Defending national champion Indiana was third in the poll, which surveyed writers within the network for their predicted order of finish in the league, as well as an all-conference team and a handful of preseason awards. It was released on July 27.
The Buckeyes had four selections to the All-Big Ten team, trailing both Indiana and Oregon, which each had seven, but they remained the clear choice to win the league for the first time since 2020 .
The OSU roster remains headlined by two of college football’s most high-profile players between quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith .
Smith, who is considered arguably the best player in the country this year, was voted as the conference’s offensive player of the year.
All of Ohio State’s all-conference selections were on offense with running back Bo Jackson and offensive lineman Austin Siereveld joining Sayin and Smith.
Offensive lineman Luke Montgomery, defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr., linebacker Payton Pierce, cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. and safety Jaylen McClain were honorable mention selections after receiving votes as well.
The full breakdown is below.
2026 Big Ten football preseason predicted order of finish
Ohio State (11 first-place votes)
Oregon (5 first-place votes)
Indiana
USC
Michigan
Penn State
Washington
Iowa
Illinois
Minnesota
Nebraska
UCLA
Wisconsin
Maryland
Northwestern
Rutgers
Michigan State
Purdue
Big Ten football preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith
Big Ten football preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Indiana LB Rolijah Hardy
Big Ten football preseason Newcomer of the Year
Indiana QB Josh Hoover
2026 Preseason All-Big Ten football team
* unanimous selection
OFFENSE
QB: (tie) Julian Sayin, Ohio State and Dante Moore, Oregon
RB: Bo Jackson, Ohio State
RB: Antwan Raymond, Rutgers
WR: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State*
WR: Charlie Becker, Indiana
WR: KJ Duff, Rutgers
TE: Jamari Johnson, Oregon
OL: Carter Smith, Indiana*
OL: Austin Siereveld, Ohio State
OL: Kade Pieper, Iowa
OL: Iapani Laloulu, Oregon
OL: Trevor Lauck, Iowa
All-purpose: Wayne Knight, UCLA
DEFENSE
DL: Tyrique Tucker, Indiana
DL: A'Mauri Washington, Oregon
DL: Anthony Smith, Minnesota
DL: John Henry Daley, Michigan
LB: Rolijah Hardy, Indiana*
LB: Isaiah Jones, Indiana
LB: Teitum Tuioti, Oregon
DB: Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon
DB: Koi Perich, Oregon
DB: Amare Ferrell, Indiana
DB: Zach Lutmer, Iowa
SPECIALISTS
K: Nico Radicic, Indiana
P: Bryce McFerson, Maryland
KR/PR: Jacory Barney Jr., Nebraska
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on @joeyrkaufman on X.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football picked to win Big Ten in USA TODAY Network 2026 preseason poll
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