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Kyle N.

2022 Big Ten Conference Football Preview


Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Big Ten Conference Preview


East Division


Indiana Hoosiers (2021/2-10, 0-9/7th) – After a surprise 6-1 record in the shortened 2020 season, Indiana bottomed out with 10 losses. The Hoosier offense was the worst in the Big Ten last season and was not able to run the ball. For this year, two transfer RBs and freshman Jaylin Lucas should help matters. Indiana will have a three-way battle for the QB spot and whoever wins the competition will need better protection from the line. The defense was also bad but riddled with injuries. The secondary will be the strength, with CB Tiawan Mullen back from injury. The pass rush was lacking and will look to transfers for a quick fix. Indiana needs better injury luck and help from the transfer portal to squeeze out a few more wins.


Maryland Terrapins (2021/7-6, 3-6/5th) – After six consecutive losing seasons, the Terps finally saw a winning season and bowl victory. That momentum should continue in 2022. The offense could be very explosive. It starts with QB Taulia Tagovailoa who put it all together last season with nearly 4,000 yards and 26 TD. Rakim Jarrett leads a dangerous receiver group that includes quality transfers. The Maryland defense was inconsistent and failed to create turnovers. The defensive line did not hold up against the run, but some additional size inside should alleviate those problems. The secondary needs to make more plays. This offense figures to be very good and can make the Terps a nuisance against even the top teams like Ohio State and Michigan.


Michigan Wolverines (2021/12-2, 8-1/1sr) – Michigan had a breakthrough year in 2021 as they won the Big Ten title and made their first appearance in the College Football Playoff. The Wolverines will try to repeat with new coordinators and a host of new players on both sides. Cade McNamara returns after a solid season at QB but will have a host of challengers for the position. Michigan likes to run the ball, and Blake Corum is back after pairing with the departed Hassan Haskins to fuel the attack. The defense will be a work in progress after the departures of star pass rushers Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo. Mazi Smith at DT will be a force on the inside and the linebacking crew is experienced. Michigan will again be a force in the division particularly if they can find new pass rushers.


Michigan State Spartans (2021/11-2, 7-2/3rd) – Mel Tucker has remade Michigan State in his own image – tough, physical and relentless. The Spartans will have a tougher schedule in 2022, so repeating last season’s 11-win march could be difficult. The offense ran the ball very well, and despite the loss of star back Kenneth Walker, has two quality runners to rotate. The pass-catch combo of QB Peyton Thorne and WR Jayden Reed is one of the best in the league and will take pressure off the running game. The defense simply could not stop opposing passers last season despite having an elite pass rush. And that rush should be top notch with returner Jeff Piettowski and transfers. The secondary simply got torched and must be much better in 2022. The Spartans will still be good but will likely take a step back from last season.


Ohio State Buckeyes (2021/11-2, 8-1/2nd) – Ohio State lost to Michigan and failed to stake its customary place in the CFP, so there will be extra motivation in Columbus this fall. The Buckeye offense is absolutely loaded. It starts with QB CJ Stroud, a leading Heisman Trophy contender. All he did was throw for over 4,400 yards and 44 TDs with only 6 interceptions. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the latest in a line of great Ohio State receivers and Marvin Harrison Jr. may soon join him. And don’t forget about TrayVeon Henderson, a big time runner who balances out the attack. The defense will need to be better, but the talent is there. LB Tommy Eichenberg is a sure tackler in the middle, and stacked recruiting classes provide young talent along the defensive front. The Buckeyes have likely the best offense in the country and will be a threat to take home a national championship.


Penn State Nittany Lions (2021/7-6, 4-5/4th) – Penn State endured ups and downs in 2021, starting the year 5-0 before a 2-6 finish. The offense will need to improve after averaging only 25 points per game. Sean Clifford is back at QB after throwing for over 3, 100 yards but will need to reach another level to compete with Ohio State and Michigan. Even with the loss of Jahan Dotson, the receiver group is strong with two returning starters and WKU standout transfer Mitchell Tinsley. The defense last season was a bend but not break unit – they allowed a lot of yards not points. The pass rush should be boosted with big name recruits at DE. The secondary is outstanding with all conference CB Joey Porter leading the way. Penn State should improve their win total, but the question will be whether they can hang with Ohio State and Michigan.


Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2021/5-8, 2-7/6th) – It was a weird season for Rutgers who ended up in a bowl game despite only 5 wins. Veteran coach Greg Schiano likes a physical style, so the offense is about running the ball and controlling the clock. The offensive line is inexperienced and will be counting on transfers to mix in quickly. There are two returners in the running back rotation, so if the line gels they should be fine. QB Noah Vedral has experience and should provide some balance to the attack. The defense must improve against the pass as they ranked last in the league a year ago. In the secondary, there is ample experience, and that unit should see an upgrade. They will need help from a pass rush that was anemic last season. The Scarlet Knights figure to be at best a mid level threat in this division.


West Division


Illinois Fighting Illini (2021/5-7, 4-5/5th) – Illinois could not find a consistent groove in 2021 tumbling to a losing season. Bret Bielema has experience as a Big Ten coach and is trying to impose a more physical presence for the Illini. The biggest weakness for the offense was simple – they could not score. QB Tommy DeVito transferred from Syracuse, where he showed flashes despite a leaky offensive line. Unfortunately, the line in front of him this year is a patchwork group that needs immediate help from the transfer portal. Chase Brown is a quality back and should be productive in a run-based attack. The defense was not bad and should be a quality unit again. DEs Keith Randolph and Jer’Zhan Newton can get to opposing quarterbacks. The secondary is strong with potential All-Big Ten safety Sydney Brown leading the way. Bielema is building a solid foundation in Champaign, but this program is probably a year away from contention.


Iowa Hawkeyes (2021/10-4, 7-2/1st) – Iowa reached the Big 10 Championship game and produced another ten-win season for veteran coach Kirk Ferentz. Although the season ended with losses in that game as well as the Citrus Bowl, there are high hopes for the Hawkeyes in 2022. The offense struggled for much of the season and the reason was the offensive line, which is normally a huge strength for Iowa. The returning tackles are good, and this is Iowa so they know how to fix things up front. QB Spencer Petras is back, but he is getting stiff competition for the job. The defense was first rate, finishing ninth in the country in YPG and creating turnovers at a good clip as well. The secondary is led by ballhawk CB Riley Moss and will likely be the strongest unit. The linebackers are outstanding, led by physical tackling machine Jack Campbell. If the offense makes the necessary adjustments, this Hawkeye team is very much a threat to win this division.


Minnesota Golden Gophers (2021/9-4, 6-3/T2nd) – PJ Fleck’s Minnesota team had a weird 2021 season, pushing Ohio State in the opener, rolling past Wisconsin and West Virginia in the bowl game while losing to Bowling Green. The Gophers are looking for more consistency in 2022. Minnesota will try to reestablish the running game with top runner Mohamed Ibrahim returning from a torn Achilles. QB Tanner Morgan will need to be more efficient in order to provide balance. The defense topped the Big Ten in YPG allowed. The loss of key defensive lineman will hurt, and transfers will be needed to fill in quickly. The linebackers are solid, and the secondary is set particularly at safety with Tyler Nubin and Jordan Howden. Again, Minnesota is looking for more consistency, but another bowl game is well within reach.


Nebraska Cornhuskers (2021/3-9, 1-8/T6th) – It might be put up or shut up time for Scott Frost. The Nebraska alum has posted a 15-29 record at his alma mater including a 3-9 campaign last year. The Husker offense piled up yards last season, but they couldn’t finish drives. Texas transfer Casey Thompson takes over at QB, and if he can build on the flashes he showed for the Longhorns he will be fine. There are quality transfers coming in WR so Thompson should have some downfield targets. The offensive line will need to be better in order to find those targets. There will need to be more playmaking on defense as they generated little pass rush and only 12 turnovers. That should change with the arrival of TCU transfer rusher Ochaun Mathis, who totaled 12.5 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss. The secondary will need an immediate boost from transfer players. This is an important season for Nebraska and the Frost era, and the talent is there for those hopes to be realized.


