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ASA Big Ten Predictions 2022

2022 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS

  • Ohio State -225
  • Michigan +700
  • Wisconsin +1200              
  • Penn State +1400
  • Nebraska +2000
  • Iowa +2000
  • Minnesota +2500
  • Michigan State +2500
  • Purdue +3000
  • Maryland +15000
  • Illinois +20000
  • Indiana +25000
  • Rutgers +30000
  • Northwestern +30000

Ohio State (11-2 LY) is the Big Ten favorite for a reason. They didn’t win it last season so expect them to be highly motivated, they return 76% of their production overall, and had the best offensive efficiency in the nation, scored 45.7PPG (1st) and averaged 561.5YPG (1st).

Above all, the Buckeyes defense will need to be better in they want to win the National Championship as they allowed 336YPPG which was 52nd while allowing 22.8PPG (31st).

Ohio State is +$300 to win the National Championship but that is not enough to warrant an investment now.

Worth a look is Buckeyes QB CJ Stroud as the potential Heisman winner (+250) Stroud completed nearly 71% of his passes for over 3,800 total yards with 38 TD’s to only 5 INT’s last season and will put up huge number again this season.

BIG 10 CHAMPION – LONGSHOT – Wisconsin Badgers +1200

Going back to 2011 the Badgers have made it to the Big Ten Championship game 6 times, the same as Ohio State. The Buckeyes have won 5 titles, the Badgers 2.

QB CONCERNS:

QB Graham Mertz is undoubtably the biggest question for the Badgers heading into the season, but he was solid in the spring.

Mertz will have to be much better this season after throwing 10 INT’s to 9 TD’s a year ago. Wisconsin ranked 52nd in OEFF, had the 18th best rushing YPG average at 210.8RYPG, but ranked 117th in passing YPG at 160.2PYPG. Behind Mertz is Chase Wolf a redshirt senior.

BADGER GROUND ATTACK: Top 22 in 4 of the past 5 seasons

Wisconsin may have the best running back in the country in Braelon Allen 1,268 rushing yards on a 6.8 YPA average with 12 TD’s last season. (RB trio includes: Mellusi, Guerendo). The have depth on the offensive line which are historically Wisconsin’s strength.

BADGER DEFENSE:

The defense under Jim Leonard will again be one of the best in the nation. Wisconsin allowed 7 or fewer points in 5 of 13 games and 16pts or less in 9 games and gave up just 16.2PPG which was 3rd best in CFB.

The Badger’s defense was 3rd in defensive efficiency a year ago, 1st in yards per play allowed at 4.0YPPL and allowed just 65.4 rushing yards per game which ranked 1st in the nation.  Wisconsin did a great job of keeping opposing offenses off the field, ranking 4th in Opponents 3rd down conversions per game at 3.8.

BADGERS HOME DOMINANCE:

The Badgers are 61-11 SU at home since 2011 and they’ve won those games by an average of 21.4PPG. The only Big Ten team with a better home record in that span is Ohio State at 68-6 (+26.1PPG).

In the last ten years the Badgers have the 11th best overall record at 104-39, +14.4PPG. The only Big 10 team with a better record in that same time frame is Ohio State at 123-20, +20.2PPG.

BIG TEN OVER/UNDER PREDICTION:

PURDUE BOILERMAKERS OVER 7.5 WINS – Purdue (9-4 SU last year) was top 31 in both DEFF and OEFF per footballoutsiders and return 70% of their production from last year’s squad. They have a favorable schedule and don’t face Michigan, Michigan State or Ohio State this season and get Penn State and Iowa at home. The Boilermakers have a great QB in Aidan O’Connell who threw for over 3,700 yards last season with a 23-8 TD/INT ratio and he should put up big numbers again in 2022-23.