Minnesota running back Mo Ibrahim has returned for a sixth season. Quarterback Tanner Morgan, center John Michael Schmitz and wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell have, too. They’ve nicknamed themselves the “Encore Four." These super seniors have been with the Gophers since coach P.J. Fleck arrived in 2017. Ibrahim's decision to come back after a torn Achilles tendon ended his 2021 season was the catalyst for the others to join him. The Gophers will be breaking in plenty of new starters this year on both lines. Minnesota opens the season on Sept. 1 against New Mexico State.

Michigan State is openly talking about winning a national championship. The Spartans lost three starters on defense and six starters on offense, including award-winning running back Kenneth Walker III.  Quarterback Payton Thorne and do-it-all Jayden Reed return to give the team a potent passing game that could open up the running game. The Spartans open at home Sept. 2 against Western Michigan.

Jim Harbaugh’s eighth team is his first at Michigan that is coming off a win over Ohio State. The Wolverines’ new challenge is to beat the Buckeyes on the road for the first time since 2000. The Wolverines went 12-2 last year, finishing No. 3 in The Associated Press college football poll. They won the Big Ten title and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff for the first time.  The Wolverines are ranked eighth in the preseason AP Top 25. They open at home Sept. 3 against Colorado State.

It’s make or break for Nebraska coach Scott Frost. Frost has failed to deliver the wins expected when he made his celebrated return to his home state and the school he quarterbacked to a share of a national championship. The Cornhuskers go into the 2022 season mired in their worst stretch of football in over 60 years. Athletic director Trev Alberts announced late in last year’s 3-9 season he would bring Frost back. The 47-year-old coach had to take a $1 million pay cut and fire four offensive assistants. Nebraska opens against Northwestern on Aug. 27 in Dublin, Ireland.

Iowa returns seven starters on a defense that not only was one of the best in the nation at forcing turnovers and also good at turning them into points. Coach Kirk Ferentz says there are some question marks on this year’s defense. Riley Moss is the only returning starter in the secondary. The Hawkeyes went 10-4 overall and 7-2 in the Big Ten to win the West Division. The Big Ten schedule includes a home game against defending conference champion Michigan and a visit to Ohio State. The opener is Sept. 3 at home against South Dakota State.

Indiana is looking to rebound from a two-win season in 2021. Jack Tuttle and former Missouri quarterback Connor Bazelak are battling for the starting job. Coach Tom Allen is working with a new offensive coordinator and will again make the defensive calls. The opener is at home Sept. 2 against Big Ten foe Illinois.

Purdue was a Big Ten division contender in 2021. The Boilermakers hope to win their first West Division title this season. First, Purdue must fill the holes of two departing All-Americans — receiver David Bell and defensive end George Karlaftis. Second-team all-conference quarterback Aidan O'Connell is back for his sixth season. Purdue gets an immediate test, facing Penn State at home in the season opener on Sept. 1.