FPB editor Mike Szvetitz breakdowns which teams could win the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC.
The Big Ten will be bigger, and wider, in a few seasons with the announcement that USC and UCLA are fleeing the Pac-12 to join the conference in 2024.
It's a move to counter the SEC's landgrab of adding Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12 next season to try to establish a superconference.
And the dealing might not be done as the ACC as well as the rest of the Pac-12 and Big 12 schools wonder what's next for them.
As far as the 2022 Big Ten football season, it might as well be the Big Two.
Traditional powers Ohio State and Michigan are expected to slug it out in the East Division and ultimately determine the conference champion.
Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh finally eclipsed the Buckeyes' Ryan Day last season to win the league and a College Football Playoff berth. There's no reason to believe The Game won't again determine the Big Ten representative in the four-team national tournament.
FrontPageBets is breaks down the Big Ten favorites, challengers and sleepers.
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings)
The favorite: Ohio State (-210)
The Buckeyes are still smarting from their loss in Ann Arbor last year. With a dynamic offense led by Heisman Trophy favorite and quarterback C.J. Stroud, power running back TreVeyon Henderson and explosive receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State will be tough to stop from piling up points.
Its monstrous offensive line will open huge holes. A defense that yielded nearly 23 points per game in 2021 will have to be better. Linebackers Steele Chambers and Tommy Eichenberg lead that crew. The secondary is fortified by Ronnie Hickman and Denzel Burke.
The pressure is on Day and new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to direct this talented team to the top.
The challenger: Michigan (+600)
The Wolverines too have more to prove after being shredded by eventual national champion Georgia in the CFP semifinals. And like OSU, the offense comes back with a ton of playmakers.
At quarterback, will it be incumbent Cade McNamara or rising star J.J. McCarthy? Or both? Pick your poison at running back too with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. A deep group of wideouts welcomes back lead man Ronnie Bell.
UM's defense lost a lot to the NFL Draft (edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, linebacker David Ojabo and three defensive backs). New DC Jesse Minter will need to find answers and fast.
Let's begin with the Badgers, who bring back only eight starters from last season's 9-4 team. But in a murky West Division, UW is as good a bet as any.
Key question is can quarterback Graham Mertz play with consistency. His touchdown-to-interception ratio (8-6) must improve markedly. Departures at receiver and tight end won't help. But running back Braelon Allen is capable of carrying the freight.
Believe the Badgers' defense will retool and make some noise in Madison.
Read more on Wisconsin at the Wisconsin State Journal.
The Hawkeyes won the West last year before being humbled by Michigan in the conference title game. The defense will again be top notch. Stalwarts include linebacker Jack Campbell, cornerback Riley Moss and lineman Logan Lee.
Offensively, Iowa is undecided at QB with veteran Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla vying for control. The winner has weapons in receivers Nick Ragaini and Keagan Johnson as well as tight end Sam LaPorta. The running game is powered by Gavin Williams and LeShon Williams.
Read more on Iowa at the Quad-City Times.
The pick: Ohio State
As commissioner Greg Sankey said in his opening remarks at the conference’s media days earlier this week, the SEC is a “super league.” Who will win it?
As change is the theme in the Big 12 conference, who will take home the title this season? FrontPageBets breaks it down.
Can Clemson bounce back after a down year? How will the four programs with new coaches do? FrontPageBets breaks down the ACC contenders.
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Gerry Ahern is senior content editor for FrontPageBets. A 35-year veteran sports editor and digital media executive, he has led coverage of the biggest events in sports, from Super Bowls, to Final Fours, to Olympics, to the Masters.
