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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 6 71 2 Michigan State The Spar- tans return as much veteran talent as anyone. That will push MSU toward a sweet bowl — and maybe a Big Ten title. 3 Penn State James Frank- lin is on fire, going 15-3 the last two years in the Big Ten. This team could win the division if the defense comes together thanks to the stability pro- vided by third-year starting quarter- back Trace McSorley. 4 Michigan The teeth of this defense are as sharp as ever with 10 starters back. The problem? The offense has been too spotty in big games. 5 Maryland The offense could be one of the better attacks in the league. It's time for the defense to get mean. This could be a sleeper team. 6 Indiana Tom Allen knows how to rally the troops. But questions on defense conspire to keep the Hoo- siers bowl-less a second year in a row. 7 Rutgers The defense could be solid, especially the secondary. But have you seen this offense? Ugh. The bowl drought will reach four years. WEST 1 Wisconsin This offense will have foes running for cover, and the defense is always tough. Another year. Another West title. Is this getting bor- ing yet? 2 Iowa The formula in Iowa City never changes — run, stop the run. Is it exciting? No. Is it effective? Yes. Let's go bowling. 3 Northwestern Is this the year NU makes the Big Ten title game? The offense could be punchy. The defense is always underrated. 4 Purdue Just like last year, questions loom in West Lafayette. But as long as Jeff Brohm is wearing a headset, the Boilermakers have a chance. 5 Nebraska The bromance with Scott Frost will burn even hotter when the Huskers reach a bowl this sea- son. Oh, Frost will coax it out of them. 6 Minnesota When P.J. Fleck is your coach, any- thing seems possible. But it doesn't make any difference how fast you row a boat if it has holes in it. And this boat DIENHART'S ALL-CONFERENCE PICKS FIRST TEAM Offense WR Stanley Morgan, Sr., Nebraska WR Felton Davis III, Sr., Michigan State TE Noah Fant, Jr., Iowa OL Tyler Biadasz, So., Wisconsin OL Michael Deiter, Sr., Wisconsin OL Beau Benzschawel, Sr., Wisconsin OL Michael Jordan, Jr., Ohio State OL David Edwards, Jr., Wisconsin QB Trace McSorely Sr., Penn State RB Jonathan Taylor, So., Wisconsin RB J.K. Dobbins, So., Ohio State K Rafael Gaglianone, Sr., Wisconsin Defense DL Rashan Gary, Jr., Michigan DL Dre'Mont Jones, Jr., Ohio State DL Nick Bosa, Jr., Ohio State DL Joe Gaziano, Jr., Northwestern LB Devin Bush, Jr., Michigan LB T.J. Edwards, Sr., Wisconsin LB Paddy Fisher, So., Northwestern DB D'Cota Dixon, Sr., Wisconsin DB LaVert Hill, Jr., Michigan DB Josiah Scott, So., Michigan State DB David Dowell, Jr., Michigan State P Drue Chrisman, So., Ohio State SECOND TEAM Offense WR Juwan Johnson, Jr., Penn State WR Parris Campbell, Sr., Ohio State TE Zach Gentry, Jr., Michigan OL Connor McGovern, Jr., Penn State OL Ryan Bates, Jr., Penn State OL Ben Bredeson, Jr. Michigan OL Isaiah Prince, Sr., Ohio State OL David Beedle, Sr., Michigan State QB Brian Lewerke, Jr., Michigan State RB Karan Higdon, Sr., Michigan RB Rodney Smith, Sr., Minnesota K Sean Nuernberger, Sr., Ohio State Defense DL Anthony Nelson, Jr., Iowa DL Kenny Willekes, Jr., Michigan State DL Shareef Miller, Jr., Penn State DL Chase Winovich, Sr., Michigan LB Joe Bachie, Jr., Michigan State LB Markus Bailey, Jr., Purdue LB Khaleke Hudson, Jr., Michigan DB Jordan Fuller, Jr., Ohio State DB Amani Oruwaryie, Sr., Penn State DB Damon Arnette, Jr., Ohio State DB Kendall Sheffield, Jr., Ohio State P Blake Gillikin, Jr., Penn State AWARD WINNERS Most Valuable Player: Trace McSorley, QB, Penn State Offensive Player of the Year: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin Defensive Player of the Year: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State Newcomer of the Year: Shea Patterson, QB, Michigan