Ohio State was selected as the preseason favorite to win the conference with Wisconsin and Illinois second and third, respectively by the Media.

Ohio State running back Chris Wells was chosen as the Preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the year while fellow Buckeye linebacker James Laurinaitis was named the Preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the year.

Purdue Head Coach Joe Tiller entered his final season, while Michigan's Rich Rodriguez began his first in Ann Arbor.

This meant that conference schools averaged 70,125 fans per home contest this season.

* denotes Ohio Stadium record vs. Penn State on October 25.