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Posted on Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 5:57 a.m.

Results of informal poll of Big Ten players: Respect for Dan Persa, few true corn huskers

By Kyle Meinke

CHICAGO — Imagine being asked the same 10 questions by 100 different people.

That, more or less, is what it must feel like to be a player at Big Ten media days.

But ask a player which league city has the best food, and he’ll perk right up. Ask him to rate the names “Leaders” and Legends,” and he won’t hold back.

Ask if he’s ever husked corn before, and you just might get a smile.

AnnArbor.com conducted an informal and anonymous players poll from the Big Ten media days in Chicago last week, in which former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel received votes for both coach you’d most want to play for and least want to play for — and he’s not even a coach anymore.

There was a consensus on two things, though: Big Ten players think Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson is both the most exciting player and fastest player in the conference.

Here are the complete results:

Who’s the most exciting player in the Big Ten?
Denard Robinson, Michigan - 7 Dan Persa, Northwestern - 2: Comment: “He gets no respect, and is probably the best player in the conference.” Kirk Cousins, Michigan State - 1.

Who’s the most overrated player in the Big Ten?
Martin McNutt, Jr., Iowa - 2 Nick Toon, Wisconsin - 2 John Clay, (formerly of) Wisconsin - 1 Terrelle Pryor, (formerly of) Ohio State - 1 N/A 4

Who’s the most underrated player in the Big Ten?
Dan Persa, Northwestern - 5 Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois - 2 Mike Daniels, Iowa - 2 Edwin Baker, Michigan State - 1

PAT-FITZGERALD.jpg

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald impresses players across the Big Ten Conference.

Associated Press

Who is the Big Ten coach, besides your own, that you’d most want to play for?
Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern - 4 Comment: “It’s criminal how underrated he is, and his players love playing for him.” Bo Pelini, Nebraska - 2 Kirk Ferentz, Iowa - 1 Brady Hoke, Michigan - 1 Joe Paterno, Penn State - 1 (Former coach) Jim Tressel, (formerly of) Ohio State - 1 Comment: “The tradition and his knowledge of the game, and he turns out pros.”

Who is the Big Ten coach you’d least want to play for?
Ron Zook, Illinois - 4 Comment: “I’ve heard he’s just kind of funny, and not in a good way.” Jim Tressel, (formerly of) Ohio State - 2 Comment: “I know he’s not there anymore, but it just has to be him.” Danny Hope, Purdue - 1 Jerry Kill, Minnesota - 1 Bo Pelini, Nebraska - 1 N/A 1

Which is the dirtiest team in the Big Ten?
Indiana - 3 “I was out that game, but I saw what went on and our guys were saying it was bad out there.” Ohio State - 3 Wisconsin - 1 N/A 3

Should student-athletes be paid?
Yes - 6, No - 3, Not sure - 1 Comment: “It’s just a complicated question. If you pay football players, then do you pay everyone else as well?”

Should the Big Ten play its championship game outdoors?
Yes - 4, No - 3, Don’t care - 3

What is the toughest Big Ten stadium to play in?
Penn State 4, Ohio State 3, Michigan 2, Wisconsin 1

On a scale of 1-to-10, how do you rate the names “Leaders” and “Legends?”
Zero - 1 vote Question: “You’re not a math major, are you?” Answer: “No way. Has to be zero anyway, because they suck. No creativity, and no one can keep them straight. Not even players.” Two - 3 votes; three - 1 vote; 3.28 - 1 vote Comment: “Kind of cliché, and they sound the same.” Five - 1 vote; Six - 2 votes; 7 - 1 vote. Total average of 10 players: 3.6

Who is the fastest player in the Big Ten?
Denard Robinson, Michigan - 9 Devon Smith, Penn State - 1.

How many years will it take Nebraska to win its first Big Ten title?
Two years - 3 votes; five years - 2 votes; One year - 2; 1,000 years - 1 vote Comment: “Wishful thinking.” N/A 2

Which school has the best Big Ten campus?
Michigan 3, Ohio State 3, Wisconsin 2, Michigan State 1, Iowa 1

Which Big Ten town has the best food?
Iowa 4, Northwestern 3, Ohio State 2, Michigan 1

Have you ever husked corn before?
No - 8 Comment: “Man, I don’t even know what a corn husker is.” Yes - 2

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.

Comments

jillclubb

Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 5:56 a.m.

Yea I am glad to see Nebraska come to the BIG 10 really I am . <a href="http://bit.ly/nkYjBZ" rel='nofollow'>http://bit.ly/nkYjBZ</a>

ThoseWhoStayUofM

Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 2:01 a.m.

How did Columbus get 3 votes for the campus with the best food? Do they have anything other than chicken wings in Columbus? I mean... maybe the chicken wings there are just really good because those votes couldn't possibly be based on anything more than that. On the other hand, this is voted on by a bunch of college-age football players, so in that regard, I guess we can all consider the source. Honestly though, Ann Arbor clearly has the best food if you want quality cuisine of just about any culture. The sheer diversity alone puts Ann Arbor at the top of my list. I should however take the time to point out that I am a Michigan Man, so in that regard, we should all consider the source again... lol. In summary, if you are interested in a hundred different places to get the same chicken wings, then Columbus is the place for you. If you are interested in exploring the foods of different cultures, done right, then Ann Arbor is where you should be headed.

garrisondyer

Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 10:26 p.m.

I'm surprised MSU's campus received votes. I've never thought it was anything special. I've always thought highly of Ann Arbor and Madison, though.