Ohio State picked to win Big Ten; Wisconsin forecast to lead West
Sportswriters are picking Ohio State to win the Big Ten Conference football championship this season, and foresee Wisconsin winning the West.
Ohio State won the championship last season and the Buckeyes are a unanimous pick to repeat, according to the poll’s author, Cleveland.com.
More than 60 writers vote in the preseason poll.
Wisconsin received 32 of 40 first-place votes. Michigan State received every second-place vote in the East.
Overall predicted rankings in the divisions, with point totals and first-place votes:
EAST
1. Ohio State 280 (40)
2. Michigan State 240
3. Penn State 186.5
4. Michigan 163.5
5. Maryland 95.5
6. Rutgers 78
7. Indiana 76.5
WEST
1. Wisconsin 272 (32)
2. Nebraska 231.5 (5)
3. Minnesota 197 (3)
4. Iowa 158.5
5. Northwestern 125
6. Illinois 77
7. Purdue 59
Big Ten Championship
Ohio State over Wisconsin (32)
Ohio State over Nebraska (5)
Ohio State over Minnesota (3)
Big Ten Champion
Ohio State (40)
