Big Ten preseason poll: Who will meet in Big Ten Championship Game?

CHICAGO — Maybe the Big Ten got tired of seeing Ohio State projected to win the conference. Or maybe it doesn’t want any hurt feelings at Rutgers, Maryland, Indiana, Purdue and Illinois. Whatever the reason, the Big Ten doesn’t conduct any official preseason poll. So here is the ballot NJ Advance Media would have cast if there was one. We did the same for Big Ten preseason awards. East Division 1. Ohio State: If losing 12 starters to the NFL Draft wasn’t enough, the Buckeyes suffered another loss when projected starting halfback Bri’onte Dunn was dismissed from the program last week. That’s enough for them to fall all the way to … wait, Urban Meyer is still the best Big Ten coach, right? Nevermind. 2. Michigan: It’s very possible the Big Ten East Division title gets settled in the regular-season finale, when Michigan visits Ohio State for the latest installment of “The Game.” Michigan might have more experience but Ohio State has a huge edge at quarterback. Composite rankings for Big Ten East 3. Michigan State: The 2015 senior class set a program record with 43 victories over four years, after the 2014 and 2013 classes totaled 42 each. That’s a…

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