Usual suspects remain atop Big Ten standings in preseason media poll

CHICAGO – Many things have changed in the landscape of Big Ten football. There are some new rules, a few new coaches and a new TV network dedicated to the sport. In spite of these changes, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio State remain the teams to beat in the conference.\nMichigan was selected as the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten by members of the media. The Wolverines will be led by their running back and Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Mike Hart.\n“We’re very excited about our team at Michigan,” head coach Lloyd Carr said. “We return a lot of people at our skill positions with a lot of experience. Our goals are going to \nbe high.”\nOne of the skill position players returning is Chad Henne, who enters his fourth year as the starting quarterback for the Wolverines.\n“Chad Henne has had a remarkable career,” Carr said. “He has made great progress. He has grown in maturity and as an outstanding leader.”\nWhile Michigan enters the season as the favorite, the Wisconsin Badgers are expected to be a fierce competitor. The Badgers finished 7-1 in Big Ten play last year and are returning 18 of their starters, one of whom was the 2006 Big Ten Freshman of the Year P.J. Hill.\n“We did too good our first year,” second-year head coach Bret Bielema said about Hill and himself. “You set yourself up for high expectations. I do know this, just like our season and like P.J.’s dealing with right now, it’s better to have high expectations than low expectations.”\nAs Michigan and Wisconsin are the two favorites in the preseason, a team that can never be overlooked is Ohio State. Despite losing Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith, the Buckeyes have been picked to finish third in the conference led by the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year James Laurinaitis. \n“You’ll see a team that’s trying to evolve with the talent that we have,” Buckeye head coach Jim Tressel said. “I don’t know that it will look just the same as it has in the past, but there will be an evolution.”