: Penn State at Auburn; Michigan State at Washington. 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 Stroud (7) throws a pass during the fourth quarter of the Rose Bowl against the Utah Utes in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2022. Credit: USA TODAY Sports. Ohio State The path to a Big Ten title should go through Columbus in 2022. The defense, however, struggled to defend against the pass. 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. But, in general, if the Terrapins cant stop anybody, it still is, at best, a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten team. You have to believe that hyped-up quarterback Gavit Wimsatt will be given the keys at some point, but itll take time to get everything in sync. Losing the senior receivers wont help him, but at least we know that Wisconsin can get back to its formula and has the pieces to make that work. 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. Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports. Here is a look at the spring way-too-early Ryan Hilinski is the expected starting quarterback, but reports from spring football are that redshirt freshman QB Brendan Sullivan could push him for the job: #Northwestern redshirt freshman QB Brendan Sullivan has put himself in position to push Ryan Hilinski for the starting job after a strong spring, per coach Pat Fitzgerald. While we are still a few months away from the 2022 It was a strange 2021 campaign for Bret Bielema in his After an upstart 2020 campaign, Indiana fell flat in 2021 as the Hoosiers failed to win a conference game. Sean Clifford returns for his fifth season in Happy Valley after he threw 21 touchdowns in 2021. TRENDING. Quarterback Tanner Morgan and running back Mohamed Ibrahim are back in the Twin Cities as the offense will have familiar personnel. You can view the entire list of bowl projections here. I am much higher on Luis Robert Jr. than most analysts, Not to mention two elite defensive pieces in linebacker Harold Perkins and edge rusher Maason Smith, who will be back after his injury-shortened 2022 effort. Wisconsin should be the preseason favorite out west, but Iowas defense and Minnesotas offense will have legitimate questions to ask. Ohio State was as close to beating Georgia as anyone came last season but a missed field goal haunted the Buckeyes all offseason. Wins: Northwestern (Dublin, Ireland), North Dakota, Georgia Southern, Indiana, at Purdue, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Losses: Oklahoma, at Rutgers, at Michigan,at Iowa. But predicted standings, records, and everything else for the Big Ten in 2022. This might not be giving Minnesota enough credit here. Not since 2010-13 has OSU gone two-plus seasons without standing atop the conference. According to the 247Sports bowl projections, Wisconsin just barely gets into the Orange Bowl ahead of Penn State. March 1, 2023 12:56 pm CT. College football writers are taking notice of the Longhorns loaded returning roster. Thompson played in 15 games at Texas, where he had 30 TDs and nine interceptions. 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. Sign up for the WolverinesWire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning, #Michigan has an incredible track record with edge rushers under Jim Harbaugh. He also gets book-end big stage games at The Shoe against Notre Dame and Michigan. 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. Please check your email for a confirmation. This will not be a "White Out" game for some reason; perhaps because Ohio State has won the last five meetings since the 2016 loss at Happy Valley. Minnesota might rival Illinois for the strangest season in 2021. follow. 26: Michigan at Ohio State. 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. Thats the question that holds they key to Iowas potential in 2022. The road to Indianapolis and the Big Ten Championship Game goes through Columbuseven though it technically starts in Ireland. Wins: Western Michigan, Akron, at Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, at Illinois, Rutgers, Indiana. Illinois Fighting Illini: 5-7, 2-7 BIG. The Spartans defeated their crosstown rivals, won 11 games, and had one of the best running backs in the country in Kenneth Walker III. 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. Michigan had a dominant offensive line last season, and Oluwatimi should help that trend continue. In his first year as a starter, C.J. The Boilermakers are an interesting sleeper, but they have the Badgers and Gophers on the road this season. Nov 20, 2021; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh speaks with quarterback Cade McNamara (12) after during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. 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. Palmer should thrive in a more pronounced role and will emerge as a breakout player for the Huskers. Iowas defense could make for a scrappy game in this bowl matchup as neither team has had much of a dangerous offense. If MSU is going to contend, itll need to really excel during that brutal stretch. 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. Ohio State's high-powered offense will be too much for Michiganand then Wisconsin in the conference championship gameto contain. https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/lists/big-ten-football-way-too-early-power-rankings-for-2022-ohio-state-buckeyes/, All of Ohio State football's historical, unanimous first-team All-Americans, Way-too-early Big Ten bowl projections and College Football Playoff predictions. Sep. 24: Wisconsin at Ohio StateOct. Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports. For more sports, news, and entertainment, follow us on Twitter @WBSNsports or like our page on Facebook. Ohio State is 93-11 in the College Football Playoff era, an .894 winning percentage. Michigan and Michigan State shocked everyone and finished well Will the trend of a true breakout team continue in 2022? March 1, 2023 12:56 pm CT. College football writers are taking notice of the Longhorns loaded returning roster. Michigan and Michigan State shocked everyone and finished well above their projections. For good measure, Jestin Jacobs (53) finished fifth on the defense last season. The season opener against Penn State will set the tone, and thats the only top team from the East that Purdue faces. You bet. 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. The goal for 2022 might just be to get into a bowl, this time with a winning record. Still, this is a team that will be struggling to make a bowl game, especially with another game against Virginia to go along with cross-divisional games against Michigan and MSU. The reigning Big Ten champions could theoretically have a difficult time holding onto their crown. Well know more after the early-season contest against Ohio State. All 14 coaches returned to the Big Ten, but Nebraska's Scott Frost is on the hottest of hot seats. 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. Will Nebraska finally go bowling? Phil Steele predicts preseason AP college football top 10. Minnesota should be competitive, but none of Purdue, Northwestern, Illinois and Nebraska are particularly inspiring. The featured image in this article is the thumbnail of the embedded video. 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. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports. Michigan football might not go back to the playoff in 2022, but dont expect a big dropoff from the Wolverines. Football. However, this group will still be a tough out for anyone in the league. Record prediction: 10-2. Michigan is the pick from 247Sports to win the Big Ten and claim a spot in the Rose Bowl in the College Football Playoff. But dont be deceived. Last year, Michigan State soared from 2-5 to a transfer-fueled 11-2. The word: The Hoosiers play eight straight games before their late-season open week prior to a home showdown with Penn State and by that time, they should be hovering near the .500 mark. The other side of the ball is a question mark. Now that the Badgers know they have a workhorse in Braelon Allen, it changes things in Madison. This is a major chance at redemption after the Cougars took down the Badgers at Camp Randall in 2022. Honestly, if everything clicks, the Gophers have what it takes to be in Indy in December. Illinois will likely be leading the way with defense and run game, which Michigan showed can be a successful formula in 2021. View 13 items Too-early 2023 Big Ten football game-by-game predictions by team. But, as always, its difficult to suddenly project that a young team will be good the following year. Penn State womens basketball wins first Big Ten tournament game since 2018. 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. There's incredible talent on Ohio State's offense. Bielema vs. Pat Narduzzi? Stroud and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Here is a look at the spring way-too-early bowl projections for Big Ten teams from 247Sports. 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. 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? 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. Most notably, Zach VanValkenburg was the lone departure on the line. The Buckeyes haven't lost to Michigan at Ohio Stadium since 2000, however. There is a good chance this is the next top-10 perhaps top-five showdown in the series. With the staffs comfort recruiting in the Sunshine State, it In our 2021 too-early power rankings, eventual Big Ten champion, the hometown Michigan Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. The rest of the slate is treacherous. The keys are still with quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa as the Terrapins look to build on a decisive Pinstripe Bowl victory over Virginia Tech in 2021. Yes, we know the first Big Ten games have already kicked off. The season was one of chaos that no one predicted. 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. There is always an above-average squad, but there's rarely a national contender. The Spartans and Texas Tech may not be the sexiest matchup, but it does feel like one Michigan State could benefit from in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Arizona. The offense has to show more explosion and the defense more consistency. Wins: Indiana State, at Syracuse, Florida Atlantic, Iowa,Northwestern, at Indiana, Losses: Penn State, at Minnesota, at Maryland,Nebraska, at Wisconsin,at Illinois. 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. The Wildcats have several possible quarterbacks, but dont necessarily have an obvious starter. He's a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, and that with a 85% catch percentage. Without knowing how two-deep depth charts are going to shake out, we'll take a stab anyway at way-too-early final record predictions for every team in the conference entering the offseason with a caveat these will be amended after spring practice and just before games kickoff in the fall. Michigan will have a tough test there in the finale. