Wisconsin was selected to finish second by the media, while Illinois finished third in the voting. The conference only released predictions for the top three schools.

In addition to finishing first in the preseason voting, the Buckeyes swept the preseason individual award honors. Running back Chris “Beanie” Wells was selected as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while linebacker James Laurinaitis was named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season.

Ohio State returns 20 starters to its 2007 team, which was defeated in the BCS National Championship Game for the second year in a row. The Buckeyes, who finished 11-2 overall (7-1 in conference play), will aim for their fourth straight Big Ten title.

Wisconsin will look to improve on last season’s fourth place finish. They return 17 starters from a year ago, including star running back P.J. Hill and tight end Travis Beckum. The Badgers finished last season 9-4 overall (5-3 in conference play).

“As always, there are high expectations, but those things are based off the premise of what we’ve done in the past as well as the 17 starters we have coming back,” Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema said. “We are excited about things, and I know that as the season unfolds there will be challenges that come up.”

Illinois made it to its first Rose Bowl in 23 years last season. The Fighting Illini, who return starting quarterback Isaac “Juice” Williams and wide receiver Arrelious Benn, finished last season tied for second in the Big Ten with a 9-4 record (6-2 in conference play).

“Obviously this is a great time of year,” Illinois head coach Ron Zook said. “Everybody is undefeated; everybody is kind of predicting the future.”