Big Ten Football: Top 5 East-West crossover games on the 2022 schedule

Big Ten football is right around the corner with the 2022 season getting started on Aug. 27! That Week 0 action will feature 3 B1G teams hitting the field, including a B1G West matchup between Northwestern and Nebraska in Dublin.

Over the course of the year, one of the interesting things to watch will be some of the crossover matchups in the conference. Though the division races will be decided by inter-division rivalries, games across divisions can provide some key results.

Below is a list of 5 crossover matchups for the 2022 season that will be particularly intriguing to watch.

5. Purdue at Maryland – Oct. 8

This game lands on the last purely based on the potential entertainment factor at stake. The 2 programs have played just twice since Maryland entered the B1G, and the results of this game are not expected to seriously impact the race to the B1G Championship Game for either division.

What will be featured in this game is a pair of high-quality quarterbacks with the potential for a high-scoring affair. Taulia Tagovailoa and Aidan O’Connell return to the respective squads after finishing 2nd and 3rd in passing yards in the B1G last season.

4. Wisconsin at Ohio State – Sept. 24

A Week 4 conference showdown that presents a crucial meeting for both teams. Not counting Ohio State’s matchup with Notre Dame in the opener, this will be the toughest September game for both programs and will set an early tone in the conference.

The Buckeyes will be favored playing at home with their firepower on hand. But if Wisconsin can start strong before facing Ohio State, it will give the Badgers some confidence before heading to Columbus.

3. Nebraska at Michigan – Nov. 12

Nebraska does not head to Ann Arbor until mid-November, so the Huskers will have a solid idea of where they stand when this game comes around. Regardless of where they stand, Scott Frost and company will undoubtedly head into this game with an extra chip on their shoulders.

In 2021, Nebraska had a serious shot at knocking off the Wolverines in a drama-packed game in Lincoln before letting things slip away late. The Huskers do not have the luxury of thinking about “revenge games” this year, but there will certainly be some extra motivation facing Jim Harbaugh’s squad.

2. Iowa at Ohio State – Oct. 22

Iowa is trying to get back to Indianapolis, but the Hawkeyes draw the unfortunate task of traveling to Columbus and facing Michigan (more on that in a bit) in crossover games. Kirk Ferentz’s squad should be in a solid spot when they head to the Horseshoe, and this should be an intriguing game between contrasting styles.

In Columbus, Ryan Day’s team looks to replicate one of the best offenses in the country, despite losing 2 elite receivers. On the other side, the Hawkeyes return a host of defensive talent and could produce one of the stingiest groups in the country.

1. Michigan at Iowa – Oct. 1

Who doesn’t love rematches? In this game, fans will get a rematch of the 2021 B1G Championship Game. Only this time, Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines have to travel to Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

In Indy, it was the Wolverines who blew past Iowa 42-3 for the B1G title. Will the magic of Kinnick – and the likely dominant Hawkeye defense – be enough to flip the script in 2022?