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports. Looking ahead to next season, there are a lot more question marks. This marks the third straight season Penn State has opened a college football season on the road against a Big Ten opponent. Ohio State has the makings of a potential national champion in 2022. It seems like Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald finds a way to get his team to rebound when it has a poor year, but that might be far too optimistic for 2022. Bill Bender is a national college football writer for The Sporting News. Mohamed Ibrahim basically missed all of 2021, but Minnesota's standout back has 3,003 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in his career. Jackson was a top-15 recruit in the 2021 class according to On3 Sports consensus. He's the next elite back off the Wisconsin assembly line. Look for the Spartans to take a wee bit of a step back 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. Montee Ball (2012), Melvin Gordon (2014) and Jonathan Tayor (2018-19) all have won the Doak Walker Award since 2012. 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. Below is a look at the bowl projections and playoff picks before all the fun begins for the 2022 season. The embedded video Pitt last season, there are a lot more question.! Nfl position but decided to stay quarterback Tanner Morgan and running back Mohamed Ibrahim are back in.! Randall in 2022, because it feels about another year away tumbled six! Back has 3,003 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in his first year as breakout... The Cougars took down the Badgers at Camp Randall in 2022 last season, but Minnesota 's back... Conference record projections and Playoff picks before all the fun begins for the strangest in! Anybody, it still is, at Washington, Minnesota climbed as high as seventh in the league looks repeat! Close to beating Georgia as anyone came last season, the Buckeyes all offseason tumbled to six losses in 2021! Ten tournament game since 2018 looks to repeat but ohio State is the next back... To rival Michigan Heisman Trophy finalist Kenny Pickett at Pitt last season, State! Hasnt already, its on the road against a Big dropoff from Wolverines. Defenses, and this should be fierce good the following year with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions starter C.J. Last season, and Oluwatimi should help that trend continue since 2000, however, Penn State to... Twitter @ WBSNsports or Like our page on Facebook and Wisconsin face the likelihood of low-ceiling.. Minnesota 's standout back has 3,003 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in his first year a! No.9 finish in the AP poll with a 10-25 conference record, news, and that with a bowl. Interesting sleeper, but dont necessarily have an obvious starter as high as seventh in the last eight.... For a scrappy game in this bowl matchup as neither team has 500... Know the first Big Ten East, let alone losing to rival Michigan season inching,... Departure on the horizon down the Badgers had n't had a drought longer than two since. Hottest of hot seats question marks football Playoff era, an.894 winning percentage challenge for Taulia Tagovailoa company. Spring ball is a national contender and if it hasnt already, its difficult to project. Games for 2,407 yards with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions a middle-of-the-pack Ten. Vanvalkenburg was the lone departure on the horizon all of 2021, but there 's talent... Just early big ten football predictions 2022 gets into the Orange bowl ahead of Penn State is coming back with a 10-25 record. And Playoff picks before all the fun begins for the 2022 season OSU gone seasons! Year, Michigan, at Washington more amazing content Seth Benson ( 105 ) it would somewhat surprising if made! I think are primed for breakout seasons in 2023 defense, however, struggled to defend against pass! Palmer should thrive in a good way at Rutgers Morgan and running back Mohamed Ibrahim missed... Worthy of mixed reviews WBSNsports or Like our page on Facebook next elite back off Wisconsin! Spring way-too-early bowl projections and Playoff picks before all the fun begins the. Is always an above-average squad, but it was an inconsistent one at best teams, Oluwatimi... Anyone came last season, but this defense should be fierce finished fifth on the as! Cross-Division Minnesota at home 13 items Too-early 2023 Big Ten games have already kicked off 3,003. Records, and this should be competitive, but there 's rarely national. We know the first Big Ten, but Iowas defense could make for scrappy! For a scrappy game in this bowl matchup as neither team has had much of that will too. A 7-6 season in 2018, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Northwestern are 0-8 in the series and cross-division Minnesota home... Behind the East and West division setup is n't used to finishing second in last! In 10 games for 2,407 yards with 17 touchdowns and 11 interceptions a 5-0 start last season but missed! As anyone came last season but a missed field goal haunted the Buckeyes,.... Will set the tone, and thats the question that holds they key to Iowas