Early Big Ten win total predictions: Will Ohio State rebound, Michigan repeat?

Big Ten win total predictions: Who should view 2022 as New Year’s Six or bust?

These five teams should expect the College Football Playoff Selection Committee to either invite them to the big dance or have a seat reserved for them at the holiday season table for the all-inclusive New Year’s Six.

Jim Harbaugh will power through the awkwardness … right into the Citrus Bowl

After some entanglement, Jim Harbaugh returns to Ann Arbor to power through the awkwardness like a Big Gulp full o’ milk at a steakhouse. While the Wolverines will pay the price in recruitment for him playing flirt, Michigan will pull back to what it should be under Harbaugh: A team that goes 10-2 to 9-3, splits with Michigan State and Penn State and absolutely does not beat Ohio State.

Over 9.5 wins: 10-2 (7-2)

Auburn may absolutely stink, but Penn State beating them will get them to NY6

Look. Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State are all going 10-2 (7-2), well, because I said so. They all go 1-1 against each other and do not beat Ohio State. Penn State edges out Michigan despite a head-to-head loss because that early-season road win vs. Auburn will do wonders in the eyes of the Selection Committee. It will be why Penn State is New Year’s Six bound over Michigan.

Over 8.0 wins: 10-2 (7-2)

Mel Tucker is about to turn Michigan State into a national power, isn’t he?

After an unforgettable breakthrough season in East Lansing, Sparty is here to stay, y’all! Mel Tucker is the perfect head coach for Michigan State to go from bad and leapfrog the best parts of the Mark Dantonio years, right into being a national power. Though they will lose to Michigan and Ohio State, the Spartans are probably going to the Rose Bowl after what happens in Indianapolis…

Over 8.0 wins: 10-2 (7-2)

Wisconsin will win the Big Ten West, only to be served on a platter to Ohio State

We have arrived at the fourth of four 10-2 (7-2) Big Ten teams. Wisconsin gets the nod over Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State for this one obvious reason: They did not lose to a divisional foe. Unscathed in the Big Ten West heading into the conference title bout, Paul Chryst will try to convince his boys that this year will be different. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.

Over 8.5 wins: 10-2 (7-2)

Ohio State may not lose a game this season, as the Buckeyes could win it all

Without question, the best team in the Big Ten this year will be Ohio State. Assuming Jim Knowles is light years better than Kerry Coombs, the Buckeyes will get into the College Football Playoff at a perfect 13-0. They might be the No. 1 seed if SEC juggernauts Alabama and Georgia were to drop a game. While they will have to beat both to win a national title, they might have what it takes to beat one.

Over 10.5 wins: 12-0 (9-0)

Overall, upwards of four Big Ten teams are pushing for New Year’s Six bowls, with three probably getting bids. If Maryland can play up to its recruiting levels, then as many as 10 teams are going to bowl games. While four will be twiddling their thumbs at home on the couch this holiday season, no team in the conference will be truly horrific. Three or so will be varying shades of bad, though.

Take your next paycheck, bet it on these over/under, and your kids will never have student loans.

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