Big Ten football predictions 2022: Conference standings, impact transfers, best games

Michigan won the Big Ten championship in 2021. Ohio State is the favorite to win the title in 2022. Nebraska's Scott Frost is on the hot seat. The conference season starts on August 27 with a game between Nebraska and Northwestern in Dublin, Ireland. Iowa won Big Tens East and West division in 2011, but lost to Michigan in the championship game.

Ohio State plays most of its tough games at home. Michigan plays Michigan State and Penn State at the Big House. Penn Staters are 4-5 in Big Ten play each of the last two seasons. Maryland is coming off a bowl win in 2021. The Terps are only 4.21 against the big four since joining the division in 2014.

Wisconsin is the pick to win the Big Ten West. Wisconsin opens Big League play at Ohio State on Sept. 24. Iowa plays cross-over games against Ohio, Michigan and Michigan State. Purdue is an interesting sleeper, but they have the Badgers and Gophers on the road this season. Nebraska lost nine games by nine points or less last season, and Northwestern is trying to bounce back after its own nine-loss season and won the conference in 2018 and 2020.

Ohio State won the Big Ten's only titles in the CFP era (2014) and BCS era. The Buckeyes are 93-11 in CFA and 7-3 in New Year's Day Six bowls. Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State have a winning percentage better than 60%.

Ohio State is all-but penciled in to get back to the CFP in 2022.

Nick Singleton is a five-star running back from Governor Mifflin High School. He's a backup option for junior Keyvone Lee at Penn State. Kaytron Allen is also a four-stars runningback from IMG Academy.

C.J. Hicks is a five-star linebacker who could play in the middle of the two-linebacker rotation at Ohio State. Kye Stokes is also a four-stars safety.

Will Johnson is a cornerback who can play either in the slot or at safety. He could get early playing time for new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

Casey Thompson is the new quarterback for Nebraska. Adrian Martinez transferred to Kansas State. Mark Whipple is new offensive coordinator.

Trey Palmer will play a more prominent role at Nebraska. Mickey Joseph, who worked with LSU the last three years, will be the new passing game coordinator.

Jarek Broussard and Jalen Berger are replacing Kenneth Walker III as the top running backs for Michigan State.

Victor Oluwatimi is a center for Michigan's dominant offensive line. He started 35 games for Virginia the last three seasons.

C.J. Stroud finished fourth in the Heisman voting last season. He led the FBS in points and total yards. Ohio State hasn't had a Heisman Trophy winner since Troy Smith in 2006.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba had 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He has an 85% catch percentage.

TreVeyon Henderson grabbed national attention as a freshman with a 277-yard outburst against Tulsa last season. He averaged 87.6 yards with five rushing TDs in six games against ranked opponents last year.

Allen is the top returning Big Ten rusher. He rushed for 1,268 yards, averaged 6.8 yards per carry and finished with 12 TDs as a freshman for the Badgers. Montee Ball, Melvin Gordon and Jonathan Tayor have won the Doak Walker Award since 2012.

The game between Michigan and Ohio State is a top-10 showdown. The Wolverines won the last game 42-27.

Wisconsin and Iowa play each other in the Big Ten West in 2022. The game will be played at Kinnick Stadium.

Ohio State has won the last five meetings against Penn State. The Buckeyes lost at Happy Valley in 2016.

Michigan State and Michigan play each other on October 29. The Spartans have won the last two games in the Paul Bunyan Trophy series.

Wisconsin plays Ohio State on September 24. The Buckeyes have won the last eight games in the series. Wisconsin hasn't won in Columbus since 2004.

Ohio State has averaged at least 40 points and 500 yards per game in each of the last five seasons. Michigan was the only other Big Ten team to average more than 35 points per season last season.

Ohio State finished second in the Big Ten East last season. The team is edgy in this season's media days. They have a tough opener against Notre Dame.