Ohio State: The Buckeyes were not particularly active in acquiring transfers this offseason, adding three: Oklahoma State safety Tanner McCalister, Arizona State running back DeaMonte Trayanum (who will play linebacker for OSU) and USC kicker Parker Lewis. McCalister figures to be the most impactful. He’s penciled in right now as the starting nickel back, but his biggest value has come in helping his new teammates pick up the scheme of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who coached McCalister in Stillwater. — Bill Landis, The Athletic
The Big Ten has been involved lately in the College Football Playoff, but only one win in the semi-finals in the past two years, and first, since 2014.
The inaugural College Football Playoff (2014 season) was won by the Ohio State. However, the Buckeyes have only one game since, during the pandemic year of College Football.
Michigan (2021) and Michigan State (2015) each have played in one CFP game, but they lost to the eventual College Football Playoff champion in each game.
Michigan: For a team that doesn’t make heavy use of the transfer portal, Michigan was fortunate to find a player like Olu Oluwatimi, the Virginia transfer and Rimington Trophy finalist who is expected to step in as the Wolverines’ starting center. Oluwatimi fills one of the few holes on Michigan’s offense and should give the Wolverines a shot at bringing home another Joe Moore Award. — Austin Meek
Let's not forget about the front-runner in the West, Wisconsin, who have won four of eight B1G West divisions, since 2014, with the last in 2019. Iowa and Northwestern have won three of the last four collectively.
Wisconsin: The Badgers added three scholarship cornerbacks out of the portal, perhaps none bigger than UCLA transfer Jay Shaw, who has shutdown ability and can immediately step into a starting role. Wisconsin loses veteran leadership from departed seniors Faion Hicks and Caesar Williams. Shaw fills the void after tying for the Bruins’ team lead with three interceptions and earning second-team All-Pac 12 honors last season. Wisconsin cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat says he likes Shaw’s in-your-face mentality and willingness to dominate. — Jesse Temple
It has been a decade, since Nebraska played in Indianapolis. And, Scott Frost has never been close, over the past four seasons back in Lincoln as head coach for the Huskers.
Nebraska: Casey Thompson, the fifth-year junior quarterback and 10-game starter at Texas in 2021, stands as the most important among the Huskers’ 15 Division I transfers. After enrolling in January, Thompson emerged as the clear favorite to take over in Nebraska’s quest to record its first winning season since 2016. — Mitch Sherman
The Big Ten pecking order:
The Big Ten doesn't have too many marqee non-conference games in 2022. The lone Top 5 or 10 showdown is Week 1 when Ohio State hosts Notre Dame.
Nebraska plays Oklahoma, but how good are the Sooners under new management?
The Sooners were #3 in Big 12 last season behind Baylor and Oklahoma State. Iowa hosts Iowa State in Week 2, but the Cyclones couldn't step up, with what many considered a solid roster in 2021.
Penn State is at Auburn in Week 3, but the Tigers were only 6-7 and likely finish last in 2022 in the SEC West, if Brian Kelly can move LSU out of the cellar of the SEC West?
Michigan has an embarrassing non-conference home slate of Colorado State, Hawaii and UConn. Hopefully, they fall in their first road game of the season, when they visit Iowa on October 1.
Maryland faces Buffalo, at Charlotte and SMU facing no Power 5 teams, until their Week 4 B1G opener in Ann Arbor.
Indiana is at Cincinnati week 4, as the Bearcats close out their final season in AAC, ahead of moving to Big 12 in 2023.
Michigan State at Washington Week 3 and Wisconsin hosts Washington State in Week 2, while Minnesota hosts in Week 3 are the Pac-12 vs Big Ten match ups.
In the ACC-Big Ten games, Illinois hosts Virginia, while Northwestern hosts Duke each in Week 2. Purdue is at Syracuse in Week 3.
So, can the Big Ten get it done in 2022?
In ten bowl games in 2021-22, the Big Ten finish 6-4, behind the Big 12, who finished 5-2.
The defensive powered teams of the Big Ten continue to be at a disadvantaged, one site suggests for 2022.
