The Big Ten Conference has some very impressive teams — and will be adding more in the coming years — but there are three clear favorites in the conference: the Ohio State Buckeyes are the favorites to win the Big Ten (-250), with the Michigan Wolverines (+800) and Penn State Nittany Lions (+900) in striking distance. In this article, we will detail the top teams in the Big Ten, especially bitter rivals Ohio State and Michigan. Those who would like to read about Penn State can venture over to our article on Nittany Lions, Oregon Ducks, and Baylor Bears.
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For those interested in the Buckeyes and Wolverines as well as Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota, let us take a look at their national championship chances:
- Ohio State +250
- Michigan +5000
- Wisconsin +6000
- Nebraska +10000
- Iowa +10000
- Minnesota +10000
Now, let us jump into how these teams are looking for the 2022 season.
Ohio State Buckeyes
- Current Futures Odds: +250
- Head Coach – Ryan Day
- Quarterback – C.J. Stroud
Ryan Day returns as the head coach with redshirt sophomore C.J. Stroud starting under center. Ohio State had a strong 8-1 conference record (11-2 overall) but fell to Michigan at The Big Houston in November. Stroud will be without wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, who were selected No. 10 and 11 in the draft. We will have to see who can step up for Ohio State.
Michigan Wolverines
- Current Futures Odds: +5000
- Head Coach – Jim Harbaugh
- Quarterback – Cade McNamara
Rumors were swirling that Jim Harbaugh could be headed to the NFL, but his huge victory against Ohio State in 2021 may go a long way in school history. He will not have defensive end Aiden Hutchinson this year though after he went No. 2 in the draft to Detroit.
Wisconsin Badgers
- Current Futures Odds: +6000
- Head Coach – Paul Chryst
- Quarterback – Graham Mertz
Paul Chryst brings his .739 winning percentage (65-23) into the 2022 season at Wisconsin after leading the team to its second consecutive bowl victory. During his time in Wisconsin (2015 to present), the Badgers have not lost more than five games in a year, and it only happened once (2018). Mertz finished 2021 with 11 interceptions and 10 touchdowns, so he will need to improve this year.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Current Futures Odds: +10000
- Head Coach – Scott Frost
- Quarterback – Casey Thompson
In the second round of the 2022 draft, center Cam Jurgens and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt were drafted by the Eagles and Bengals, respectively. Their final football season at Nebraska was disappointing, as the team finished 3-9 and 1-8 in the conference. Scott Frost will be on the hot seat, as the Huskers need some close victories this season.
Iowa Hawkeyes
- Current Futures Odds: +10000
- Head Coach – Kirk Ferentz
- Quarterback – Spencer Petras
Iowa lost junior center Tyler Linderbaum to the NFL. He was just one of two Hawkeyes selected in the 2022 draft. Linderbaum was the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2021. Ferentz, the longest current tenured FBS head coach, hopes to bounce back from its losses in the Big Ten Championship Game and Citrus Bowl.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Current Futures Odds: +10000
- Head Coach – P.J. Fleck
- Quarterback – Tanner Morgan
The Golden Gophers looked strong last season, as they went 9-4, with a 6-3 record in the conference. They finished the 2021 season with an 18-6 victory in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl against West Virginia. It was a big bounceback season for Minnesota, who won its final three games of last season.