Big Ten writers expect Ohio State to repeat as champions in the Big Ten, and expect Michigan and Michigan State to be in a close race behind the Buckeyes in the conference's East Division.

The Buckeyes were picked to win the 2018 Big Ten title in a preseason poll conducted by Cleveland.com and released on Friday morning.

Ohio State received 191.5 points and 23.5 first-place votes in the division. The next three spots were decided by just 1.5 points: Michigan State was picked second in the division, with 142 points and two first-place votes. Penn State was third with 141.5 points and Michigan was fourth with 140.5 points.

The annual Cleveland.com poll, which included 28 writers who cover the conference, serves as the conference's unofficial preseason poll. The Big Ten does not conduct an official preseason poll.

In the West division, all 28 writers picked Wisconsin to win the division title, then Iowa in second place and Northwestern in third.

Fourteen writers picked Ohio State to win the Big Ten title game, while 13 picked Wisconsin. Michigan State received one vote to win the Big Ten title game.

The poll also included preseason players of the year for both offense and defense. Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa was picked on the defensive side, and Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary finished second in the voting. Michigan State linebacker Joe Bachie finished fourth, while Michigan defensive end Chase Winovich finished seventh and linebacker Khaleke Hudson finished eighth.

Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley was picked as the conference's offensive player of the year. Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke finished fourth in that voting, while Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson finished seventh.

2018 Cleveland.com Big Ten Preseason Poll

BIG TEN EAST

1. Ohio State, 191.5 points (23.5 first-place votes)

2. Michigan State, 142 points (2)

3. Penn State, 141.5 points (1)

4. Michigan, 140.5 points (1.5)

5. Maryland, 75.5 points

6. Indiana, 60 points

7. Rutgers, 33 points

BIG TEN WEST

1. Wisconsin, 196 points (28 first-place votes)

2. Iowa, 155 points

3. Northwestern, 138 points

4. Nebraska, 104 points

5. Purdue, 98.5 points

6. Minnesota, 64.5 points

7. Illinois, 28 points

BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Ohio State over Wisconsin (14)

Wisconsin over Ohio State (9)

Wisconsin over Michigan (2)

Wisconsin over Penn State (1)

Wisconsin over Michigan State (1)

Michigan State over Wisconsin (1)

PRESEASON BIG TEN DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

1. Nick Bosa, Ohio State DE, 74 points, (20 first-place votes)

2. Rashan Gary, Michigan DE, 38 points, (6)

3. T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin LB, 24 points

4. Devin Bush, Michigan LB, 14 points (1)

5. Paddy Fisher, Northwestern LB, 8 points (1)

6. Joe Bachie, Michigan State LB, 5 points

7. Chase Winovich, Michigan DE, 2 points

8. D'Cota Dixon, Wisconsin S, 1 point

8. Olive Sagapolu, Wisconsin DT, 1 points

8. Khaleke Hudson, Michigan LB, 1 point

PRESEASON BIG TEN OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

1. Trace McSorley, Penn State QB, 66 points, (14 first-place votes)

2. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin RB, 61 points, (11)

3. JK Dobbins, Ohio State RB, 28 points, (2)

4. Brian Lewerke, Michigan State QB, 7 points, (1)

5. Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State QB, 3 points

6. Noah Fant, Iowa TE, 2 points

7. Shea Patterson, Michigan QB, 1 point