An informal poll of 24 Big Ten beat writers tabbed Wisconsin and Michigan as the runaway winners of the Leaders and Legends division last week, with the Wolverines getting the most votes (11) to win the Big Ten crown.

Writers predicted Nebraska – a preseason favorite in the Legends Division last year – would finish third in the division this year behind UM and Michigan State. NU got one first-place vote in the poll, but that writer selected the Huskers to lose to Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game.

The poll’s Offensive Player of the Year: Wisconsin running back Montee Ball (14 votes).

The poll’s Defensive Player of the Year: Michigan State’s William Gholston (11 votes)

No Nebraska players received votes for either award.

Because of NCAA penalties, Ohio State is ineligible for any postseason games this year, including the Big Ten Championship.

The full poll with points:

LEADERS
Team (First-place votes) Points
1. Wisconsin (19) 139
2. Ohio State (5) 125
3. Purdue 79
4. Illinois 72
5. Penn State 65
6. Indiana 24

LEGENDS
Team (First-place votes) Points
1. Michigan (16) 134
2. Michigan State (7) 120
3. Nebraska (1) 104
4. Iowa 72
5. Northwestern 51
6. Minnesota 24

Title-game winner: Michigan over Wisconsin (11 votes).
Others: Michigan State over Wisconsin (7), Wisconsin over Michigan (5),
Wisconsin over Nebraska (1).

Offensive MVP: Montee Ball, Wisconsin (14 votes).
Others: Denard Robinson, Michigan (9), Braxton Miller, Ohio State (1).

Defensive MVP: William Gholston, Michigan State (11 votes).
Others: Kawaan Short, Purdue (5), Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State (3), John
Simon, Ohio State (2), Denicos Allen, Michigan State (1), Chris Borland,
Wisconsin (1), Gerald Hodges, Penn State (1).