Tom Oates: Big Ten season should be entertaining, competitive — even if playoff likely out of reach

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.

2. Shea Patterson, QB, Michigan: If the Wolverines can finally turn the corner, Patterson will be in the Heisman discussion.

1. Shea Patterson (above), Michigan: Transfer gave Michigan its best quarterbacking in the Jim Harbaugh era and should be improved.

2. Adrian Martinez, Nebraska: Best thing about the dual-threat quarterback was he never once looked like a freshman.

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.

1. Rondale Moore (right), WR, Purdue: Consensus all-American as a true freshman after leading the country with 114 pass receptions.

2. Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota: With size and leaping ability, imagine what Johnson could do with better quarterback play.

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.

2. A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa: Rangy end led the conference with 10.5 sacks as a sophomore ... and he never even started a game.

1. Tyler Biadasz (above), C, UW: Could've entered NFL draft, but strong year could elevate nation's best center to first-round status.

2. Alaric Jackson, T, Iowa: Playing left tackle at Iowa is a ticket to NFL and the athletic Jackson is one of Hawkeyes' best.

1. Micah Parsons (right), OLB, Penn State: Elite recruit led Nittany Lions in tackles as true freshman despite making only one start.

2. Paddy Fisher, ILB, Northwestern: Rangy, old-school thumper shows up on play after play from his middle linebacker spot.

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.

2. Josiah Scott, Michigan State: A sensation as true freshman in 2017, he missed first eight games of 2018 with a knee injury.

1. Ihmir Smith-Marsette (above), KR, Iowa: Will add punt return duties after leading Big Ten with 29.5-yard average on kickoff returns.

2. Matt Coglin, K, Michigan State: Junior's stats — 18-for-22 on field goals — were stellar. That's too many attempts, though.

1. Justin Fields (above), QB, Ohio State: Former five-star recruit fled Georgia and Jake Fromm, then somehow gained immediate eligibility.

2. Josh Jackson, QB, Maryland: After going 11-5 as a starter at Virginia Tech, grad transfer still has two years of eligibility.

1. Michigan offensive line (above): Four returning starters — Jon Runyan, Ben Bredeson, Michael Onwenu and Cesar Ruiz — earned All-Big Ten honors.

2. Michigan State defensive line: Spartans led nation in run defense and four starters return up front, led by Kenny Willekes, Raequan Williams.

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.

1. Jeffrey Okudah (above), CB, Ohio State: Buckeyes running feeder program for NFL secondaries, which is the only reason Okudah didn't start.

2. Chris Orr, ILB, UW: Orr has persevered through injuries and a stacked inside-linebacker group, but now it's his time to shine.

1. Michigan State: New coordinator Brad Salem will give the offense more juice and the defense should be the Big Ten's best.

2. Nebraska: Scott Frost didn't turn around Central Florida until his third season, but Cornhuskers might be ahead of schedule.

1. Michigan: Each of Jim Harbaugh's four seasons were a disappointment. Anything short of a title will run that streak to five.

2. Northwestern: West Division champs went 5-1 in Big Ten games decided by one score last season. That'll be hard to duplicate.

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.

2. Chris Ash, Rutgers: Scarlet Knights are 7-29 under Ash and, after a 1-11 season, might be heading in the wrong direction.

1. Michigan: Spread concepts installed by new coordinator Josh Gattis should give Jim Harbaugh his best offense at Michigan.

2. Ohio State: Urban Meyer is gone, but all that talent remains. New coach Ryan Day faces a lot of roster turnover, though.

1. Nebraska: Four toughest opponents on the schedule — Ohio State, Northwestern, UW, Iowa — must come to Lincoln.

2. Purdue: Boilermakers have five home Big Ten games and somehow avoid Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State from the East.

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.

1. Iowa: Playing road games at Michigan, UW, Nebraska and Northwestern plus a home game with Penn State will be no small task.

2. UW: Byes will help, but having crossover games with Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State in one season should be illegal.

1. Notre Dame at Michigan, Oct. 26: Timing is curious as game is sandwiched between Big Ten roadies at Penn State and Maryland.

2. Northwestern at Stanford, Aug. 31: West Division champions open at the Cardinal, who have 40 wins over the past four seasons.