The Big Ten has one of the first college football games of the year, Northwestern vs Nebraska in Dublin on August 27th. Football is right around the corner and we are ready. The Big Ten is one of the power conferences in college football, always having teams in contention for a title. With a little over two weeks until football I’ll make my predictions for the 2022 Big Ten standings.
East
7. Indiana 2-10 (0-9)
The Hoosiers will have another disappointing season, Indiana will finish the season 2-10. With the uncertainty at Qb Indiana will go winless in the Big Ten this season. I expect the Hoosiers to look to replace Tom Allen after this season.
6. Rutgers 3-9 (1-8)
This year won’t be any different for Rutgers fans. I expect them to struggle once again this season. Rutgers will start the season with Noah Vedral at Qb and switch to 4-star Qb Gavin Winsatt. The Scarlet Knights will see more progress with Winsatt but still finish the season 3-9 with a 1-8 record in the Big Ten. Expect Rutgers to be decent in 2023.
5. Maryland 7-5 (4-5)
Maryland won’t be a great team but they will be a tough out. The Terps are led by Taulia Tagovailoa, who will have an excellent season. I don’t expect them to have a great defense this season. Maryland will pull off an upset win against Purdue. The Terrapins will struggle to win big games but it’s a step in the right direction for their program. Maryland will finish 2022 with a 7-5 record while going 4-5 in the Big Ten.
4. Michigan State 7-5 (4-5)
Michigan State will take a step back this season. Payton Thorne will have a lot more on his shoulders this season with the lose of Ken Walker. The Spartans had the worst pass defense in college football last season, I don’t expect the defense to be much better this season. Michigan State will go 7-5 overall and 4-5 in the Big Ten. Michigan State will handle the weaker teams in the Big Ten, they will fall short in all of their big games this season.
3. Michigan 10-2 (7-2)
The Wolverines will have a good year but not like last year. Michigan will have a good offense with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards at running back. The defense should be solid but not what it was last year. Michigan lost a lot on the defensive side of the ball. The Wolverines will get big wins against Michigan State, Iowa and Maryland. They will end the season 10-2 with a 7-2 record in the Big Ten, Michigan will lose to Ohio State and Penn State.
2. Penn State 10-2 (8-1)
Penn State will be a tough team to beat this season. Sean Clifford has some things to prove this season and I think he gets it done. The Nittany lions always have a good defense and this year will be no different. Penn State will finish second in the east, they will finish the year 10-2 going 8-1 in the Big Ten. They will lose to Ohio State and Auburn but win big games against Purdue, Michigan State and Michigan. The win against Michigan gives them the tie breaker in the standings.
1. Ohio State 12-0 (9-0)
Ohio State will regain its crown of the Big Ten. The Buckeyes will finish undefeated in the Big Ten and Non conference. The Buckeyes big wins will be Wisconsin, Penn State,Michigan and Notre Dame. Ohio State will have a top five offense and their defense will be much better then last season. Ohio State will be led to a playoff birth by Heisman front runner CJ Stroud.
West
7. Northwestern 3-9 (0-9)
Northwestern will finish last in the Big Ten west this season. The Wildcats will most likely have one of the worst offenses in the Big Ten and a lack luster defense. Northwestern would love to bounce back this season but it’s not going to happen. The Wildcats will finish 2022 with a 3-9 overall record, going 0-9 in the Big Ten.
6. Minnesota 5-7 (2-5)
Minnesota will be a confusing team to watch this season. They won’t be bad but they won’t be good. We have seen flashes from Tanner Morgan but we have seen more of bad Tanner Morgan. This year I think he struggles once again against top teams. Minnesota will beat up on bad teams and look horrible against good teams. In 2022 the Gophers will go 5-7 with a 2-5 Big Ten record.
5. Illinois 5-7 (3-6)
For Illinois I expect them to be a feisty team but not pull through in any big games. The Fighting lllini will have an average offense and a below average defense take them to a 5-7 record overall, with a 3-6 record in the Big Ten.
4. Iowa 7-5 (4-5)
The Iowa Hawkeyes will have a down year. The offense held this team back last season, while the defense led them to the Big Ten Championship game. I expect the same problems for the Hawkeyes on offense and the defense won’t be as good. Iowa will finish 7-5 overall, 4-5 in the Big Ten.
3. Purdue 8-4 (5-4)
Aidan O’Connell will have an excellent year and lead the Boilermakers to a 8-4 record while going 5-4 in the Big Ten. Purdue will beat teams they should beat but also lose the big ones. Their biggest win will be against Nebraska this season.
2. Nebraska 8-4 (6-3)
The Cornhuskers will have a huge season this year, saving Scott Frost from getting fired. Nebraska is 5-18 in one score games since Frost arrived. The luck will switch for the Cornhuskers this season. Nebraska will be led by their defense, winning big games against Iowa and Minnesota. The Cornhuskers will go 8-4 with a 6-3 record in the Big Ten.
1. Wisconsin 11-1 (8-1)
The Badgers will have a big season in 2022. Wisconsin will have one of the best running backs in the country in Braelon Allen. Allen will carry the Badgers offense this season. Wisconsin should have a solid defense as usual. Wisconsin will win big games against Michigan State and Purdue. They will finish the year 11-1 overall and 8-1 in the Big Ten. Their one regular season lost will come to Ohio State in Columbus.
For More Great Football Content
Follow us on Twitter at @GridironHeroics for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Football news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE