CHICAGO -- Winning Floyd of Rosedale or Paul Bunyan's axe looks even more difficult than usual for the Gophers this season, according to media members who cover the Big Ten, because Iowa and Wisconsin have been judged the second- and third-best teams in the conference in the preseason poll.
Ohio State is the favorite for a sixth consecutive Big Ten championship, but the Hawkeyes and Badgers, Minnesota's chief rivals who are each coming off a strong season capped by a bowl victory, were picked to finish second and third by writers and broadcasters covering the league's annual media meetings.
The conference does not release results of the poll beyond third place.
Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones was chosen to win his second straight Defensive Player of the Year award, while Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor was chosen as the Offensive Player of the Year. Both were repeats of last year's preseason picks. Wisconsin running back John Clay, who earned the player of the year award after last season, was edged by Pryor for the offensive preseason award.
