COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the first time in five years, Ohio State football does not enter the season as the defending Big Ten champion. Another streak continues, though, as the Buckeyes remain the favorite to reclaim their crown. Per 36 voters in the 12th annual cleveland.com preseason Big Ten football poll, OSU was the unanimous choice to win both the East Division and the conference championship game in Indianapolis. Ohio State is the first unanimous preseason favorite since 2015, when it was also picked to win the league as the defending national champion. This is the third straight season Ohio State was picked to win the league. It followed through in 2020, but a loss to Michigan in the 2021 regular-season finale ended a four-year run as champion. Quarterback C.J. Stroud was the clear pick for preseason offensive player of the year, and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba finished second. Four Buckeyes…
Continue Reading: Ohio State football unanimously picked as Big Ten champion in 12th annual cleveland.com preseason poll
