Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan State are considered the favorites to contend for the Big Ten title in 2018, so it’s no surprise all five teams lead the way for most selections on Athlon’s 2018 All-Big Ten Team. The Wolverines have 14 all-conference picks, with Wisconsin and Ohio State tied for second at 12. Michigan State is next with 11, followed by Penn State at nine.

Athlon Sports has released its top 25 for 2018. Now, it’s time to take a look at the best of the best and honor the top players in the league with a release of first, second, third and fourth all-conference teams for 2018.

An important note on the all-conference teams: These are based on how players will perform in 2018. Career statistics and awards matter in the evaluation, but choosing players for the 2018 all-conference team is largely based on predicting and projecting the best for the upcoming year.

Big Ten Football 2018 All-Conference Team

First-Team Offense Second-Team Offense Third-Team Offense Fourth-Team Offense QB Trace McSorley Penn State Brian Lewerke Mich. State Shea Patterson Michigan Alex Hornibrook Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor Wisconsin Karan Higdon Michigan Miles Sanders Penn State Jeremy Larkin Northwestern RB J.K. Dobbins Ohio State LJ Scott Mich. State Mike Weber Ohio State Tre Bryant Nebraska AP JD Spielman Nebraska Rodney Smith (RB) Minnesota Ty Johnson Maryland Taivon Jacobs (WR) Maryland WR Felton Davis Mich. State Parris Campbell Ohio State Quintez Cephus Wisconsin Nick Westbrook Indiana WR Stanley Morgan Nebraska Juwan Johnson Penn State Tyler Johnson Minnesota Tarik Black Michigan TE Noah Fant Iowa Sean McKeon Michigan Louis Dorsey Illinois Brycen Hopkins Purdue C Tyler Biadasz Wisconsin Kirk Barron Purdue Keegan Render Iowa Connor McGovern Penn State OL David Edwards Wisconsin Ryan Bates Penn State David Beedle Mich. State Coy Cronk Indiana OL Michael Deiter Wisconsin Ben Bredeson Michigan Tariq Cole Rutgers Donnell Greene Minnesota OL Michael Jordan Ohio State Isaiah Prince Ohio State Jerald Foster Nebraska Nick Allegretti Illinois OL Beau Benzschawel Wisconsin Tommy Doles Northwestern Derwin Gray Maryland Cesar Ruiz Michigan

First-Team Defense Second-Team Defense Third-Team Defense Fourth-Team Defense DL Nick Bosa Ohio State Kenny Willekes Mich. State Carter Coughlin Minnesota Parker Hesse Iowa DL Rashan Gary Michigan Shareef Miller Penn State Olive Sagapolu Wisconsin A.J. Epenesa Iowa DL Chase Winovich Michigan Anthony Nelson Iowa Mick Stoltenberg Nebraska Samdup Miller Northwestern DL Dre'Mont Jones Ohio State Joe Gaziano Northwestern Chase Young Ohio State Jesse Aniebonam Maryland LB Devin Bush Michigan Joe Bachie Mich. State Thomas Barber Minnesota Lorenzo Neal Purdue LB T.J. Edwards Wisconsin Markus Bailey Purdue Ryan Connelly Wisconsin Del'Shawn Phillips Illinois LB Khaleke Hudson Michigan Paddy Fisher Northwestern Nate Hall Northwestern Trevor Morris Rutgers CB Lavert Hill Michigan Amani Oruwariye Penn State Jeffrey Okudah Ohio State Justin Layne Mich. State CB David Long Michigan Montre Hartage Northwestern Josiah Scott Mich. State Blessuan Austin Rutgers S D'Cota Dixon Wisconsin David Dowell Mich. State Antoine Brooks Maryland Navon Mosley Purdue S Jordan Fuller Ohio State Jonathan Crawford Indiana Antoine Winfield Minnesota Bennett Williams Illinois

First-Team Specialists Second-Team Specialists Third-Team Specialists Fourth-Team Specialists K Rafael Gaglianone Wisconsin Quinn Nordin Michigan Miguel Recinos Iowa Matt Coghlin Mich. State P Drue Chrisman Ohio State Blake Gillikin Penn State Joe Schopper Purdue Jake Hartbarger Mich. State KR Parris Campbell Ohio State JD Spielman Nebraska Ty Johnson Maryland Solomon Vault Northwestern PR DeAndre Thompkins Penn State Donovan Peoples-Jones Michigan J-Shun Harris Indiana Mike Dudek Illinois

Team-by-Team Breakdown of Athlon's 2018 All-Big Ten Team