Star defender Abdul Carter — and an overlooked offensive lineman — will lead Penn State football to the verge of its first College Football Playoff appearance.
That’s the way media who cover the Big Ten for the USA Today Sports Network see it.
James Frankin’s Nittany Lions are predicted to finish in a tie for third place (with Michigan) in the expanded Big Ten Conference this fall. (Twelve teams, including the Power Four conference champs, will qualify in the new playoff structure).
Just two Penn State players — junior defensive end Abdul Carter and senior guard Sal Wormley — were All-Big Ten preseason picks (Only a first team was chosen for offense, defense and specialists).
The predicted Big Ten order of finish and the preseason all-conference team were chosen by the more than a dozen beat writers who cover the league for USA TODAY Sports Network.
My picks differ to the consensus to varying degrees. I went with Oregon and player-of-the-year quarterback Dillon Gabriel to win the league in their first season and Penn State to finish second (thanks to finally beating Ohio State).
Father and son: Penn State football anchor Nick Dawkins: Learning, living, leading from his famous father
Big Ten projected order of finish
Here’s the 2024 projected order of finish as determined by the beat writers who cover the league for the USA TODAY Sports Network:
1. Ohio State (8 first place votes)
2. Oregon (5 first place votes)
3. (tie) Michigan
3. (tie) Penn State
5. USC
6. Iowa
7. Wisconsin
8. Nebraska
9. Washington
10. Rutgers
11. Maryland
12. Michigan State
13. Minnesota
14. UCLA
15. Illinois
16. Indiana
17. Northwestern
18. Purdue
Frank Bodani’s predicted final Big Ten standings
My predicted order: 1. Oregon 2. Penn State 3. Ohio State 4. Michigan 5. Wisconsin 6. USC 7. Washington 8. Iowa 9. Rutgers 10. Maryland 11. Nebraska 12. Illinois 13. Michigan State 14. Minnesota 15. Indiana 16. UCLA 17. Northwestern 18. Purdue
As for the All-Big Ten team, every USA TODAY voter picked Gabriel at quarterback and Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka at receiver. The toughest calls, from my view, were choosing just two running backs, two defensive ends and a tight end. So many potential Big Ten stars at each spot.
I believe media types and fans are sleeping on a few Nittany Lions this season − Nick Singleton as a running back and returner, Tyler Warren at tight end and Dani Dennis-Sutton at defensive end. Don’t be surprised if a healthy Dennis-Sutton is not only the Lions’ most consistent, productive edge rusher − despite Carter’s impactful move − but one of the best in the nation.
Meanwhile, will Wormley truly elevate his play to a first-team All-Big Ten level? He has been one of Penn State’s steadiest performers the past two years, starting 26-straight games at right guard. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick last season.
USA Today’s preseason All-Big Ten team
Here’s the preseason All-Big Ten team, as chosen by the Big Ten media with the USA TODAY Sports Network.
OFFENSE
-
Quarterback: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
-
Running back: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
-
Running back: Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
-
Wide receiver: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
-
Wide receiver: Tez Johnson, Oregon
-
Tight end: Colston Loveland, Michigan
-
Offensive line: Logan Jones, Iowa
-
Offensive line: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
-
Offensive line: Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
-
Offensive line: Josh Priebe, Michigan
-
Offensive line: Sal Wormley, Penn State
DEFENSE
-
Defensive line: Mason Graham, Michigan
-
Defensive line: J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State
-
Defensive line: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
-
Defensive line: Abdul Carter, Penn State
-
Linebacker: Jay Higgins, Iowa
-
Linebacker: Nick Jackson, Iowa
-
Linebacker: Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
-
Defensive back: Will Johnson, Michigan
-
Defensive back: Denzel Burke, Ohio State
-
Defensive back: Caleb Downs, Ohio State
-
Defensive back: Dillon Thieneman, Purdue
SPECIALISTS
-
Kicker: Dragan Kesich, Minnesota
-
Punter: Ryan Eckley, Michigan State
-
All-purpose: Zachariah Branch, USC
Frank Bodani’s preseason All-Big Ten team
My picks on offense — Quarterback: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon; Running back: Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State; Running back: Nick Singleton, Penn State; Wide receiver: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State; Wide receiver: Evan Stewart, Oregon; Tight end: Tyler Warren, Penn State; Offensive line: Logan Jones, Iowa; Offensive line: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State; Offensive line: Connor Colby, Iowa; Offensive line: Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota; Offensive line: Jonah Monheim, USC.
My picks on defense — Defensive line: Mason Graham, Michigan; Defensive line: JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State; Defensive line: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State; Defensive line: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State; Linebacker: Jay Higgins, Iowa; Linebacker: Jeff Bassa, Oregon; Linebacker: Xander Mueller, Northwestern; Defensive back: Will Johnson, Michigan; Defensive back: Denzel Burke, Ohio State; Defensive back: Caleb Downs, Ohio State; Defensive back:…
York Daily Record
