{"id":54252,"date":"2022-08-23T21:13:10","date_gmt":"2022-08-23T21:13:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/stewart-mandels-big-ten-predictions-its-ohio-states-conference-to-lose\/"},"modified":"2022-08-23T21:13:10","modified_gmt":"2022-08-23T21:13:10","slug":"stewart-mandels-big-ten-predictions-its-ohio-states-conference-to-lose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/stewart-mandels-big-ten-predictions-its-ohio-states-conference-to-lose\/","title":{"rendered":"Stewart Mandel’s Big Ten predictions: It’s Ohio State’s conference to lose"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Michigan took the Big Ten by storm last season, winning its first conference championship since 2004 and advancing to the College Football Playoff. I have a hard time believing Ohio State won’t take it back this year. The Buckeyes remain the league’s most talented team, led by Heisman finalist quarterback CJ Stroud, though admittedly its offensive line and defensive front seven need to perform at a higher level.<\/p>\n

In the East, I’m interested to see whether the Wolverines remain ahead of upstart rival Michigan State, whether Penn State can rebound after two mediocre seasons and whether Maryland and\/or Rutgers can pull some surprises. (Poor Indiana sank to rock bottom in rapid fashion.)<\/p>\n

In the West, I can see any of four teams \u2014 Iowa, Minnesota, Purdue or Wisconsin \u2014 getting to Indianapolis, though you’ll see below I’m predicting the Badgers to take a mini-slide. As for Nebraska \u2026 not seeing it.<\/p>\n

Big Ten preview roundtable:<\/strong> Not overthinking Ohio State, where Michigan fits, Scott Frost under pressure<\/p>\n

State of the Programs:<\/strong> Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Maryland | Michigan | Michigan State | Minnesota | Nebraska | Northwestern | Ohio State | Penn State | Purdue | Rutgers | Wisconsin<\/p>\n

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west<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
TEAM<\/span><\/th>\nBIG TEN<\/span><\/th>\nOVERALL<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\n\n

6-3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9-3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n

6-3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9-3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n

5-4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

8-4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n

5-4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7-5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n

3-6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6-6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n

2-7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4-8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n\n

2-7<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4-8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

championship game<\/h3>\n

Ohio State over Iowa<\/p>\n

Five best nonconference games<\/h3>\n

Notre Dame at Ohio State (Sept. 3)
Penn State at Auburn (Sept. 17)
Oklahoma at Nebraska (Sept. 17)
Iowa State at Iowa (Sept. 10)
Michigan State at Washington (Sept. 17)<\/p>\n

One sneaky-good one<\/h3>\n

Washington State at Wisconsin (Sept. 10)<\/p>\n

Washington State offensive coordinator Eric Morris’ Air Raid-style offense should be a good test for Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s retooling defense. If the Badgers aren’t prepared, they could wind up on the wrong side of Cougars quarterback Cam Ward’s national coming out party.<\/p>\n

Player of the Year<\/h3>\n

Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.<\/strong> I may be picking the wrong Buckeye, as QB CJ Stroud will inevitably put up even bigger numbers than he did as a Heisman finalist last season. But Smith-Njigba, now the team’s clear No. 1 receiver, could have his own DeVonta Smith Heisman-type season after catching 95 balls for 1,606 yards in 2021.<\/p>\n

Runner-up:<\/strong> Stroud<\/p>\n

Impact Transfer<\/h3>\n

Michigan State running backs Jarek Broussard and Jalen Berger.<\/strong> Mel Tucker needed two running backs to replace departed star and former transfer Kenneth Walker III. Broussard, the 2020 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year at Colorado, and Berger, Wisconsin’s leading rusher that season, should be a formidable tandem.<\/p>\n

Runner-up:<\/strong> Rutgers WR Taj Harris (from Syracuse)<\/p>\n

Impact Freshman<\/h3>\n

Penn State RB Nick Singleton.<\/strong> Penn State has been badly missing a feature back for the last couple of years. Singleton, the nation’s top-rated RB prospect, might not become that guy from Week 1, but he’s expected to play a big role in the Nittany Lions’ offense.<\/p>\n

Runner-up:<\/strong> Indiana linebacker Dasan McCullough<\/p>\n

Coach most likely to get fired<\/h3>\n

Nebraska’s Scott Frost.<\/strong> The best guess here is athletic director Trev Alberts finally rips off the Band-Aid midway through what figures to be another mediocre Huskers season.<\/p>\n

Impact Assistant<\/h3>\n

Minnesota OC Kirk Ciarrocca. The play-caller for Minnesota’s 11-win 2019 team is back and reunited with PJ Fleck and Tanner Morgan. His return is the primary reason I see the Gophers contending and possibly winning the Big Ten West for the first time.<\/p>\n

Does a Big Ten team make the College Football Playoff?<\/h3>\n

Yes, and I believe we all know which team that will be.<\/p>\n

Does a Big Ten team win the national championship?<\/h3>\n

Quite possibly. Ohio State is going to score a bazillion points, so if new DC Jim Knowles can get the defense in order, the Buckeyes have a shot against Alabama or Georgia.<\/p>\n

(Top photo: Joseph Maiorana \/ USA Today)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n