There’s all sorts of rankings and opinions out there on the Big Ten conference entering the 2022 college football season. ESPN just released its updated Football Power Index rankings and the Iowa Hawkeyes checked in at No. 37 nationally.
The FPI also mapped out Iowa’s percentage chances to win each game of the 2022 season. 247Sports’ Nick Kosko took a game-by-game look at the Hawkeyes’ season as well and has Iowa finishing 8-4.
USA TODAY Sports’ Erick Smith had the Hawkeyes ranked No. 11 in his post-spring top 25 rankings, while 247Sports’ Brad Crawford had Iowa sitting at No. 23in his post-spring top 25.
Elsewhere, ESPN’s Mark Schlabach had Iowa just sneaking in his post-spring top 25 rankings at No. 25. CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd left the Hawkeyes out of his top 25 entirely. Athlon Sports did, too, though Iowa was No. 32 on their post-spring list.
The Big Ten West is regarded as “up for grabs” by ESPN’s Bill Connelly, and that seems to be the prevailing thought nationally as well. All of this is to say there’s a bunch of differing opinions on how exactly the West and the Big Ten overall will shake out.
It’s the offseason, though, and looking at all of the respective lists is fun and offers at least some glimpse at the national perception surrounding the Big Ten and its teams. The latest set of power rankings comes to us courtesy of On3.
Let’s take a look below at how On3 has each team in the league ranked heading into 2022 and a snippet of what they wrote about everybody in the Big Ten.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
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Greg Schiano has done an admirable job breathing some life into the program, but the Scarlet Knights still aren’t very talented. Worse, there’s not much experience returning. – On3.
This will be a popular spot for Rutgers at least entering the 2022 season. Schiano has done a good job in his return to Rutgers, but 2022 probably won’t be altogether friendly to Scarlet Knights fans.
Illinois Fighting Illini
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Bret Bielema is continuing to put his stamp on the Illini program, building a bulky offensive line with the intent to pound the rock. That should be Illinois’ strength this fall with 1,000-yard rusher Chase Brown back. – On3.
Bielema is off to a nice start at Illinois and has a nice piece in Brown to work with. The defense did make serious strides in 2021 and there’s hope to be sniffing a bowl game.
Indiana Hoosiers
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