The Big Ten will have a new look this upcoming season all over the place. First off, we have the newest addition to the heartland of the United States with Nebraska University. The Cornhuskers left the rugged Big 12 to join a conference that wanted a conference championship game. Since a new team was added, the league was separated in two between the Legends and Leaders.
Also to the new look Big Ten came three new head coaches. The first came to Gopher Nation with Jerry Kill. The sneaky hire surprised fans close to Minneapolis but quickly learned of a good coach and a great person. Then, Indiana hired Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson as its new coach. Wilson was one of the hottest coaching prospects this past year. Finally, Michigan took one of its former coordinators in San Diego State coach Brady Hoke. He has already been stacking verbal commitments from recruits.
With the added spice of the Ohio State debacle, which is still weeding itself through, along with everything else, this is surely going to be an exciting season for the Big Ten.
With every prediction for All-Americans, controversy will come about…including the exclusion of dynamic quarterback Denard Robinson.
And, of course, Michigan State leads the way with eight picks. Ohio State and Wisconsin both have seven, while newcomer Nebraska has five.
Here are the Preseason All-Americans for the Big Ten:
First Team
Offense
| Pos | Player | School |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Kirk Cousins | Michigan State |
| RB | James White | Wisconsin |
| RB | Edwin Baker | Michigan State |
| WR | Derek Moye | Penn State |
| WR | Jeremy Ebert | Northwestern |
| WR | Marvin McNutt | Iowa |
| TE | Kyler Reed | Nebraska |
| C | Mike Brewster | Ohio State |
| OG | Kevin Zeitler | Wisconsin |
| OG | Joel Foreman | Michigan State |
| OT | Riley Reiff | Iowa |
| OT | Dennis Kelly | Purdue |
| KR | Troy Stoudermire | Minnesota |
| PR | Keyshawn Martin | Michigan State |
Defense
| Pos | Player | School |
|---|---|---|
| DE | Cameron Meredith | Nebraska |
| DE | John Simon | Ohio State |
| DT | Jared Crick | Nebraska |
| DT | Jerrell Worthy | Michigan State |
| LB | Andrew Sweat | Ohio State |
| LB | James Morris | Iowa |
| LB | Mike Taylor | Wisconsin |
| LB | Lavonte David | Nebraska |
| CB | Alfonzo Dennard | Nebraska |
| CB | Ricardo Allen | Purdue |
| S | Aaron Henry | Wisconsin |
| S | Micah Hyde | Iowa |
| K | Philip Welch | Wisconsin |
| P | Will Hagerup | Michigan |
Second Team
Offense
| Pos | Player | School |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Dan Persa | Northwestern |
| RB | Montee Ball | Wisconsin |
| RB | Marcus Coker | Iowa |
| WR | Da’jon McKnight | |
| WR | BJ Cunningham | Michigan State |
| WR | DeVier Posey | Ohio State |
| TE | Eric Lair | Minnesota |
| C | Peter Konz | Wisconsin |
| OG | Ben Burkett | Northwestern |
| OG | Ken Plue | Purdue |
| OT | Jeff Allen | Illinois |
| OT | Quinn Barham | Penn State |
| KR | Chaz Powell | Penn State |
| PR | Jordan Hall | Ohio State |
Defense
| Pos | Player | School |
|---|---|---|
| DE | Nathan Williams | Ohio State |
| DE | Vince Browne | Northwestern |
| DT | Mike Martin | Michigan |
| DT | Kawann Short | Purdue |
| LB | Michael Mauti | Penn State |
| LB | Brandon Beal | Minnesota |
| LB | Ian Thomas | Illinois |
| LB | Chris Borland | Wisconsin |
| CB | D’Anton Lynn | Penn State |
| CB | Troy Stoudermire | Minnesota |
| S | Trenton Robinson | Michigan State |
| S | Orhian Johnson | Ohio State |
| K | Dan Conroy | Michigan State |
| P | Brad Nortman | Wisconsin |