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Media Pick Illinois To Finish Third in Big Ten This Fall
July 24, 2008
The Big Ten Conference announced today that Ohio State has been selected as the preseason favorite among members of the media attending the conference's football media day. Wisconsin was chosen to place second, while Illinois was selected third. The Big Ten announces only the top three teams in its preseason poll. Fresh off its first Rose Bowl appearance since 1984, Illinois is expected to finish near the top of the Big Ten standings in 2008. The Illini ended the 2007 campaign tied for second in the conference with a 9-4 record overall and 6-2 in Big Ten games. Illinois returns 13 starters under the direction of 2007 Liberty Mutual National and Dave McClain Big Ten Coach of the Year Ron Zook. Ohio State enters the 2008 campaign aiming for a fourth straight Big Ten title and looking to become the first team in conference annals to win three straight outright crowns. Wisconsin was selected second in the preseason poll after finishing fourth last year. The voting members of the media also honored Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year while teammate and linebacker James Laurinaitis was tabbed Preseason Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. The 113th season of Big Ten football kicks off Saturday, Aug. 30th with 10 teams in nationally televised action, broadcast either on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 or the Big Ten Network. Illinois does battle that evening at 7:30 in St. Louis against a Top-10 foe, Missouri in an ESPN game.
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