Previewing the 2022 Big Ten football schedule by viewability

The 2022 Big Ten football schedule is out.

At Saturday Tradition, we want you to be able to plan ahead. Perhaps you’re deciding which game you want to go to next season. Maybe you’re on the fence about whether to attend your brother’s wedding. This guide is meant to help you make those choices.

Thus, we’ve combed through every week to determine the most watchable games. Good news — every B1G team makes at least one appearance.

As an added bonus for betting types, we’ve got one upset alert tabbed for each week.

They aren’t locks by any stretch. Heck, some teams that are underdogs today might become favorites by the time the games are played. We just wanted to highlight the matchups most likely to produce a surprising outcome. Because it’s college football. And that’s why we watch.

Week Zero

Must-See TV

Northwestern vs. Nebraska (Dublin, Ireland)

This vitally important football game should be covered in person by the entire Saturday Tradition staff. (Just throwing that out there.)

Yes, it is weird that the Cornhuskers and Wildcats are going to Ireland. Nothing about this pairing screams Erin Go Bragh. But it’s also cool. And it’s Week Zero. This will quench your thirst for football in August. And if you’re attending, that won’t be the only thirst quenched that weekend.

Wyoming at Illinois

Want to watch a college football game with potential to finish in like 2-and-a half hours?

Both teams should be run-heavy offenses and include packages with 8 guys on the offensive line. Plus, every Week Zero game is must-see by definition.

Week 1

Must-see TV

Notre Dame at Ohio State

A fine piece of scheduling. And this game should be way more competitive than the Fiesta Bowl matchup where the entire second-half focus was on AJ Hawk dating Brady Quinn’s sister.

Also worth watching

Penn State at Purdue

This feels like a tone-setting Big Ten opener for both teams, and should be an entertaining matchup in general.

Rutgers at Boston College

Big East (RIP) rivals clash! There will be some preseason Top 25 buzz around the Eagles, so this is a chance for Greg Schiano to pick up a nice non-conference win.

Illinois at Indiana

These teams have only met once since 2013, which is kind of a shame since there have been many years where it’s the best chance at a Big Ten win for either school.

Upset alert

South Dakota State at Iowa

Give Kirk Ferentz credit — he doesn’t shy away from scheduling top-tier FCS opponents. Like North Dakota State before them, the Jackrabbits are very capable of an upset. Or at least providing Iowa a scare, as Northern Iowa has on a couple occasions. This certainly isn’t an opponent the Hawkeyes can overlook.

Week 2

Must-see TV

Iowa State at Iowa

Always worth a watch, even if the Cyclones can never seem to figure out how to actually win this game. But the multi-faceted ways in which Iowa State falters is half the entertainment value.

Also worth watching

Washington State at Wisconsin

A complete contrast in styles, which we’re always down for seeing.

Upset alert

Maryland at Charlotte

This has danger written all over it for the Terrapins. Though it’s silly for Big Ten programs to schedule road games like this, it’s good for the overall health of the sport. And that’s something that’s rarely considered.

Week 3

Must-see TV

Oklahoma at Nebraska

The Huskers had the Sooners on the ropes this season before self-inflicted wounds did them in. Oklahoma will have a lot of unknowns with a new coaching staff, and this should be the best atmosphere at Memorial Stadium in years.

Penn State at Auburn

Last year’s White Out game was fun. The return trip down to Auburn should be a blast as well.

SMU at Maryland

Set the over-under at like 95 for this one.

Also worth watching

Michigan State at Washington

Husky Stadium looks cool. You can park your boat there. Seems like the ideal trip destination for Sparty fans, who probably won’t be back in Seattle any time soon.

Upset alert

Southern Illinois at Northwestern

I’m telling you right now, Ryan Field is going to be at least 60% Saluki fans. And they are a rowdy bunch. The Wildcats will be in for a fight. Perhaps literally so in the stands.

Week 4

Must-see TV

Wisconsin at Ohio State

A potential Big Ten championship preview — although the outcome of this game could be what prevents one of these teams from reaching Indianapolis.

Also worth watching

Minnesota at Michigan State

If this were a UFC event, Minnesota-Michigan State would be the undercard to the Badgers-Buckeyes main event. There’s a decent chance the Gophers and Spartans will finish second in their respective divisions, so this is a nice matchup.

Upset alert

Indiana at Cincinnati

The Bearcats are losing just about all of the key players from their CFP run. This would be a big rebound win for Tom Allen’s program.

Week 5

Must-see TV

Michigan at Iowa

The Hawks will be out to avenge their embarrassing Big Ten championship game loss against a Michigan team that will be missing many key parts from the title run.

Also worth watching

Purdue at Minnesota

The team that wins this game will most likely challenge Wisconsin and Iowa for the West title.

Upset alert

Michigan State at Maryland

The Terps are on the right side of this upset alert. Maryland has the right formula for beating the Spartans. This feels like the game Mike Locksley most needs to win for his program to elevate.

Week 6

Must-see TV

Ohio State at Michigan State

Mark this down as another reason for the aforementioned MSU game at Maryland to be an upset alert. This will be circled on Michigan State’s calendar all year after getting humiliated in Columbus this season.

The winner of this game will be the favorite to win the East.

Upset alert

Wisconsin at Northwestern

The Wildcats have won 5 of the past 6 meetings between these teams at Ryan Field. Even if Northwestern is bad again next season, this probably won’t be easy for Wisconsin.

Week 7

Must-see TV

Wisconsin at Michigan State

Another potential title game preview. Or, based on Week 6 outcomes, both teams could be coming in off of losses and in desperate need of a win. Compelling either way.

