Three B1G coaches are on the watchlist for the 2022 Paul “Bear” Bryant Award midway through the 2022 season. Illinois’ Bret Bielema, Ohio State’s Ryan Day, and Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh are the coaches on the watchlist.

Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes have started the season with a 6-0 and are ranked No. 2 in the nation. This season, the closest win for Ohio State is the 21-10 win at home in Week 1 over No. 5 Notre Dame.

Harbaugh has his No. 4 Michigan Wolverines team started the season 7-0. The Wolverines have accounted for 11-straight regular season wins. Michigan is coming off a dominating 41-17 win at home over No. 10 Penn State in Week 7.

The No. 18 Illinois Fighting Illini (6-1; 3-1 in B1G play) are the biggest surprise team in the B1G this season as Bielema has helped create the top scoring and total defense in the FBS. Illinois is set to play in its first postseason bowl since 2019 after beating Minnesota.