Does new DC Jim Knowles develop Ohio State on the defensive side to give the Buckeyes a legitimate shot in the CFP title run?
The mix of offense and defense is needed.
The Big Ten has been involved lately in the College Football Playoff, but only one win in the semi-finals in the past two years, and first, since 2014.
The inaugural College Football Playoff (2014 season) was won by the Ohio State. However, the Buckeyes have only one game since, during the pandemic year of College Football.
Michigan (2021) and Michigan State (2015) each have played in one CFP game, but they lost to the eventual College Football Playoff champion in each game.
Michigan: For a team that doesn’t make heavy use of the transfer portal, Michigan was fortunate to find a player like Olu Oluwatimi, the Virginia transfer and Rimington Trophy finalist who is expected to step in as the Wolverines’ starting center. Oluwatimi fills one of the few holes on Michigan’s offense and should give the Wolverines a shot at bringing home another Joe Moore Award. — Austin Meek
Let's not forget about the front-runner in the West, Wisconsin, who have won four of eight B1G West divisions, since 2014, with the last in 2019. Iowa and Northwestern have won three of the last four collectively.
Wisconsin: The Badgers added three scholarship cornerbacks out of the portal, perhaps none bigger than UCLA transfer Jay Shaw, who has shutdown ability and can immediately step into a starting role. Wisconsin loses veteran leadership from departed seniors Faion Hicks and Caesar Williams. Shaw fills the void after tying for the Bruins’ team lead with three interceptions and earning second-team All-Pac 12 honors last season. Wisconsin cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat says he likes Shaw’s in-your-face mentality and willingness to dominate. — Jesse Temple
It has been a decade, since Nebraska played in Indianapolis. And, Scott Frost has never been close, over the past four seasons back in Lincoln as head coach for the Huskers.
Nebraska: Casey Thompson, the fifth-year junior quarterback and 10-game starter at Texas in 2021, stands as the most important among the Huskers’ 15 Division I transfers. After enrolling in January, Thompson emerged as the clear favorite to take over in Nebraska’s quest to record its first winning season since 2016. — Mitch Sherman
The Big Ten pecking order:
- Ohio State
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- Purdue
- Michigan State
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Penn State
- Maryland
- Illinois
- Nebraska
- Northwestern
- Rutgers
- Indiana
The Big Ten doesn't have too many marqee non-conference games in 2022. The lone Top 5 or 10 showdown is Week 1 when Ohio State hosts Notre Dame.
Nebraska plays Oklahoma, but how good are the Sooners under new management?
The Sooners were #3 in Big 12 last season behind Baylor and Oklahoma State. Iowa hosts Iowa State in Week 2, but the Cyclones couldn't step up, with what many considered a solid roster in 2021.
Penn State is at Auburn in Week 3, but the Tigers were only 6-7 and likely finish last in 2022 in the SEC West, if Brian Kelly can move LSU out of the cellar of the SEC West?
Michigan has an embarrassing non-conference home slate of Colorado State, Hawaii and UConn. Hopefully, they fall in their first road game of the season, when they visit Iowa on October 1.
Maryland faces Buffalo, at Charlotte and SMU facing no Power 5 teams, until their Week 4 B1G opener in Ann Arbor.
Indiana is at Cincinnati week 4, as the Bearcats close out their final season in AAC, ahead of moving to Big 12 in 2023.
Michigan State at Washington Week 3 and Wisconsin hosts Washington State in Week 2, while Minnesota hosts in Week 3 are the Pac-12 vs Big Ten match ups.
In the ACC-Big Ten games, Illinois hosts Virginia, while Northwestern hosts Duke each in Week 2. Purdue is at Syracuse in Week 3.
So, can the Big Ten get it done in 2022?
In ten bowl games in 2021-22, the Big Ten finish 6-4, behind the Big 12, who finished 5-2.
The defensive powered teams of the Big Ten continue to be at a disadvantaged, one site suggests for 2022.
Does new DC Jim Knowles develop Ohio State on the defensive side to give the Buckeyes a legitimate shot in the CFP title run?
The mix of offense and defense is needed.
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