1. Jonathan Taylor (above), RB, UW: Was ninth in the voting last year, which seemed low after his 2,194 rushing yards led the nation.
Tom Oates: Big Ten season should be entertaining, competitive — even if playoff likely out of reach
From the Get ready for Badgers football season with State Journal's complete 2019 preview series
In so many ways, Big Ten Conference football is loaded this season.
With the retirement (for now, anyway) of Ohio State coach Urban Meyer and several long-suffering programs on the rise, the Big Ten race is as wide-open as it has been since Meyer arrived in Columbus in 2012 and began compiling an 83-9 record over seven seasons. This summer, eight conference teams have been showing up in one preseason top 25 or another.
Top five Heisman Trophy candidates
Top five quarterbacks
1. Shea Patterson (above), Michigan: Transfer gave Michigan its best quarterbacking in the Jim Harbaugh era and should be improved.
Top five running backs
1. Jonathan Taylor, UW: With 4,171 rushing yards, 6.9 per carry and 29 touchdowns in two years, he's already chasing records.
2. J.K. Dobbins (above), Ohio State: Sophomore slump should end quickly now that he no longer has to share carries with Mike Weber.
Top five receivers
1. Rondale Moore (right), WR, Purdue: Consensus all-American as a true freshman after leading the country with 114 pass receptions.
Top five defensive linemen
1. Chase Young (above), DE, Ohio State: No, he's not a Bosa, but athletic freak should build on the 9.5 sacks he rang up last season.
Top five offensive linemen
1. Tyler Biadasz (above), C, UW: Could've entered NFL draft, but strong year could elevate nation's best center to first-round status.
Top five linebackers
1. Micah Parsons (right), OLB, Penn State: Elite recruit led Nittany Lions in tackles as true freshman despite making only one start.
Top five defensive backs
1. Lavert Hill (above), CB, Michigan: Stats were so-so because teams didn't throw at him, but Hill was still third-team All-American.
Top five specialists
1. Ihmir Smith-Marsette (above), KR, Iowa: Will add punt return duties after leading Big Ten with 29.5-yard average on kickoff returns.
Top five impact transfers
1. Justin Fields (above), QB, Ohio State: Former five-star recruit fled Georgia and Jake Fromm, then somehow gained immediate eligibility.
Top five position groups
1. Michigan offensive line (above): Four returning starters — Jon Runyan, Ben Bredeson, Michael Onwenu and Cesar Ruiz — earned All-Big Ten honors.
Top five impact freshmen
1. Daxton Hill, S, Michigan: Wolverines have an open spot in the secondary and Hill, the nation's top safety recruit, will fill it.
2. Wandale Robinson, WR/RB: Nebraska: Shifty all-purpose back could be for Nebraska what Rondale Moore was for Purdue last season.
Top five breakout/bounce-back candidates
1. Jeffrey Okudah (above), CB, Ohio State: Buckeyes running feeder program for NFL secondaries, which is the only reason Okudah didn't start.
Top five potentially surprising teams
1. Michigan State: New coordinator Brad Salem will give the offense more juice and the defense should be the Big Ten's best.
Top five potentially disappointing teams
1. Michigan: Each of Jim Harbaugh's four seasons were a disappointment. Anything short of a title will run that streak to five.
Top five coaches with something to prove
1. Jim Harbaugh (above), Michigan: He hasn't beaten Ohio State nor won a title, now he's being picked for first. It could get ugly.
Top five candidates to make College Football Playoff
1. Michigan: Spread concepts installed by new coordinator Josh Gattis should give Jim Harbaugh his best offense at Michigan.
Five easiest conference schedules
1. Nebraska: Four toughest opponents on the schedule — Ohio State, Northwestern, UW, Iowa — must come to Lincoln.
Top five conference games
1. Ohio State at Michigan, Nov. 30: Jim Harbaugh (above left) is 0-4 against Ohio State. If he wants to win East, he has to beat the Buckeyes.
2. Michigan at UW, Sept. 21: Badgers hope to rebound from rare down season and Wolverines seek fast start in huge Big Ten opener.
Five toughest conference schedules
1. Iowa: Playing road games at Michigan, UW, Nebraska and Northwestern plus a home game with Penn State will be no small task.
Top five non-conference games
1. Notre Dame at Michigan, Oct. 26: Timing is curious as game is sandwiched between Big Ten roadies at Penn State and Maryland.
In this Series
Get ready for Badgers football season with State Journal's complete 2019 preview
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Updated
Running rampant: Poised for history, Badgers RB Jonathan Taylor enters junior year focused on improving
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Updated
Tom Oates: Big Ten season should be entertaining, competitive — even if playoff likely out of reach
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Updated
Tom Oates: Badgers' tough schedule tempers optimism for bounce-back season
- 8 updates
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