Buckeyes Claim Preseason Throne in Women's Hockey

Ohio State checks in at No. 1 in the preseason poll, establishing the Buckeyes as the team to chase from the opening drop of the puck.

The Big Ten flexes immediately, claiming four of the top five spots. Wisconsin follows at No. 2, Penn State at No. 3, and Minnesota at No. 4 — a conference showing that signals where the power resides before a single game is played. The Huskies at No. 5 are the lone interloper, carrying the banner for everyone outside the Big Ten's orbit.

With all five programs starting at 0-0 and no previous rankings to measure movement, the poll is a clean canvas. Every position is earned on reputation, and every position is there to be taken. The Buckeyes sit at the front, but the pack behind them is loaded and ready.