The 2010 Big Ten postseason player rankings continue with ...
No. 9: Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, Ohio State, Sr., 5-11, 180
2010 numbers: Led the Big Ten with 11 receiving touchdowns; ranked second in the league in receiving yards per game (72.9 ypg) and had the highest yards-per-reception average (17.2) among the league's top 10 pass-catchers; caught 55 passed for 948 yards; finished ninth in the league in touchdowns with 12 (11 receiving, 1 rushing); earned consensus first-team All-Big Ten honors.
Preseason rank: Unranked in the preseason Top 25 players
Why he's here: As you know by now, these rankings are all about impact, and arguably no Ohio State offensive player made a more significant impact than Sanzenbacher. He went from moderate unknown to part of the college football lexicon. He caught touchdowns in eight separate games -- he hauled in a team record-tying four in a rout of Eastern Michigan -- and recorded three or more receptions in 12 of Ohio State's 13 games.
Arguably his most valuable contribution came in the Sugar Bowl as he recovered a Terrelle Pryor fumble in the end zone to give Ohio State a 6-0 lead and cap the game's opening drive. Known as a fearless player prepared to make tough catches over the middle, Sanzenbacher elevated his game to become without question the Big Ten's top receiver this fall. It's no surprise Sanzenbacher's teammates voted him as Ohio State's MVP in 2010. The Buckeyes went 36-5 when he recorded at least one reception.
No. 9: Ohio State WR Dane Sanzenbacher
No. 10: Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien
No. 11: Michigan State LB Greg Jones
No. 12: Ohio State CB Chimdi Chekwa
No. 13: Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor
No. 14: Wisconsin G John Moffitt
No. 15: Michigan C David Molk
No. 16: Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward:
No. 17: Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi
No. 18: Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins
No. 19: Indiana WR Tandon Doss
No. 21: Penn State G Stefen Wisniewski
No. 22: Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn
No. 23: Wisconsin RB James White
No. 24: Ohio State LT Mike Adams
No. 25: Indiana QB Ben Chappell