Ahead of the Big Ten’s annual media days this week in Las Vegas, a couple annual polls from outlets who cover the conference were released, along with some preseason award voting.
In both polls Indiana is picked preseason to finish in sixth place in the league.
And in both cases, IU faces three teams picked above them in 2025 — Penn State, Oregon and Illinois — with two former games coming on the road. So the voters appear to be telling you how they think those games will go.
A year ago IU was picked to finish 16th by USA Today and 17th by the annual cleveland.com poll. Of course the Hoosiers finished tied for second. And in 2021 IU was picked to finish third in the now defunct Big Ten East, and instead finished 0-9 and last.
So how much significance you want to give these polls is obviously up to you. We’ll file them away to entertainment, and a good preseason topic of discussion.
In any event, here we go. Again, this is all media voting.
Here is the annual cleveland.com poll:
1-Penn State (11 1st place votes)
2-Ohio State (10)
3-Oregon (2)
4-Illinois
5-Michigan (1)
6-Indiana
7-Iowa
8-Nebraska
9-USC
10-Washington
11-Minnesota
12-Wisconsin
13-Mich State
(tie) Rutgers
15-UCLA
16-Maryland
17-Northwestern
18-Purdue
And here is the USA TODAY Sports Network preseason poll:
1. Penn State, 16
2. Ohio State, 20
3. Oregon, 26
4. Michigan, 45
5. Illinois, 55
6. Indiana, 63
7. USC, 72
(tie) 8. Nebraska, 85
8. Washington, 85
10. Iowa, 86
11. Minnesota, 112
12. Wisconsin, 117
13. Rutgers, 138
14. UCLA, 139
15. Michigan State, 141
16. Maryland, 155
17. Northwestern, 165
18. Purdue, 180
Also from USA TODAY, reporters representing the conference named their top players by position, specialists, and picked preseason awards.
Here’s what they came up with:
Player of the year: Jeremiah Smith, wide receiver, Ohio State
Coach of the year: James Franklin, Penn State
Newcomer of the year: Makhi Hughes, running back, Oregon
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Drew Allar, Penn State
Running back (2): Jonah Coleman, Washington; Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Wide receiver (2): Elijah Sarratt, Indiana; Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Tight end: Max Klare, Ohio State
Offensive tackle (2): Gennings Dunker, Iowa; Isaiah World, Oregon
Offensive guard (2): Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State; Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
Offensive center: Logan Jones, Iowa
DEFENSE
Defensive line (4): Zane Durant, Penn State; Gabe Jacas, Illinois; Mikail Kamara, Indiana; Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
Linebacker (3): Bryce Boettcher, Oregon; Aiden Fisher, Indiana; Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Defensive backs (4): Caleb Downs, Ohio State; D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana; Dillon Thieneman, Oregon; (tie) Koi Perich, Minnesota and Xavier Scott, Illinois
SPECIALISTS
Kicker: Dominic Zvada, Michigan
Punter: Ryan Eckley, Michigan State
All-purpose: Kaden Wetjen, Iowa
Indiana’s appearance at Big Ten media day is tomorrow (Tuesday, July 22) in Las Vegas.
The Hoosiers open fall camp on July 30, and the 2025 season kicks of Aug. 30 against Old Dominion in Bloomington.
For complete coverage of IU football, GO HERE.
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