Rating the highest ten Large Ten soccer video games for 2022
Right here. We. Go.
Now that Week 0 is out of the way in which and Nebraska’s Scott Frost is dodging all types of barbs and insults after one other shut loss, we will flip our eyes to Week 1 the place we’ll see much more significant matchups. Ohio State has an enormous top-five matchup in opposition to Notre Dame within the nonconference, however after that, the main target will actually be on gearing up for the Large Ten season.
Purchase Buckeyes TicketsThe Buckeyes are anticipated to be the staff to beat within the Large Ten as soon as once more, however that’s to not say that there gained’t be some epic battles in opposition to different groups that assume they’ll have one thing to say about who walks out of Lucas Oil Stadium because the Large Ten champion.
We’ve poured over the convention schedule and picked out ten video games we really feel may have probably the most affect on the race for each divisions, and in the end what occurs in Indianapolis. There shall be some surprises, and that is simply opinion in fact, however right here’s what we see as the highest ten Large Ten soccer video games of the 2022 season, counting down from No. 10 to probably the most anticipated recreation of the yr.
10
Iowa at Minnesota (Saturday, Nov. 19)
Nov 13, 2021; Iowa Metropolis, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Logan Lee (85) blocks a area purpose try of Minnesota Golden Gophers place kicker Dragan Kesich (99) throughout the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities
Why it Issues
It’s one other matchup within the West division that you simply assume may go both approach and be a roadmap to who comes out of that aspect to face the winner of the East. Going to Minneapolis shall be a stiff problem for Iowa, and the winner may very effectively be in a jumbled mess close to the highest of the division. This recreation may very well be the distinction wherein staff performs in Lucas Oil Stadium on December 3.
9
Minnesota at Wisconsin (Saturday, Nov. 26)
Wisconsin linebacker Jack Sanborn (57) eyes Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (2)quarter of their recreation Saturday, November 30, 2019, at TCF Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. Wisconsin beat Minnesota 38-17. MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
Why it Issues
This recreation would possibly tackle much more significance than what we expect proper now at the start unfolds. We really feel fairly good about Wisconsin’s possibilities of being proper there for the West division crown, and there’s a shot that issues come collectively for Minnesota as effectively. This one may come all the way down to an elimination recreation for Indy on the final weekend of the yr.
8
Michigan State at Penn State (Saturday, Nov. 26)
Dec 12, 2020; College Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Jesse Luketa (40) reacts following a deal with throughout the first quarter in opposition to the Michigan State Spartans at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan State 39-24. Credit score: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports activities
Why it Issues
There’s no approach Michigan State can recreate the magic from final yr, proper? Possibly not, however the Spartans nonetheless have an opportunity to be fairly good. On the opposite aspect, Penn State may need probably the most expertise within the Large Ten for a staff not named Ohio State. If quarterback Sean Clifford can keep wholesome and put all of it collectively underneath middle, the Nittany Lions are going to make some noise within the race for the East and this one may very well be a fairly large one if each groups attain their potential.
7
Wisconsin at Iowa (Saturday, Nov. 12)
Wisconsin linebacker Nick Herbig (19) strips Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras (7) of the ball throughout the second quarter of their recreation on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Wisconsin recovered the ball. Credit score: USA TODAY Sports activities Community
Why it Issues
Iowa was a little bit of a shock winner of the West division final yr and did it largely due to an opportunistic protection. The offense figures to be higher this yr with a extra skilled quarterback, and Wisconsin goes to supply up a bodily problem with the winner doubtless being in place for a run to Indy.
6
Iowa at Ohio State (Saturday, Oct. 22)
Nov 4, 2017; Iowa Metropolis, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive again Joshua Jackson (left) and linebacker Josey Jewell (proper) rejoice an interception by Jackson throughout the recreation in opposition to the Ohio State Buckeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa gained 55-24. Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities
Why it Issues
Iowa followers are nonetheless basking within the glow of the final assembly between these two when the Hawkeyes gave City Meyer the more serious convention defeat of his seven-year tenure at Ohio State. It was ugly for OSU, but in addition 5 years in the past. Iowa will come into the ‘Shoe and make the Buckeye offense work for the whole lot it will get. It’s a matchup that’s going to have implications in each division races.
5
Michigan at Iowa (Saturday, Oct. 1)
Nov 12, 2016; Iowa Metropolis, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes large receiver Riley McCarron (83) catches a move in entrance of Michigan Wolverines cornerback Jourdan Lewis (26) throughout the first half at Kinnick Stadium. Credit score: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports activities
Why it Issues
It’s a rematch of final season’s Large Ten Championship recreation, however greater than that, Iowa all the time appears to interact in a Donnybrook at dwelling in opposition to high groups within the league. We don’t know the sport time of this one but, but when it finally ends up being at evening, the problem issue will go up for the maize and blue. It’s two groups that each have designs of getting again to Indy and profitable this one will go a good distance in the direction of reaching that purpose.
4
Michigan State at Michigan (Saturday, Oct. 29)
Michigan State’s Bryce Baringer, proper, closes to make a deal with on Michigan’s A.J. Henning on a kickoff throughout the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Credit score: USA TODAY Sports activities Community
Why it Issues
I imply, it’s Michigan vs. Michigan State. This one was a giant one final yr and resulted within the Wolverines’ solely convention loss. It’s all the time a hard-hitting affair, and Jim Harbaugh has had an terrible time beating the Spartans persistently. There have been some classics between these two lately, and each are anticipated to issue into the Large Ten race once more — at the least at this level within the season.
3
Ohio State at Penn State (Saturday, Oct. 29)
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive finish Tyreke Smith (11) hits Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Sean Clifford (14) after a throw throughout the first quarter of their recreation at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on October 30, 2021. Credit score: USA TODAY Sports activities
Why it Issues
If there’s one staff that’s come the closest to Ohio State during the last decade or so, it’s Penn State. There could solely be one win over that time frame (two in 11 years), however nearly the entire video games have been shut. The Nittany Lions can have the expertise to match up and the sport is in Completely satisfied Valley. Queue up the DVR.
2
Wisconsin at Ohio State (Saturday, Sept. 24)
Dec 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Ward (12) intercepts a move supposed for Wisconsin Badgers tight finish Troy Fumagalli (81) within the first quarter within the Large Ten championship recreation at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit score: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel through USA TODAY Sports activities
Why it Issues
The bodily model of play Wisconsin brings to the desk all the time appears to play effectively in opposition to Ohio State, and this might very effectively be a preview of what we’ll see in Indianapolis. Each are favored to win their respective divisions (Ohio State extra so), however the loser can have an uphill climb to get there. This shall be one of the bodily video games of the yr within the Large Ten in a really early tilt that might set the desk for the remainder of the yr.
1
Michigan at Ohio State (Saturday, Nov. 26)
Ohio State Buckeyes large receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) makes a catch in opposition to Michigan Wolverines defensive again Daxton Hill (30) throughout the first quarter of their NCAA School soccer at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mi on November 27, 2021. Credit score: USA TODAY Sports activities Community
Why it Issues
Effectively, yeah. It’s Ohio State vs. Michigan. The Sport. Take that and add it to all of the speaking the Wolverines did after lastly beating the Buckeyes final yr and this one’s going to have a ton of hype and drama main as much as it. This appears like the 2 finest groups on paper within the East and that normally means the perfect staff within the league. It’s going to be nasty and it’s going to be bodily with some tempers flaring once in a while. Greater than that, there’s likelihood that this one results in Lucas Oil Stadium and maybe into the School Soccer Playoff.
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