We’re moving along in the homestretch of the college football season, but the conference slate is just barely halfway over after last weekend’s games. Since we’ve gotten to the midway point, it feels like a great time to check in on where all of the Big Ten conference awards stand, and who we believe should take home all the virtual midseason hardware.
We did the same thing before the 2022 season began, so we’ll take this opportunity to look back and see how good we were at peering into the crystal ball compared to where things are now. Ohio State and Michigan have been good as expected, but there are always surprises, and it has been no different during this crazy and wacky Big Ten football season.
Here’s who we have highlighted as our Buckeyes Wire midseason Big Ten football award winners and what we thought would happen at the onset of another glorious college football slate.
Big Ten East Champion
What We Predicted Preseason
Ohio State Buckeyes
Where Things Stand
Well, we’re definitely on track, but Michigan might have something to say about the Buckeyes taking back the East division. Both teams sit at 8-0 and appear to be on a nuclear collision course.
West Division Champion
What We Predicted Preseason
Where Things Stand
We knew the West would be more wide open than the ocean on a cloudless day, but we didn’t see Illinois doing its best impression of the Bret Bielema Wisconsin teams of yesteryear. The Fighting Illini might be the most pleasant surprise in college football, and are clearly in the driver’s seat to win the division. Behind Illinois is Purdue with usual suspects Wisconsin and Iowa struggling.
Graham-George Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year
What We Predicted Preseason
C.J. Stroud, Quarterback – Ohio State √
Where Things Stand
C.J. Stroud, Quarterback – Ohio State
We picked C.J. Stroud before the year which isn’t exactly going out on a brittle limb on a high tree, but there’s been nothing to change our mind here. Stroud has been fantastic and has positioned himself well to take home the Heisman. He leads the country in Total QBR and touchdown passes and still has time to put up some more jaw-dropping numbers.
Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year
What We Predicted Preseason
Jack Campbell, Linebacker – Iowa Χ
Where Things Stand
Jacoby Windmon, Defensive End/Linebacker – Michigan State
Jack Campbell has still had one whale of a campaign, leading the conference in overall tackles, but Jacoby Windmon has been a game-wrecker. He’s been a bit of a surprise, leading the Big Ten in tackles for loss and sacks. This one isn’t a lock, but Windmon is our midseason pick here.
Thompson-Randel El Big Ten Freshman of the Year
What We Predicted Preseason
Nicholas Singleton, Running Back – Penn State √
Where Things Stand
Nicholas Singleton, Running Back – Penn State
Singleton hasn’t had a monster year, but he has shown flashes of what he can do as the No. 1 back for the Nittany Lions. He still has a decent shot at eclipsing 1,000 yards on the ground and is averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
Hayes-Shembechler Big Ten Coach of the Year
What We Predicted Preseason
Ryan Day, Ohio State Χ
Where Things Stand
Bret Bielema, Illinois
This isn’t taking anything away from Ryan Day, but by now you should know how these things work. This award has historically gone to the head coach of a team that has surprised everyone in a positive way. Nobody had Illinois doing what it has so far this year, so Bielema takes this home midway through the Big Ten season.
Griese-Brees Big Ten Quarterback of the Year
What We Predicted Preseason
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State √
Where Things Stand
C.J. Stoud, Ohio State
Again, this is an easy one. Stroud leads the conference in Total QBR by a longshot, has completed 71.3% of his passes, has thrown for 2,377 yards, and a slew of touchdowns.
Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year
What We Predicted Preseason
Braelon Allen, Wisconsin Χ
Where Things Stand
Chase Brown, Illinois
There are three backs that have separated themselves so far this year in the Big Ten. Michigan’s Blake Corum, Mohamed Ibrahim of Minnesota, and Illinois’ Chase Brown. You could easily go with Corum here too, but Brown has been the MVP of the Illini so far and leads the conference in rushing yards.
Richter-Howard Big Ten Receiver of the Year
What We Predicted Preseason
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State Χ
Where Things Stand
Marvin Harrison Jr, Ohio State
We apparently had the wrong Buckeye player here, but who knew that Smith-Njigba would get injured in Week 1 and struggle to get back on the field? Even so, Harrison has had a huge breakout year and has a legitimate shot at winning the Biletnikoff Award that goes to the best receiver in college football. He doesn’t lead the league in receiving yards or catches, but that’s because his teammate, Emeka Egbuka has split things almost 50/50. He does lead the league in touchdowns (officially) and freakish highlights (unofficially)
Kwalick-Clark Big Ten Tight End of the Year
What We Predicted Preseason
Sam LaPorta, Iowa Χ
Where Things Stand
Payne Durham, Purdue
It’s a hard position to evaluate because it involves more than simply catching passes, but we’re going to go with Purdue’s Payne Durham here. He is tied for the league for tight ends in touchdowns with four, and second in receiving yards. Purdue does like to throw the ball so Durham has that going for him, but he has answered the bell more often than not.
Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year
What We Predicted Preseason
Peter Skoronski, Northwestern Χ
Where Things Stand
Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan
The Michigan offensive line is once again bullying teams on the ground, and that line is anchored by a transfer graduate center Olusegun Oluwatimi. He was a second-team All-American last season and is putting together a campaign that might just land him some first-team All-American honors in 2022.
Smith-Brown Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year
What We Predicted Preseason
P.J. Mustipher, Penn State Χ
Where Things Stand
Jacoby Windmon, Michigan State
For now, we’ll pencil in Windmon here despite him being listed on the Spartans’ roster as a linebacker. He was moved to defensive end for most of the year and has had the biggest disrupter in the league as far as tackles for losses and sacks. He’s recently been moved back to linebacker, so he may not be the end-of-the-season winner here with others beginning to come on (ahem, J.T. Tuimoloau)
Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year
What We Predicted Preseason
Jack Campbell, Iowa √
Where Things Stand
Jack Campbell, Iowa
This was a close battle, and you have to put Ohio State’s Tommy Eichenberg in this conversation, but Campbell has been as advertised, He leads the league in tackles and is all over the field of an Iowa defense that is hard to move the ball against.
Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year
What We Predicted Preseason
Taiwan Mullen, Indiana Χ
Where Things Stand
Joey Porter Jr, Penn State
We probably should have picked Porter to start the year. He doesn’t have a ton of interceptions or tackles, but that’s because he doesn’t have passes thrown his way as much as others. Porter leads the league in pass break-ups unofficially and has been really good aside from the game against Ohio State. He’s the best defensive back in the Big Ten right now.
Bakken-Anderson Big Ten Kicker of the Year
What We Predicted Preseason
Jake Moody, Michigan √
Where Things Stand
Jake Moody, Michigan
Moody has been great again after winning the Lou Groza Award for the best placekicker in the country last season. So far in 2022, he has connected on 18-of-21 field goals (85.7%) and hit a long of 54-yards, all while nailing all 35 of his extra points.
Eddleman-Fields Big Ten Punter of the Year
What We Predicted Preseason
Adam Korsak, Rutgers Χ
Where Things Stand
Bryce Baringer, Michigan State
As bad as things have been in East Lansing this season, having a good punter has been a necessity. Baringer leads the league in punting yards average by a significant margin and even has a booming 70-yarder this season. Honorable mention goes to Iowa’s Tory Taylor who has punted a whopping 47 times in 2022.
Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year
What We Predicted Preseason
Jayden Reed, Michigan State Χ
Where Things Stand
Jaylin Lucas, Indiana
Lucas is the only player in the Big Ten to have taken a kickoff back for a touchdown in 2022 and he leads the conference with a 30.9 kick return average. He’s short in stature but has a big impact when returning kicks.
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