The regular season is at its halfway point, so we're presenting our selections for the midseason All-Big Ten team.

Offense

QB: Connor Cook, Michigan State

RB: Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin

RB: Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska

RB: Tevin Coleman, Indiana

WR: Tony Lippett, Michigan State

WR: DaeSean Hamilton, Penn State

OT: Brandon Scherff, Iowa

OT: Jack Conklin, Michigan State

C: Jack Allen, Michigan State

G: Zac Epping, Minnesota

G: Pat Elflein, Ohio State

Defense

DE: Joey Bosa, Ohio State

DE: Marcus Rush, Michigan State

DT: Anthony Zettel, Penn State

DT: Carl Davis, Iowa

LB: Mike Hull, Penn State

LB: Damien Wilson, Minnesota

LB: Derek Landisch, Wisconsin

CB: Desmond King, Iowa

CB: Eric Murray, Minnesota

S: Frankie Williams, Purdue

S: Michael Caputo, Wisconsin

Special teams

PK: Brad Craddock, Maryland

P: Justin DuVernois, Illinois

KR: Stefon Diggs, Maryland

PR: De'Mornay Pierson-El, Nebraska

Thoughts: The first thing you probably notice is an unconventional offense featuring three running backs and no tight ends. Sure, it's a little bit of a cheat, but how do you leave any of those three tailbacks off? Coleman, Gordon and Abdullah rank 1, 2 and 4 nationally in rushing yards. Though there are some excellent tight ends in the league -- Minnesota's Maxx Williams and Penn State's Jesse James come to mind -- we would rather reward the outstanding tailbacks. Heck, we probably could have gone four or five deep at that position, given how loaded it is right now. ... The toughest call came at cornerback, where you might be surprised by our choices. We love King's shutdown ability for the Hawkeyes, and Murray gets the slight nod over teammate Briean Boddy-Calhoun for the Gophers' excellent secondary. Michigan State's Trae Waynes might be the best player at the position in the league, but he has given up some big plays this season. Same goes for Maryland's Will Likely, who has been explosive at times and torched (see: West Virginia and Ohio State) at others. It's only midseason, remember; these choices could change by the end of the season. ... Speaking of surprised, the steady Rush makes the team over more heralded position mate Shilique Calhoun. It's a close call, but Rush has been consistently terrific so far this season. ... Some pretty fresh names at linebacker, especially after so many stars at the position departed after last season. Michigan's Jake Ryan just missed there. ... Two freshmen made the team in Hamilton and Pierson-El. Ohio State's J.T. Barrett is also pushing Cook for No. 1 status at quarterback.

The breakdown by team:

Michigan State: 5

Iowa: 3

Minnesota: 3

Penn State: 3

Wisconsin: 3

Maryland: 2

Nebraska: 2

Ohio State: 2

Illinois: 1

Indiana: 1

Purdue: 1

Michigan: 0

Northwestern: 0

Rutgers: 0