As if we couldn’t be sadder the 2021 season is over, the Big Ten revealed the games we have to wait 200 some odd days for. Afterall, we don’t believe in needing a break from Football. Well, maybe a few weeks, but 200 DAYS!? Certainly, we appreciate the chance to pour over this new development instead of spending Saturday’s walking aimlessly around the yard wondering where all the grass went (I live in Michigan and it’s January…brrr).
Biggest Loser: Rutgers
Rutgers managed to draw the short stick for 2022. Somehow the Scarlett Knights got themselves stuck with a schedule in which they have only one instance of back-to-back home games. Meaning, they have home games placed every other week until they play Nebraska on October 8th, then a bye week and home again against Indiana.
As if that weren’t bad enough, someone also had the bright idea of scheduling a home game against Iowa followed by a trip to Ohio State. The only thing that could make this particular stretch of games worse for Rutgers is if Nebraska is any good.
Then there’s the stretch towards the end of the season against Michigan at home, Michigan State away and back home for Penn State. Our advice to the Rutgers athletic department would be to invest heavily in your sports medicine this off season. Possibly also have counselors on hand for the players as well.
Biggest loser honorable mention: Northwestern and Purdue who also only have six home games.
Biggest Winner: Ohio State
As College Football Twitter lit up with criticisms at Michigan’s eight home game schedule, no doubt started by Paul Finebaum, we couldn’t help but notice Ohio State’s schedule looks rather suspicious. We don’t blame Ohio State, of course, just the people who so obviously think they still can’t win a big game away from the Horseshoe.
They open at home against Notre Dame and follow up with a series of practices until they go on the road to Michigan State. No offense (that’s “o-FENSE” not “OFF-ense”) Wisconsin but you’re on notice! The road game in East Lansing starts the toughest stretch of the season for Ohio State. They’re back home to play Iowa, then make the trek up to Penn State for the annual “Wasn’t-it-fun-when-we-thought-Penn-State-could-win-this-game” Classic.
Biggest winner honorable mention: Michigan because, yes, they also have eight home games and should be, theoretically, favored in 11 of their 12 games.
Resource: Big Ten Conference Releases 2022 Football Schedule – Big Ten Conference