Two more preseason watch lists are out, and they recognize two positions of traditional strength in the Big Ten: center and tight end.
The Mackey Award, which goes to the nation's best tight end, and the Rimington Trophy, which honors the top center, both came out with their preseason lists on Tuesday. The Big Ten is well represented on both. Here's a look:
Rimington
Travis Jackson, Michigan State
Corey Linsley, Ohio State
Cole Pensick, Nebraska
Brandon Vitabile, Northwestern
Mackey
Ted Bolser, Indiana
Kyle Carter, Penn State
C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa
Devin Funchess, Michigan
Gabe Holmes, Purdue
Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State
Jacob Pedersen, Wisconsin
Tight end should be one of the strongest positions in the league this season, and seven starting Big Ten tight ends make the list of 37 nominees. It's a bit surprising to see only four centers from the league on the list of 44 Rimington honorees. Any snubs here? I think you could have added Northwestern's Dan Vitale to the Mackey group, though that list is pretty well stuffed with Big Ten players as is. The Rimington folks seem to have gotten all the potential award winners right, though someone like Wisconsin's Dan Voltz or Penn State's Ty Howle could always surprise.
