Big Ten writers predict Michigan to win 2019 Big Ten football title

Michigan, for the first time since 2004, will be Big Ten champions, according to cleveland.com's ninth annual preseason Big Ten football predictions.

Half of the 34 writers polled selected the Wolverines to take the Big Ten, narrowly ahead of two-time defending champ Ohio State (14). Nebraska (2) and Northwestern (1) were the only other teams to receive a vote.

Michigan's Big Ten title game opponent? That would be Nebraska, which finished 3.5 points ahead of second-place Iowa. The Hawkeyes and the Huskers each received 14 first-place votes.

EAST: 1. Michigan, 222 points (20 first-place votes); 2. Ohio State, 214 (14); 3. Michigan State, 156; 4. Penn State, 154; 5. Indiana, 86.5; 6. Maryland, 82.5; 7. Rutgers, 37

WEST: 1. Nebraska, 198 (14 first-place votes); 2. Iowa, 194.5 (14); 3. Wisconsin, 172.5 (4); 4. Northwestern, 142.5 (1); 5. Purdue, 110.5; 6. Minnesota, 100 (1); 7. Illinois, 34

The writers also selected B1G offensive and defensive player of the year, going to Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor and Ohio State DE Chase Young, respectively. See the full individual superlative results.

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Big Ten football preseason poll from @clevelanddotcom: Michigan predicted to win the Big Ten in a vote of 34 writers from around the conference. Ohio State's run as the preseason favorite ends. Nebraska picked win the West. https://t.co/B42Az2LskW

— Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) July 17, 2019

Big Ten football preseason players of the year: In a vote of 34 writers organized by @clevelanddotcom. Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor is the offensive player of the year and Ohio State's Chase Young is the defensive player of the year. https://t.co/z4cPOaQSzN

— Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) July 17, 2019