Northwestern Wildcats (2021/3-9, 1-8/T6th) – After reaching the Big Ten title game in 2020, the Wildcats tumbled to a 3-9 season in 2021. Northwestern must cut back on the turnovers this season. The offensive should be a strength with four returning starters. Improvement up front will help, but the Wildcats need to find a QB and will have a battle in fall camp. Mailk Washington is an excellent receiver, but more playmakers are needed. The defense needs an overhaul after ranking next to last in the league. MLB Bryce Gallagher is a terrific sideline to sideline playmaker and the LB corps should be fine overall. A nonexistent pass rush will need a boost from transfers, and three returning starters in the secondary lend hopes for more turnovers. Pat Fitzgerald has had a solid tenure in Evanston, but this looks to be very much a rebuilding season.


Purdue Boilermakers (2021/9-4, 6-3/T2nd) – Purdue looks to follow up on a good season as they recorded 9 wins and a bowl victory over Tennessee. Coach Jeff Brohm has built a great passing attack and that should be the case in 2022. Aidan O’Connell is one the league most underrated quarterbacks coming off a season where he completed over 70% of his passes. O’Connell has two excellent TEs in Payne Durham and transfer Tyrone Tracy. The offensive line has experience and should provide pass protection. The defense was solid and there are enough veterans to continue that status. There is good size inside Brandon Deen and Lawrence Johnson. The secondary should provide playmaking, especially with safety Cam Allen who picked off 4 passes last season. Purdue may not challenge Iowa and Wisconsin, but another bowl victory should be well within reach


Wisconsin Badgers (2021/9-4, 6-3/T2nd) – The Badgers lodged a nine-win season last year but are aiming for more. The offense will look to do what Wisconsin usually does – run the ball and be physical. Returning RBs Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi were terrific, combining for more than 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. Third year starting QB Graham Mertz hopes for more consistency and fewer turnovers to help bring balance. The Badger defense was one of the best in the nation and finished first against the run. Two key components of that run stuffing unit, NT Keeanu Benton and DE Isaiah Mullens are back to anchor the line. The beck eight lost much of their experience and will be relying on transfer players to step in quickly. If Mertz steps up his game, Wisconsin has the players to challenge for the division and even the conference title.


Standings Projections


East Division


1. Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1, 8-1) | Season Win Total – 10.5 | Bet the Over

2. Michigan Wolverines (10-2, 7-2) | Season Win Total – 9.5 | Bet the Over

3. Penn State Nittany Lions (8-4, 6-3) | Season Win Total – 8.5 | Bet the Under

4. Michigan State Spartans (8-4, 5-4) | Season Win Total – 7.5 | Bet the Over

5. Maryland Terrapins (6-6, 3-6) | Season Win Total – 6 | Push

T6. Indiana Hoosiers (4-8, 2-7) | Season Win Total – 4 | Push

T6. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (4-8, 2-7) | Season Win Total – 4.5 | Bet the Under


West Division


T1. Iowa Hawkeyes (9-3, 6-3) | Season Win Total – 7.5 | Bet the Over

T1. Wisconsin Badgers (9-3, 6-3) | Season Win Total – 8.5 | Bet the Over

T3. Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-4, 5-4) | Season Win Total – 7.5 | Bet the Over

T3. Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-5, 5-4) | Season Win Total – 7.5 | Bet the Under

5. Purdue Boilermakers (7-5, 4-5) | Season Win Total – 7.5 | Bet the Under

T6. Illinois Fighting Illini (5-7, 2-7) | Season Win Total – 4.5 | Bet the Over

T6. Northwestern Wildcats (5-7, 2-7) | Season Win Total – 4 | Bet the Over


Conference Championship: Ohio State over Iowa


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