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Tom Oates: Only one thing remains unchanged in Big Ten this season — Ohio State's dominance
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Tom Oates: Only one thing remains unchanged in Big Ten this season — Ohio State's dominance

From the Get ready for Badgers football season with State Journal's complete 2020 preview series
  • TOM OATES For the State Journal
  • Oct 17, 2020
  • Oct 17, 2020 Updated Apr 24, 2025
Prefer us on Google

After some controversial stops and starts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Big Ten Conference football is finally set to go.

Good luck recognizing it, though.

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Top five Heisman Trophy candidates

1. Justin Fields (above), QB, Ohio State: Run-pass threat leading a national title contender is a winning Heisman formula.

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Top five quarterbacks

1. Justin Fields (above), Ohio State: In 10 games against Big Ten teams, he threw 30 touchdown passes and one interception.

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Top five running backs

1. Journey Brown (above), Penn State: Averaged 6.9 yards per carry last year, better than Jonathan Taylor or J.K. Dobbins.

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Top five wide receivers

1. Rashod Bateman (above), Minnesota: Had 60 catches for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns paired with departed Tyler Johnson.

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Top five tight ends

1. Pat Freiermuth (above), Penn State: Hasn't had huge numbers, but he catches everything in sight and moves the chains.

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Top five offensive lineman

1. Wyatt Davis (above), G, Ohio State: Powerful run blocker returned after considering NFL in January, opting out in August.

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Top five defensive lineman

1. Kwity Paye (above), DE, Michigan: Prototypical NFL edge rusher was only scratching surface with 6.5 sacks last year.

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Top five linebackers

1. Paddy Fisher (above), MLB, Northwestern: Fisher has been around so long he might have played with coach Pat Fitzgerald.

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Top five defensive backs

1. Shaun Wade (above), CB, Ohio State: Latest in long line of elite cover corners with great closing speed at Ohio State.

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Top five specialists

1. Keith Duncan (above), K, Iowa: Longest field goal was only 49 yards, but he was good on 29 of 34 attempts last season.

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Top five transfers

1. Trey Sermon (above), RB, Ohio State: Oklahoma transfer will shine if Master Teague is slowed by spring Achilles injury.

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Top five position groups

1. Ohio State offensive line: Thayer Munford (above), Wyatt Davis and Josh Myers passed on NFL, will be high picks in 2021.

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Top five freshman

1. Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland: First committed to LSU, but changed his mind and stayed home to play for Terps.

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Five best games

1. Ohio State at Penn State, Oct. 31: With apologies to UW and Michigan, this is de facto Big Ten championship game.

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Five easiest schedules

1. Ohio State: Buckeyes' West Division foes are Illinois and Nebraska. Better yet, they don't have to play Ohio State.

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Five toughest schedules

1. Nebraska: Crossover games are Ohio State and Penn State, proof the Big Ten office knows how to carry a grudge.

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Five coaches with something to prove

1. Jim Harbaugh (above), Michigan: He's 0-5 versus Ohio State, hasn't reached Big Ten title game and lost a ton of experience.

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Five teams with no hope of Big Ten title

1. Rutgers: There won't be a one-year turnaround under Greg Schiano (above) for team that has lost 21 straight Big Ten games.

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Top five contenders for Big Ten title

1. Ohio State: Buckeyes didn't miss a beat under first-year coach Ryan Day (above), winning third straight Big Ten title.

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In this Series

Get ready for Badgers football season with State Journal's complete 2020 preview

  • Updated Jun 30, 2022
    Uncharted territory: Badgers preparing for unique challenges of football season shaped by pandemic
  • Updated Apr 24, 2025
    Tom Oates: Only one thing remains unchanged in Big Ten this season — Ohio State's dominance
  • Updated Apr 24, 2025
    Defensive linchpin: Badgers linebacker Jack Sanborn stepping into leadership role with confidence
  • 6 updates
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