There is no official Big Ten preseason media poll anymore, but the idea lives on thanks to the staff at Cleveland.com. With Big Ten media day just around the corner next week, the unofficial media poll was released today. Ohio State is the favorite to win the Big Ten East Division as well as the Big Ten Conference Championship Game.
Penn State is predicted to finish fourth in the Big Ten East, behind Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan in that order. I am on record saying it is possible Penn State could win as many as 10 games this season, and I would likely put Penn State no higher than third in the division for this upcoming season. It still feels like Ohio State’s division and conference to lose, and Michigan State may be the second best team. Michigan is a team I need to see more of before determining whether or not they are an easy pick to finish third in the division. I was a little surprised to see such a gap between Michigan and Penn State, but I understand the concerns.
Newcomers and regional rivals Maryland (5th) and Rutgers (7th) were picked in the bottom half of the east division.
The results, via The Plain Dealer;
EAST
1. Ohio State, 195 points (23 first-place votes)
2. Michigan State, 180 points (10)
3. Michigan, 136 points
4. Penn State, 105.5 points
5. Maryland, 84 points
6. Indiana, 78.5 points
7. Rutgers, 33 points
WEST
1. Wisconsin, 183.5 points (15 first-place votes)
2. Iowa, 173 points (11)
3. Nebraska, 157.5 points (5)
4. Northwestern, 112 points (1)
5. Minnesota, 96.5 points
6. Illinois, 58 points
7. Purdue, 31.5 points
* there are more than 29 first-place votes in each division because of ties
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