Sports Illustrated Publishers' 2020 Preseason All-Big Ten Team

Senior punter Blake Hayes is the only Illinois selection for the inaugural list of the preseason all-conference team by Sports Illustrated publishers.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The returning Big Ten Conference Punter of the Year is the only Illinois selection for the inaugural list of the preseason all-conference team by Sports Illustrated publishers.

Blake Hayes, the senior Illinois punter, had one of the best punting seasons in Illinois history in 2019 as his 44.8 yards per punt average was second all-time in Illini history (45.4 by Steve Weatherford in 2004) and the Australian native was second in the Big Ten and 18th in the nation in punting average.

Blake Hayes, the senior Illinois punter, had one of the best punting seasons in Illinois history in 2019 as his 44.8 yards per punt average was second all-time in Illini history :: Mike Granse/USA TODAY Sports

Hayes had 28 punts inside the 20-yard-line, most in a season in Illini history, and only two touchbacks on the season, tied for the fewest in a season in Illini history. The former Australian Rules Rugby player had 20 punts of 50 yards or more, which tied for most in a season in Illini history and 13 punts inside the 10-yard-line, including six downed on the 1-yard-line or 2-yard line.

Michigan led the way with five players on the team, with Ohio State and Penn State each boasting four.

Some notes on the SI Publisher All-Big Ten Conference voting format: For the offense, publishers used a format of one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, two offensive tackles, two offensive guards and one center. For the defense, we included four defensive linemen and four linebackers based on various programs' schemes.

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields was named the SI publishers' preseason offensive player of the year. Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons was selected as the preseason defensive player of the year. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day was named the preseason coach of the year.

2020 SI Publishers Preseason All-Big Ten Selections

NOTE: Players in italics denote an unanimous selection.

Offense

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Quarterback: Justin Fields (Ohio State)

Running back: Journey Brown (Penn State), Elijah Collins (Michigan State)

Wide receivers: Rondale Moore (Purdue), Rashod Bateman (Minnesota)

Tight end: Pat Friermuth (Penn State)

Offensive tackles: Cole Van Lanen (Wisconsin), Alaric Jackson (Iowa)

Offensive guards: Wyatt Davis (Ohio State), Blaise Andries (Minnesota)

Center: Josh Myers (Ohio State)

Defense

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Defensive lineman: George Karlaftis (Purdue), Kwity Paye (Michigan), Shaka Toney (Penn State), Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)

Linebacker: Micah Parsons (Penn State), Paddy Fisher (Northwestern), Jack Sanborn (Wisconsin), Cameron McGrone (Michigan)

Cornerback: Shawn Wade (Ohio State), Ambry Thomas (Michigan)

Safety: Eric Burrell (Wisconsin), Dax Hill (Michigan)

Special Teams

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Kicker: Keith Duncan (Iowa)

Punter: Blake Hayes (Illinois)

Kickoff returner: Ihmir Smith-Marsette (Iowa)

Punt returner: Rondale Moore (Purdue)

Sports Illustrated Publishers' Big Ten Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Justin Fields (Ohio State)

Sports Illustrated Publishers' Big Ten Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Micah Parsons (Penn State)

Sports Illustrated Publishers' Big Ten Preseason Coach of the Year: Ryan Day (Ohio State)

Predictions

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Big Ten West winner: Wisconsin

Big Ten East winner: Ohio State

Big Ten Conference champion: Ohio State

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Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh and Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith meet after a game at Memorial Stadium :: Patrick Gorski/USA TODAY Sports

Breakdown of honorees by school

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Michigan - 5

Ohio State - 4

Penn State - 4

Wisconsin - 3

Iowa - 3

Purdue - 2

Minnesota - 2

Michigan State - 1

Illinois - 1

Northwestern - 1