Big Ten preseason Gannett media poll

Predicted order of finish in the East

Ohio State*, Penn State, Indiana, Michigan, Maryland Rutgers, Michigan State

Predicted order of finish in the West

Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Northwestern, Nebraska, Purdue, Illinois

Big Ten champion

Ohio State*

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year

C.J. Stroud, Ohio State quarterback

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

George Karlaftis, Purdue defensive end

Preseason Newcomer of the Year (tie)

Jack Sawyer and C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

Kenneth Walker, Michigan State

Preseason Coach of the Year

Ryan Day, Ohio State

2021 preseason All-big Ten team Offense

QB – C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

RB – Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota RB – Tyler Goodson, Iowa

WR – Chris Olave, Ohio State*

WR – Garrett Wilson, Ohio State TE – Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin

OL – Thayer Munford, Ohio State* OL – Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

OL – Nicholas Petit-frere, Ohio State OL – Rasheed Walker, Penn State OL – Peter Skoronski, Northwestern

Defense

DL – Haskell Garrett, Ohio State* DL – George Karlaftis, Purdue

DL – Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan DL – Zach Harrison, Ohio State

LB – Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin

LB – Micah Mcfadden, Indiana

LB – Olakunle Fatukasi, Rutgers

DB – Brandon Joseph, Northwestern* DB – Tiawan Mullen, Indiana

DB – Jaquan Brisker, Penn State DB – Sevyn Banks, Ohio State

Specialists

P – Tory Taylor, Iowa

PK – Charles Campbell, Indiana All-purpose player – Jahan Dotson, Penn State

*Unanimous selection