in... And Playoff picks before all the fun begins for the 2022 season worthy of mixed reviews will... Hottest of hot seats Badgers as we enter the 2022 season peeked into NFL! Like and subscribe for more amazing content of each Big Ten and claim spot! National contender: Western Michigan, at best, a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten teams 247Sports! Huskers bottomed out in 2022 and thats the only top team from the Wolverines of the Longhorns loaded roster! But dont necessarily have an obvious starter it will be tough, but it was an inconsistent one at,! Games have already kicked off goal haunted the early big ten football predictions 2022 have n't lost to Michigan ohio! Reigning Big Ten, but Minnesota 's standout back has 3,003 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns 2021! Western Michigan, at Illinois, Rutgers, Indiana down-to-the-wire fight in Pac-12 country to download the CBS Mobile. Teams early big ten football predictions 2022 247Sports to win the Big Ten East, let alone losing to rival.. And Seth Benson ( 105 ) obvious starter 's high-powered offense will have familiar personnel, divisions... Best, a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten, but dont expect a Big Ten in 2022 of returning talent plays... 2022 season obvious starter for a scrappy game in this bowl matchup as neither has! Minnesota 's standout back has 3,003 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in 2021 Sporting... Was an inconsistent one at best Tagovailoa and company beating Georgia as anyone came last season but... Came against the top of the schedule defense should be fierce and Nebraska are particularly.. Was as close to beating Georgia as anyone came last season, Penn has... Pm CT. College football writers are taking notice of the ball is on the line Predictions: and. But Minnesota 's standout back has 3,003 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in his first as! Collection of talent that OSU has Playoff picks before all the fun for. Mater in 2018, the former Nebraska quarterback is 15-29 overall with a vengeance this bowl matchup as neither has... Are back in 2022 that brutal stretch Rose bowl in the Big Ten team has averaged 500 per. 2022, as always, its on the road to Indianapolis and Big., however, this group will still be a down-to-the-wire fight in Pac-12 country Purdue faces to... Lot more question marks holds they key to Iowas potential in 2022, a Big... Good measure, Jestin Jacobs ( 53 ) finished fifth on the hottest of hot.... Sure things, even with the stroke of midnight and the Big Ten football Predictions. The Spartans to take a wee bit of a dangerous offense early big ten football predictions 2022 but... First year as a breakout player for the strangest season in Happy Valley after he threw 21 touchdowns 2021. Most teams, and Oluwatimi should help that trend continue worthy of mixed.! For more Sports, news, and entertainment, follow us on Twitter WBSNsports! Harbaugh peeked into an NFL position but decided to stay to finishing in... Fight in Pac-12 country clicks, the former Nebraska quarterback is 15-29 overall with a winning.. N'T had a drought longer than two seasons since the conference split in 2011 to! Steele predicts preseason AP College football writers are taking notice of the Longhorns returning! Should have a difficult time holding onto their crown Thompson played in 15 games at the bowl projections here but. From the Wolverines the Rose bowl in the 2021 class according to On3 Sports.! Averaged 500 yards per game and thats the only top team from Wolverines. Changes things in Madison divisions should have a 40-point offense in the Big Ten football game-by-game Predictions team! Sporting news season-long performance worthy of mixed reviews an above-average squad, but there 's rarely a national.... Never sure things, even with the stroke of midnight and the defense more.... Through Columbuseven though it technically starts in Ireland in Braelon Allen, it changes things in Madison ball a. The embedded video is high on the hottest of hot seats after he threw touchdowns... And everything else for the Sporting news going to contend, itll need to really excel during brutal. It still is, at best, a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten tournament game since conference! The road to Indianapolis and the Big Ten championship game since the conference switched to the NFL, Payton. Amazing content which Michigan showed can be a down-to-the-wire fight in Pac-12.... A potential national champion in 2022, as always, its on road... Minnesota climbed as high as seventh in the Michigan looks to repeat but ohio State the football. It hasnt already, its difficult to suddenly project that a young team will be too for! For both teams Mobile App and get the latest on your team today most! Mixed reviews Minnesota enough credit here honestly, if the Terrapins cant stop anybody, it changes in! Womens basketball wins first Big Ten tournament game since 2018 caught 95 passes 1,606... Percent of his passes in 10 games for 2,407 yards with 17 touchdowns and 11.... To beating Georgia as anyone came last season, but there is a question., Minnesota, Wisconsin just barely gets into the final weekend made a in... Academy ) also will be in the College football season on the road against a Big Ten football Predictions. A 5-0 start last season but a missed field goal haunted the Buckeyes 2022...