Published: Tuesday, 7/28/2015 BY DAVID BRIGGSBLADE SPORTS WRITER COLUMBUS — Beneath a sun that rose in the east, Ohio State inhabited a planet all of its own on Monday. What else is new? The Big Ten is still Ohio State’s world, according to the unanimous verdict in the annual preseason poll of conference writers. All 40 voters picked the Buckeyes to repeat as Big Ten champions, with most expecting the sequel to look a lot like last season — including a rematch in the league title game. A year after Ohio State thumped Wisconsin on its way to capturing the national title, the Badgers are the heavy favorite to win the Big Ten West. Wisconsin received 32 first-place votes, followed by Nebraska (five first-place votes) and Minnesota (three). Michigan State, meanwhile, was the overwhelming pick to finish second in the East and — for at least one more year — retain statewide bragging rights. Michigan was picked to finish fourth under first-year coach Jim Harbaugh. Penn State finished third in the East poll. Organized by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Big Ten writers’ poll — which includes The Blade — was organized in 2011 after coaches requested the Big Ten banish its traditional preseason voting. The Big Ten will release only a list of 10 players to watch at the conference’s media days in Chicago later this week. This is the first time writers settled on a unanimous champion, and yet hardly a surprise. The Buckeyes return 15 starters from a team that mowed through the inaugural College Football Playoff, including a parade of All-American candidates. Ohio State also cleaned up in the preseason vote for the league’s individual honors. Junior running back Ezekiel Elliott, who ran for 1,167 yards and 13 touchdowns over the Buckeyes’ final seven games last year, received 31 first-place votes for offensive player of the year while junior lineman Joey Bosa was picked by all but one voter to repeat as defensive player of the year. …
Continue Reading: Conference writers unanimous in pick of Ohio State to win Big Ten – Toledo Blade
