Big Ten football preseason poll: Where Michigan, MSU ranked in media vote

Ready or not, here comes the 2025 Big Ten football season.

With the conference’s three-day football media event set for later this week in Las Vegas, the annual preseason media poll was released Monday by Cleveland.com.

And neither of Michigan’s two Big Ten programs were picked to win the league.

Michigan placed fifth in a vote of 25 league media members, followed by Michigan State in a tie at 13th.

The Wolverines received one first-place vote, trailing Illinois (4th), Oregon (3rd), Ohio State (2nd) and preseason favorite Penn State in the standings.

The Nittany Lions garnered 11 first-place votes, edging out the defending national champion Buckeyes (10) and Big Ten champion Ducks (2), behind returning quarterback Drew Allar, 1,000-yard running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen and a loaded defense anchored by edge Dani Dennis-Sutton.

In fact, Allar and Singleton finished second and third, respectively, in preseason voting for Big Ten offensive player of the year. Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith, with 21 first-place votes, won the award.

Michigan running back Justice Haynes was the only Wolverine on the list, generating two second-place votes.

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was the runaway favorite to win Big Ten defensive player of the year, also garnering 21 of the 25 first-place votes. Penn State’s Dennis-Sutton (1) finished second, followed by Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman (1). Indiana edge rusher Mikail Kamara finished fifth despite receiving two first-place votes.

Michigan linebackers Jaishawn Barham and Ernest Hausmann also registered, receiving two and one second-place votes, respectively.

The Wolverines are coming off a disappointing 2024 season, one that saw them finish 8-5 despite wins over rivals MSU and Ohio State and a ReliaQuest Bowl victory over Alabama.

They’ll look for better results on offense, where the passing game failed Michigan tremendously. More talent (Bryce Underwood) and experience (Mikey Keene) headline the quarterback position, while transfers Haynes and Donaven McCulley bring both to the running back and wide receiver positions.

Defensively, Michigan could be better than last year despite losing four high-level NFL draft picks. The depth is as good as its been in recent years, with several players seeking breakout seasons.

Meanwhile, MSU is just looking to generate a winning season. The Spartans went 5-7 in their first season under head coach Jonathan Smith and haven’t reached a bowl since 2021. They return quarterback Aidan Chiles and receiver Nick Marsh, giving fans some hope for an improvement.

But in a crowded Big Ten, anything is possible. MSU tied with Rutgers for 13th place in the preseason voting, edging out UCLA (15th) and ahead of Maryland, Northwestern and Purdue.

Penn State’s James Franklin was named preseason coach of the year, garnering 10 votes of the 25 votes. Illinois’ Bret Bielema finished second with nine votes, followed by Ohio State’s Ryan Day (3), Michigan’s Sherrone Moore (2) and Oregon’s Dan Lanning (1).

The 2025 Cleveland.com Big Ten football preseason poll:

1. Penn State (11 first-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. Michigan State/ Rutgers (tie)

15. UCLA

16. Maryland

17. Northwestern

18. Purdue

Preseason offensive player of the year:

1. Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith (21 first-place votes)

2. Penn State QB Drew Allar (4)

3. Penn State RB Nicholas Singleton

4. Oregon RB Makhi Hughes

5. Penn State RB Kayton Allen

6.) Illinois QB Luke Altmyer

Others receiving votes: Oregon QB Dante Moore, Iowa QB Mark Gronowski, Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt, Ohio State QB Julian Sayin, Michigan RB Justice Haynes, Iowa OL Logan Jones, Washington WR Denzel Boston, Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, Washington Jonah Coleman, UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava

Preseason defensive player of the year:

1. Ohio State SAF Caleb Downs (21 first-place votes)

2. Penn State DE Dani Dennis-Sutton (1)

3. Oregon SAF Dillon Thieneman (1)

4. Oregon DE Matayo Uiagaleli

5. Indiana DE Mikail Kamara (2)

6. Illinois LB Gabe Jacas

7. Minnesota SAF Koi Perich

8. Ohio State LB Sonny Styles

Others receiving votes: Penn State DT Zane Durant, Michigan LB Jaishawn Barham, Indiana LB Aiden Fisher, Michigan LB Ernest Hausmann

Coach of the year:

1. Penn State’s James Franklin

2. Illinios’ Bret Bielema

3. Ohio State’s Ryan Day

4. Michigan’s Sherrone Moore

5. Oregon’s Dan Lanning