Eight B1G Players on Preseason All-America Team

Michigan senior Taylor Lewan has some heavy expectations on his shoulders heading into the 2013 college football season, in case you haven't heard. The Wolverines' talented offensive tackle was one of eight Big Ten stars named to CBSSports.com's 2013 Preseason All-America team, which was released this past week.

Joining Lewan on the first-team All-American list is Ohio State junior defensive back Bradley Roby and Northwestern senior Venric Mark, who is listed as a punt return specialist.

The second-team is loaded with Big Ten stars from top to bottom. Ohio State junior quarterback Braxton Miller headlines the offensive group. He is joined by a pair of senior offensive linemen in OSU's Jack Mewhort and Nebraska's Spencer Long.

Wisconsin's Chris Borland and OSU's Ryan Shazier, a pair of talented linebackers, were also listed as second-team preseason All-Americans.

[CBSSports.com: 2013 Preseason College Football All-America Team]

My thoughts: This is a very good list that certainly gives the Big Ten conference some well-deserved credit heading into the 2013 college football season. Perhaps the biggest surprise on the list is Miller, who despite being the unanimous pick for B1G Player of the Year this season, has been left off several preseason All-America teams. The reason for that is because there are only two slots available, and those have been filled by reigning Heisman Trophy Winner Johnny Manziel and Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater, which was the case when Sports Illustrated released its 2013 Preseason All-America Team earlier this month.

Some other names worthy of recognition: Taylor Martinez, Nebraska; Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska; Allen Robinson, Penn State; Max Bullough, Michigan State; RaShede Hageman, Minnesota; Tyler Scott, Northwestern