For the record, Indiana and Purdue are not picked to finish last in the Big Ten. They are, however, picked to finish last in their respective conference football divisions – IU in the East, Purdue in the West. That’s courtesy of a poll, comprised by Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com. It consisted of a vote by 40 Big Ten media members who regularly cover the conference in conjunction with this week’s Big Ten football kickoff event in Chicago, which runs today and Friday. Ohio State, the defending national champion, was the unanimous choice to repeat as the Big Ten winner. The Buckeyes were picked to win the East Division ahead of Michigan State. Penn State was picked third followed by Michigan, Maryland, Rutgers and IU In the West, Wisconsin was the favorite with Nebraska second and Minnesota third. Then came Iowa, Northwestern, Illinois and Purdue IU’s prospects for beating the predictions center on quarterback Nate Sudfeld staying healthy. He missed the last half of the season with a shoulder injury and, as a result, the Hoosiers struggled to a 4-8 record under coach Kevin Wilson. He is fully recovered. …
Continue Reading: Preseason football poll not kind to IU, Purdue
