For the first time in five years, Ohio State did not win the Big Ten last season. Even with a superstar quarterback in C.J. Stroud and the arguable best receiving corps in college football with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave — a prolific Buckeyes squad fell just short.
They, of course, fell to Michigan and Jim Harbaugh — who captured their first Big Ten title in almost two decades by walloping the Buckeyes in “The Game” last fall. But, even with the departures of Wilson and Olave, the Buckeyes are still a loaded squad in 2022. And you can bet your bottom dollar there’s still a bitter taste in their mouth after losing the conference to their rival.
It just might be Michigan and Ohio State for all the marbles in college football’s “black and blue” conference once again. But can anyone upend the classic rivalry this time around?
Here’s a rundown of the preseason favorites in the Big Ten as Stroud and the Buckeyes try to regain their title belt. All odds and ends are courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook as of Week 0.
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Rutgers Scarlet Knights (+10000)
Rutgers and Greg Schiano should consider it a blessing if they can even win a handful of games. Nothing more need be said.
Northwestern Football (+10000)
I know Pat Fitzgerald might think he’s slowly building a legitimate Big Ten contender nestled just outside northern Chicago, but there’s still not much here. It might get ugly in Evanston.
Illinois (+10000)
By their low standards, a five-win campaign was actually pretty solid for Illinois last year! With the return of guys like leading rusher Chase Brown, you can probably expect much of the same in Champaign. Which, sure, for most still isn’t a lot.
Maryland Terrapins (+10000)
Playmakers like Dontay Demus likely have bright futures beyond college football. The Terrapins themselves, in 2022, do not.
Indiana Hoosiers (+5000)
The return of 2020 All-American Tiawan Mullen should boost the Hoosiers’ secondary. Overall, a team that was ravaged by injuries in 2021 should see better results almost by default.
Michigan State Spartans (+3000)
Michigan State’s mascot, Sparty, should have plenty to cheer about these days. After an upstart 11-2 campaign last year, Mel Tucker has the Spartans on the rise. Can they build on their success?
Purdue Boilermakers (+3000)
Another team with a surprisingly good season in 2021, Purdue faces an uphill battle to match last year’s nine-win total after losing a good portion of noteworthy offensive weapons like David Bell.
Iowa Hawkeyes (+2000)
This is Iowa football under Kirk Ferentz. They’re going to grind their way to nine or 10 wins. They’ll run the ball. And they’ll struggle to pass the ball more than 10 yards downfield. Not a team that necessarily wins a conference.
Minnesota Golden Gophers (+2000)
The Golden Gophers’ defense will be tough, the running game will be strong, and the team overall will have a great will. Big Ten football, baby.
Nebraska Cornhuskers (+1500)
Are we really buying into Scott Frost’s Cornhuskers as a legit Big Ten contender? Based on what, a 15-29 record during his tenure thus far?
Fade Nebraska. Fade them hard.
Penn State Nittany Lions (+1200)
Penn State has a new trio of five-star recruits, including the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the country Drew Allar. Even if the Nittany Lions don’t stand atop the Big Ten standings this year, it seems like it’s only a matter of time before they’re pushing the other big dogs.
Wisconsin Badgers (+1200)
Wisconsin’s another forward-pass-challenged squad that somehow manages to churn out 10ish-win seasons, loads of NFL-worthy talent, and a program that is a prime fixture in one of the biggest conferences in college football.
Michigan Wolverines (+650)
It’s not impossible, but Jim Harbaugh and Co. literally just had their magic year last season. With so much turnover, and even with an easier slate ahead of them, it’s hard to see the Wolverines replicating that success again.
Ohio State Buckeyes (-220)
I will bet against C.J. Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba again only when they’re on separate rebuilding teams in the NFL in the very near future. The Buckeyes are the usual class of the Big Ten, and the conference is theirs to lose.
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