ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

I don't put a ton of stock in the preview magazines -- too much depends on returning starters and so-called name players -- but it's interesting to see how the national publications view Big Ten teams. 

Athlon is just about done with its preseason Top 25, and four Big Ten teams have made the rundown. Ohio State came in at No. 5, while Penn State is No. 7, Michigan State is No. 20 and Iowa is No. 23. The opinions on Iowa are pretty varied, as many can't overcome the loss of Doak Walker Award winner Shonn Greene, while others see the talent returning on the defensive side. My colleague Mark Schlabach had it about right when he put the Hawkeyes at No. 19 in his latest way-too-early Top 25.   

Phil Steele is working through his preseason top 40, and two Big Ten teams have been revealed -- Wisconsin at No. 38 and Michigan State at No. 29. You'd have to imagine Ohio State, Penn State and Iowa all will be in the top 20. Steele also recently posted his experience chart, which uses a new formula to determine the most-veteran and least-seasoned teams. Check out the Big Ten chart, which begins with Minnesota and Ohio State and rounds out with Northwestern and Michigan. 

Lindy's surprisingly leaves Iowa out of its preseason Top 25, while Michigan State comes in at No. 24. Penn State is ranked No. 11, while the top 10, which undoubtedly includes Ohio State, hasn't been released yet.