Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott was named Big Ten Preseason Offensive Player of the Year by a panel of media voters(Photo: Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports) The Big Ten no longer conducts a preseason football poll among media members. That’s why we have Doug Lesmerises from Cleveland.com. Lesmerises contacted more than 60 voters from the league’s footprint and the around the country to determine the favorite to win the Big Ten championship and other preseason awards. Not only was Ohio State the selection, the Buckeyes were the unanimous choice to capture the conference title by the 40 voters who responded. CLEVELAND.COM Ohio State unanimously picked to win Big Ten: Cleveland.com preseason football poll Ten things about the fifth annual preseason poll: • No surprise, Purdue was selected to finish last in the Big Ten West. However, not everyone voted the Boilermakers seventh since they finished with 59 points. • Wisconsin was tabbed to win the Big Ten West, collecting 32 first-place votes. Nebraska and Minnesota also received first-place votes. • If you haven’t figured it out, most voters see Ohio State beating Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game. • Michigan State received every second-place vote in the Big Ten East. • Ohio State swept the preseason player of the year honors. End Joey Bosa was the choice as the league’s top defensive player; running back Ezekiel Elliott collected 31 first-place votes to win offensive player of the year. • “Ohio State quarterbacks” finished tied for sixth in the voting, including two first-place votes. • Overall, seven Buckeyes received votes. …
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