Also worth watching

Penn State at Michigan

Jim Harbaugh leads James Franklin 4-3 in their head-to-head meetings. Will Harbaugh get a leg up, or will Franklin get the equalizer? Assuming, of course, Harbaugh isn’t coaching on Sundays.

Nebraska at Purdue

Another equal matchup. The all-time series is tied 5-5, though the Huskers have a 5-4 edge since joining the Big Ten. Feels like a one-score game waiting to happen.

Upset alert

Minnesota at Illinois

Does it count as an upset if it already happened in 2021?

Yes. Minnesota will bring the better roster to Champaign. But regardless of where he’s coaching, Bret Bielema has never lost a game to the Gophers. He’s 8-0 all-time against Minnesota.

So maybe Minnesota winning would be the upset.

Either way, we’re calling this an upset special.

Week 8

Must-see TV

If your brother is getting married Week 8, you’re good to go.

Worth watching

Penn State at Minnesota

We like it both for the rarity and the fact it should be a close game.

The last 3 coaching matchups between the Nittany Lions and Gophers:

• James Franklin vs. PJ Fleck
• James Franklin vs. Tracy Claeys
• Bill O’Brien vs. Jerry Kill

Iowa at Ohio State

Could be an interesting matchup of Iowa’s defense against Ohio State’s high-powered offense. Also might be a complete massacre if Hawks can’t do anything on offense.

Favorite alert

Purdue at Wisconsin

The Badgers have beaten the Boilermakers 15 straight times since 2004.

The last Purdue quarterback to record a win against Wisconsin? You guessed it — Kyle Orton.

Purdue is a legit dark horse to win the West, but not if it still can’t clear the Cheese Hurdle.

Week 9

Must-see TV

Ohio State at Penn State

Ten bucks says this is the next White Out game in Happy Valley.

Michigan State at Michigan

This rivalry has a little extra spice now that Mel Tucker is 2-0 against Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines will try to avenge their lone regular-season loss.

Upset alert

Northwestern at Iowa

Ferentz versus Fitz is the oldest active coaching rivalry in the Big Ten, with Fitzgerald and the Wildcats holding an 8-7 edge.

Week 10

Must-see TV

Iowa at Purdue

Am I straining the definition of must-see? Probably! But I’m still right.

Until Purdue’s surprising 24-7 domination of the then-No. 2 Hawkeyes, the past 3 games in the series were of the one-score variety. And with David Bell headed to the NFL, perhaps Iowa will snap its current 2-game losing streak to the Boilers. In 3 career meetings, Bell had 558 receiving yards against the Hawks.

Also worth watching

Minnesota at Nebraska

PJ Fleck is 3-1 against Scott Frost, and if he gets to 4-1 we may never see the duo go head-to-head again. There’s a moderate chance this will be a must-win for Frost’s future, which would make it a must-watch for us.

Upset alert

Michigan at Rutgers

The Scarlet Knights gave the Wolverines quite a scare in the Big House before Michigan pulled away late. With the scene switching to Jersey, can they finish the job?

Week 11

Must-see TV

Wisconsin at Iowa

On paper, the top-3 teams in the West should include these two. But be prepared to bet the under.

Also worth watching

Nebraska at Michigan

Good to see this cross-divisional matchup again. Michigan’s visit to Lincoln was one of the league’s better games in 2021 until the Huskers yet again snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. This could be another potential job-saver for Frost.

Upset alert

Purdue at Illinois

It’s all in the setup. In theory, Purdue could be riding high after a big win over Iowa only to receive a cold dose of reality in Champaign.

The Boilers eked out a 13-9 home win over the Illini in 2021, so this seems to be another team Bret Bielema has the right formula for.

Week 12

Must-see TV

Minnesota at Iowa

Obviously I have no future in TV programming, because I’m advising you to watch Iowa’s offense 3 consecutive weeks. But I can just about guarantee that Iowa, Wisconsin, Purdue or Minnesota will win the West. Which means these all could be really important games!

Exciting? … Maybe not. But important.

Also worth watching

Wisconsin at Nebraska

You may also be spotting a sub-theme — there’s a lot of games that could determine Scott Frost’s fate at Nebraska!

But let’s face it. The Cornhuskers played a lot of one-score games in 2021. And those are always worth watching. Therefore, I’m compelled to watch Nebraska football.

Upset alert

Penn State at Rutgers

I certainly don’t expect Rutgers to beat Penn State and Michigan. But getting a win in either of those home matchups is a chance for the Scarlet Knights to demonstrate legitimate growth in Schiano 2.0.

Week 13

Must-see TV

Michigan at Ohio State

Forever and always atop the list. But now that it’s actually competitive on the field again? This is going to be fun.

Michigan State at Penn State

Who among us isn’t stoked for the Land Grant Trophy? Just look at that majestic … thing.

Also worth watching

Minnesota at Wisconsin

You want close? The Badgers have a 62-61 all-time edge in the series, which also features 8 ties. Depending on where things are situated in the standings, this could elevate to must-see status.

Nebraska at Iowa

Did you think I was going to get this far hyping Nebraska and Iowa without including the game they play against each other?

Upset alert

Purdue at Indiana

What could be better for IU than the theoretical possibility of Purdue coming to Bloomington with an opportunity to win the West, only to lose it and the Old Oaken Bucket?

Nothing, that’s what.

A lot of things would have to happen for Purdue to be in that position. But even if it isn’t, expect this game to be much better than the hammering the Boilers put on the Hoosiers in 2021.