Big Ten Media Poll 2016: Everybody is sleeping on Minnesota

Did you know that the Big Ten doesn’t do an official media poll? A lot of people don’t know that, but it’s true. In fact, I forget this fact about every 3 years (what? I’ve got more important things to remember...) For the past 6 years the folks at Cleveland.com have filled the void that the conference created by polling Big Ten media members for their own version of the poll. And as you might have guessed by now, they released the results today.

In news that should shock no one, Minnesota was not a trendy pick for the 2016 season. The combined tally of the media votes pegged the Gophers as a distant 5th place in the West. It wasn’t all doom and gloom though, as one intrepid soul said Minnesota would tie Iowa for the West crown and PiPress beat writer Andy Greder said he ranked them 2nd.

In case you are now worried Minnesota is doomed, don’t be:

This poll has never correctly picked the Big Ten champion in five tries. The Buckeyes got all 40 votes to win the league last year before Michigan State beat Iowa in the Big Ten Championship. The Hawkeyes, who went undefeated during the regular season, were picked fourth in the West in this poll a year ago.

Feel free to examine our other failures in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Guaranteed title then, got it. Thanks Cleveland.com!

Full results for each division are below (1st place votes for the divisions are in parentheses)

Big Ten East

1. Ohio State 260.5 (31)

2. Michigan 241 (14)

3. Michigan State 195.5 (1)

4. Penn State 155.5

5. Indiana 110

6. Maryland 81.5

7. Rutgers 52

Big Ten West

1. Iowa 265 (33)

2. Nebraska 206 (3)

3. Wisconsin 194.5 (2)

4. Northwestern 171.5 (1)

5. Minnesota 132 (1)

6. Illinois 76.5

7. Purdue 46.5

Big Ten Title Game Predictions

Ohio State over Iowa (24)

Michigan over Iowa (6)

Michigan over Wisconsin (2)

Michigan over Nebraska (2)

Ohio State over Minnesota (1)

Ohio State over Wisconsin (1)

Ohio State over Nebraska (1)

Michigan over Northwestern (1)

Iowa over Ohio State (1)

Final B1G Champion Predictions

Ohio State (27)

Michigan (11)

Iowa (1)