Big Ten Football 2018 preview: Breakout stars, biggest games, predictions

By Brad Weiss | Aug 20, 2018

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 25: Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins waits for the snap during the third quarter of Ohio State's 31-20 win over Michigan during a college football game on November 25, 2017, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI. (Photo by Lon Horwedel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 02: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Nick Bosa (97) celebrates a sack during the Big 10 Championship game between the Wisconsin Badgers and Ohio State Buckeyes on December 2, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Defensive Player of the Year: Ohio State DE Nick Bosa

A lot of the talk in recent weeks regarding the Big Ten Conference has been focused around Ohio State, where head coach Urban Meyer is on administrative leave. Since coming to Ohio State, Meyer has led the Buckeyes to an incredible 73-8 record, and has either won, or tied for first in the division every year.

Outside of the coaching questions, another member of Buckeye Nation who is getting a ton of talk is defensive end Nick Bosa. The brother of Ohio State legend Joey, the younger Bosa has been a beast ever since starting for the Buckeyes as a freshman, and he is now the sole leader of this defense moving forward.

After being named an ESPN Freshman All-American back in 2016, Bosa took his game to the next level last season. Not only did he help the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Championship, but he was named a First-Team Big Ten selection, while winning the conference’s Defensive Lineman of the Year Award.

In 2018, Bosa will look to take the next step in his career, and while another Big Ten title is a goal, he has to be thinking national championship. This Buckeyes team has so much talent on both sides of the ball, but on the defense, it is going to begin, and end with their talented junior coming off the end.

Bosa is likely done after this season, as many feel he is going to be an early pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Ohio State Buckeyes have an opportunity to do something special this season, and in Bosa, they may have the best edge rusher in all of college football.