In a highly anticipated preseason media poll for the Big Ten Conference, Ohio State has emerged as the clear frontrunner for the 2024 season. The Buckeyes, who have been dominating the offseason news, secured the top spot with ease. With soaring expectations, Ohio State is determined to clinch a victory against Michigan and make a strong College Football Playoff appearance.

In a surprising turn of events, Oregon claims the second spot in the poll. The Ducks, led by coach Dan Lanning, have garnered immense support as they gear up for their third year. Despite narrowly missing the playoffs last year due to losses against Washington, Oregon's seasoned sixth-year quarterback and a solid group of returners make them a strong contender for a playoff spot in 2024.

Penn State takes the third position in the media poll, an unexpected ranking ahead of 2023 national champions, Michigan. The Wolverines, who suffered departures in coaching staff, quarterback, and key players in the draft, find themselves ranked fourth in the Big Ten preseason poll. Surely, Michigan feels slighted by this evaluation, while Penn State aims to prove their worth against a comparatively easier schedule.

Meanwhile, Washington, the runner-up in last season's national title game, faces a new era with a new coach and quarterback. This transition, along with significant losses in the NFL Draft, has led to a lower ranking for the Huskies. Surprisingly, they are positioned one spot below Rutgers in the media poll, highlighting the rebuilding process they face in the 2024 season.

Lastly, Indiana's teams, Purdue and IU, have been ranked at the bottom of the conference. The media poll placed these two Indiana-based teams at the 17th and 18th positions, respectively. Ryan Walters and Curt Cignetti, the coaches of Purdue and IU, will undoubtedly enter the season with a chip on their shoulders, determined to prove their worth against the odds.

The Big Ten Conference is set to witness an exciting season ahead, with Ohio State leading the pack and Oregon and Penn State looking to challenge their supremacy. As the teams gear up for kickoff, fans eagerly await the action-filled matchups and unexpected twists that college football never fails to deliver.