An Ohio State player has been named a preseason player of the year every season since 2002.
Best team, best offensive player - it was no surprise that Ohio State was picked at the top of the Big Ten in voting revealed today.
In a poll of media attending the Big Ten meetings in Chicago today, the Buckeyes were predicted to win their sixth consecutive Big Ten title, with Iowa chosen to finish second and Wisconsin third.
The offensive and defensive preseason players of the year were repeats as well, with Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones following their preseason selections from a year ago.
Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis was the last Big Ten player to repeat a preseason selection, chosen as the defensive player of the year before the 2007 and 2008 seasons.
Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor was named the Big Ten's preseason offensive player of the year for the second consecutive season.This is the first time since 1998 that both selections were repeats, when Ohio State linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer and Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne were picked in consecutive years.
As you may remember, Pryor did not follow up last season's preseason pick with a postseason selection. Wisconsin running back John Clay was named the postseason offensive player of the year by coaches and media last season, and he was my preseason pick this year.
Jones was named the postseason defensive player of the year by the media in 2009, with Penn State defensive lineman Jared Odrick chosen by the coaches.
Pryor's selection continues a remarkable run for Ohio State. The Buckeyes have had a preseason player of the year on at least one side of the ball every year since 2002.