2016 Preseason Big Ten Football Poll

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Link: http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index....picked_to_win_big_t_1.html#incart_river_index

The Cleveland Plain Dealer is back with its sixth annual Preseason Media Football Poll (the Big Ten Conference does not officially have a preseason poll).

Cleveland.com has been conducting this poll since 2011 and has never correctly picked the Big Ten champion in the previous five polls.

East Division
1. Ohio State (31) - 260.5 pts
2. Michigan (14) - 241
3. Michigan State (1) - 195.5
4. Penn State - 155.5
5. Indiana - 110
6. Maryland - 81.5
7. Rutgers - 52

West Division
1. Iowa (33) - 265 pts
2. Nebraska (3) - 206
3. Wisconsin (2) - 194.5
4. Northwestern (1) - 171.5
5. Minnesota (1) - 132
6. Illinois - 76.5
7. Purdue - 46.5

Big Ten Championship
Ohio State def. Iowa (24)
Michigan def. Iowa (6)
Michigan def. Wisconsin (2)
Michigan def. Nebraska (2)
Ohio State def. Minnesota (1)
Ohio State def. Wisconsin (1)
Ohio State def. Nebraska (1)
Michigan def. Northwestern (1)
Iowa def. Ohio State (1)

Big Ten Champion
Ohio State (27)
Michigan (11)
Iowa (1)

 

[NevadaHawk]

Nebby in the #2 spot in the West? I'll believe only when I see it. East looks about right.

 

[Suterman]

Wisconsin's schedule is just brutal. I don't see any way they win the West. Nebraska should probably be the favorite to finish second w/ Minnesota & Northwestern as very, very dark horses.

 

[Pepperman]

Well, the Hawks have big expectations again. I think this is a good thing, but time to back it up.

 

[soybean]

Nebby in the #2 spot in the West? I'll believe only when I see it. East looks about right.

That is exactly what I was thinking too. I would switch Nebraska and Wisconsin around if it was me. I think Nebraska will be better this year, but not 2nd place better. However, if the Huskers are able to make that leap it will make Black Friday even that much more interesting.

 

[hawkjt]

These seem right on, cept I would flip Wisky and Minny, strictly based on schedule. Wisky's schedule is deadly, while the gophers have the best in the west.

Nebraska is the obvious challenger to Iowa, based on returning talent and schedule. I could see them rolling into Black Friday at 6-2 or 7-1, putting the West at stake in Kinnick that day.
Do not take the Huskers lightly....They are loaded, and Armstrong has the tools and experience to have a huge year.

 

[scotthawk1964]

I would agree with that poll assessment. Iowa barring critical injuries should win the west, but if Tommy Armstrong can stop throwing the ball to the other team, I think Nebraska will be right there in the end to challenge the Hawks on Black Friday. Nothing will help build the Cornhusker/Hawkeye rivalry more then to have the Black Friday game be for the West championship most years.

 

[CO_hawk]

So one vote total for any West team (Iowa) to win the Big10 championship.

People need to realize the top of the West is not that far behind if at all to Michigan and Michigan State. Maybe a little behind OSU in most years, but not this year as OSU has a lot of questions.